Let’s Settle—Tabiti Stops Wright It’s Time To Brawl Y’all! Get a Tank and A Hammer, Have a Hart & For The Right Price, Some White Chocolate!
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: April 27, 2024
Venue: The Liacouras Center – Philadelphia, PA
Promoters: Dominic Walton—Teflon Promotions
Matchmaker: Renee “The Boxing Diva” Aiken
Ring Announcer: Marty Brown & Semaj Haq
Prefight Chant: “It’s Time To Brawl Y’all” – Terrance Tykeem
Referees: Shawn Clark, Eric Dali & Eric Irizarry
Timekeeper: Alice “The G.O.A.T” Grady
Coverage: BLK Prime
Commentators: Zab Judah & Manuel Flores
Gloves: “Put Up Your Dukes” brand – www.kdukesboxing.com
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr. & Reese Raway (Terrance Tykeem only)
I found myself in a conundrum, The Penn Relays, The Pennsylvania Golden Gloves State Championships and Dominic Walton’s Teflon Promotions’ inaugural show at the Liacouras Center – the ring announcing debut of “Manager” Marty Brown and Semaj Haq all on the same day. In addition, Terrance Tykeem would be doing his trademark chant. And on the card was Lamont Capers who fought to a four-round draw with Walton on September 19, 2015, at Harrah’s Chester Casino – a show promoted by Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotion. The irony of promoting a former rival added more intrigue. I wanted to be at the largest track and field event on the planet to witness the continued dominance of Jamaica – my homeland – in the sprints. On the other hand, I didn’t want to miss the Golden Gloves because the best amateur talent would be showcased.
But how could I not attend the stacked show with my favorite matchmaker Renee “The Boxing Diva” Aiken working her magic – eleven bouts – seventy-seven scheduled rounds – the main event featuring my Jamaican brother – heavyweight Junior Wright buttressed by some of Philadelphia’s finest Joey “The Tank” Dawejko, Hammerin’ Hank Lundy, Jesse “Hollywood Hart’. Dylan Price and New Yorker Nikita “White Chocolate” Ababiy? Get a Tank and a Hammer, have a Hart & for the right Price, some White Chocolate? Yes, Junior Wright’s father is Jamaican – from Mandeville, Manchester – not too far from where I was raised.
I spoke to Wright (20 wins – 5 losses – 1 draw – 17 kos) Evanston, Illinois now training in Philadelphia, earlier in his dressing room. Insightful and erudite,” the late, great Sugar Ray Robinson is his favorite boxer. When asked about game plan, he revealed that he was going to be patient while looking for the knockout – planning to rebound from a first-round technical knockout loss to then undefeated Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makmudov on October 28, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His opponent Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti (20 wins – 2 losses – 0 draws – 16 kos) Las Vegas, Nevada was also similarly situated – hoping to bounce back from a loss in his last fight – a unanimous ten-round decision loss to undefeated Justis Huni, Australian Heavyweight Champion – October 28, 2023, in Cancun Mexico. How ironic that both combatants were vanquished on the same day in different countries and were in this comeback fight – facing each other?
Referee Shawn Clark gave the instructions and the fighters, and their handlers retreated to their respective corners and the gong sounded shortly thereafter commencing the start of the ten-round main event. Both boxers worked behind their jabs, circling, probing looking for openings – the customary “feeling out” round. Wright was following the game plan of being patient. Unexpectedly, Tabiti delivered an eight-punch combination – a jab, followed by a straight right that landed flush on Wright’s chin discombobulating his internal circuitry – a left hook that partially landed – a right uppercut that found its marked immediately turned into another straight right that connected – a left hook that missed – another laser right found its mark and a sweeping left hook swung over the impaired fighter’s head on his way to the canvas. Clark called a halt to the bout at 2:29 declaring Tabiti the winner by technical knockout of the opening round.
In the scheduled eight-round co-main event, Philadelphia’s favorite son Jesse “Hollywood” Hart (30 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 24 kos) campaigning as a light-heavyweight, faced Daniel “No Size” Aduku (15 wins – 4 losses – 1 draw – 11 kos) of Accra, Ghana. Hart reminiscent of the late, great Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed in the movie “Rocky IV” made a similar magnificent entrance decked out in dark sunglasses, red and white robe – replicating the flag of the United States of America – high-top tube socks resting below his kneecaps with his entourage – one with a mike rapping a song with lyrics that were unfamiliar to my Jamaican ears. The crowd enjoyed the pageantry as Hart made his way into the ring with Aduku waiting patiently in his corner. Ring Announcer Haq similar to the “Rocky 1V” introduced Hart as “The Master of Disaster” – “The King of Sting.”
