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07/16/2008 Archived Entry: "Tyrone Harris Returns at the Silver Reef Casino"
Tyrone Harris Returns at the Silver Reef Casino
Photos and report by Ricardo Ibarra at ringside
Tyrone Harris (left) fires the left hook
After an eight month long lay-off, Tyrone “Fists of Fury” Harris (22-4 14KOs 136 ½ lbs.) made a successful return to the ring Saturday, July 12th at the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale, Washington. As can be expected Harris, of Lansing, Michigan, looked rusty at times, not getting off as quickly and consistently as is usually the case, but he did enough to win a clear cut unanimous six round decision over Portland, Oregon’s Michael Lucero (12-14-1 4KOs 136 lbs.).
For a fighter that relies on timing and reflexes, staying busy is crucial in maintaining that sharpness necessary to shine in the ring. For Harris, a usually quick fisted, slick southpaw with solid defense, the lay-off was clearly a factor.
Lucero (right) presses Harris
Early on in the bout Lucero was able to find success with a constant stream of pressure. As Lucero worked his way in behind double and triple jabs, Harris was slow to react and found himself on the receiving end of hard hooks to the head and body. Lucero continued his busy work rate throughout the first two rounds, but, at the end of the second round Harris began to open up, landing with a precise, hard counter left hook.
In the third round Lucero pressed early, unloading a frenzied attack of body shots, but most of them were blocked by Harris, who seemed to be warming up to the task at hand. A sharp straight left by Harris found its mark, rattling Lucero. Harris picked up his work rate and began to land with more consistency. By the fourth round he was peppering his opponent with two and three punch combinations.
Harris and Lucero trade at close quarters
Lucero stayed in the fight, working whenever he got in close, but Harris was the much more effective fighter throughout the late rounds, working behind a snapping right jab and following up with power shots. The final judges’ tallies read 58-56, 59-55, 60-54.
Harris adds his first victory since losing an eight round unanimous decision to Josesito Lopez last November in Tacoma.
Hopes are that now he can stay busy and continue to work his way back up the boxing ladder. But, one major concern for his team is the difficulty that they have encountered in getting lucrative fights, or any fights for that matter. Crafty southpaws can be hard to shop around as most fighters are not eager to face them. This most recent hiatus was the longest in Harris’ career and the difference showed in the fight. For a fighter accustomed to fighting every two to three months, keeping him busy should be a top priority.
Sargeant (right) corners Lopez
The semi-main event of the evening featured a rematch between two Northwest stalwarts. Louis Sargeant (10-11-2 2KOs 166 ½ lbs.) of Richmond, B.C. defended his Washington State Super Middleweight title for the first time, winning a five round unanimous decision against Othello, Washington’s Luis Lopez (14-14-1 6KOs 166 ½ lbs.).
Sargeant pulled ahead early in the fight, sending his opponent reeling with the first solid punch he landed, a counter left hook. He easily controlled the first two rounds with effective counter punching.
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Sargeant (left) looks for the opening
In the third round it seemed as though Sargeant would have another easy round when, as the round came to a close, Lopez cornered his opponent and opened up with a barrage of hooks to the body. Sargeant fired back, matching Lopez’ aggression and landing a jarring right hand that seemed to stun Lopez. The round came to a close with both fighters exchanging heavy leather along the ropes.
Lopez pressed his opponent for the remainder of the fight, giving a solid effort and giving fans an exciting fight, but Sargeant continued to find success countering his aggression with hard left hooks and right hands. All three judges scored the bout 49-46 for Sargeant.
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Saunders (right) presses Hurley
In a four round Jr. Lightweight bout, Riverside, California’s Ronald Hurley (3-3-2 130 lbs.) defeated Jason Saunders (2-1 1KO 129 ½ lbs.) of Nanaimo, B.C. The tall and lanky Hurley began the bout with bad intentions, shooting vicious, thudding punches that landed with precision. The Californian, who turned out to be much better than his record would indicate, showed some versatility, coming out in the second round boxing well. He maneuvered around the ring, countering his opponent’s aggression with sharp hooks and avoiding much of what was being thrown at him. Midway through the round a right hand to the temple sent Saunders falling to the canvas. Saunders beat the count and showed some heart, coming right at his opponent rather than trying to maintain his distance, making the final moments of the round a close, give and take battle.
