P.J. Augustine, 5 For Life Entertainment’s Promoter, calls himself the “Moses of Boxing”, and last night he parted the sea and joined with Northern Boxing Promotions for “Fight For Freedom”. Philadelphia’s Adam’s Mark Hotel was filled with fans looking for solid fights and they went away VERY happy. The 8-round main event was a battle between Puerto Rican’s, Jose Medina and Juan Cintron. “Macho” Medina (150 lbs; 11-2 with 9 KO’s) now lives and trains in North Philadelphia and certainly had the fan support. Cintron, 147 lbs, came to fight and had to when the stronger Medina advanced Cintorn to the ropes. Cintron was able to get a few rights to land during heated exchanges, but Medina was too strong and determined. In the 2nd stanza Cintron (7-3) was trying to fight his way out of the corner when Medina took two steps back making Cintron reach. Medina launched a perfect right uppercut to the jaw and Cintron landed on his face. Cintron wobbled when he reached his feet at the count of 9, but Gary Rosato had to catch Cintron from falling again. He caught him, then called the fight off. Medina scored the TKO win at 1:44of the 2nd round.
The main event came on the heels of one of the most exciting fights of the year when Steve Ham and Mike McFail laid it on each other. It was only scheduled for 4 rounds but they packed 10 rounds of action in the first three rounds. Ham, a 3-time NJ Golden Gloves champion, came into the ring for the first time since his first pro loss. McFail is always ready for any kind of fight. Ham, definitely challenged in this one, proved his pedigree in the 4th round when he staggered McFail (11-23; 157½ lbs) and set forth a relentless attack until McFail was cut, dazed and unable to fight back. The TKO victory for “the Hammer” Ham (10-1; 9 KO’s) came at 1minute even of the 4th and final scheduled round. Let me mention the standing ovation was present for nine and a half minutes of the 10 minutes the bout.
Light Heavyweight, Max Alexander fought most of his bout against Cameron Bright with one hand. He injured his right early in the 2nd round and switched from orthodox and southpaw. Alexander boxed his way to a unanimous decision over 4 rounds.
Jr. Lightweight Danny Wallace came from Leeds, England and looked to be the evening’s most talented practitioner of the sweet science. Clean sharp punches and tight defense put Wallace (128½ lbs) in position to drop Joe Barela twice and to conclude the bout by at :54 of the 2nd round.
“Turkish Toughie” Jed “Tiger” Saygi now boxes out of England and I’d love to know where he gets his energy. Saygi (130½ lbs) was on the receiving end of Adam Allen’s attack in the first round. The Philadelphia featherweight seemed ready to send Saygi home early when Saygi’s head began to show a lump in the first round. Saygi outworked in the 2nd round and never looked back. Saygi (130 lbs) had a point deducted in the 3rd round for hitting on Allen’s back, but the penalty didn’t matter. Allen was spent, unable to keep up with the constant punching of Saygi. Saygi was awarded a TKO at 1:54 of the 3rd when Allen was knocked to the canvas.
Rashiem Jefferson defeated Tony Espinosa by unanimous decision over 4 in a Jr. Lightweight match.
Darryl Brown knocked out Rohan Nanton in the 1st of a scheduled 4 Jr. Middleweight fight. Walter Coles picked himself off the canvas in the first round. Reul Williams, 174¾lbs in his pro debut, got dropped early in the 2nd round and the drama continued. Williams was emotionally stuck in the corner while Coles let loose, but Williams tried to rumble back. Coles (175½lbs) had the finishing touch and gained the stoppage at 1:58 of the 2nd round.
Chris Middendorf should be proud of his accomplishment as the matchmaker. The union between Northern Boxing Promotions and 5 For Life Entertainment continues in January on English turf.
