[Previous entry: "Photo of the Day: Michael Spinks at Recent 'World Boxing Cares' Benefit in NYC!"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Juan Diaz Makes Julio Diaz Quit in Nine!"]
10/13/2007 Archived Entry: "Mike Mollo flattens Binkowski, Fuller Destroys Zegan on Undercard of Diaz vs. Diaz!"
Mike Mollo flattens Binkowski, Fuller Destroys Zegan on Undercard of Diaz vs. Diaz!
By Ben Torres at ringside
Above, Mollo (left) pummels Binkowski along the ropes and, below, Mollo's trainer, Mike Garcia, climbs through the ropes as referee Gerald Scott halts the bout and Mollo celebrates (Edward Zajac photos)
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.--Chicago's own Mike Mollo the WBA Fedlatin Heavyweight champion (19-1-11 KO’s) wasted no time in engaging Art “The Polish Warrior” Binkowski (16-2-3-11 KO’s) in the first round. The two Chicagoans threw caution to the wind and went at each other firing bombs. Mollo’s bombs however caused more damaged as the Polish Warrior went down hard from a devastating left hook. Mollo wasted no time in jumping on Binkowski who showed heart in trying to fend off Mollo’s onslaught. The end came in round as Binkowski was dropped again but bravely rose to his fight to meet the oncoming Mollo. It would prove futile as Mollo forced Binkowski back to the ropes and landed a series of hard over hand rights and left hooks as the Polish Warrior slumped on the ropes.
Damian Fuller destroyed Matt “Boom Boom” Zegan (37-4, 21 KOs) ranked #14 by the WBO. Fuller (30-4-1, 14 KOs) dropped Zegan at the end of round one and continued the punishment in round two. Zegan's corner jumped on the apron and called off the fight 52 seconds into the second round.
Back at the locker room, celebrity boxing manager Jackie Kallen poses with her victorious charge, Damien Fuller (Juan C. Ayllon photo). Fuller attributed straight lefts as being the key to his victory, while a cornerman said it was the left hook--"that's your bread and butter!" Kallen said afterwards, "I want to go see Mollo fight!"
Back by the locker rooms, a somber but respectful Zegan poses for the camera (Juan C. Ayllon photo)
On the attack, Ruiz sets up Tisdale with the jab (Juan C. Ayllon photo)
Ruiz (right) pounts on Tisdale in a corner (Juan C. Ayllon photo)
John Ruiz at ringside afterwards (Juan C. Ayllon photo)
Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John "The Quiet Man" Ruiz (41-7-1, 28 KOs) came out and made some noise in stopping Otis Tisdale at 45 seconds of round two. Ruiz looked good in throwing fluid combinations and knocking Tisdale (26-18-1, 15 KOs) down twice in the first round with good body work and precise uppercuts. "I felt a little rusty tonight and butterflies because it's been a while," said Ruiz. "This guy tonight helped me get out the cobwebs. I wanted Liakhovich but I guess he didn't want to fight.” Ruiz went on to call out the giant Nikolay Valuev for an elimination bout for Chagaev’s title. Many believe that Ruiz won his 2005 fight against Valuev but the giant was given a hometown decision. Ruiz plans are to march on for a 3rd heavy weight belt.
In the WBA super featherweight elimination bout, Miguel "Aguacerito" Acosta fought a hard earned win against talented Agnes Adjaho (22-1, 12 KOs). Acosta (21-3-2, 16 KOs) was down in the ninth round and again in the twelfth round, but won by scores of 115-112, 114-112 for Acosta and 115-111 Adjaho.
Unbeaten super lightweight Devon Alexander (13-0, 8 KOs) crushed Cory Peterson (7-1, 4 KOs), knocking him down twice before the bout was stopped at 2:59 of round one. Alexander who is trained by Kevin Cunningham, stated that he wants to fight DeMarcus Corley in his next bout.
Hernandez (right) and Turner swap blows in a corner (Ben Torres photo)
Turner (right) covers in a corner as Hernandez presses (Ben Torres photo)
Chicagoan Angel "Toro" Hernandez (28-6, 16 KOs) waged a savage eight round war with previously unbeaten Louis Turner (11-1, 7 KOs) by scores of 78-74, 78-74, 79-73. The fight was a seesaw battle that saw both fighters give as good as they got staggering each other on numerous occasions through out the fight. In the end the judges saw it in favor of Hernandez but the fight was much closer to ringsiders.
Karim Mayfield (5-0-1, 5 KOs) KO'd Rahman Yasubov (6-1, 3 KOs) in a wild shoot out. Yasubov was devastatingly down three times before being counted out at 2:47 of round two.
In a yawner, lightweights Vasyli Tarabarov (17-0-1, 7 KOs) won an eight round split decision over Priest "Tiger" Smalls (18-15-1, 6 KOs). Scores were 77-75, 78-74 Tarabarov, 77-75 Smalls.
