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The Big Brawl in the Big Easy
Phillips Decisions Candelo!
Although Saturday's big PPV event is billed as "Sworn Enemies," that title may have been more appropriate for Wednesday night's grudge match at the New Orleans Arena in the return of pro boxing to the recovering Louisiana city. Former two-time champion Verno Phillips (39-11-1, 20 KOs) dropped former world title challenger J.C. Candelo (26-9-4, 18 KO) in round ten to punctuate an all action ten rounder. Scores were 98-91, 97-92, 100-89. The reason for the bad blood between the fighters? Phillips claims Candelo owes him money, while Candelo alleges that Phillips made moves on his wife.
Fighnews.com (Randy Hammons)
Said Draws with Echols!
#15 IBF middleweight contender Antwun "Kid Dyn-O-Mite" Echols (31-6-1, 27 KOs) and Mohamad Said (18-4, 10 KOs) battled to a ten round draw. Echols staggered Said in round two, but Said, who seemed to be in better condition, outworked Echols in the middle rounds before Echols rallied late. Scores were 95-94 for Echols, and 95-95, 95-95.
Fighnews.com (Randy Hammons)
Nash outpoints Reyes!
New Orleans middleweight Deon Nash (5-1, 1 KO) scored a unanimous four-round decision over Houston's Danny Reyes (16-11-1, (9 KO).
Fighnews.com (Randy Hammons)
Marks Pounds Perez!
Zane “The Train” Marks (12-2) scored a 6 round unanimous decision over tough Texan Jerry “Hot Rod” Perez (10-12-4). Marks pounded the body of the older Perez in the early rounds. Round 4 saw Marks tweek a training camp injury. Marks was back on track in rounds 5 and 6. Marks continued to pound the body of the fading Perez in the later rounds.
Final scores of 59-55, 59-55 and 59-55 keeps Marks win streak alive.
Special thanks goes out to Referee Paul Sita. Before this bout he announced his retirement.
“Smiling” Edges Stephens!
The opening bout of the night saw Dulac, LA's “Smiling” Martin Verdin (11-6-1) continue his win streak,
against a very crafty veteran Anthony “Untouchable” Stephens (32-18) of Shreveport.
Verdin scored early and often, the fight almost came to an end with :30 left in the 6th round as Verdin hit Stephens with a straight right that had him very shaken, but the game Stephens was able to hold on until the round was over.
The final verdict was a split decision win for “Smiling” Martin Verdin.
Edy...Edy...Edy!
Olive Branch, MS native Edy Chavez (1-2) won over the crowd in his Louisiana debut, but not the judges. Chavez floored Daniel Garcia of Houston, TX in the first and went on to cruise his way to the final bell of the 4th round.
When announcer Mike Williams read the scorecard, the crowd, who at one point started an "Edy" chant, booed loudly (considering the lack of people in the New Orleans Arena at this point). With the win, Daniel Garcia moves his record to 6-3-1. Garcia fights for the Keeppunching.com stable of fighters.
Notables: Louisiana light middleweight prospect “Smokin” Jay Krupp, his father Jay Krupp, Krupp’s trainer Kevin Rooney, Main Event gym owner Joe Ancona, and local fighters Miguel Aguila and Gary Bergeron.... also, ESPN Wednesday Night Fights announcers Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas.
