Friday, September 29, 2006

Bizarre Night in the Ballroom!

Since the start of this blog in July 2005, we have had some landmark nights of Beltway Boxing.

Thursday, Sept. 28 would not be one of them.

During the premiere of Ballroom Boxing's 12th season at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD, one Beltway Boxer had a unintentionally short but successful night, another suffered a major setback while a third had the first learning experience of his pro career.

Let's start with the main event, the return of cruiserweight Darnell "The Ding-A-Ling Man" Wilson, now living in Takoma Park, MD. Wilson was able to break his four-bout losing streak with a sudden fourth-round TKO over Daniel Judah of Brooklyn, NY.

This was not one of Wilson's typical knockouts. The knockout came when Wilson threw a punch that landed on Judah's left shoulder. The sickening crack of glove against bone could be heard all throughout Michael's, as could Judah's scream of pain. Judah could not move his arm and referee Malik Waleed stopped the bout at 33 seconds of the third.

According to Judah's father Yoel, Judah (who had brother Zab -- sporting a short mohawk haircut -- in attendance) had surgery on that shoulder two years ago. Yoel Judah also said that the shoulder was dislocated this time.

For Wilson, who raised his record to 19-5-3, 16 KO's, it was a good performance, but he told me afterwards he wanted to do more.

"I wanted to show how fluid I can be in the later rounds," Wilson said. "I was warming up."

Overall, Wilson looked good in the just over six minutes he was in there. His trainer, 1976 Olympic silver medalist SGT. Charles Mooney, told me he liked how Wilson followed directions in the corner. Wilson went to the body well while facing an opponent who stayed in front of him the entire time.

Judah's record is now 21-2-3, 10 KO's.

Now folks, the rest of this report goes pretty much downhill from here.

In the co-feature, Baltimore junior middleweight Ishmail "The Arsenal" Arvin suffered the first loss of his pro career, dropping an eight-round majority decision to David Toribio of Miami, FL by way of the Dominican Republic.

Frankly, Arvin was very fortunate to get a draw from one of the scorecards. He was dropped by a left hook in the fourth round that sent him somersaulting backwards towards his own corner. Arvin told me afterwards that he never saw the punch.

Had Toribio not been deducted a point for holding in the fifth round, he would have won a unanimous decision. Judge Gary Camponeschi saw the draw, 75-75. Judge John Gradowski scored the bout 77-73 while Don Risher saw the contest 78-72. I had it close at 75-74 for Toribio.

But here's why this loss is an unsettling one for Arvin:

1. Arvin lost to a guy who had dropped his last five decisions, three by knockout.

2. Arvin looked EXTREMELY off balance; he was lunging and stumbling throughout the entire contest. In fact, I talked to a few people who know the technical aspect of this sport better than I do and there is fear for Arvin at this stage. I have seen most of Arvin's 16 previous bouts, and I can say without question that this was the worst I have seen him. Because of this, there are those who say that this was a LOT more than just a bad night.

This loss is a major blow for the Beltway Boxing community. Arvin was seen as one of our brightest prospects and he was just awful last night. In all honesty, he will have to do a lot to bounce back from this one. Arvin's record falls to 14-1-2, six KO's. Toribio is now 13-5, seven KO's.

Also on the card, Baltimore junior lightweight Tyrell Samuel remained undefeated with a six-round split decision over Carlos Vinan of Newark, NJ. This was a rematch of a bout Samuel won by majority decision earlier in his career.

Truthfully, this was a gift for Samuel, in my opinion. However, hopefully it will serve as a learning experience for him and there are some positives to be taken from it.

For the first time that I've seen in his nine-bout pro career, Samuel faced someone who can put on pressure and land good shots. One thing we didn't know was how good Samuel's chin was. I think we got an indication last night. Also, I think at times he was confused because Vinan took some of Samuel's best shots. However, I didn't see him overly frustrated during the bout. Vinan should be credited for having a good chin also as well as showing the ability to fight despite a bad cut along the left eye.

I scored the bout 58-56 for Vinan. That was the same score that Judge Don Risher had. Judges Kenny Chevalier and Malik Waleed saw the bout in favor of Samuel, 58-57 and 58-56 respectively.

I thought Samuel fought well. I just thought he didn't do enough to get the win.

In other bouts on the card, cruiserweight William "Thunder" Gill of Toms River, NJ broke a six-bout losing streak by scoring a second-round TKO over John "Jazz" Owens of Council Bluffs, IA. The win was Gill's first victory in the Beltway region in three tries. The other two bouts were losses to Mike Paschall. Gill's record is now 3-11, two KO's while Owens is 2-3, one KO. Also, New York City junior middleweight prospect Jose "Silver Boy" Rodriguez remained undefeated (8-0, one KO) with an easy six-round unanimous decision over Carlos Pena of Arroyo, Puerto Rico (2-7, two KO's.

