The Mouthpiece
Father Time & Hammer Time—Lundy Defeats Corley
Baumgardner Decisions Feliciano
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: Saturday, February 10, 2018
Venue: 2300 Arena – Philadelphia, PA
Promoter: Hard Hitting Promotions
Ring Announcer: Mark Fratto
Referee: Shawn Clark & Benjy Esteves Jr.
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.
The animus had been brewing for nearly three years on social media. Hammerin’ Hank Lundy and former WBO Junior-welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley engaged in a war of words hoping to settle it in the squared circle. Their verbal sparring and behind the scenes maneuvering granted them their wish and both predicted a knockout victory. Interestingly, when Lundy joined the punch-for-pay ranks as a twenty-two-year-old on July 7, 2006 – after garnering a silver medal in the 2006 National Golden Gloves—Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley was a thirty-two-year-old former WBO Junior-welterweight champion with a record of 31 wins – 5 losses – 1 draw – 17 kos—almost three years removed from having lost his title to Zab Judah by split-decision on July 12, 2003. But, boxing has always created strange bedfellows as evidenced by Jersey Joe Walcott stopping Phil Johnson in the third round in 1936 and doing likewise to his son, future light-heavyweight champion Harold Johnson in 1950. So tonight we had the forty-three-year-old former champion pitted against the thirty-four-year-old contender in Lundy’s hometown.
Lundy (L.) and Corley after waging war.
The consummate showman Corley—from our nation’s capital—was first out of the dressing room with three of his adult sons leading the way. The lead son carried his baby brother atop his shoulders as they all displayed his championship belts as the elder statesman rolled out atop of a motorized hover-board—a small axe in each hand—a balaclava covering his head most of his face—dancing to a song paying homage to him with the hook blaring “Chop, Chop, Chop!” Displaying impeccable balance as the hover-board transported him smoothly along the arena floor— Corley (50 wins – 28 losses – 1 draw – 28 kos) swayed back and forth to the beat with manager Sporty Smith in tow decked out in a dark tailored suit, bowtie and midnight sunglasses—like a secret service agent guarding the President. The pageantry was a sight to behold and rivaled that of then undefeated WBO Featherweight Champion Prince Naseem Hamed who entered the ring atop a magical flying carpet in the Olympia, London on March 11, 2000 before he faced challenger Vuyani Bungu who he defeated by fourth-round knockout.
With MC Hammer blaring over the house speakers on the track “Turn This Mutha Out” from his 1988 album “Let’s Get it Started” – Lundy (28 wins – 6 losses – 1 draw – 14 kos) and his entourage inclusive of new trainer Danny Davis, assistant trainer George Gee, friend and former professional pugilist Charles “The Cobra” Hayward and long-time cutman Mike Plebani— who has been able to remain his cutman since his professional debut— strolled to the ring soaking up the adulation of the hometown fans. Jimmy Burchfield, Lundy’s promoter and CEO of Classic Entertainment Sports was already at ringside and made his way into the ring with his fighter. The atmosphere was electrifying as ring announcer Mark Fratto made the introductions and referee Shawn Clark called the combatants to the center of the ring for the final instructions before the gong sounded for the eight-round main event.
Lundy (L.) connecting with the jab
The fight turned out to be a tactical chess match with the traditional feeling out round as both fighters—naturally left-handed—fought from the southpaw stance jabbing, parrying– slipping and countering trying to find openings. It was a close round. Corley had the edge in the second stanza by being busier landing to the head and body getting Lundy’s attention and respect with a blistering straight left. The action heated up before the bell as they traded punches in the final ten seconds.
Lundy changed course in the third round and commenced to box from a distance utilizing his superior hand and foot speed. Midway in the round he switched to the orthodox stance and used his jab to win the round. The action continued in the fourth stanza with Corley using a stiff jab to the body to regain momentum. It appeared that Corley was winning the round when during an exchange Lundy countered with a right hook from the southpaw stance that sent him to the canvas momentarily. It was difficult to assess whether or not the punch landed on the chin or the shoulder and for some inexplicable reason there was no replay on the big screen in the venue. Nevertheless, referee Clark scored it a knockdown for Lundy and both finished the round on good footing.
Father Time is undefeated. The great light-heavyweight champion Archie Moore waged a noble battle and had to retire. Bernard Hopkins met his demise at the hands of Time and a youthful Joe Smith. It was evident in the remainder of the fight that Time was getting the better of the forty-three-year-old Corley as Lundy was simply one-step ahead of the grizzled gladiator who saw the openings but simply couldn’t capitalize before Lundy disappeared and reloaded. Father Time and Hammer Time got the best of Corley down the stretch as Lundy boxed niftily—sticking and moving—doing what most didn’t expect —refusing to engage in a slugfest or war of attrition. When it was over two judges had it 79-72 with the third scoring it 78-73 all for Lundy.
