Articles of 2006

Center Devoted to Combat Sports Will Research Tough Questions

Published

19 years ago

May 8, 2006

Editor

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and renowned trainer Teddy Atlas are pulling no punches in backing the newly formed Combat Sports Center for Safety and Research (CSCSR). “I'm excited about being a part of this groundbreaking initiative. The research is important for the sport and will ensure the future safety of boxers,” notes Lewis.

The CSCSR has been created to promote safety and awareness in sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts. Safety decisions in combat sports must be made on the basis of hard data rather than guesswork. This will be accomplished by conducting in-depth research, providing educational material and training, and promoting safe practices.

“Our goal is to be the premier provider of objective, quality research and educational training in order to promote safety and prolong the careers of those in the combat sports,” said Johns Hopkins researcher and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Dr. Gregory Bledsoe.

This independent research center was co-founded with other well-respected physicians: Chief Scientist and Hopkins Professor Dr. Guohua Li, MD, Dr. PH; Association of Boxing Commissions Vice President and former Nevada State Athletic Commissioner and emergency physician, Dr. Flip Homansky; and Nevada State Athletic Commission Medical Advisory Board Chairman, former Chief Ringside Physician, and Neurologist, Dr. Margaret Goodman. Seth Horowitz, CEO and President of Everlast Worldwide alsoserves on the board.

The CSCSR Advisory Board includes the vast expertise of Lennox Lewis, the former undisputed heavyweight champ and color commentator from HBO’s Boxing After Dark; Teddy Atlas, color commentator for ESPN’s Friday Night Fights; former heavyweight and light heavyweight Ultimate Fighting Champion Randy Couture; and journalist and safety advocate Allan Scotto.

CSCSR’s first study includes new MRI technology from Fonar, one of the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of MRI scanners, and a portable system that provides real-time assessment of mild traumatic brain injury to rapidly assess cognitive function co-invented by Dr. Michelle LaPlaca and Dr. David Wright from Georgia Tech and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. This will be the first longitudinal study to link radiologic data with data regarding cognitive functioning before and immediately following a fight.

“Our hope is that these data can be used to identify participants at risk of traumatic brain injury and provide those officiating such events additional objective criteria by which they can assess fighters in the ring,” Dr. Bledsoe said.

The second longitudinal study, already underway, is in conjunction with the California State Athletic Commission and Executive Officer, Armando Garcia, aimed at correlating weights of fighters at the weigh-in, before competition the night of the event, and immediately following the fight with factors such as fight outcome, age and career history.

“This is an opportunity to bring the expertise of researchers from Hopkins, as well as Georgia Tech and Emory University together with the boxing community,” Homansky said. “Hopefully, it is just beginning.”

Atlas agrees: “This can be something that can serve fighters and the fight business. Hopefully we’ll get some answers that will make the sport safer.”

The Combat Sports Center for Safety and Research is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation. It is not affiliated or endorsed by any established academic institution including The Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, or Emory University. For additional information, please contact either Dr. Margaret Goodman at (702) 255-8785 or Dr. Greg H. Bledsoe at gbledso1@jhmi.edu.

Participant Biographical Data

Gregory H. Bledsoe, MD, MPH is Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Bledsoe is an emergency physician with a research focus on injury prevention. He has published in many peer-reviewed journals including The Journal of Trauma, The Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Care, Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, and Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. He is also an expedition physician who has traveled to over 40 countries, and provides medical training and support for the United States Secret Service.

Guohua Li, MD, Dr.PH is Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Li is an epidemiologist specializing in injury causation and trauma outcome. He has authored over 100 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed medical and health journals. Dr. Li is a former winner of the Kenneth Rothman Epidemiology Prize and a current Guggenheim Fellow.

Edwin “Flip” Homansky, MD is an Emergency Physician in Las Vegas where he is Chief Medical Officer for the Valley Health System. Dr. Homansky started as a ring physician with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) in the early 1980’s and later became Chief Physician and Medical Advisory Board Chairman. During his more than twenty years with the NSAC, he also served as a commissioner for 5 years. He is Vice President of the Association of Boxing Commissions, and co-authored the book Ringside and Training Principles. His numerous safety accomplishments include pioneering HIV testing, steroid testing, and mandatory MRI/MRA testing on fighters in the state of Nevada.

Margaret Goodman, MD has been a practicing neurologist in Las Vegas since 1988. Dr. Goodman was a ring physician with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for 12 years, and also served as Chief Ringside Physician. She is Chairman of the NSAC’s Medical Advisory Board and Medical Committee Chairman for the Association of Boxing Commissions. Dr. Goodman co-authored Ringside and Training Principles; a book aimed primarily at fighters and trainers, and is a regular contributor to Ring magazine. Dr. Goodman has been instrumental in the institution of advanced safety standards in Nevada including mandatory MRI/MRA testing. Drs. Goodman and Homansky will be honored “for a career marked by honesty and integrity” at this year’s Boxing Writers Association of America banquet.