A very solid and competitive card put on by promoter Scott Wagner and matchmaker Chris Middendorf. The locals were tested nicely tonight. Too bad they didn't all pass the test.

Among others in attendance last night were former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman,Beltway prospects Mike Ricasa and Jessie Nicklow as well as former Beltway heavyweight contender Thomas "Top Dog" Williams I thought I saw Dana Rucker as well, but I wasn't sure.

Also making the scene was one of the top welterweight contenders in the world, Paul "The Punisher" Williams of Augusta, GA. Williams has been training in the area periodically over the past few months.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Samuel had fought Vinan in his second pro fight and won a majority decision in that bout held on Vinan's home turf. So they both knew each other quite well. This was a continuation of the first four rounder. I think that they have seen enough of each other for a long while!

Anonymous said...

(Huh...Does sound like kind of a bizarre ending...)

Oh well, no such thing as an "ugly win" unless your name is John Ruiz!

"WAY TO GO DING-A-LING! THE 175-200 POUND KING OF THE BALLROOM!"

P.S- Is there a chance of a move down to lt.hvy Gary, or is it cruiser from here on out? (Just as long as it's one and or the other, I see no problem with it.)

* Quite an in-depth report by the way.

Anonymous said...

gary, you are rigth about ishmail. the first thing to go on a shot fighter is his coordination and the arsenal looked uncoordinated in his movements last night.
it was good to see the ding-a-ling man in shape for a change, but he might want to hurry up and get another fight lined. what makes fighters good is activity.. since he looked in tremendous shape last night his people need to keep him busy...

Gary Digital Williams said...

Cruiser,

I think Wilson is comfortable at the Cruiser class. He did look physically good in the bout. There are some names being thrown at him (Emmanuel Nwodo, for one). We'll have to see what happens.

Anonymous said...

Killer,
It's time to see the 'Doc' again. This time make it permanent. Every since you've gone back there, you haven't been the same. Remember how you shined in your 10 rounder against that tough Mexican. Remember the Hyatt, against that same wiley veteran that Pettway fought at Martin's West. You know, the dood with 100 fights. Forget that D.C.-Baltimore bull. You need to take care of you and yours. 'Doc' is waiting on you. At this point, you shouldn't even be taking any punches in sparring. You should be working with guys you can dominate if you so choosed to. If you need it, I know 'Doc' can fix you up. I'm just going off of what has been written on this post. For real, for real: 'dem guys might not know what they 'talkin about. Either way see 'Doc'. Mr. Earl, he 'goin be fine.

One Love,

'gettin healed by 'Doc'

p.s.- Whoever it is that has an issue with this being anonymous needs to understand, I'm trying to look out for my former stablemate, its all about him and his career.

p.p.s- 'Black Ice', you need to be reading and considering this too. Remember Pooh told you this last year.

Anonymous said...

Nwodo would be a test. I've only seen him fight once (July 1 @ the ABC Sports Complex show), but he DOMINATED that fight.

Anonymous said...

Arvin was exposed and all that talk about he was in shape and blah blah blah was just that. He never took his boxing career seriously at all.

Anonymous said...

I just read that Nwodo is going to fight Jonathan Banks of Detroit. Ive seen both fight, both big punchers but I think whoever lands the first shot will win. off topic sorry...Ron Krull,,, I am going with Banks on this one but hope Nwodo wins

Gary Digital Williams said...

I am in the process of confirming that story about Nwodo. I've seen the story on some of the sites but I'm in the process of talking to Nwodo's promoter.

As a matter of fact, I am about to post an update on the Nwodo situation.

Anonymous said...

Arvin looked like a starter.I feel sorry for him he got hit a lot off balance.People I think Scot and Jake don't match his there great White hopes that TOUGH watch what I teel you and I'm from B more

Anonymous said...

Gary or some body is Black Ice under a Manager if so it's time for him to have a talk with his team I heard TOOSHARP was trying to sign him thats why he came down to see him fight.

Anonymous said...

10-4, Gary. Perhaps I'm a bit 'partial', but I think that division (cruiser) is where he would be best suited at this point. It looks like Banks is indeed fighting Nwodo, but I would REALLY like to see Darrell get back in the ring absolutely NO more than 3 or 4 months from now, and hopefully sooner. Wilson is still relatively young...But on the 'wrong side of 30', regardless.