Nelson and Yorgey Headline “War at the Forge” at Valley Forge Casino Friday - By Ken Hissner - Doghouse Boxing News
Nelson and Yorgey Headline “War at the Forge” at Valley Forge Casino Friday By Ken Hissner, Doghouse Boxing (March 14, 2013) Doghouse Boxing
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On March 15th at the Valley Forge Casino in King of Prussia, PA, Naim Nelson, 9-0 (1), will be headlining against Georgi Kevlishvili, 12-4 (3), over 8 rounds. Though originally from the country of Georgia, Kevlishvili is now residing in Philadelphia. It’s understood this will not be a title defense of Nelson’s PA state title since he is stepping up for the first time into the lightweight division.
In the co-feature Harry Joe Yorgey, 25-2-1 (12), will meet Julius Kennedy, 7-3-1 (3), of Windsor Mill, MD, in an 8 round middleweight match. Both Nelson and Yorgey along with Tevin “American Idol” Farmer and Travis “the Animal” Thompson appeared at the Casino Tuesday night for a press conference. There many in attendance as the 4 boxers took questions along with promoter Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions.
Nelson is a 22 year-old who trains at the Upper Darby PAL over a fire station just outside the Philly border. He is a soft spoken, humble fighter who when he steps into the ring he leaves that behind him. Though only having one stoppage, in his sixth fight, he comes to rumble. He captured the PA title in September of 2012 defeating another Philly favorite in Victor Vasquez over 10 rounds at Harrah’s in Chester, PA. “It was the toughest fight I’ve had up until now, said Nelson afterwards. It was also his first fight at lightweight coming down from junior welterweight. In December he defeated Osnel “Prince” Charles, a Haitian, fighting out of Atlantic City.
“Nelson is the kind of boxer everyone wants to train. He is as hard working as anyone and carries himself out of the ring as a role model for other boxers,” said Kauffman. Tevin Farmer was there with a group and a sponsor in Rocco’s Collision of Philadelphia. Nelson was accompanied by a co-manager Doc Nowicki. Yorgey also has a sponsor in Conicelli Auto Sales. “You are as good as your last fight,” said Yorgey. He was a conqueror of previously unbeaten Ronald Hearns that got him into the rankings as high as No. 3. A defeat to Yorgey knocked him out of the ratings while Hearns went onto fight for a world title after winning 5 straight of which none were 10 rounder’s. Thompson has had some close decisions and was a high school wrestler and asked if he would compete in MMA and declined saying he is a boxer. Promoter Kauffman said Comcast would cover the fight and his son ranked No. 14 by the WBA in their heavyweight rankings, Travis Kauffman, 24-1 (18), would assist in the broadcast.
In attendance were writers Kurt Wolfheimer of Fight News, Dave Ruff and this writer both of dhb. Also, former amateur champion and retired professional Rashiem Jefferson, 15-1-1. Former boxer Jimmy Deoria who manages Jerome Rodriguez who is on the undercard had a few words to say. Also, Hank Cisco was introduced. The one time stable mate of heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano talked about his workings with the youth in Norristown. He was a police officer and later a detective. This writer acknowledged that Nelson didn’t have a bunch of easy bouts having defeated both Sloan and Esteban Rodriguez on the undercard. “I know my opponent is a good fighter and I appreciate the VF Casino for holding this show,” said Nelson.
A graduate of AEK (Academy of Essential Knowledge in North Philadelphia) Nelson is a 4x PA Golden Gloves champion. He is managed by Doc Nowicki, Jim Williams and John Howell. Promoted by Peltz Boxing since the Vasquez fight and trained by Rory Bussey and his assistant Greg Roberts. He attends a mosque at 60th St. in Philadelphia. His favorite boxer was Felix “Tito” Trinidad.
“I have only been knocked down once in my amateur and professional career and that was with Victor (Vasquez) for the title. I am not sure it was a knockdown but officially it was,” said Nelson. He started boxing at the age of 13 under James “Fink” Edwards in southwest Philadelphia. He has defeated several opponents on the card such as Esteban Rodriguez and Korey Sloan. His opponent, Georgi Kevlishvili, 12-4 (3), formerly of the country Georgia, is now out of Philadelphia. His last 7 opponents had a combined record of 61-3-1. He turned professional in Belarus and moved onto Russia losing after 11 straight wins before coming to the US and defeating Philadelphia’s Anthony Flores.
Promoter’s Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions and David Feldman are co-promoting the event. It is the first of its kind since the hotel has become a casino. Yorgey, formerly of nearby Bridgeport headlined the only professional show at VF Conference Center in November of 2006 defeating Jeremy Yelton in a bloodbath over 8 rounds. The former contender is looking to bounce back from a recent loss in taking on upset minded Kennedy. Kennedy’s draw was with then 20-2-2 Jessie Nickow in 2010.
Southpaw Jerome Rodriguez, 2-0-1 (1), formerly of Trenton, now out of Bethlehem, PA, takes on Rafael Montalvo, 2-2 (2), formerly from PR and now out of St.Clair, PA, in a 6 round welterweight match. Montalvo holds a win over Decarlo Perez, then 6-1-1. Rodriguez has a draw with Farmer, 8-4-1 (1), of Philadelphia who holds minor titles at 140 and 135 and faces Esteban Rodriguez, 6-5-1 (1), formerly of PR and now out of Lebanon, PA, in a lightweight match scheduled for 6 rounds.
Thompson, 4-9-1 (3), of Pottstown, PA, is coming off a majority loss last month and is looking to rebound against Joshua Arocho, 3-6-3 (2), of Vineland, NJ, who has won his last 2 starts, including a knockout over Larry Holmes grandson. Thompson dropped 2 close fights to Esteban with the last a split decision. Sammy Quinones, Jr., 1-1 (1), of Reading, PA, is coming off a devastating knockout win and will take on Korey Sloan, 2-5-2 (0), of Philadelphia, over 4 rounds in the light welterweight division. Sloan is coming of a second draw with Julio Dejesus in his last fight. Sulthan Staton, of Philadelphia is making his debut against Kenny Brown, 0-1, of Philadelphia in a 4 round lightweight match.
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