In lieu of the audio post-fight wrap-up, here's my take on last night's card at Rosecroft Raceway:
Horace "The Reason" Grant, in my opinion, got a gift last night in the main event against "Big" Mike Rhoades. Rhoades came in at 336 pounds -- 91 pounds heavier than Grant (245 1/2) -- and he used that weight and leaned on Grant throughout. Grant had his moments, especially in the third round, but Grant could not find a jab to save his life and it almost cost him the bout. Grant couldn't keep the big man Rhoades off of him.
This was not the same Horace Grant who dismantled Mike Sheppard earlier this year. Hopefully the win will be a learning experience for Grant, who is slated to have a tough bout coming up on November 29 against Ryan Thompson at Michael's Eighth Avenue.
The Alexander Johnson-Kelvin Sutton bout almost didn't happen. Sutton had some issues with medicals, but thanks to some quick movement from Rosecroft officials, Sutton was able to get medicals done that evening and salvage the fight.
Johnson, however, made sure the bout didn't last long. Sutton looked somewhat intimidated and Johnson landed some vicious combinations that dropped Sutton for the count. Johnson is very talented and definitely one to keep an eye on.
One of the better and more overlooked stories along the Beltway has been Scott "Duke" Buchanan. Like Danny Kisner on the Baltimore-area side of Maryland, Buchanan has a solid reputation as a great trainer in the DC-PG County side of the Beltway. Now that Buchanan is also an active boxer, he has been devastating with three first-round knockouts. Jamal Terry had no chance against Buchanan. Whispers started around Rosecroft about a 2008 matchup between Buchanan and Grant. That would be interesting.
The draw between Kendrick "Holy Hands" Walker and "The Capitol Punisher" Spencer Harsley was one of the best bouts of the year. The fourth and final round of the bout was a true round of the year candidate. Both guys gave and took throughout. In the third, Walker walked into a big right hand from Harsley that truly helped Harsley get the draw. I thought Walker did enough to win the bout, but I am not upset about the draw at all and look forward to a rematch.
Nice pro debut from Laurel, MD's Ikem Orji. The guy is very strong and wore down Jamal Tribbett of Philadelphia en route to the second round TKO. Orji's debut comes too late to go into the 2007 rookie of the year conversation, but he could be strongly considered for 2008's rookie discussion.
The Carlos Battle-Raul Rivera matchup was a spirited exhibition. Battle also seems to be starting his career with a strong fan base.
The amateur card was exceptional with some very strong performances. I was very impressed with Elvis Medrano of LA Boxing, as well as Rock Warden from Old School Boxing. Warden, by the way, showed a lot of guts by coming into a ring wearing Dallas Cowboys colors especially when former Redskins offensive lineman Ron Saul was sitting at ringside.
The Warden-Russell Gaskins bout seemed to be the one everybody was looking forward to seeing because it was a rematch from a recent card. Both guys did not disappoint. It was a great contest.
As usual, Old School's Dusty Harrison looked steady but he was challenged by Shawn Simpson of Chicago, IL. Harrison was pressured at times but maintained his composure. Harrison is going to be one of the leaders along the Beltway amateurs as we look towards 2012.
All the boxers on the amateur show performed very well and the crowd truly enjoyed both sides of the event at Rosecroft Raceway.
Which leads to a quick note I must pass on to you. The State of Maryland has become a trend setter across the country as far as putting on Pro-Am Boxing cards. Maryland will have 17 pro cards this year (for the fourth year in a row) and 13 of them have been or will be Pro-Am shows.
As I write this, Maryland State Athletic Commission Executive Director Patrick Pannella is heading to Mesquite, TX for the USA Boxing Annual Convention. Pannella will give a presentation that will in part talk about how the Maryland State Athletic Commission works successfully hand-in-hand with the Potomac Valley Association and the South Atlantic Association of USA Boxing in putting together Pro-Am shows. This is a great honor for the state!
So if you see or hear about more pro-am shows throughout the country, you can truly say it started along the Beltway!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Grant-Buchanan? Damn, that'd be cool to watch; talk about a slugfest!
I like the pro-am shows much more. Atcually the amature side of it seems to always out-do the pro side. I guess it is because it cost so much to get good pros on the card.
I doubt Grant-Buchanan will happen. They used to (and still may) train together. I wasn't at the fights. When you say that it wasn't the same Grant, what exactly do you mean Gary? Not being argumentative, just curious.
When Grant fought Mike Sheppard at Michael's, he was active. He used his jab very well and then when he found the shot he took it and put him out.
Against Rhoades last night, Grant looked very tentative, he let Rhoades dictate the action most of the way. He couldn't find his jab. Grant had his moments, especially in the third round, but it was a very tentative performance for Grant. I've seen him start a lot quicker than he did last night.
Post a Comment