In the third round Saunders maintained his aggression with effective pressure. Saunders punished his opponent with hard body shots and hooks to the head, doing enough to win the round.
The fourth round was close as both fighter traded momentum, but Hurley seemed to be the more effective fighter, ending the round well with a barrage of hooks and uppercuts. The judges awarded the fight to Hurley by scores of 39-36, 40-35, and 39-36.
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Pucek (left) and Roy trade
Fort Langley, British Colombia’s Sarah Pucek (2-0 1KO 124 ½ lbs.) added her second straight win with a four round unanimous decision over Wendy Roy (0-5 124 ½ lbs.) of Vancouver, B.C.
Pucek boxed well throughout the fight, working behind her jab and stepping in and out of the pocket with right hands. She stepped up her aggression late in the fight, looking to score the knockout. But, as it turned out her opponent was a tough fighter and remained game, landing a few solid shots of her own.
The busy work rate and superior technical skills carried the fight for Pucek as she was the much more effective fighter throughout the fight. All three judges saw the fight for Pucek by scores of 39-37, 40-35, and 39-37.
Castillo (right) loops his left hook
Jr. Welterweights Dario Castillo (5-6-1 139 lbs.), of Antioch, California, and Daren Darby (3-8-2 1KO 139 ½ lbs.), of Surey, B.C., gave the local crowd a fight to remember as they engaged in four rounds of back and forth, give and take action.
Castillo (left) presses the action
The fight got off to a violent start as both fighters seemed intent on inflicting major damage early. Darby closed the distance with his straight right following up with left and right hooks, most of which landed with a hard thud to the body of Castillo. Castillo fired back with combinations of his own and began to take over the round midway through by giving his opponent angles and countering. The round was a close one as both fighters traded power shots down the stretch, but Castillo seemed to have the edge.
In the second round Darby took an early lead as he slammed straight right-left hook combinations onto the face of his opponent. Castillo responded with his own volley of combinations, not giving up an inch.
The third round could’ve been fought in a phone booth as both fighters stayed in the pocket and exchanged blows. Castillo had a slight edge based on his superior body work, but the round was extremely close.
Castillo took a different approach early in the fourth round, choosing to move in and out of the pocket, picking his shots instead of trading wildly. The strategy paid off early as he was able to land his combinations without sustaining much punishment. A big left hook to the chin wobbled Darby and sent him reeling back to the ropes. Castillo pounced, opening up with a wild barrage of punches.
The fight looked to be just about over when Darby threw a wild left hook that found its mark right on the chin of Castillo, sending him falling back to the ropes. Now it was Darby on the attack as Castillo tried anxiously to defend himself. The two fighters engaged in a wild exchange as the crowd erupted in appreciation for the heart these two warriors were displaying. A momentary stoppage by the referee to replace a mouthpiece did not discourage the two combatants’ aggression. They went right back at each other and traded until the final bell, punctuating an already exciting fight with a final barrage of violence. The judges scored the bout 39-37, 40-36, and 40-36, awarding Castillo the unanimous decision.
The evening’s opening bout saw Los Angeles, California’s James Brock (14-40-3 4KOs 185 lbs.) score a unanimous four round decision victory over Seattle, Washington’s Josue Cielos (3-9-1 2KOs 183 ½ lbs.). Brock pressed the fight throughout, dropping Cielos in the first and third rounds. He continuously found his target with wild, looping hooks to the head. Cielos, who was coming off a lengthy lay-off, had trouble landing against the awkward Brock. Brock would bend at the waist and leap up with his punches, catching Cielos repeatedly with wild punches. All three judges scored the fight 40-34 for Brock.
A highly anticipated match-up between Portland, Oregon’s Robert Brue and Kevin Hand fell out a few days before the card after Brue sustained a ruptured ear drum during sparring.
Patrick Ortiz’ Ringside Tickets Inc. will present the next “Rumble at the Reef” at the Silver Reef Casino November 15th.
