Tunica report

By Brad Cooney @ ringside

22/10/2006

Tunica report

Terry, Bobo and Bryant still unbeaten

Prizefight Promotions had another packed house Saturday night at Fitzgerald's Casino in Tunica, Mississippi where the crowd was treated to a night of exciting fights. The night got started with an eight-round featherweight duel between Leon Bobo (15-0-2)and durable and tough Natalio Ponce (11-28). Bobo's quicker handspeed, and overall boxing ability proved too much for Ponce, and it was an easy decision for the judges to make as Bobo kept his undefeated record intact.

Heavyweight Joell Godfrey made quick work out of journeyman Marvin Hunt (11-17 4 KOs). Hunt was sent to the canvas three times, and after just 2:15 seconds, the night was over for him. Joell Godfrey moves his perfect record to 4-0 with 4 KOs).

Prizefight's Ira Terry (10-0 with 7 KOs) faced off with  Chris Regular (6-24-3). This fight turned into an attempted mugging as Regular did more grabbing and holding than fighting. Terry did his best considering the type of fight it turned out to be. In the sixth round, an already dominant Terry began to wear Regular down with strong body punching and Regular's corner elected to throw in the towel for a sixth round technical knockout.

Another of Prizefight's prospects, Rowland Bryant (14-0 with 9 KOs) mixed it up with a very tough Billy Thompson (8-7). Bryant, who is managed and trained by the legendary Christy Martin, threw everything but the kitchen sink at Thompson, but Thompson remained on his feet. Still, Bryant was too much for Thompson, landing the much more effective power punches and showing superior boxing skills in the end. Bryant won by unanimous decision.

The feature bout was a rematch between Jose "Pepe" Rubio (5-2-1 with 4 KOs) and Rudy Paz (2-4-1 with 2 KOs). In their previous encounter, Rubio dominated the fight, but with one second left in the last round Paz landed a devastating blow that sent Rubio crashing to the canvas and unable to continue, giving Paz the dramatic win by way of last-second knockout. The rematch last night had
the crowd on it's feet, as both fighters threw leather from start to finish. The fight was ruled a draw, as it should have been. Neither guy deserved to lose this one! Could there be a trilogy in the making?