Seth Horowitz, Chairman, CEO, and President of Everlast Worldwide, Inc. Named as one of the “25 Leaders to Watch” by Sports Edge Magazine, Mr. Horowitz has continued in his father’s footsteps as a substantial contributor to both the amateur and professional boxing community, and has participated in educational seminars to boxing fighters and trainers. Everlast has shown a commitment to fighter safety and has endeavored to improve their equipment through research such as this.

Lennox Lewis, former undisputed heavyweight champion, started boxing at age 12. He amassed an amateur record of 85 wins-9 losses, and went on to earn a Gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics for Team Canada when he defeated future world champion Riddick Bowe. He turned pro in 1989 and retired in 2004 with a professional record of 41 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. Among the boxers he beat were Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and

Vitali Klitschko. Along with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield, Lennox is the only boxer in heavyweight history to have won the heavyweight championship on three separate occasions. Lennox understands both the rewards and dangers of the sport. He has been a professional and safety advocate in and out of the ring. Lennox continues his career in boxing as the new color commentator for HBO’s Boxing After Dark.

Teddy Atlas started his career in boxing under the tutelage of legendary trainer Cus D’Amato. His boxing career was cut short due to an injury, and he began to train fighters for D’Amato including Mike Tyson. As a professional trainer, he worked at one time or another with world champions Michael Moorer, Tracy Patterson, Barry McGuigan, Donnie LaLonde, Simon Brown, and Joey Gamache. For over 20 years, Teddy has done color commentary for radio and television programs, and is currently the boxing color commentator for ESPN Friday Night Fights. He is founder and Chairman of the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas foundation that attempts to ease the burden of those less fortunate, and his book, Atlas: From the Streets to the Ring: A Son’s Struggle to Become a Man has just been released.

Randy Couture is the only athlete to have held championship titles in the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Randy spent 6 years in the US army, then attended and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in foreign languages and literature. He then worked as an assistant wrestling coach for Oregon State University before entering the UFC at age 34. He was a three-time Olympic team alternate (1988, 1992, and 1996); a semifinalist at the 2000 Olympics Trials; a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association All American; and a four-time NCAA finalist. In his UFC career of 14 wins, he holds wins over Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Mike Van Arsdale. After retiring in 2006, Randy continues in the sport as trainer and advisor for Team Quest.

Allan Scotto is a journalist who began in boxing working for “New York Sportscene Magazine.” He has also worked as a research consultant for the NBC Budweiser Boxing Series, and was a consulting producer for Fox’s boxing reality show, The Next Great Champ. Allan now works exclusively as an internet journalist and is widely recognized as a proponent for fighter safety.

FONAR Corporation is one of the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of MRI scanners. Throughout 25 years of invention, development and production, Fonar has been on the leading edge of innovation in the MRI industry. In 1980, Fonar revolutionized diagnostic imaging through the introduction of the world’s first commercial MRI scanner. Now Fonar has revolutionized diagnostic imaging with its Upright MRI, the world’s first MRI that performs Upright Imaging and Position Imaging. In 1970, Raymond Damadian, MD, made the discovery that is the basis for magnetic resonance (MR) scanning that there is a marked difference in relaxation times between normal and abnormal tissues, This seminal discovery, which remains the basis for the making of every MRI image ever produced, is the foundation of the MRI industry. Fonar has great interest in making boxing more safe, and is donating their technology to reach this goal.

Michelle LaPlaca, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, a joint department between Georgia Tech and Emory University. Following post-doctoral training in Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania, she joined the faculty at Georgia Tech in 1998. Dr. LaPlaca’s research interests are in 1) brain and spinal cord injury biomechanics and 2) repair strategies for central nervous system injury to reduce ongoing cell and tissue damage and promote regeneration. She has several active research projects aimed at understanding the complex injury mechanisms associated with traumatic central nervous system injury. She is co-inventor of a revolutionary self-contained, portable system to create an immersive environment and administer a series of abbreviated neuropsychological tests to rapidly assess cognitive function. Dr. LaPlaca has received an NSF CAREER award and is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Neurotrauma Society, the Biomedical Engineering Society, and the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair.