The 6 ft. 3 inches Hart controlled the action with his jab in the opening round, forcing Aduku backwards. The size disparity was noticeable as Hart towered over the Ghanaian. Midway in the round a right uppercut by Hart connected – getting Aduku’s attention. Not long after a jab that appeared to have landed in the midsection had the Ghanaian on the canvas – claiming that he was struck south of the border. Referee Dali stopped the action and went over to the fallen fighter who was able to get upright, taking a few minutes to recover before the action resumed. Hart continued using his long and accurate jab until the bell ended the round. The next two rounds found the Philadelphia light-heavyweight in a zone, evoking fond memories of the great Tommy “Hitman” Hearns – attacking behind his jab, landing the straight right, slipping, and rolling to evade his opponent’s counter. Hart was enjoying his work – having a good time in front of his hometown fans.
In the fourth round, Hart continued boxing brilliantly and connected with a right uppercut that anchored Uduku to the canvas. Somewhat shaken, he was able to make it to his feet as Referee Dali tolled three and checked his vitals before signaling for the fight to continue. Fortunately for Uduku the bell ending the round rang approximately five seconds later, saving him from the avalanche that was coming his way.
A few seconds into the fifth round, Uduku stopped, claiming a shoulder injury. The ringside doctor came upon the apron and examined the alleged impairment and gave the referee the signal for the fight to continue. The bout resumed with Hart working his jab, stalking his prey like a lion on the Serengeti plains. The end came when he drove a few shots to his opponent’s body and again Uduku made another declaration that he was debilitated and unable to continue. Referee Dali ended the fight declaring Hart the winner by technical knockout 1:37 of the fifth round. The Master of Disaster accomplished his mission!
We are all aware of the benefits of dark chocolate, which is very nutritious – a powerful source of antioxidants – and may improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Based on bout #9 – it is an irrebuttable presumption that white chocolate is bad for your health! The match pitted the supremely gifted and talented middleweight prospect Nikita “White Chocolate” Ababiy (12 wins – 0 losses – 0 draw – 6 kos) of Brooklyn, New York who was returning after a 22-month hiatus due to his published admission of mental health issues – against Jesus Cruz Silva (6 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) of Monterrey, Mexico. Ababiy was a Junior Golden Gloves National Champion as well as a two-time World Ringside Champion with an amateur win over hot, middleweight prospect Austin “Ammo” Williams (16 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 11 kos) back in 2017.
Ababiy came out at the opening bell as though he was shot out of a cannon and commenced to rain down on Silva with devastation and destruction as though the Mexican had offended his mother! He wobbled Silva with a perfectly thrown left hook. I wanted to hop in the ring to see what kept Silva upright, allowing him to continue. Ababiy fought fast and furious oblivious to his opponent’s punches. What he didn’t block or slipped he walked through like a bull in a hailstorm! How Silva made it to the end of the round is a testament to his courage and ability to withstand punishment. I am assuming that Silva is lactose intolerant. It has been well-documented that White Chocolate is destructive to those who have lactase deficiency. Referee Irizarry realized that Silva had retired and was unable to come out for the second round. Thus, he called Ababiy to the center of the ring – raised his hand, declaring him the winner by technical knockout 3:00 of round one. White Chocolate is detrimental and destructive!
In the fourth bout of the night, thirty-three-year-old Philadelphia heavyweight Joey “The Tank” Dawejko (27 wins – 11 losses – 4 draws – 15 kos) – in his fifteenth year as a professional pugilist faced forty-two-year-old Walter Burns (7 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws – 5 kos) of Michigan in a scheduled eight-rounder. The 5 ft. 10 inches – 257 lbs. Dawejko strolled out of the dressing room like a victorious Roman Emperor returning from war with “Run This Town” by Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanya West blaring over the house speaker with Burns waiting patiently in the ring. The Tank was already up on my imaginary scorecards for the pageantry of his ring walk. Dawejko controlled the action at the opening bell with a stiff jab reminiscent of Philly legend, “Bad” Bennie Briscoe whom I was told once knocked an opponent out with his “jackhammer jab.” Early in the action, Dawejko wobbled Burns with a well-timed stiff jab. The man from Michigan was able to regain his bearings and not suffer an early dismissal. During the round Burns switched to southpaw after absorbing several hooks to the body from the hard-hitting Philadelphian who did likewise. However, they both reverted to the orthodox stance before the bell sounded ending the first stanza.
Dawejko continued his forward march behind his quick, hard, and accurate jab driving Burns backwards. The Tank was on the move, and he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way. The second and third rounds were almost identical – at a slow and accurate pace with Dawejko landing the harder punches – slipping and rolling whenever Burns returned fire. The Philadelphia landed several hard uppercuts and hooks to his opponent’s body. Burns walked back slowly to his corner at the end of the third round. Several seconds later referee Dali walked to the center of the ring indicating that the fight was over. Burns was unable to continue and thus Dawejko was declared the winner by technical knockout 3:00 of round three.
