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04/15/2008 Archived Entry: "Ola Afolabi stops Eric Fields"
Ola Afolabi stops Eric Fields in Tacoma!
By Ricardo Ibarra
Photos by Mike Blair
Afolabi (left) jabs Fields
In a stunning upset, Englishman Ola Afolabi (12-1-3 5KOs 198 lbs.) claimed the vacant NABO cruiserweight title with a tenth round dismantling of previously unbeaten Eric Fields (11-1 9KOs 199 lbs.) this past Saturday, April 12th at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.
The relatively unknown Afolabi was coming off a two year lay-off and many figured he would be an easy, stay-busy fight for the highly touted Fields. Those assumptions were quickly discarded as Afolabi proceeded to confuse Fields for the majority of the fight.
From the onset of the bout Afolabi’s awkward style began to give Fields problems. Fields pressed the fight early, landing effectively with power punches, pushing Afolabi back to the ropes. But, it was on the ropes where Afolabi began to find success. As Fields fired off punches, Afolabi rolled with and parried much of what was coming his way. In between his opponents flurries Afolabi found his mark with hard counter uppercuts and hooks. The fight remained on the ropes for much of the first four rounds with both fighters trading thudding power punches, Fields the aggressor, Afolabi the counter puncher.
In the fifth round Fields brought the fight back out to the center of the ring, choosing to box instead of trading along the ropes. Using his jab and good lateral movement, Fields controlled the distance, stepping in and out of the pocket and refusing to fall into an inside fight with Afolabi. A big left hook stopped Afolabi in his tracks at the end of the round. In the sixth an exhausted looking Fields abandoned his boxing and fell back into Afolabi’s fight. The two traded power punches along the ropes with Afolabi getting the better of most exchanges with precise counter hooks. A left-right hook combination stunned Fields. Afolabi began to tee off on the Oklahoman, closing out the round with a barrage of left hooks to the head of his opponent.
A momentary delay at the start of the seventh round due to a problem with the ring ropes seemed to reenergize Fields. He quickly began to assert himself with a snapping jab, following up with hard right hands. Maintaining his distance for most of the round, Fields was able to keep his opponent at bay and finished the round strong, connecting with a series of hard power punches.
Afolabi (left) works off the ropes
Coming into the eighth round the fight was close, but, Fields looked spent. As Afolabi began to draw Fields back into an inside fight, the ropes came undone once again causing another momentary delay. The delay would not help Fields this time. As the action resumed Afolabi rocked Fields with a series of uppercuts, sending him falling to the canvas. After the standing eight-count, Afolabi pressed forward with hard overhand rights and uppercuts, sending Fields down once again. In the ninth a thunderous right uppercut snapped back the head of Fields and buckled his knees. Afolabi opened up, landing at will with repeated power shots. Fields showed some true heart, though, standing his ground and trading with his opponent. In the tenth a right uppercut hurt Fields early in the round. Afolabi quickly let his hands go, sending Fields to the canvas once again. The referee allowed the fight to continue momentarily, but stepped in as Afolabi unloaded a slew of unanswered punches. The end came at 55 seconds of the tenth round.
After such a grueling fight its hard to say where Eric Fields’ career goes from here. The beating he took in the last few rounds of this fight was the type of beating that shortens careers. Some fighters are never the same after sustaining so much damage. For Afolabi the win marks a big step forward. His awkward style and precise counter punching abilities are sure to give any top cruiserweight fits.
Brue (left) throws the right hand
In under card action Portland, Oregon’s Robert Brue (4-0 2KOs 173 lbs.) kept his undefeated record intact with a patient, workman-like performance, scoring a six round unanimous decision over Matt Halverson (3-4 3KOs 174 lbs.). Halverson had a good start in the bout. Using a snapping right jab out of a southpaw stance, Halverson was able to keep the shorter Brue off balance and on the end of his punches for the first two rounds. However, in the third Brue began to find his rhythm, landing with solid straight rights as Halverson stepped in. He continued to time Halverson with his right hand for the remainder of the bout. The judges scored the bout 58-56, 59-55, and 59-55, all for Brue.
In a four round middleweight bout, Castro Valley, California’s Fernando Barajas (4-1 160 lbs.) scored his third straight victory at the Emerald Queen Casino with a majority decision over previously unbeaten Andy Mavros (4-1 1KO 159 lbs.). Barajas maintained control of the bout for the most part by staying at range and stepping in with straight right-left hook combinations. Mavros seemed content to let Barajas lead and look for the counterpunching opportunities, but in doing so he allowed Barajas to rack up points. In the last round Mavros picked up his tempo and managed to edge out the round with precise one-two’s out of his southpaw stance. By that point Barajas had a commanding lead on two of the judges’ scorecards. The final tallies read 40-36, 39-37, 38-38.
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Purek (left) sets up the right hand
Fort Langley, British Colombia’s Sarah Purek (1-0 1KO 136 lbs.) made quite an impression in her pro debut, scoring a vicious first round TKO over fellow novice Theresa Doersken (0-1 139 lbs.). From the sound of the first bell the difference in boxing ability became apparent. Purek worked behind a snapping jab, occasionally following up with right hands, while Doersken seemed confused on how to approach her opponent. A right to the chin wobbled Doersken. Purek immediately pressed the fight, opening up with a barrage of punches, sending her opponent to the canvas. The bout was allowed to continue long enough for Purek to punctuated the fight with stream of right hands, sending Doersken down again. She bravely made it to her feet, but the referee waved the fight off at 2:02 of the first round.
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Jonte Willis (left) presses the action
Local Heavyweight Jonte Willis (2-0 2KOs 206 lbs.) remained unbeaten with a second round KO over Gardena, California’s Jamiah Williamson (2-2 2KOs 223 lbs.). Willis began the bout at a measured pace, working behind his jab and occasionally following up with right hands and left hooks. In the second round Willis opened up and sent his opponent down and through the ropes with a big right hand. The referee called an end to the bout at 2:11 as Williamson struggled to get his legs back under him.
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Mafnas (left) on the attack
The evening got off to an exciting start as Spokane, Washington’s Eric Mafnas (0-4 148 lbs.) and Damian Wilson (1-1 143 lbs.) of Lewiston, Idaho engaged in a solid four round opener. Mafnas took the initiative early, pressing the fight, landing with hard overhand rights as Wilson tried to maintain his distance. A big right hand buckled the knees of Wilson, pushing him back to the ropes. Mafnas, looking to capitalize on the opportunity, pressed forward recklessly and paid the price as a Wilson right hand dropped him for a count. As the action resumed the two fighters commenced to trade wild punches, each man taking his fair share of punishment. Wilson closed the first round strong, dropping Mafnas once again. After the frenzied pace in the first round both fighters took a more measured approach. Wilson, with his longer reach, seemed to have an edge in the latter rounds, delivering hard right hands that stunned his opponent on numerous occasions. All judges scored the fight the same at 39-37, awarding Wilson his first win by unanimous decision.
The Emerald Queen Casino and Brian Halquist Productions host their next boxing event May 24th.
