Paschall gets draw; “The Beast” Nicklow Stays Undefeated
Dhafir Smith D8 Mike Paschall... Fighting the first eight-round main event of his professional career, Mike “the Persecutor” Paschall showcased the determination and skill that has him regarded as one of Baltimore’s premier super middleweight prospects. However, in suffering the first blemish of his professional career, via majority draw to Philadelphia’s Dhafir “No Fear” Smith, Paschall (10-0-1, 2 KOs) also displayed some aspects of his game that require improvement before he can ascend to the next level.
Paschall and Smith (15-14-4, 3 KOs) battled for eight entertaining rounds before another packed house last night at the Pikesville National Guard Armory, in Maryland. After a couple close, tactical rounds to begin the fight, Paschall seemed to take control in the middle rounds, as he frequently found a home for his powerful right jab, and controlled the pace with superior movement and ring generalship. However, down the stretch Smith’s experience (thirty-two professional fights in his twenty-four years, including eight rounds last year in a decision loss to Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan) began to make a difference. Smith’s was more effective with his counterpunching in the middle rounds, as Paschall began to settle for one shot at a time rather than the combinations he flashed in the early rounds.
The fight hung in the balance as Paschall left his corner for his first ever eighth round. Continuing to press the action, Smith staggered Paschall to the ropes with a hard combination early in the round, opening a cut over Paschall’s left eye. Paschall quickly gathered himself, and remarkably rallied to control the final two minutes. In doing so “the Persecutor” may have saved his unbeaten record. Official scores were 77-75 for Paschall, and two scores of 76-76 for the majority draw. Boxingtalk scored the bout 77-76 for Paschall.
Jessie Nicklow W6 Anthony Osbourne... Jessie “the Beast” Nicklow (7-0, 2 KOs) kept his perfect record intact with an impressive, workmanlike unanimous decision over Jamaican-born New Yorker Anthony Osbourne (5-19-1, 1 KO). After slowing Osbourne with a vicious body attack in the first two rounds, Nicklow applied constant pressure and threw a ton of punches to cruise to a 60-53 (twice), 59-54 decision victory. Showing pose beyond his nineteen years, Nicklow now holds impressive wins over the experienced Osbourne and Larry Brothers, whom he defeated in similarly easy fashion last March.
Willie Williams TKO5 William Bailey... In other action, Baltimore light heavyweight Willie “For Real” Williams survived an aggressive charge in the opening round to win a fifth round TKO over William “the Storm” Bailey of Norfolk, Virginia. Bailey (5-10, 4 KOs), was unable to answer the bell for the fifth round after apparently injuring his left shoulder. The referee ruled that Bailey sustained the injury from the beating Williams (6-1, 3 KOs) was administering in the corner to close the fourth round, rather than an accidental injury.
Glen Williams TKO2 Dalante Marshall... Catonsville, Maryland heavyweight “Irish” Glen Williams pounded his way to a second round TKO over Washington, D.C.’s Dalante Marshall. Williams (4-4-1, 2 KOs) wore Marshall (0-2) down with constant pressure and big power shots. After absorbing several Williams bombs against the ropes, it was clear Marshall wanted no more of “Irish” Glen, and the referee stopped the fight after warning Marshall three times to return fire, with no response.
Amateur results... The professional card was preceded by three amateur bouts. Baltimore heavyweight Steve Wheeler floored Tacuma Farmer in the third round en route to a decision victory. In an excellent boxer-puncher match up, slick boxing Baltimore middleweight Dayvon Gross scored a standing eight count in the first round, then dropped York, Pennsylvania’s Dan Ankers in the fourth, before winning a four round decision victory. In the first bout of the evening, hard punching Baltimore featherweight Jeremy Miller won his amateur debut against Devon Durocher by third round TKO. Miller battered Durocher throughout the fight, scoring standing eight counts in the first and third rounds, and bloodying Durocher’s nose and mouth, before the referee mercifully put a stop to the one-sided affair.
Maryland Governor, and renowned fight fan, Robert Ehrlich was in attendance, as were local fighters Mike “Little Rock” Ricassa, and Henry “Hurricane” Mayes. Jake “the Snake” Smith was the promoter. Josh Hall was the matchmaker.
