New England Chatta

New England Chatta - June 19, 2000

JD Vena

McNeeley Busts Police Officer

    Since acquiring a following and an association from his historic one-round bout with Mike Tyson five years ago, "Hurricane" Peter McNeeley of Medfield, MA has had to overcome a number of demons and obstacles. From bar room brawls in night clubs to working out his problems in drug and alcohol rehabs, McNeeley has had his share of disappointments other than his humbling defeats in the ring to the likes of Butterbean and Louis Monaco.

    Last night, McNeeley (227) visited the professional boxing ring for the first time this year and his second since his debilitating loss to Butterbean last June when he pulverized a Leominster Police Officer for nearly every second of the first round. Officer Joe Siciliano, (266) the crowd and sentimental favorite among the couple hundred local fight fans was making only his second ring appearance. Hopefully it's his last in professional boxing.

    Moments into their first round, McNeeley landed a leaping left hook, which sent Siciliano to the canvas for the first time of three knockdowns. The punch landed right underneath his chin and it was surprising to see Siciliano grapple to his feet. He did though each and every time. Rising at the count of referee Dick Flaherty's count of eight, Siciliano prepared himself for McNeeley's ensuing onslaught, he just didn't know how to stop it The Hurricane swarmed over Siciliano and dumped him once again courtesy of yet another picture-perfect left hook. It was as good as one could land on someone a bit more than a heavybag. Even still the brave but overmatched Siciliano managed to get to his feet. The end was imminent and everyone knew it but Siciliano, his corner and Flaherty as they allowed the slaughter to continue.

    It seemed that McNeeley would also have to act as a ringside official and end matters with his own fists; he did moments later with a chopping right hand to jaw. Siciliano landed so hard this time, that the thud nearly bounced photographer Joe Mythen off the ring apron. Though Siciliano pulled himself off the canvas for the third and final time, his catatonic facial expressions finally influenced Flaherty to call a halt at 2:57 of the round.

    A sympathetic McNeeley didn't appear very pleased for a fighter who picked up his 47th victory and 36th knockout in 52 fights. After the bout, McNeeley was also unavailable for questioning (I was kicked out of the locker room) as he was too busy consoling Siciliano. From what I was told by my good pal, Steve Tobey of Boxing Digest Magazine, McNeeley was pissed off because "Rich Cappiello was in Siciliano's corner."

    "(Siciliano) was a pleasure to work with the whole time, but this is the hurt business," said McNeeley. "I wanted to get some rounds in, but I was pissed off."

    McNeeley obviously took his frustrations out on Siciliano and felt badly about it.

Hopefully, the heart that Siciliano showed throughout the massacre was satisfying enough to call it quits and worry about the streets of Leominster, the home of Johnny Appleseed. Luckily his courage didn't bring about his undoing. Next time, the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission should show more integrity and regard in allowing such blatant mismatches.

    In the first bout of the evening, Danny Phippen of Whitman, MA, the states' top ranked middleweight took on towering light-heavyweight Randy McGhee of Toledo, OH and stopped him at 2:56 of the 2nd round. McGhee (175) had moments of pounding Phippen (162) on the ropes ala the young George Foreman, but it was Phippen who landed the more telling punches including the fight's decider, a overhand right. McGhee slumped to the canvas and remained there for Matt Melaney's full ten-count.

The victory was Phippen's 21st, 16th by KO and third since returning from his stint in a drug rehabilitation program. It is rumored that Phippen is being looked at as a potential opponent for former WBA Jr. Middleweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, David Reid.

    "If the fight doesn't come off then it doesn't matter that much to me," said Phippen who lost out on a bout with Sugar Ray Leonard four years ago before checking in to a rehab facility. "I'd fight anybody out there right now. It's just good to be alive and to know that I'm winning my everyday battle (with drug addiction). That's the most important fight to me. The only buzz I'm getting now is from right hands to the head and that's the way I like it."

    Look for a possible showdown between Phippen and Somerville's, Jimmy Cappiello for the vacant Massachusetts Middleweight title in the foreseeable future.

    Jacob "The Warrior" Hudson of Miami, FL caught up with fleet-footed debutante, Danny Diaz (144) of Cleveland, OH with a barrage of hooks and crosses to the head and body stopping him at Matt Melaney's ten count at 2:09 of the 1st round. Hudson (134), a silver medallist in this year's Olympic Trials improved to 2-0, 2 KO's.

    Jose LaPorte and Jose Anjelez, a couple of local jr. lightweights fought to get over their 2-2 .500 marks and nearly didn't. For had the inept judges scored the fight a draw as the CBZ had it, LaPorte (130) wouldn't be 2-3 as his record now stands. LaPorte fell behind early on as Anjelez scored repeatedly during the first two rounds. After two however, Anjelez (130 ½) ran out of gas and was stunned several times throughout the remainder of the four round bout.

    Tough and ruthless Massachusetts Heavyweight Champion, Dan Conway of Dorchester knocked out rough and toothless James Holly of Ashtabula, OH at 1:54 of the second round. Conway (229) is now 11-3 with 7 KO's while the 46-year old Holly (240) falls to 5-50 with 3 KO's.

    Former lightweight title challenger, Lamar Murphy (135) of Miami, FL made quick work and awed the crowd with a 1st round knockout of a fighter who called himself Alonzo Sojourney of Ashtabula, OH. Whether his name was Alonzo Sojourney or not, it wasn't the same Alonzo Sojourney of Ashtabula, OH who lost a 6-round decision to Jeff Frazza of Haverhill early on this month at the Roxy Theater in Boston. Lamar Murphy (and I'm sure on that) upped his mark to 25-4 with 18 KO's.

    The most exciting bout of the night took place between two solid New England jr. lightweights. Elio Rodriguez of Fitchburg, MA put on a boxing clinic for Auburn, ME's "Irish" Mike Cribbin. Cribbin (130) who on the other hand didn't seem too impressed with Rodriguez' fancy work. Cribbin made it difficult for Rodriguez at certain moments and even convinced one judge that the fight was a 57-57 draw at the end of six rounds. That tally was overruled by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 (the CBZ's score). Rodriguez (130) a loser in his professional debut improved to 7-1 with 2 KO's while Cribbin lost for the 11th time (also his second to Rodriguez) in his 14 bouts.

    Ft. Lauderdale heavyweight, Willie Phillips scored a first round TKO over winless Demetrius Liddell (yet another of Ashtabula's suspects). Liddell who had been turning his back on Phillips throughout his beating, complained of being hit low and even resorted to pushing the referee Matt Melaney for not penalizing Phillips. Though Phillips was guilty of the low blow, Melaney was right and maybe a little too late in stepping in to stop the one-sided affair at 1:56. Phillips (231 ½) is now 15-1 with 14 KO's. His only defeat came via 8-round decision loss three years ago to the late Cody Koch of Alaska.

    In the swing bout, Marcel Alexander, another winless Ashtabulan (Will someone teach this town how to fight?) quit on his stool after his one round experience with Dan Sheehan of Lawrence, MA. Sheehan (181 ½), the man who upset Elvir Muriqi will possibly meet the Kosovo Kid in a rematch within the next few months. Sheehan is now 8-4 with 3 KO's. At the time I was being booted from McNeeley's dressing room, there was a discussion among Massachusetts State Boxing officials of withholding Alexander's purse.

Promoter - Vinny Vecchione
Co-Promoter - Rich Cappiello