Jimbo Stevenson’s Bayou Promotions brought boxing back to the Paragon Casino and Resort for the first time in more than 4 years. The sold out crowd witnessed a boxing card that featured a little bit of everything that Louisiana boxing has to offer.
Reid Decisions Whitaker
In a bout that was not even scheduled a week ago, Jackson TN’s Thomas Reid (33-12-1) won a very lopsided decision over Ohio’s Etianne “ET” Whitaker (31-14-2). Reid threw a very effective left hook that landed at will. Whitaker showed some life in round 8 as he landed his best punch of the night, a right uppercut. Reid then rallied after hearing the 10 second warning, making the round that much closer. When it was all said and done, judge Russell Naquin and Kenny Licata scored the bout 100-90 while judge Bruce McDaniel saw it 99-91, Gulfcoastboxing saw it 100-90. After hearing the decision, Reid’s trainer grabbed the house microphone and challenged Carl “Kojack” Handy to a bout.
The originally scheduled main event was a rematch between Carl Handy and Rodney Moore, but Moore pulled out with an injury. Reid was named as a replacement and Handy declined to fight Reid again, citing he was “too tough”. In that fight Handy won a 10 round split decision, and also captured the Louisiana state title. Looks like a rematch is in the works.
Rodriguez Retains Title
Wendy Rodriguez (14-2-3) scored a closer than expected 10-round decision over tough as nails Puerto Rican challenger Yaharia Martinez (4-1). Rodriguez pressed the action the entire duration of the fight. Martinez countered really well for the first 3 rounds, but seemed to tire though the rest of the fight. She was still able to land some solid punches, that seemed to keep the fight closer than it came out on the scorecards. The final tallies were 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. Gulfcostboxing scored the bout a draw. With the win Wendy Rodriguez keeps her NABA super flyweight title.
Highly Rated Amateur Prevost Wins Debut
Eunice, LA super middleweight “Candyman” Blake Prevost (1-0) showed flashes of what made him a 3-time Marine amateur champion. Prevost boxed his way to a clear 4-round decision over Wayne IN’s Rodney Spears (0-10). All the judges saw the fight the same, 40-36.
Strickland Beats Ward Again
In what was a rematch of their August 2001 battle, Dupre “Total Package” Strickland (14-1-1) totally dominated Charles Ward (7-20) from Jackson, TN. Ward could not seem to find an answer for Strickland’s speed and lefthand. Ward was down in rounds 1 and 3. This 6-round super middleweight bout ended in a shutout on all 3 judges scorecards, 60-52.
Pedro KO’s Hunt
In the opening bout of the night, Golden Meadow, LA heavyweight Rafael Pedro (19-3-1) knocked out Jackson, TN’s Marvin Hunt (11-13) in the 2nd round of their scheduled 6 round bout. Pedro came out working behind his jab in round 1 and connected with multiple right hands toward the end of the round. In round 2 it was more of the same, Pedro followed the jab with an uppercut that barley missed, but got some “ohh’s” from the crowd. Pedro ended the fight with a straight right hand to the nose of Hunt :51 seconds into round 2.
Ring announcer for the event was Cox Sport Television’s Lynn Rollins.
Gulfcoastboxing.com would like the thank Jimbo Stevenson, Bayou Promotions and Paragon Casino and Resort for everything this weekend. Gulfcoastboxing.com will bring you coverage from Kinder, LA as Hector Camacho, Jr. headlines at the Grand Casino Coushatta.
