Prior to the fight this writer wrote about “Big” George Foreman’s comeback after being inactive for 10 years and eventually winning a world title. Also, how the former light heavyweight champion Germany’s Henry Maske’s return victory after 11 years defeating the only man who ever defeated him Virgil Hill. Finally after 12 years out of the ring 2000 National Golden Gloves champion Steve “Gentle Giant” Vukosa, 9-0 (4), of Quincy, MASS., returning to the ring. Vukosa defeated the 2004 Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, 20-5 (6), of Providence, RI, Saturday at the Royale Night Club, in Boston, MASS.
In winning, Vukosa took the vacant USA New England heavyweight title with an 8 round majority decision.
“It was a tough fight. Jason is a great fighter, smart fighter too. He is also a good friend. We knew each other from our amateur days and I always idolized him as a fighter,” said Vukosa.
Even in victory Vukosa spoke well of his opponent.
“Well obviously the result wasn’t what we wanted. Jason started the fight strongly and attacked Steve’s body very well in the first few rounds. Steve survived the body assault and there was an accidental clash of heads I believe at the end of the fourth. I think Steve had his best round in the fifth as Jason kept dabbing at the blood on his eye.
Rounds 6 through 8 were back and forth action with Jason going forward and Steve retreating and moving but landing occasional shots. Jason’s surgery and time off definitely affected him more than Steve’s decade plus. I knew the fight was extremely close but thought maybe we were slightly ahead. Steve got the decision by the narrowest of margins. Congratulations to Steve on a very good fight and all I can say is we’ll keep testing and working Jason’s knee and hopefully return in the fall,” said Roland Estrada. (Roland is Big Six Entertainment promoter, father/trainer/manager of Jason).
“The first 2 rounds he came out to knock me out. 12 years out of the ring I would do it too. But the sun shines on a dog’s ass once in awhile and it was shining on mine Saturday. I was banging the body and then going upstairs, so Jason never knew where I was going. I think maybe I frustrated him or tired him out because he couldn’t keep up and I pulled it out,” said Vukosa.
Judges Matthew Regan had it 78-76, David Fitzgerald 79-74 and Jack Morell 76-76, a majority decision in favor of Vukosa. Eddie Claudio was the referee. So where does Vukosa go from here? He is a year younger than the 38-year old Wladimir Klitschko and Bermane Stiverne will be 36 before the year is out. So at 37 don’t count out the unpredictable Steve Vukosa.
