Live Boxing at the Drive-In Theater: A “Ringside” Report

Published

5 years ago

July 14, 2020

Live Boxing at the Drive-In Theater: A “Ringside” Report

Boxing in front of a live audience returned to Germany Saturday night, July 11, under unique conditions at the Autokino drive-in theater, a makeshift venue just north of Dusseldorf. A solid nine-bout program entertained a few hundred fans who watched from their automobiles, lined up in a horseshoe type pattern set approximately 20 yards from the closest ring posts.

Sight lines weren’t perfect but a strolling survey of the perimeter area where dozens of vehicles were parked indicated the customers were quite happy. Once it got dark, the matches and replays were shown on the venue’s large movie screen.

As the sun set and the rounds progressed, it looked more and more like a normal boxing scene, pre-Covid-19. There was no discernable difference from a typical outdoor ring area except for the masks on various officials. An average of seven people, including the three judges, sat or stood around the strands, with a pair of cameramen poised in opposite corners.

It looked like half of the autos carried two people inside, just as many appeared to hold four or more. Pickup trucks are not so common in these parts, but they were definitely an advantage tonight. Many cars appeared to be well stocked with snacks and libations, and there were a lot of smokers who made their own little clouds in an abstract recreation of old fight arena scenarios.

One of the judges puffed on a billowing vape between fights. You probably won’t see that in Vegas. Another rare sighting involved the comet Neowise, said to be visible overhead but unverified at ringside.

Almost everyone kept their windows down. You could hear plenty of cheers and clapping, but by far the biggest response to the action came when people honked their horns. That blaring symphony occurred quite a bit, and became a surprisingly joyous noise. After a while it seemed like a stress release factor was involved.

There was also a palpable celebratory mood at the press conference and weigh-in, a cheerful gathering that illustrated how glad participants of all sorts were to experience the step back toward fistic normalcy. Boxers seemed so happy with each other that one wondered how much aggression they’d exhibit. That was never an issue; every fighter came out swinging hard.

The final turnout was less than hoped for by promoter Karim Akkar, but he deserves credit for getting past significant hurdles while coordinating the event. Akkar, chief of Legacy Sports Management, teamed up with the resurgent Universum from Hamburg for his initial venture into the promotional arena.

“We understood from the beginning that we wouldn’t make a profit. Our main concern was to give the fighters some work and a paycheck,” said Akkar. “We had a lot of boxers who were out of a job and couldn’t get paid, so we brainstormed on ways to put on a show. Just having the boxers back in the ring, that was the main thing. We wanted everyone to get a paycheck, and we were determined not to make any cuts to the usual salaries like other promoters have done or proposed.

“There was some new problem every week, partners jumped off the project, matches had to be changed. It was complicated to bring in boxers from outside Germany and our popular local heavyweight Patrick Korte injured an elbow in training. It took about eight weeks to get official approval, the health governance was scared about everything so we really only had a couple weeks to finalize things (due to the venue’s limited schedule). Universum did a really good job supporting our efforts.”

The temporary drive-in closes before the end of July, but it probably won’t be too long before the engaging Akkar comes up with another good idea. Barring another wave of infections, it looks like crowd restrictions will gradually be lifted, but while it was indeed a novelty, the drive-in night was also a cool boxing show.

Tonight’s main event saw French contender Ahmed El Mousaoui, 153 ¼, up his resume to 33-3-1 (8 KO) with a precision based second round stoppage of game but outgunned Sergej Wotschel,151, now 14-5-1 (7). Wotschel was willing to make it a firefight and there was some blazing early action, but it didn’t take long for the slick Mousaoui to solve the fistic equation and lower the boom until ref Mustafa Erenay properly waved off the assault. Official time was 1:54. According to BoxRec, Mousaoui still has some suspension issues with the Illinois commission from years back, but tonight he looked ready to take on a ranked challenger.

Munich’s undefeated light heavyweight James “Baby Boy” Kraft, now 18-0-1 (9), earned an 8 round split decision over sturdy Karel Horejsek, 17-13-3 (14), but it was no easy task in a two-way brawl. Horejsek joined a tough trio of visitors from the Czech Republic who dropped hard-fought contests to German fighters but represented their homeland well to earn approving honks.

Ali Kiydin, 217, a solid prospect from Frankfurt, was scheduled to gain some experience from well-traveled Danny Williams before Williams was derailed by travel issues. Bulgarian replacement Kristian Kirilov, 254, 5-8-1 (1), gave it a try but after Kiydin’s first punches the ending was clear. By the second frame a huge uppercut sunk Kirilov to a knee in delayed reaction and subsequent body shots had him holding on. Kirilov didn’t come out for the third, a wise decision.

