Sunday, February 05, 2006

Results from Springfield, VA!

Here's what happened at last night's card at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA courtesy of my Fightnews.com colleague John Buhl.

Three Washington, DC metro area prospects had successful debuts tonight--led by the much anticipated first pro bout for Mike Sawyer (Falls Church, Va.)--on a fight card promoted by former area boxer Han "Sugar" Kim at ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA.

Mike Sawyer (1-0, 1 KO) Defeats Lagene Richardson (0-1) via KO 2:48 Rd. 1. Super middleweight Mike Sawyer was originally scheduled to appear on the undercard event featuring the return to action of "The Contender" participant Jimmy Lange back in August. Due to medical reasons Sawyer was pulled from the bout just moments before fight time. He did not let the delay affect his performance in the night's main event.

Facing Lagene Richardson (a Boston, Mass. fighter also entering his first professional match), Sawyer wasted no time taking control of the fight and exciting the local crowd.

A straight right from Sawyer sent Richardson to the canvas early in the round, but Richardson appeared to recover quickly. However, Sawyer landed strong body shots on the inside, including a left hook to the rib cage that clearly slowed Richardson. That left hook was followed by a quick barrage that sent Richardson to the canvas and unable to answer the ten count at the 2:48 mark of the opening period.

Zain Shah (1-0, 1 KO) Defeats Leo Edwards (1-3) via TKO 1:55 Rd. 2

Shah (Centreville, Va.)got his career started on the right track stopping Leo Edwards of Philadelphia, Penn. in a junior middleweight match. He used his jab to settle into the action and keep the shorter Edwards at bay. Trying to close the distance, Edwards continually came forward, leaving himself open to punishment.

Shah capitalized, scoring a knockdown with a right hook while Edwards was off balance. When action was restarted, he pounced on Edwards with a flurry against the ropes, forcing referee Rick Ellis to halt the contest.

Willis Lockett (7-4-4, 1 KO) Defeats Elijah Dickins (2-1) via TKO end of Rd.2

Takoma Park, Md. cruiserweight Willis Lockett secured a stoppage victory over Elijah Dickins (Boston, Mass.) in rather unusual circumstances.

The first two rounds were even, with Lockett doing good body work inside against the ropes, while Dickins used superior hand speed to land the occasional jab and power shot (especially the left hook) from the outside. However, near the end of the second round, Dickins appeared to injure his hand after throwing a left hook. The hand injury forced him to back out of the match rather than
answer the bell for round three.

Victor Randall Davis (1-0) Defeats Charles Mack (1-2) via Split Decision

Both fighters in this four round light heavyweight fight were hesitant to mount any serious attack, content to trade jabs and feel each other out for the first two rounds. The pace picked up a bit in round 3, with Davis (Washington, D.C.) landing a couple of straight rights.

Both combatants finally let loose in the final round. Randall landed the more impressive blows, with a couple of right hand power shots connecting to the face of Mack (Philadelphia, Penn.). Aided by that and a point deduction from Mack for excessive hitting to the back, Randall was victorious by scores of 38-37 (twice)and 36-39.

7 comments:

skinnyscott said...

I gotta say, there was a lot bigger and more raucous crowd than I'm accustomed to at a small VA show. "Money" Mike Sawyer definately had 250-300 loud and exited fans. I could see why when he fought as he did. He's a nice "fighter", Gary. He throws combos, has good rhythm, and seems to hit VERY hard. Yet to see if he can box on the outside, but it appears that he can fight. Antwan Davis fought a slightly timid fight although you could see that the skills were there. the guy he was fighting was very awkward. Willis Lockett looked like his timing was off but I heard that they had not prepared for a southpaw. I was very impressed with Zain Shah. He is very tall for a junior-middle and boxes AND punches very well.

skinnyscott said...

I also noticed that Luther Smith and Kay Koroma entered the ring with Mike Sawyer. Perry Ballard was on hand as was "Ms. B" (Mrs. Davis), both of whom to wish Sawyer luck.

Gary Digital Williams said...

Thanks for the comments, Skinnyscott! I was unable to come to this show because of another commitment. I really wanted to see Sawyer perform.

I'm glad Han got a good crowd. If we can get DC, Maryland and VA rolling at the same time, we will be in great shape!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to my good friend Money Mike for giving a great showing and just what i told you that you would do to anyone wnen you focus Mike. Keep up the great work and sorry i couldn't make it "MIGHTY MOUSE".

Anonymous said...

Did anyone else at the show see the huge mark on the right side of Lagene Richardson's body from that body shot from Mike Sawyer? I'd be shocked if he doesn't have broken ribs. Gary, you could hear the thud and then whimper and grimace from the poor dude. The guy was doing well until the body shot. That's what stood out in my mind from the whole night.

Kris Bishop

skinnyscott said...

Hey Gary, I spoke with Han Kim last night. Mike Sawyer broke that guy's ribs with that body shot. I thought he was punching awfully hard. Han may get him on the Patriot Center card next weekend. Any idea who else may be on that card?

Gary Digital Williams said...

I hope Mike will be on that card, too. Mike told me that Jimmy Lange was pushing for Mike to be on the Patriot Center card also.

I have had difficulty getting information about that card and that worries me. I was hoping to have something earlier this week.

Apparently, there has been difficulty getting an opponent for Lamont Pearson. According to people I have talked to, everyone is turning the fight down.

I have heard Orazio Robinson is supposed to be returning to action also. But right now everything seems to be up in the air.