Promoter Cedric Kushner launched Gotham Boxing in New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Wednesday. Boxingtalk’s Cara Castronuova was there to cover all of the action. On the five-bout undercard, Martinus Clay upset Matt Vanda, JD Chapman remained an undefeated heavyweight, Chika Nakamaura won her junior welterweight bout, while Noriko Kariya and Tony Grano were held to draws. Click here for Boxingtalk’s report.

Martinus Clay W8 Matt Vanda… In an upset and surprise, Matt “The Predator” Vanda (34-2, 21 KOs) lost to his opponent Martinus Clay (12-12-1, 4 KOs).  The fight was competitive, Vanda pressing Clay.  Clay landed more accurately though, and threw cleaner combinations.  Clay was ecstactic to win a majority decision.  The scores were 77-75, 79-73 and 76-76.
 
JD Chapman W10  Edward Gutierrez … J.D. Chapman beat (23-0, 20 KOs) beat Edward Gutierrez (15-2-1, 6 KOs) in a bout that was for the most part uneventful.  Chapman outworked the shorter fighter, but Gutierrez had the crowds backing for the most part and the decision was booed by the crowd.  This is Gutierrez’ second loss to Chapman.  The scores were 97-93, 97-93, 96-94.

Chika Nakamura W6 Cynthia Jones… On the same card there were two exciting female bouts.  In the light welterweight division Chika Nakamura of New York City (4-0, 1 KO) easily beat Cynthia Jones of Miami, FL (1-6, 1 KO).  Nakamura, head hunting and loading up power shots, won all six rounds on all three of the judges’ scorecards.

Noriko Kariya D4 Amanda Knight… Noriko Kariya (3-1-1) and Amanda Knight (1-0) had a draw in their four rounder. Kariya is the sister of NHL star Paul Kariya and had a successful career as an amateur.  She was the more graceful and stylistic boxer but has no real killer instinct.  There was no real aggressor in the fight.  Knight made a good attempt in the first two rounds, especially for her second fight, to come at Kariya, but then digressed in the third and fourth rounds.  Kariya picked up her pace a bit at the in round three, holding Knight’s head between her gloves and then deceptively throwing a punch flurry as soon they broke.  The ref didn’t seem to mind.  She also began throwing more body head flurries, but she had no follow though and did not do enough to get the win.  An even draw.

Tony Grano D4 Rodney Ray… A heavyweight bout featured Tony Grano (4-0-1, 4 KOs) and Rodney Ray (3-3-1, 3 KOs).  The fight was declared a draw.  This was lucky for Grano, who didn’t look so hot against the longer reach of Ray, because his record still has no losses.