29-year old Kiydin, now 11-1 (10), was a member of the German National Team. He’s still in a developmental stage, but like they say with heavyweights it only takes one punch, and Kiydin definitely carries some power.

From Universum’s Hamburg stable, 20-year-old junior-welterweight Ali Dohier took too big a step against experienced Frenchman Fouad El Massoudi, 155, now 17-12-1 (2). Dohier, 154 ½, 3-0-1 (1), was lucky to escape with a split draw over eight rounds, and if Massoudi had just a bit more power the result probably would have been different.

18-year-old Luca Cinqueoncie, 177 ¾, improved to 10-0 (7), with a unanimous six round nod over Czech Pavel Albrecht, 171 ¼, 4-6 (4). Luca showed potential while Albrecht made him work for it every step of the way.

Ajdin Reiz, 150, of Cologne had a near perfect debut blasting out countryman Sandro Luetke Bordewick,149, now 7-17 (5), at 1:36 of the opening frame. Reiz got raucous support from a pair of small SUVs in the VIP parking area that were full of lubricated revelers who zoomed away almost immediately after his fight ended.

In a crowd-pleasing ladies’ match that had screaming girls hanging out their car windows for her, Universum’s Dilar Kisikyol, improved to 3-0 with a debatable UD4 over hard luck Tereza Dvorakova, 1-4, Czech Republic. Both women weighed in at 140 for a fine, coin-toss rumble that could have gone either way. Kisikyol’s screaming fans might have made the difference.

Muhammet Barut, 157 ½, 4-1 (3), notched a TKO 2 over Martin Friesse, 153 ¼, 1-5, when referee Dominic Kuhaupt called it off at 1:55.

A pair of ex-pat welterweights got things off to a solid start. Originally from Lebanon, Ali El-Said, 148 ½, 5-1-1 (4), stopped Russian transplant Serej Vib, 144 ¾, 11-13 (8), at 1:39 in the third round of a scheduled four.

Ultimately, while much of the scene was almost identical to pre-quarantine conditions, there were still constant reminders of the new normal, with mask requirements and distancing guidelines well enforced. When people got out of their cars to stretch, event staff went over to remind them of restrictions about staying inside vehicles unless headed directly toward the restroom trailer or a small concession stand.

Two cleaners swept the ring and wiped down the ropes and corner posts between bouts. The most visible advertisement on the apron was for a medical disinfectant. That’s a sign of the times.

The card was broadcast by multiple networks, with the featured bouts reportedly televised to 43 countries, in 12 languages.

Whether or not the Dusseldorf Drive-In Fight Night was the first or only event of its kind, it was, during these uncertain days of pandemic, a rare opportunity for boxers and boxing fans.

Like any good fight card, there was a bit of magic in the air. Tonight you could hear it with the sound of fellow drivers blaring their horns into a starry sky, comets and all.

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

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Ringside at the Cosmo: Pacheco Outpoints Nelson plus Undercard Results

Published

2 days ago

January 25, 2025

Arne K. Lang

Ringside at the Cosmo: Pacheco Outpoints Nelson plus Undercard Results

LAS VEGAS, NV – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions was at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas tonight for the second half of a DAZN doubleheader that began in Nottingham, England. In the main event, Diego Pacheco, ranked #1 by the WBO at super middleweight, continued his ascent toward a world title with a unanimous decision over Steven Nelson.

Pacheco glides round the ring smoothly whereas Nelson wastes a lot energy with something of a herky-jerky style. However, although Nelson figured to slow down as the fight progressed, he did some of his best work in rounds 11 and 12. Fighting with a cut over his left eye from round four, a cut that periodically reopened, the gritty Nelson fulfilled his promise that he would a fight as if he had everything to lose if he failed to win, but it just wasn’t enough, even after his Omaha homie Terence “Bud” Crawford entered his corner before the last round to give him a pep talk (back home in North Omaha, Nelson runs the B&B (Bud and Bomac) Sports Academy.

All three judges had it 117-111 for Pacheco who mostly fought off his back foot but landed the cleaner punches throughout. A stablemate of David Benavidez and trained by David’s father Jose Benevidez Sr, Pacheco improved to 23-0 (18). It was the first pro loss for the 36-year-old Nelson (20-1).

