Boxing returned to Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California for the 4th time, on Thursday night as the Art of Boxing Promotions in association with Bash Boxing started off the 2013 boxing season. In attendance were Freddie Roach, Robert Garcia, who both had fighters on the card, as well as Steve Forbes, Henry Tillman, Mickey Rourke, and others.
In the main event, welterweight Terrell Williams (10-0, 9 KOs) wasted no time in taking out veteran Luis Alfredo Lugo (13-18-1, 5 KOs). Williams landed a devastating left hook that deropped the normally durable Lugo. Shortly after, Williams continued his attack and landed a left uppercut that sent Lugo to the canvas once again as referee Lou Moret stepped in to stop the fight at 1:56 of round 1. Williams showed patience in his follow-up, and is looking more and more like the real deal.
In a scheduled six round cruiserweight bout, Vyacheslav "Slava" Shabransky (3-0, 3 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Emmanuel Wright (5-2, 5 KOs). Wright spent most of the fight on the ropes, trying to swing one big right hand, but eventually was staggered in round four, and referee Lou Moret, known for his early stoppages, stepped in to wave off the bout at 2:18.
Former NABO bantamweight champ Khabir Suleymanov (14-3, 6 KOs) struggled to win a split decision over Raymond Chacon (4-6) in a six rounder. Chacon's southpaw stance gave the Russian fits. All three judges scored it 58-56 with one judge favoring Chacon while the other two scored it for Suleymanov.
Liverpool's Liam Vaughan (7-1, 1 KO) won a unanimous decision over Antron Pearson (2-4). Vaughn attacked Pearson, who fought off the back foot, landing left hooks solidly all night en route to a unanimous decision win. Vaughan said afterward, that a win is a win, and when the opponent fights scared, there is not much you can do.
Heavyweight Charles Martin (5-0, 5 KOs) took only two rounds to stop Phillip Triantafillo. The Chicago fighter looked pudgy around the middle, yet still undersized, as he taunted his opponent, but could offer little else. Martin landed two solid straight lefts that knocked down Trianfillo twice, the second time, taking a knee. Referee Lou Moret stopped the fight at 1:44 of round two.
In the opener, unbeaten super bantamweight Erik Ruiz (8-0, 3 KOs) of Oxnard won a six round split decision over L.A.'s Oscar Venegas (3-2, 2 KOs). It was the most action packed bout of the night from the opening to final bell both came out punching. However Ruiz’ patience and boxing skill was the difference. Judges scored the bout 59-55 and 58-56 in favor of Ruiz, and 58-56 for Venegas, surprisingly. Ruiz is trained by Robert Garcia.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