In the third bout – a scheduled six-rounder – former world title challenger Hammerin’ Hank Lundy (31 wins – 14 losses – 1 draw – 14 kos) of Philadelphia entered the ring to “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer. The entrance by the Philly veteran was intoxicating as many of the audience were singing and dancing in their seats as he strolled to the squared circle, glowing under the ring lights as his 47th opponent – Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez (11 wins – 22 losses – 1 draw – 7 kos) of El Salvador fighting out of Front Royal, Virginia stood in his corner. The forty-year-old Lundy has publicly stated that his aim is to retire after his fiftieth fight. Tonight, in the scheduled six-round junior-welterweight bout Lundy won by split decision 59-55, 59-56 with the third judge scoring it for Rodriguez 59-56 – raising questions regarding his last eye examination. My scorecard was identical to the first judge – 59-55 for the Philly gladiator.
Lundy controlled the action with his jab to the head and body with his thirty-three-year-old adversary unable to block or counter it – taking all the rounds in the first half of the fight. Rodrigues captured the fourth stanza with his aggression, getting in on the inside and outworking the Philly fan-favorite. It appeared that “The Hammer” was either fading or taking a break. However, somehow he was rejuvenated when my good friend – USA Boxing Referee Jackie Greenlee – started yelling in the fifth round “You gotto pick it up Hank!.” Lundy regained his mojo – righted the ship – and cruised into the victory portal – docking for his next fight in June – recording the well-needed win after six consecutive losses dating back to May 22, 2021.
Bantamweight Dylan “The Real Dyl” Price (17 wins – 0 losses – 1 draw – 11 kos) of Sicklerville, New Jersey along with Ababiy and Ammo Williams are atop my list of top prospects. The twenty-five-year-old is a gloved-sniper – able to fire from all angles, rarely missing his target. Tonight, he was like butter in a restaurant – on a roll! In a scheduled eight rounder against Tito Franzolini (19 wins – 14 losses – 2 draws – 1 ko) of Buenos Aires, Argentina – Price pressed the action at the opening bell, throwing combinations, switching intermittently from orthodox to southpaw dropping more bombs in the first 30 seconds than the imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on Pearl Harbor on that fateful day – December 7, 1941.
He was in a zone – that mental state of focused concentration where everything is in sync working perfectly. Price could do no wrong – punches were thrown perfectly, and he was like Eliot Ness – untouchable while sending Franzolini to the canvas three times. Fortunately, referee Dali is the consummate professional and made the right decision, stopping the fight after the third knockdown, declaring Price the winner by technical knockout at 2:22 of the first round. Price is truly the real deal!
The eighth bout of the night featured cruiserweights – undefeated Mushin Cason (11 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 8 kos) Las Vegas, Nevada against fearless trial-horse Lamont “Too Smooth” Capers (11 wins – 21 losses – 5 draws – 2 kos) of Brooklyn, New York. Yes, it was Capers who in his fourteenth fight on September 19, 2015, fought to a four-round draw with tonight’s promoter Dominic Walton in his debut and only fight in his professional career. I remember being in press-row covering the fight which was on a card by Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, Pennsylvania. Life truly had come full-circle as Capers was now being promoted by his former nemesis.
Decked out in beautiful kente cloth trunks the thirty-year-old Cason didn’t waste much time in the opening round of the scheduled six-rounder. He got out of the gate fast, working behind his stiff jab, dropping Capers with an overhand right. Somewhat shaken, Capers made it upright as referee Shawn Clark tolled the count of four. Clark made sure that Capers was in condition to continue – dusted his gloves and the action resumed. The wily veteran was able to evade further punishment and fought back – making it out of the round. The second stanza was shaping up like the first – both combatants jabbing, probing for an opening when Cason pulled the trigger again and connected with his overhand right depositing “Too Smooth” to the canvas for the second time. Capers rested on his back as thought he was sunbathing on the beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica as referee Clark counted him out – his seventh consecutive defeat –declaring Cason the winner by knockout at 1:48 of the second round.
In the fifth bout, with legendary Coach Shar’ron Baker – who will become he first female trainer ever to be inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame in October 2024, Manager/Cutman Lando Rosa, and former professional light-heavyweight Khalib “Big Foot” Whitmore in his corner – hard-punching Philadelphia lightweight Juan “The One” Marrero (3 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 3 kos) made short work of Daniel McCall (0 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws) of Stone Mountain, Georgia. Marrero didn’t waste much time -dropping and stopping McCall who attempted to fight back – at 2:23 of the opening round of their scheduled four-rounder – recording his fourth knockout in as many fights.