Semi wind-up

Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, who as a pro has never fought a match slated for fewer than 10 rounds, had too much class for Hermosillo, Mexico’s rugged Omar Salcido who returned to his corner with a puffy face after the fourth stanza, but won the next round and never stopped trying. The outcome was inevitable even before the final round when Salcido barely made it to the final gun, but the Mexican was far more competitive than many expected.

The Cuban, who was 4-0 vs. Keyshawn Davis in closely-contested bouts as an amateur, advanced his pro record to 5-0 (2), winning by scores by 99-91 and 98-92 twice. Salido, coming off his career-best win, a 9^th-round stoppage of former WBA super featherweight title-holder Chris Colbert, falls to 20-2.

Other TV bouts

Ernesto “Tito” Mercado, a 23-year-old super lightweight, aims to become the next world champion from Pomona, California, following in the footsteps of the late Richie Sandoval and Sugar Shane Mosely, and based on his showing tonight against former Beijing Olympian and former two-division title-holder Jose Pedraza, he is well on his way.

After three rounds after what had been a technical fight, Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) knocked Pedraza off his pins with an overhand right followed by short left hand. Pedraza bounced back and fell on his backside. When he arose on unsteady legs, the bout was waived off. The official time was 2:08 of round four and the fading, 35-year-old Pedraza (29-7-1) was saddled with his third loss in his last four outings.

The 8-round super lightweight clash between Israel Mercado (the 29-year-old uncle of “Tito”) and Leonardo Rubalcava was a fan-friendly skirmish with many robust exchanges. When the smoke cleared, the verdict was a majority draw. Mercado got the nod on one card (76-74), but was overruled by a pair of 75-75 scores.

Mercado came out strong in the opening round, but suffered a flash knockdown before the round ended. The referee ruled it a slip but was overruled by replay operator Jay Nady and what would have been a 10-9 round for Mercado became a 10-8 round for Rubalcava. Mercado lost another point in round seven when he was penalized for low blows.

The scores were 76-74 for Mercado (11-1-2) and 75-75 twice. The verdict was mildly unpopular with most thinking that Mercado deserved the nod. Reportedly a four-time Mexican amateur champion, Rubalcava (9-0-1) is trained by Robert Garcia.

Also

New Matchroom signee Nishant Dev, a 24-year-old southpaw from India, had an auspicious pro debut (pardon the cliché). Before a beaming Eddie Hearn, Dev stopped Oakland’s Alton Wiggins (1-1-1) in the opening round. The referee waived it off after the second knockdown.

Boxers from India have made large gains at the amateur level in recent years and Matchroom honcho Eddie Hearn anticipates that Dev, a Paris Olympian, will be the first fighter from India to make his mark as a pro.

Undefeated Brooklyn lightweight Harley Mederos, managed by the influential Keith Connolly, scored his seventh knockout in eight tries with a brutal third-round KO of Mexico’s Arturo de Isla.

A left-right combination knocked de Isla (5-3-1) flat on his back. Referee Raul Caiz did not bother to count and several minutes elapsed before the stricken fighter was fit to leave the ring. The official time was 1:27 of round three.

In the opener, Newark junior lightweight Zaquin Moses, a cousin of Shakur Stevenson, improved to 2-0 when his opponent retired on his stool after the opening round.

Photo credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom

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Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City

Published

3 days ago

January 24, 2025

Arne K. Lang

Najee-Lopez-Steps-Up-in-Class-and-Wins-Impressively-at-Plant-City

Garry Jonas’ ProBox series returned to its regular home in Plant City, Florida, tonight with a card topped by a 10-round light heavyweight match between fast-rising Najee Lopez and former world title challenger Lenin Castillo. This was considered a step-up fight for the 25-year-old Lopez, an Atlanta-born-fighter of Puerto Rican heritage. Although the 36-year-old Castillo had lost two of his last three heading in, he had gone the distance with Dimitry Bivol and Marcus Browne and been stopped only once (by Callum Smith).

Lopez landed the cleaner punches throughout. Although Castillo seemed unfazed during the first half of the fight, he returned to his corner at the end of round five exhibiting signs of a fractured jaw.

In the next round, Lopez cornered him against the ropes and knocked him through the ropes with a left-right combination. Referee Emil Lombardo could have stopped the fight right there, but he allowed the courageous Castillo to carry on for a bit longer, finally stopping the fight as Castillo’s corner and a Florida commissioner were signaling that it was over.

