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02/13/2004 Archived Entry: "Viloria, Vinson Victorious at Mohegan Sun"
Viloria, Vinson Victorious at Mohegan Sun
By J.D. Vena
UNCASVILLE, CT - Tonight at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria of Honolulu defended his NABF title with a wide decision win over tough, Juan Alfonso Keb-Baas of Merida, Mexico. Viloria, a former 2000 Olympian was dominant but seemed to fight more in spurts, winning all but one of the rounds.
Through the first 7 rounds, Viloria, 112, controlled the action with his uncommonly fast and sharp punches, but in the 8th he became incredibly furious as he launched a vicious assault that dropped Keb-Baas in Viloria’s corner. Towards the end of the 8th, Keb-Baas tasted more of “Hawaiian Punch and hit the canvas again from a thudding left hook. Keb-Baas answered the bell for the 9th after a lengthy examination from the ringside physician, Dr. Michael Schwartz and shockingly won the round.
“Even though I knew he was hurt I didn’t want to get careless against him because he is a veteran,” said Viloria. “When fighters are hurt, that’s when they can be very dangerous.
Keb-Baas also fought well in the 10th but it had more to do with Viloria’s inconsistency. After Viloria hurt him with a hook, he followed up with a few more flurries but went on the defensive for the remainder of the round while Keb-Baas pursued him.
In the 12th and final round, Viloria chopped Keb-Baas up with fast counter left hooks but couldn’t finish the stubborn Mexican. All three judges had Viloria by scores of 119-107.
“I felt a little rusty,” said Viloria, now 14-0 with 8 KO’s. “But I’m still happy with my performance.”
Keb-Baas, who was applauded for his late efforts, is now 30-9-1 with 20 KO’s.
The last time 2000 U.S. Olympian, Clarence “The Untouchable” Vinson of Washington, D.C fought, he lost for the first time in his career at the Mohegan Sun Arena. He complained that he thought he had won the fight but admitted he wasn’t as active as he should have been earlier in the fight. Last night in the chief supporting bout of the evening, and his first fight back since the loss, Vinson scored a devastating 2nd round knockout over Roberto Chacon, 118 ½, of Los Angeles.
Vinson, 119 ½, opened quickly, attacking Chacon’s head and body. Midway through the first round, after landing a hard right to head, the “Untouchable” tripped either over Chacon’s right foot or the end of a left hook. Whatever it was, Vinson’s butt touched the canvas and he was counted over for the first time in his career by referee Dick Flaherty. Determined to rebound from the momentary setback, Vinson came out with a more patient attack in round two and struck Chacon with a right hand to the head. Chacon crumbled to his knees and was counted out at :46 of the round.
“I knew he was hurt,” said Vinson. “I could feel that punch through my whole upper body. But he stayed down because he didn’t know where he was. He thought he was standing. I’ve been working harder than ever for this fight. I’ve been with a strength and conditioning coach and that may have been why I looked so good tonight.”
After the bout, Vinson, who improved to 13-1 with 6 KO’s discussed his first defeat to Heriberto Ruiz and sounded as if he is one of those fighters in denial over the defeat. But after seeing him in action in his first bout back and listening to him, he is equally determined to rise to the top as his cousin, Mark “Too Sharp“ Johnson had after he lost a fight earlier in his career.
“I predict by this time next year, I will be either the number one contender or a world champion. I guarantee that."
Talmadge Griffis, 218, of Colorado Springs, CO became the first fighter to stop Harold Rodriguez, 221 (he wishes), of Taunton, MA, when Dr. Schwartz advised referee Dick Flaherty to stop the fight after the bell ended the fifth round. Griffis controlled the fight with a steady body attack and before the 5th round ended, Griffis threw at least 10 consecutive right hands at a covering Rodriguez until the bell sounded. Griffis is now 22-5-3 with 14 KO’s while Rodriguez is now 4-7 with 2 stops.
Ehinomen Ehikhamenor, 193, of Queens, NY stopped overmatched Anthony Riddick of Indianapolis, IN at 2:37 of the first round, winning his pro debut. Riddick, 189, who fell to 2-5 may have thrown two or three punches, tops.
Journeryman super-middleweight, Levan Easley of Queens, NY won a 6th round decision over the well-traveled Shannon Miller of Columbus, MS. Though he had a tough time nailing down awkward and shifty Miller, all three judges favored Easley by scores of 60-54. Easley is now 17-9-2 with 8 KO’s, while Miller is now 18-28-7 with 14 KO’s.
In the swing bout, Wayne “Lights Out” Johnson, 175, pulverized Jay Holland, 175 of Pittsburgh for three full minutes. Before the bell sounded for the second round, Hollan’s corner threw in the towel. Johnson is now 3-0, all by KO.
Promoter - Sugar Ray Leonard PromotionsNetwork - ESPN2Attendance - 3,454
