They're still cheering the next day!

Fight at the Blue Horizon and be forced into fighting a little harder than usual to live up to the city of Philadelphia's boxing lore and this building's mystic.  The seats, especially in the balcony, are a smidge closer to the ring than your usual casino ballroom or your flex-space multi-use hall.  Therefore, with fans breathing down your neck and the ink of the press agents splashing against your boxing boots, any self respecting fighter pushes to his next level to prove he can win here and take his career to the six-figure paydays in the future.   Jose Reyes is a junior lightweight boxer who may just be the next world champion who cut his teeth at the Blue.   Reyes (16-1. 131lbs) looked across the ring at Marty Robbins in the main event Friday night at the north Philadelphia boxing arena and saw victory.  "Two Sweet" Robbins came in from Nashville with 18 wins and 15 knockouts against 23 losses, so he held the experience edge and hoped to catch the speedy Reyes early to slow him down and stop him before the scheduled 8 rounds were finished.

Reyes caused no surprise when he opened the bout with quick punches and a get in-punch-get out style.  The southpaw Robbins was able to close the distance in the 2nd round and bring his heat bringing the main event to its expected energy level throughout the upcoming rounds.  Reyes went back on the speed train and began to use his left hook more effectively by the 5th round, but Robbins was continuously coming forward.  The unanimous decision went the way of "el Gallo" Reyes, but Robbins earned the applause he received at the end of the night.  Robbins understood, and delivered, the effort the Blue Horizon's ghosts demand of their combatants.

The main event capped off an exciting night, which paid tribute to Philadelphia's law enforcement personnel.  Police Athletic League officer Cassandra Rodriguez did a wonderful National Anthem.  Philadelphia Detective, Bo Diaz, presented the introductions for the main event fighters and judges, giving yours truly a break as the ring announcer.  The buzz was still in the air from an undercard that featured a 4-round chess match for Junior Middleweights Darius Hunter and Tyron Winkler.  Hunter (2-4-1) dropped Winkler (12-9-1) with a glancing right in the opening round on his way to a 4-round decision win.

 


The very popular Harry Joe Yorgey returned from a 9-month layoff and used the ring well in a 6-round Jr. Middleweight contest vs. Larry Brothers.  Brothers has been winning, while Yorgey has been resting. The matchup was intriguing.  Yorgey ate a few overhand rights, but was overall more effective than Brothers (5-11; 3KO's). Yorgey remained undefeated in nine fights but went to the hospital to have a doctor look at his jaw.  Yorgey bled from the mouth for several rounds and was holding it during the announcement of his unanimous decision victory.

A 6-round lightweight fight between two north Philadelphia guys proved to be a thrill for the fans and for the participants.  Lenny DiVictoria and Steve Upshur Chambers traded for 6 rounds but Chambers (6-1-1) was boxing a bit sharper with jabs and hook off the jab while Lenny (3-2) would rally late, trying to steal the round.  It was a split decision victory for Chambers after the dust cleared.

Heavy hands opened the night with Newton Kidd and Emmanuel Chukwo Nwodo facing off in a 6-round Cruiserweight battle.  Neither fighter appeared staggered but Nwodo had the harder punches, which earned him the unanimous decision.

Promoter Vernoca Michael of the Legendary Blue Horizon announced their next card would be October 8 at the Blue Horizon.  Don Elbaum will be matchmaker and his task will be to equal Friday night's gem.  The October 8 show will be Breast Cancer Awareness night.  Blue Horizon Boxing Promotions continues to reach into the community rather than just promote boxing.  Tickets and information for the October 8 show will be available shortly on www.legendarybluehorizon.com.