New England Chatta

New England Chatta - July 1, 2000

JD Vena

New Bedford Homies Rock the Mansion

CRANSTON - Two hopefuls of New Bedford, MA thrilled local fight fans and a live ESPN2 audience by scoring impressive knockouts. In the main event at the Rhodes-on-the Pawtucket, former NABF Jr. Welterweight champion "Sucra" Ray Oliveira, 141, scored one of the most impressive kayos of his career when he landed a brutal left hook to the temple of a game but outgunned, Isaac Cruz, 147, of Mexico. The punch scored by Oliveira was the second knockdown of the round and convinced referee Charlie Dwyer to halt the contest at 1:31 of the 6th round.

Oliveira (40-7-1, 18 KO's), not known as a powerful puncher is normally accustomed to winning thrilling decisions. Last night, Oliveira, rated 9th at jr. welterweight by the CBZ, decided to end matters early. Cruz (16-10, 13 KO's) fought bravely the entire bout as he absorbed Oliveira's vintage body attack.

"I knew this guy didn't come to lay down," said the winner. "When (Cruz)
fought Vernon Forrest, Forrest didn't throw any body shots which is probably
the reason why (Cruz) lasted longer against him."

During an exchange in the 4th round, Oliveira and Cruz engaged in a rousing toe to toe slugfest that brought the crowd to its feet. Oliveira never let up however.

"The body shots were going to get him sooner or later," said Oliveira.

After the first few rounds, Cruz was shielding his ailing sides with his elbows, which led Oliveira to score the first knockdown of the fight brought about by an Oliveira left hook to the body and a right hand to the face.

Oliveira is now unbeaten in his last 11 bouts and is seeking a third title shot.

"There is no one out there at my weight who I fear," said a confident Oliveira. "I don't care which champion it is, WBA, WBU, WBC, it doesn't matter to me. I'm ready to back it up against anyone."

CompuBox scorers probably thought they were in for a long night when Scott
"The Sandman" Pemberton 167 ½ finished administering a thorough two fisted
beating to Glenwood "The Real Beast" Brown 168 of Willingsboro, NJ. Pemberton (21-2-1, 17 KO's), Oliveira's P.A.L. stablemate and friend shook
off seven months of ring rust and shook Brown all night long (no pun AC DC).
Referee Harold Gomes waived it over at 2:09 of the ninth round which was moments after Brown got up from being floored.

When Pemberton last fought an experienced veteran (Andrew Murray) such as
Brown, a two-time title challenger, he fought from a distance and was comfortable with keeping his antagonist at bay. Against Brown, CompuBox
credited Pemberton with throwing 856 punches including 113 in the third
stanza. Pemberton dominated from the inside and the outside.

"I felt very comfortable in there tonight," said Pemberton. "I was surprised
my hands and (Brown) held up as long as they did"

"I needed a win like this to show myself that I'm ready for the top guys," said Pemberton. "I have already sparred with Sven Ottke, the IBF champ (and rated #1 by the CBZ) and Marcus Beyer, the former WBC champion (rated #9 by the CBZ)."

In other bouts, Anthony "Condemn" Chase, 146, Providence, RI scored a 3rd
knockout (2:44) over Genaro Andujar, 148, Bronx, NY; Arthur "The Armenian
Assassin" Saribekian, 195, Cranston, RI scored a 5th round knockout (: 24)
over Greg Terry, 191, Virginia Beach, VA; Liz Mueller, 133, Quaker City, CT
won a 4-round UD over Kelley Ann Wholly, 135, Cedar City, UT; Brian Dumas, 155, Cumberland, RI won a 6-round UD over Tommy Attardo, 154, South Boston; and Kathy Rivers, 165, Woonsocket, RI won a 4-round UD over Evelyn Rodriguez, 164 ½ Queens, NY.

Promoter - Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.
Matchmaker - Teddy Panagiotis