David Wright, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency medicine and the Co-Director of the Emergency Medicine Research Center at Emory University. At Emory, he directs the Brain Injury Research Group, an interdisciplinary and highly collaborative core of clinicians and researchers investigating novel ways to address acute neuronal injury. He is co-inventor, with Dr. LaPlaca, on a revolutionary self-contained system that will provide a real-time assessment of mild traumatic brain injury in environments previously non-conducive for neuropsychological testing. Dr. Wright oversees clinical trials associated with validation in several hospitals and athletic settings. Dr. Wright is also a member of the program faculty for the Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Emory University, and the core faculty for the Center for Injury Control and Prevention at GT/Emory. He is a true bench to bedside translational researcher, bridging the gap between basic science research and clinical practice.

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Articles of 2006

Peter/Toney Ii: Peter Has The Brutal Punch

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

Adam Berlin

Samuel Peter claims he has dynamites in my two hands?

Heavyweight contenders Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter and James Lights Out? Toney get it on a second time this Saturday from the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla. (Showtime).

The hard-slugging Peter, unlike Toney, is one of those strong, silent types notorious for letting their fists to the talking one the opening bell sounds, but the Nigeria Nightmare is as confident as ever and determined to turn Lights Out’s lights out for good.

I have got dynamites in my two hands,? said Peter, according the Lagos, Nigeria Vanguard, and I will crush James Toney once and for all. The Toney camp made the mistake of their lives by protesting and seeking a rematch. I am ready to teach him a bitter lesson.?

Sam Peter walked away with the W for Peter/Toney I at the Staples Center in LA last September, but it was by disputed split decision a verdict so disputed, there was even a dispute about the dispute which forced the WBC’s hand into mandating Saturday’s rematch.

Samuel Peter is the biggest thing to hit African boxing since Ghanaian superstar Azumah Nelson rocked the feather and junior welterweight divisions. The President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Prince Olaide Adeboye, admitted, according to allAfrica.com, We are rooting for Samuel Peter, of course. He is one boy we believe in to bring back the country’s lost glory in professional boxing. I am personally making arrangement to be at the ringside to see him fight Toney again. I was at the first fight in Los Angeles in September.

Peter has the brutal punch, and to me he was the clear winner of the first fight. But the WBC Board of Governors, of which I am a member, voted 21-10 for a rematch. There was nothing those of us Africans on the board could do in the circumstances. But I believe Peter will confirm he is better than Toney and will then go ahead to meet the champion and claim the belt for Nigeria and Africa.?

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Articles of 2006

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings for Asia

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

Scott Mallon

There are claims that boxing is dying. Hogwash. The heavyweight division isn’t the only division in boxing and 2007 promises to be a banner year in boxing; especially for boxers hailing from Asia.

While Asia isn’t Vegas or Atlantic City, it is a region packed of diamonds in the rough; undiscovered gems and potential superstars who wait for their moment in the sun.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Asia

1) Manny Pacquiao – There’s no way to dispute Pacquiao is the best fighter in Asia, if not all of boxing. He’s exciting, he wins with Je Ne Sais Quois and is definitely “the man” in boxing.

2) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam – Although his competition leaves much to be desired, his longevity and skills are undeniable. He is currently Thailand’s only world champion and is undefeated in ten years. Need I say more?

3) Chris John – A victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, however controversial, shows he belongs at the top of the heap. He easily outpointed Renan Acosta to close out 2006 and should have no trouble defending against Jose Rojas in February. A fight with Pacquiao would not be a good move on his part but a rematch with Marquez would not hurt – especially if he defeats the Mexican again.

4) Hozumi Hasegawa – Hidden away in Japan, Hasegawa is a sharp punching southpaw who put former champion Veeraphol Sahaprom to sleep. He recently bested Genaro Garcia and his herky-jerky style will give fits to any one who steps in the ring with him.

5) Masomori Tokuyama – Tokuyama has never shied away from a good fight and although he only fought once in 2006 (UD12 Jose Navarro), he ledger shows wins over Katsushige Kawashima (twice), Gerry Penalosa (twice) and In Jin Chi (twice). A fight with Hozumi Hasegawa is a distinct possibility in 2007.

6) Nobuo Nashiro – With only seven fights under his belt he took on WBA champion Martin Castillo – and defeated him. Although he’s only fought a total of nine fights, nearly all have been against quality opposition. A victory in a rematch with Castillo would cement his claim as the king of the 115-pound division.

7) Yukata Niida – This light-hitting minimumweight defended his title twice in 2006, winning a technical decision against unbeaten Eriberto Gejon (Tech Win 10) and the other on points over Ronald Barrera (W 12). Scheduled to meet Katsunari Takayama early next year – the best has yet to come for this WBA belt holder.

