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04/30/2004 Archived Entry: "Awinongya Cries Fowl and Riley Wants Rematch Following Majority Draw"
Awinongya Cries Fowl and Riley Wants Rematch Following Majority Draw
By Juan C. Ayllon
Photos by Tom Glunz
Riley on left
Chicago, IL - Recently, a lot has been said about bad decisions contributing to the current state of affairs in boxing. This past Wednesday, April 28th, cruiserweights Joseph “The African Assassin” Awinongya and Chris Riley engaged in a highly entertaining and hard fought battle at Hitz Boxing Promotion’s latest installment of the Rumble at the Ramada series.
In this match, popular local fighter and two-time Chicago Golden Gloves champion, Riley, at 1-0, faced a difficult challenge for a fledging professional fighter. His opponent was one very tough and relatively well-experienced opponent in Awinongya (11-7-4, 3 KO’s), who had already gone eight rounds against premiere division puncher, Ezra Sellers. The result of their encounter was a pitched struggle somewhat reminiscent of Ken Norton and Larry Holmes 1980’s epic battle for the world heavyweight title.
As gratifying as their match was, when the outcome of the fight went to the cards, the official tally appeared less than satisfactory. Joseph Awinongya and Chris Riley had a lot to say about fight in exclusive interviews for the Cyber Boxing Zone.
In the first interview, Joseph Awinongya maintained that this was yet another case of local promoters gifting a hometown decision to the house fighter. Following their fight, an emotional Joseph Awinongya had a lot to say on the matter in an exclusive interview with the Cyber Boxing Zone.
Juan Ayllon: What do you have to say on your feelings about the fight? Do you have anything to say about--
Joseph Awinongya: Yeah, I have a lot of things to say about this fight. I understand it’s because of, one, I’m from Africa. And I want the promoters over here to know that we need it more than the way they say it’s so. You know, they do anything, they take any fight from us…I say I won this fight really good. I won it and my corner told me the last round I just have to go and win the last round big and everything’s set. I’m going and I’m doing the same thing.
Awinongya (left has Riley against the ropes
In the dressing room, I know that before they say, I have to go to the red corner. And I know that the red corner is always the favorite corner. You know, and after they called me, they say that I have to go to the other corner. And I understand that this is a business and after the fight they take about 20 minutes to judge this fight. I know I won this fight. Why bother they don’t give [it] to me? You know, I try my best to do my best over here, to try to fight and make some big money and all the time you fight, they just do everything because it’s their home field. You don’t do that, you know! But, it’s okay, that’s the way the world go, you know. Boxing, you can fight, but you do have the right people behind of you. Man, you can go nowhere, man. You’re gonna stay the same, man. You’ll be fighting, but you won’t go nowhere. That’s why [you need] the people behind of you.
Awinongya on the attack
You know, now I have somebody I can listen [to]—I listened to someone really good, you know. I listened to him really good because he make me feel really good in the gym and I feel like everything’s possible. Everything’s possible.
But you can fight a lot and fight a lot and then they just took the fight from you. You know, this is not fair. So, I think we the foreigners, you know, we just have to try to do something about this thing. That’s right if you don’t come from America. And that they don’t see like, you know, the city lights, too. You have to do something about because this way is not the fair way, you know! They do everything. You got to fight and they’re gonna give the fight to anybody they want to give it to. And, in that case, it’s not fair.
So, I think boxing’s gonna change, you know, boxing’s gonna change. We have Teddy Atlas, he’s talking a lot about boxing and I like that a lot, the way he’s talking about boxing, that’s really good. So, I know that something gonna change. This [is] not going to go on all the time this way no more!
And then, one day, I know this day, we’re going to start having [boxing] shows, doing shows right here that shows life in Africa. I’m waiting for this three years now. And I would tell African people: you come to America, and you come to Chicago, man we’re going to make it feel like a home for you. If you fight here, you don’t have to risk yourself too much. You don’t know if you’re gonna win? You know you gonna win, but deliver the goods for the fight! You know, we’re gonna do something about it, too, because America’s a free country. So, why wait Africa, though…[Editor’s note: Joseph broke down and wept at this point].
JA: Okay, well, good effort there. It was a very good fight.
In the next interview, Chris Riley spoke candidly about his feelings on the fight, as well as his desire for a rematch with Awinongya soon.
Juan Ayllon: Okay, Chris, how did you feel about that fight?
Chris Riley: I felt like I did enough to win. And, for them to give a draw, you know, I’m not a judge, I’m not an official, I’m a fighter. And, I gave it my all. You know, I could have pushed it a little bit more at the end, but, um, you know, by not doing that, it cost me a win. You know, I didn’t get a loss, so I’m pretty proud of that, but a win is always the best.
The CBZ's Ayllon hears Riley's take
JA: What would you do differently if you fought him again?
CR: Knock his ass out. I hurt that guy a couple of times. I let him off the hook. Never again! It’s going to come down to us meeting sometime soon in the near future, here and, next time I see him, the fight won’t go the distance.
JA: So, you really would like to angle for a rematch?
CR: Oh, most definitely, most definitely. I felt I did enough to win, like I said, and next time I will make sure that I do enough to win.
JA: How do you feel in retrospect about taking a guy with such experience in your second pro fight? Do you have any regrets?
Riley throws a murderous right
CR: No, um, I think I may have—hmmm—I don’t know. My coach and I feel that I could have went six rounds and my first fight was for four rounds. Most guys do at least five four round fights before they move up to six round fights. I did my first six round fight after my second fight. That may or may not have been a little premature, but in hindsight, what can we say? You know, I did enough in my opinion—like I said again—to win. You know, I felt like I was there the entire time. He did not hurt me one time that whole fight. I hurt him a couple times. I just didn’t stay on him enough, you know?
JA: So, what’s next?
CR: Back to the gym! I can’t afford to take any time off. I don’t know. I may take tomorrow off. But, I know me: I’m a hard worker, very diligent in what I do; I may be back in the gym tomorrow, but I know most definitely if I do take tomorrow off, I’ll be in there on Friday, this Saturday, get my little row work on Sunday and, you know, get ready for the next one.
As the reader can see, these are two different fighters coming from divergent points in their careers, radically different cultures and perspectives. Clearly, both Joseph Awinongya and Chris Riley did not see eye to eye on the fight’s outcome. Both warriors, they fought their hearts out, only to feel betrayed in the end by the judges’ decision.
Fortunately for fighters and fans alike, they can do it again—and again, if necessary—to make things right. Several fights down the line, a rematch would make perfect sense for both fighters: for Riley, after a few interim fights, a rematch would offer both a test and a chance for redemption; for Awinongya, it would provide a means for vindication. Regardless of the outcome, boxing fans would be treated to an entertaining match. Mr. Hitz, let’s make it happen. And, may the best man win!
Replies: 2 Comments on this article
boxing is the greatest sport in the world. and i would like to see boxers end up with some money a pension plan when we are through lets make it happen we can do it if we all get together Mando Ramos
Posted by eltiburonisbaad@aol.com">Mando Ramos @ 05/03/2004 09:42 PM EST
Hey,
Tom Glunz provided a link to more pictures from Wednesday's Rumble at the Ramada:
http://www.comvantage.com/webpage/BoxingPics04282004/
Enjoy,
Juan C. Ayllon
Posted by Juan C. Ayllon @ 04/30/2004 05:39 PM EST
