Yordenis Ugas Scores Knockout in 0:40 at The Deck in Essington, Pa

Yordenis Ugas Scores Knockout in 0:40 at The Deck in Essington, Pa - Ringside Boxing Report

By Ken Hissner and David Ruff at ringside, Doghouse Boxing (July 1, 2013)
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Yordenis Ugas

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Cuban welterweight Yordenis Ugas, 14-1 (7), out of Miami, FL, landed a vicious right hand to the left side of the rib cage of Adan Hernandez, 15-8 (6), of El Paso, TX, dropping his opponent to his knees for the count from referee Blair Talmadge at 0:40 of the 1st round. It was the ten round main event at The Deck in Essington, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, Thursday night. Ugas is a Bronze medalist from the 2008 Olympics.

The former Lagoon had a standing room only crowd for promoters Champions of Tomorrow which includes Marty Feldman, Damon, Feldman, Michael G. Davis and Meldrick Taylor. The father and son Feldmans are former boxers, along with Taylor a former world Gold medalist 1984 Olympics and professional champion. Davis said the team plans their next show August 15th at Club Bamboo on DE Ave, in Philly.

In a mild upset previously unbeaten Isiah Seldon, 7-1 (3), of Somers Point, NJ, was outworked by Lekan “Lucky” Byfield, 4-4-2 (0), of Yonkers, NY, introduced as being from Atlanta, GA, over 6 rounds.

Seldon was on the receiving end of about a dozen punches on the ropes in the first round and seemed stunned. It seemed to take his confidence out of him in his first 6 round bout. Just prior to the bell Seldon landed a hard right to the chin of Byfield heard throughout the building. In the second round Seldon seemed to have an edge but suffered a bloody nose that kept his mouth dropping out. After the third time referee Talmadge took away a point from Seldon in the fifth round. On this writers scorecard it was the difference at the end as it was for judge Rose Vargus 57-56. Joe Pasquale and Pierre Benoist both had it 58-55 for Byfield.

“I had it 57-56 and thought going 6 rounds the first time bothered Isiah. He couldn’t stay on the ropes and take a flurry of punches without return and expect to win the round,” said Jim Kurtz, his manager. Kurtz is the former manager of Bruce “Atlantic City Express” Seldon, former heavyweight champion and father of Isaih.

In a spirited 6 round junior welterweight bout Philly’s Tyrone Crawley, Jr., 4-0 (0) won every round over Christian Steel, 5-6 (3), of Stauton, VA. Crawley came in over the 138 agree weight by 3 pounds so Steel waved it but increased it from a 4 to a 6 figuring the less experience Crawley would have a problem going that many rounds with just 3 fights.

He was wrong for Crawley who fights about 75% southpaw and switches like his father Tyrone “Butterfly” Crawley, Sr. did in his fighting days. He worked the corner along with Bozy Ennis. Hurley McCall was the referee. “At the end of 4 I realized it’s a 6”, said Crawley. His mother was the first to greet him as he left the ring to the cheers of his fans. He is managed by Brian Cohen.

Philly’s Tim Witherspoon, Jr., 10-3-1 (2), had his way for 3 rounds before Josh Beeman, 4-12-4 (2), of Providence, RI, made the final round interesting. His father the former 2-time world heavyweight champion “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon and his brother Steve worked the corner. Witherspoon used his reach advantage to the fullest. McCall was the referee. All 3 judges scored it 40-36 for Witherspoon. This was a 4 round welter match.

Philly’s Lonnie Jackson, Jr., 2-0-1 (1), made his return to the ring a smashing success stopping the usual durable Travis “The Animal” Thompson, 4-12-2, at 2:36 of the first round when referee Talmadge waved it off after a vicious knockdown followed by another smashing head shot that seemed to “wake up” Thompson who was willing to continue. Sometimes a fighter has more heart than what it takes to win a fight and Thompson could be that fighter.

Jackson matched his father in total fights, when Lonnie Sr scored 3 knockout wins in 1984 and retired as an unbeaten heavyweight. He worked the corner for his son. Jackson has fought every 2 years. He has the talent if he applies himself to make a name in the light welter division in Philly but has to be more active.

Philly Heavyweight Dante “Mr. Snugglytime” Selby, 2-0-1, took on the much more experienced Zeferino Albino, 4-18-3 (2), also of Philly. Selby went right out looking to end it early with a right hand but couldn’t seem to find the right timing over 4 rounds.

Albino landed some well placed left hooks. Selby came back to take the second but both seemed to be saving their energy in the third for the fourth and final round which was close. Benoist had it 38-38 as did this writer. Vargus and Pasquale had it 39-37 for Selby. He has no amateur experience but doesn’t lack confidence having learned in sparring sessions prior to turning pro. McCall was the referee.

David Gonzales, 2-0 (0), of Philly and Evencii Dixon, 0-1, of Lancaster, PA, gave the fans something to cheer about in the opener. Gonzales gave away 4 inches in height and started fast taking the first 2 rounds.

Gonzales was inactive for over a year and recently signed by Eddie Woods and Moz Gonzales who manage the Ennis brothers. Dixon picked up the action in the third with some good body shots mostly uppercuts to the body of Gonzales. It looked like Dixon did enough to pull out a draw for his trainer Terry Nye but the judges didn’t see it that way. Benoist had it 40-36 while Pasquale and Vargus saw it 39-37 all for Gonzales. Talmadge was the referee.

This was a well matched card except for the main event. Many of the former and current Philly boxers were in attendance such as former champions “Joltin” Jeff Chandler, Buster Drayton, Rob “Bam Bam” Hines who like Tim Witherspoon worked a corner. Also, Nate “Mr.” Miller, with current USBA champions Bryant “By By” Jennings and Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson also in attendance. Two-time winner over newly inducted IHOF boxer Arturo Gatti, Ivan “Mighty” Robinson, Farah Ennis, Dhafir “No Fear” Smith and twins Eric and Aaron Mitchell. Eric is still active while Aaron stopped fighting in 2008 with a 27-1-1 record winning the WBO NABO title in his last fight.

Ken Hissner responds to all his emails at: kenhissner@gmail.com