8) In Jin Chi – Won back the title he lost to Takashi Koshimoto in January from Rudolfo Lopez. While there’s little uncertainty to his skills, at thirty-three, 2007 may provide some insight as to just how much he has left.

9) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai –Sor Nonthachai is an exciting, top-shelf fighter with an iron chin. Has no trouble making mincemeat of mid-level opposition and deserves a title shot in 2007. Time is running out.

10) Rey Bautista – He’s young, relatively inexperienced in big-time boxing, but will continue to shine in 2007. One of the better prospects in boxing, he should snag a title in 2007.

Asian Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pound for Pound:

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #2

Jr. Lightweight

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #1
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9

Featherweight

Chris John (Indonesia) #1
In Jin Chi (Korea) #3
Takashi Koshimoto (Japan) #5
Hioyuki Enoki (Japan) #7

Jr. Featherweight

Somsak Sithchatchawal (Thailand) #4

Bantamweight

Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan) #2
Veeraphol Sahaprom (Japan) #3
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (Thailand) #6
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Thailand) #10

Jr. Bantamweight

Nobuo Nashiro (Japan) #1
Katsushige Kawashima (Japan) #7
Pramuansak Phosuwan (Thailand) #10

Flyweight

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand) #1
Takefumi Sakata (Japan) #7
Daisuke Naito (Japan) #10

Jr. Flyweight

Koki Kameda (Japan) #1

Minimumweight

Yukata Naiida (Japan) #2
Eagle Kyowa (Japan/Thai) #4
Katsunari Takayama (Japan) #5
Rodel Mayol (Philippines) #7

Boxing in Thailand

There’s no shortage of boxers in Thailand. With a huge pool of Muay Thai fighters to draw from and several talented amateur boxing prospects turning pro after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Thailand seems destined to remain a boxing powerhouse in Asia.

The country is known for having tough, determined and disciplined fighters who give their all whenever the step in to the ring. However, consistently losing while fighting abroad and padding their records with no-hopers has done nothing to enhance their reputation.

Whether because of a lack of marketability, a lack of funds or their unwillingness to travel abroad, the vast majority of boxers from Thailand remain a mystery to fans in the west. If anything though, the boxing scene involving Thai fighters will be active. In fact, it’s one of the most active in the world; since 2000, the number of fights has nearly doubled in the country.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand – August 2006

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
2) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym
3) Somsak Sithchatchawal
4) Wandee Singwancha
5) Sirimongkol Singwancha
6) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai
7) Veeraphol Sahaprom
8) Pramuansak Phosuwan
9) Terdsak Jandaeng
10) Oleydong Sithamerchai

Current Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Flyweight) – Definitely the top dog in Thailand

2) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai (Super Lightweight) – He’s a seasoned fighter who has proven himself in the big-time. He’s one Thai who can fight outside of Asia. He has an abundance of skills and one-punch power. His overall ability and ease in dispatching anyone other than championship caliber get him the runners-up spot.

3) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Super Bantamweight) – After losing to Vladimir Sidorenko he’s bounced back. He’s young, he can punch, but the former interim champion needs to prove himself against a name fighter.

4) Somsak Sithchatchawal (Super Bantamweight) – Was his win over Monshipour a fluke or was Celestino Caballero just that good? Did Sithchatchawal catch Monshipour at the right time and can he rebound from the devastating loss? The jury is still out.

5) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

5) Sirimongkol Singwancha (Super Lightweight) – Get this guy a fight. He’s better than Jose Armando Santa Cruz and would have beat up Inada had the fight taken place. He’ll fight anyone but his biggest obstacle is staying motivated fighting tomato cans in Thailand. Like many Thais, he needs a fight against a name opponent.
6) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

7) Pramuansak Phosuwan (Super Flyweight) – A genuine tough guy. Always calm and focused no matter how heated the battle. But at thirty-eight, he’ll be in trouble should he fight one of the division’s elite.
8) Veeraphol Sahaprom (Bantamweight) – Will be lucky to get another crack at the title. Although he has a puncher’s chance of winning a belt, that’s about all he has left at this point. A third shot at Hasegawa is unlikely.

9) Oleydong Sithamerchai (Minimumweight) – He’s fought better than the usual opponents faced by Thais at his level and he moves up one spot with the departure of Terdsak Jandaeng. He lacks the punch and is in the wrong division to become a superstar. He’ll need to defeat a name opponent to convince me.

10) Saenghiran Lookbanyai / Napapol Kittisakchokchai (Super Bantamweight) – These two square-off in early March, supposedly to see who deserves a shot at Israel Vasquez. Kittisakchokchai has the edge in experience but some feel Lookbanyai has the edge in heart and is the favorite.

