RingSide Report

World News, Social Issues, Politics, Entertainment and Sports

Night of Knockouts VII Wrap Up

AnthonyBarnesandCoachSugarHill(rightinred)Article and Photos by Richard “Doc” Pratt (At Ringside)

The fights at the Sound Board Theater, Motorcity Casino Hotel Detroit, started out with two noteworthy fights. A 4 round Jr. Middleweight bout between two opponents that have faced off against each other in the MMA world and one seeing the return to the ring of a 50 year old fighter who entered the ring, jokingly, with the assistance of a walker. Before the action, the fans were asked to stand for a ceremonial 10 count honoring the loss of “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali.

In the first fight, John Chalbeck 3-0, 3 KO’s whom I’ve heard about from folks familiar with both the Detroit boxing and MMA scene, would be one to watch and he proved them right in this fight facing off against Marcus Wheeler in his pro boxing debut. Chalbeck took little time feeling out his opponent and dominated the first round using a good jab and dolling out the punishment while taking little in return utilizing good defense by slipping and blocking most of what Wheeler had to offer. Chalbeck was on his game and was rewarded with a TKO in the second round at 1;16. This kid is sharp, focused and quick and has good power and defense to round out his talent. I look forward to watching him move up the ranks.

Our second match was in the Light Heavyweight division and was one that many don’t get an opportunity to witness. A 50 year old pugilist in great shape and in his words a “fresh 50 year old”, ready to step back into the ring after not seeing action since 2012. Ray Darden, 11-24-1, 4 KO’s, faced off against Eric Moon, 2-9. Throughout the fight Moon seems to favor big looping power shots which left him vulnerable to the quick, snapping punches of the wily veteran Darden who was countering well and scoring with the surgical like precision one wouldn’t expect to see in a fighter coming of a 4 year step away from the sport, especially one of his age.

Darden took advantage of the wide punches of Moon to score a second round knockdown. The younger Moon was winded and ineffective by the end of the third while Ray was unbelievably “fresh” and dominating the fight. The Judges cards were 39-36, 40-35 (twice), giving the veteran the decisive unanimous decision. In the post fight in ring interview with Kara Ro, the ring announcer for tonight festivities, it was mentioned he just might be looking to outdo Bernard Hopkins title win at 49!

In a 6 round Super Middleweight bout, Daryl Cunningham, 32-8, 13 KO’s stood in against William Johnson, 11-47-2, 4 KO’s. Johnson was not very active in this bout virtually letting Cunningham score at will taking vicious body shots that wore him down and by the 6th, Johnson had a rather ugly swell about his left kidney area and was seemingly completely winded and receiving constant punishment and taking a standing 8 yet not quite ready to give up despite taking such damage. Cunningham wins by UD with all 3 judges having the bout 60-53.

What was widely seen as the fight of the night, Anthony Barnes, 8-0, 6 KO’s made his return to the ring after being out of the ring since April of 2015 for an injury and a parting of the ways between he and Top Rank Promotions. He stepped in against Robert Guerra, 2-2, 1 KO in a Light Heavyweight 6 rounder. In the corner for Barnes, legendary trainer from Detroit and nephew of Emanuel Steward, Javan “Sugar” Hill.

Anthony possesses great power and accuracy and worked hard to the body throughout the fight. Guerra proved to be a tough opponent taking everything Barnes dished out without going down. Barnes continued the hard work to the body through the 5th found Guerra unable to answer the bell in the 6th giving Anthony his 7th KO victory. I’ve seen a few of Anthony’s fights and he shows the skill he was taught when training under Emanuel Steward at the Kronk Gym early in his career. He’s tough and powerful and will surely be on the rise and be one of the new crop of quality fighters once again as in the past, coming out of the Detroit.

The main event of the evening was a 6 round Lightweight bout featuring Gavin “Chico” Crout, 11-10-1, 6 KO’s facing Eric Hall, 7-9-1, 3 KO’s. Hall, used what seemed to be his favorite punch, the overhand right, utilized it well along with going to the body hard and shooting solid downstairs upstairs combinations, was very much in control through 2. In the 3rd, hall continued to dole out the punishment and had Crout on the canvas early with the ref appearing to reach ten in the count but apparently Crout got up to beat it. Shortly after, Hall had Crout down again but ref Schmidt ruled it a slip but seeing Chico hurt, started another 8 count. Hall managed to put Crout to the mat twice more and the bout was called off giving Hall the TKO 3, 2:55. Taking his record to 8-9-1 with 4 KO’s.

In other bouts, Cruiserweights Alexis Hloros, 16-5-2, 12 KO’s takes Jeremy Marts, 12-22, 9 KO’s to a unanimous decision with the judges scoring it 40-36 and 40-35 (twice).

Ryan Pokryfky, 0-2 faced Robert Simms, 1-0 in a Heavyweight clash. Simms winning this by UD, 39-37, 40-36 (twice).

In a 4 round Jr. Middleweight contest, Winford Harris, JR., 2-0, 2 KO’s went to work against Lionel Jimenez, 2-13, 2 KO’s. Harris utilizing his quickness and power scored a knock down in the 2nd with the fight seeing both fighters trading verbal barbs throughout. Harris’ speed and strength appeared to prohibit much return fire from Jimenez and Lionel, more than once, shaking his head to deny any damage being done by Harris. Near the end of the 4th, Harris looked as fresh and relaxed as he did at the fist bell. All 3 judges scoring the fight 40-35 giving the unanimous decision to Harris.

The ladies were in action tonight with a Lightweight bout between Stephanie Spehar 0-1 and Carolyn Biskup appearing in her pro debut. Biskup was able to win her debut a 38-37 (twice) and 39-36 taking a unanimous decision.

The Sound Board and promoter Carlos Liinas put on another fine show that included in attendance one of the best to ever come out of Detroit, Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns. Also attending and taking the stage for a few words was future champ and former protégé of Emanuel Steward TonyHarrison,KaraRofighting out of Detroit, Tony “Super Bad” Harrison. Ringside also saw Anthony Dirrell, Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, Amanda Bobby Cooper, who is presently appearing on The Ultimate Fighter and Scotty Buchzeiger.

Until next time. Keep your gloves up and elbows in!

[si-contact-form form=’2′]

Leave a Reply