The official time was 2:36 of round six. Bigger fights await the talented Lopez who improved to 13-0 with his tenth win inside the distance. Castillo declined to 25-7-1.

Co-Feature

In a stinker of a heavyweight fight, Stanley Wright, a paunchy, 34-year-old North Carolina journeyman, scored a big upset with a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jeremiah Milton.

Wright carried 280 pounds, 100 pounds more than in his pro debut 11 years ago. Although he was undefeated (13-0, 11 KOs), he had never defeated an opponent with a winning record and his last four opponents were a miserable 19-48-2. Moreover, he took the fight on short notice.

What Wright had going for him was fast hands and, in the opening round, he put Milton on the canvas with a straight right hand. From that point, Milton fought tentatively and Wright, looking fatigued as early as the fourth round, fought only in spurts. It seemed doubtful that he could last the distance, but Milton, the subject of a 2021 profile in these pages, was wary of Wright’s power and unable to capitalize. “It’s almost as if Milton is afraid to win,” said ringside commentator Chris Algieri during the ninth stanza when the bout had devolved into a hugfest.

The judges had it 96-93 and 97-92 twice for the victorious Wright who boosted his record to 14-0 without improving his stature.

Also

In the TV opener, a 10-round contest in the junior middleweight division, Najee Lopez stablemate Darrelle Valsaint (12-0, 10 KOs) scored his career-best win with a second-round knockout of 35-year-old Dutch globetrotter Stephen Danyo (23-7-3).

A native Floridian of Haitian descent, the 22-year-old Valsaint was making his eighth start in Plant City. He rocked Danyo with a chopping right hand high on the temple and then, as Danyo slumped forward, applied the exclamation point, a short left uppercut. The official time was 2:17 of round two.

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Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim

Published

3 days ago

January 24, 2025

Arne K. Lang

Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-is-Headed-to-Vegas-after-KOing-Y-Joon-Kim

Japan’s magnificent Naoya Inoue, appearing in his twenty-fourth title fight, scored his 11^th straight stoppage tonight while successfully defending his unified super bantamweight title, advancing his record to 29-0 (26 KOs) at the expense of Ye Joon Kim. The match at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena came to an end at the 2:25 mark of round four when U.S. referee Mark Nelson tolled “10” over the brave but overmatched Korean.

Kim, raised in a Seoul orphanage, had a few good moments, but the “Monster” found his rhythm in the third round, leaving Kim with a purplish welt under his left eye. In the next frame, he brought the match to a conclusion, staggering the Korean with a left and then finishing matters with an overhand right that put Kim on the seat of his pants, dazed and wincing in pain.

Kim, who brought a 21-2-2 record, took the fight on 10 days’ notice, replacing Australia’s Sam Goodman who suffered an eye injury in sparring that never healed properly, forcing him to withdraw twice.

Co-promoter Bob Arum, who was in the building, announced that Inoue’s next fight would happen in Las Vegas in the Spring. Speculation centers on Mexico City’s Alan Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) who is ranked #1 by the WBC. However, there’s also speculation that the 31-year-old Inoue may move up to featherweight and seek to win a title in a fifth weight class, in which case a potential opponent is Brandon Figueroa should he defeat former Inoue foe Stephen Fulton next weekend. In “olden days,” this notion would have been dismissed as the Japanese superstar and Figueroa have different promoters, but the arrival of Turki Alalshikh, the sport’s Daddy Warbucks, has changed the dynamic. Tonight, Naoya Inoue made his first start as a brand ambassador for Riyadh Season.

Simmering on the backburner is a megafight with countryman Junto Nakatani, an easy fight to make as Arum has ties to both. However, the powers-that-be would prefer more “marination.”

Inoue has appeared twice in Las Vegas, scoring a seventh-round stoppage of Jason Moloney in October of 2020 at the MGM Bubble and a third-round stoppage of Michael Dasmarinas at the Virgin Hotels in June of 2021.

Semi-wind-up

In a 12-round bout for a regional welterweight title, Jin Sasaki improved to 19-1-1 (17) with a unanimous decision over Shoki Sakai (29-15-3). The scores were 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112.

Also

In a bout in which both contestants were on the canvas, Toshiki Shimomachi (20-1-3) edged out Misaki Hirano (11-2), winning a majority decision. A 28-year-old Osaka southpaw with a fan-friendly style, the lanky Shimomachi, unbeaten in his last 22 starts, competes as a super bantamweight. A match with Inoue may be in his future.

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