Neither has defeated a top twenty fighter and yet are ranked number one and two respectively in the WBC’s world.

In Kittisakchokchoi’s lone shot at the big-time, he was TKO’d in 10 by Oscar Larios. His dreadful performance against Larios and lack of quality opposition leads me to believe Saenghiran might have more of a shot at beating him than some suspect. Regardless, neither of them lasts longer than six rounds with Israel Vasquez.

Honorable Mention: Wethya Sakmuangklang, Denkaosan Kaovichit, Devid Lookmahanak, Nethra Sasiprapa, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo, Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym

Thai Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam: #1 Flyweight
Pramuansak Phosuwan: #10 Jr. Bantamweight
Veeraphol Sahaprom: #3 Bantamweight
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin: #6 Bantamweight
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym: #10 Bantamweight
Somsak Sithchatchawal: #3 Jr. Featherweight
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9 Lightweight

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Articles of 2006

Iceman Stops Tito Ortiz Win Streak

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

David A. Avila

LAS VEGAS—UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck “Iceman” Liddell’s fists proved too much for Huntington Beach’s Tito Ortiz who was stopped in the third round before a sold out crowd at the MGM Garden Arena on Saturday.

The punching machine Liddell (20-3, 13 KOs) repeated his victory in UFC 66 over the much-improved grappler Ortiz who has improved his punching and blocking. Ortiz was trying to avenge his loss of April 2004.

Despite all the new weapons displayed by Ortiz it wasn’t enough as Liddell pummeled the former champion and retained his title with a technical knockout at 3:59 of the third round. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bout.

“This was the most satisfying victory of my career,” said Liddell, 36, of Santa Barbara. “Tito came back real tough.”

Ortiz (15-5, 8 KOs), a former wrestler, worked on his boxing technique knowing he would need it against the former boxer Liddell. But Liddell’s experience allowed him to find the right moment to pounce on Ortiz.

“I had him hurt, I just kept throwing punches,” said Liddell who also knocked down Ortiz in the first round with a left hook.

Ortiz was gracious in defeat.

“Chuck is the best fighter Pound for Pound in the (mixed martial arts) world,” said Ortiz, 31, who suffered a gash on the side of his left eye from a punch. “I’m disgusted by myself. I let my fans down.”

Other bouts

Underdog Keith Jardine (12-3-1) knocked out Forrest Griffin (13-4) at 4:41 of the first round in their light heavyweight showdown. A right uppercut followed by a left hook wobbled Griffin who was sent to the floor by a barrage of punches. On the ground Jardine landed right after right until referee John McCarthy stopped the fight for a technical knockout.

“I couldn’t believe he was hurt,” said Jardine about Griffin who is known for his resiliency. “I was so nervous coming into this fight, but now I know I belong here.”

Canada’s Jason McDonald (18-7) choked out Chris Leben (15-3) in a middleweight bout that was up for grabs. Though Leben seemed to control the fight with stunning left hands, once the fight went to the ground McDonald managed a chokehold at 4:03 of the second round. Referee Steve Mazagatti saw Leben was unconscious and stopped the fight.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (12-5) caught Brazil’s Mario Cruz (2-2) with a sneak right hand while both were tangled on the ground. Then the Belarusian pummeled Cruz until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 3:15 of the first round.

Third season winner of the Ultimate Fighter television reality season Michael Bisping (12-0) of Great Britain won by technical knockout over Eric Shafer (9-2-2) at 4:29 of the first round. A knee knocked Shafer groggy then Bisping knocked him to the ground and pounded him. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bludgeoning.

Thiago Alves (16-4) caught Peru’s Tony De Souza (15-5) with a knee as he attempted to dive for his legs in a welterweight contest. After that it was pretty much over as Alves pummeled De Souza at 1:10 of the second round forcing referee John McCarthy to halt the bout.

Gabriel Gonzago (7-1) proved too strong for Carmelo Marrero (6-1) in a heavyweight bout. At 3:22 of the first round Gonzago of Massachusetts manipulated his way into arm bar forcing Pennsylvania’s Marrero to tap out.

Japan’s Yushin Okami (19-3) pounded Georgia’s Rory Singer (11-6) into submission at 4:03 of the third round of a middleweight bout. Okami seemed the more-rounded fighter with effective kicks to the head and more accurate punching.

Christian Wellisch (8-2) jumped to a quick start with an accurate left hook that rattled Australia’s Anthony Perosh (5-3) in a heavyweight bout. During the first round it seemed the Sacramento fighter might end the fight but the Aussie hung tough. Wellisch won by unanimous decision.

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