The southpaw Marrero stalked his opponent at the opening bell with an air of humble superiority – two cannons hoisted close to his chin – unloading to the body and head. A straight left pierced McCall’s defense – acquainting him with the canvas as referee Clark started counting. Somewhat shaken, the man from Stone Mountain made it to his feet and was able to continue. The action resumed and Marrero pinned him in a corner and unleashed a few vicious shots. Thank God that referee Clark is always in position, nearby to stop the fight and prevent McCall from serious injury or losing his life. Marrero has dynamite in both hands – a lightweight with the power of a hard-hitting middleweight. He reminds me of the late, great two-division World Champion Edwin “El Dynamita” Valero (27 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 27 kos).
The sixth bout featured debuting eighteen-year-old Philly Phenom Johnny Rivera against twenty-six-year-old DeAndre Menser (1 win – 2 losses – 0 draw – 1 ko) of Durham, North Carolina. Rivera made his way to the ring to the roar and applause of the hometown fans with Menser already in the ring scoping out the scenery – waiting patiently – appearing to as we would say in colloquial terms – “have something up his sleeve” – awaiting the commencement of their scheduled four-round junior-welterweight bout. The gong sounded and Menser hopped on Rivera like a thirsty wino on a bottle of Courvoisier. Menser threw with reckless abandon with Rivera blocking most of the shots appearing to be in control – waiting to counter the blitzkrieg.
Approximately forty seconds into the fight Rivera started returning fire forcing his opponent to take cover – using a high guard as his defense. Like his onslaught on Rivera – most of the blows were being blocked. However, referee Irizarry jumped in and called a halt to the bout – declaring Rivera the winner by technical knockout at 1:04 – giving us a classic case of a premature stoppage. Menser vehemently protested to no avail. Even Stevie Wonder wearing dark sunglasses could have seen that he was not hurt. It is unfortunate for both combatants because we are left with unanswered questions. Hopefully, it is a pedagogical moment for the referee after reviewing the fight – or an opportunity to visit his optometrist.
The second bout was a scheduler four-round welterweight bout between Seifullah Jihad Wise (4 wins – 8 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) of Philadelphia and Aaron “Long Arms” Newmones (2 wins – 4 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) of Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was a closely contested bout with the Philadelphian being the aggressor, working behind his southpaw jab followed by his trademark straight left capped off with a right hook. Newmones came out in the southpaw stance for round two with Wise converting to the orthodox stance. They both switched intermittently throughout the bout. There wasn’t much distinguishing the combatants – there were no knockdowns or either fighter being in dire straight. The bout was conducted at a smooth, methodical pace and when it concluded – all three judges scored it 40- 36 for Wise.
The opening bout featured Rancy Slanger (1 win – 0 losses – 0 draws – 0 ko) from Ghana, fighting out of Levittown, Pennsylvania against Tariq Green (5 wins – 2 losses – 1 draw – 3 kos) of Philadelphia in a scheduled four-round super-middleweight contest. I was in press-row at Slanger’s debut February 23rd at 2300 Arena which was contested at the light-heavyweight limit. Tonight, he moved down a division after shedding fourteen pounds. It was extremely difficult to score the rounds because no one had an apparent advantage. Nothing of consequences landed other than a stiff right that Green was able to score. Neither man was in danger of being separated from his senses nor were there knockdowns. Maybe, it was too much of a big step for Slanger who was only in his second fight. Nevertheless, I concur with all three judges who scored it 38-38 a draw.
It was an impressive card for a debuting promoter. Kudos to Dominic Walton, CEO Teflon Promotions, and matchmaker Renee Aikens. It is difficult to compete with the Penn Relays and the Golden Gloves on the same day. Fortunately, the audience of approximately 400 was buttressed by the live broadcast on BLK Prime. It was poignant that Marissa Fitzgerald and family were honored with a plaque in memory of her husband – Temple University Police Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald who was shot and killed in the line of duty on February 18, 2023. Fitzgerald is also the cousin of lightweight Juan Marrero.
I would be hypocritical if I didn’t voice my concerns about the music that was played throughout the event. There were times I closed my eyes and thought that I was at a Klu Klux Klan rally because “The N-word” preceded or followed by some act of violence and more songs that were degrading women – blaring over the house speakers by various mainstream rap stars and recording artists.
I pray that my observations do not fall on deaf ears because it was a great night of boxing – truly “time to brawl y’all!” We had a Tank and Hammer, and a Hart for the right Price along with some White Chocolate!
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece!
ghanson18@icloud.com