Twenty-three-year-old super-featherweight Alicia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (4 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 4 kos) of Freemont, Ohio was impressive in winning a unanimous eight-round decision over rough and rugged twenty-nine year-old Energizer Bunny – Nydia Feliciano (9 wins – 9 losses – 3 draws – 0 kos) of the Bronx, New York —capturing the WBC International Super-featherweight title. With trainer Jonathan Banks—former heavyweight contender and prized pupil of the late, great Emanuel Stewart—in her corner, Baumgardner displayed skills and composure way above her experience level.
Baumgardner (L.) connecting with the uppercut
The bell rang and referee Esteves Jr. signaled the start of the contest. Feliciano has one gear—forward—and attacked at the opening bell—pressing the action—blanketing her less-experienced adversary like a tarpaulin on top of a Jamaican market truck during a rainstorm. Feliciano came forward and Baumgardner used her speed and precision to counter effectively while evading punishment. The rounds were almost identical and anyone would believe that a fighter with only four fights under her belt would tire during the later rounds. However, Baumgardner was fresh as a daisy in a Valentine’s bouquet and continued her masterful boxing down the stretch. It is safe to assume that she could do four more rounds when the final bell sounded at the end of the eighth round. One judge had it a shut-out 80-72 while the other two scored it 79-73 all for Baumgardner. Much credit has to be accorded Feliciano who was relentless over the course of this action-packed fight.
“I don’t want to knock him out! I don’t want the ref to stop the fight! I want him to quit at the hands of me, I want to see a grown man quit tonight,” stated super-middleweight Derrick “Take It to The Bank” Webster via a Facebook post earlier during the day. Webster (24 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws – 13 kos) of Glassboro, New Jersey was confident that his opponent Francisco Cordero (38 wins – 9 losses – 0 draws – 29 kos) of Barranquilla, Colombia wasn’t going to make it to the final bell of their scheduled eight-rounder. The thirty-one-year-old Cordero who debuted in 2007 as a junior-lightweight had been stopped eight times—most recently two fights back when he fought as light-heavyweight.
Webster (R.) landing the long jab
Someone forgot to tell Cordero that he was supposed to be mere cannon fodder for the 6 feet 4-inch southpaw Webster who came out blasting with both barrels in the first stanza —landing to the head and body. To say that Webster was having his way would be an understatement. However, despite the shellacking, Cordero stood his ground and in a show of machismo – beckoned for Webster to “come on”—goading him into a slugfest. The action continued in the second round with Webster hitting Cordero with everything except referee Benjy Esteves Jr.! Cordero got Webster’s attention with a hard right hook. But, the round belonged to Webster.
They fought at a frenetic pace for the next six rounds with Cordero throwing caution to the wind by taunting Webster—showing a granite chin—refusing to wilt—gaining the respect of the Philly fans who simply love fighters who are cut from the mold of Smokin’ Joe Frazier— plenty of heart—would rather die instead of quitting. Webster hit Cordero with every punch from his arsenal. But, the Colombian kept coming forward throwing punches oblivious to pain—dangerous to the final bell. Two judges scored it 80-72 with the third turning in a scoresheet that read 79-73 all for Webster who won by unanimous decision in an entertaining bout.
Puerto Rico is a hotbed of boxing producing many great fighters and world champions. However, the next great Puerto Rican pugilist doesn’t reside in San Juan or Fajardo—he is from Philadelphia and his name is Jeremy “King” Cuevas (6 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 5 kos)! Tonight, the twenty-two-year-old squared off against Mike Fowler (6 wins – 12 losses – 0 draws – 2 kos) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a scheduled six-round lightweight bout—featuring two southpaws.
Cuevas attacked at the opening bell digging to the head and body of Fowler who fought back valiantly. However, the Philly fighter controlled the round, dominating the action, putting Fowler on the canvas with a straight left towards the end of the round. Fowler was able to get up as referee Clark started the count. Not in serious danger, the action resumed and the bell sounded ending the first stanza. Lightning struck again in the second round as Fowler made his way back to the canvas compliments of the same punch—a straight left. This time he was slow to get up and made it to his feet as referee Clark tolled seven. Fowler made it to the end of the round despite Cuevas’ dominance.
Cuevas (R.) sticking the jab to the midsection
The third and fourth rounds were almost identical with Cuevas controlling the action—beating Fowler from pillar to post— forcing him to retreat in an attempt to survive. It was a masterful performance by the Philly fighter as he displayed his wares, sending a message to the lightweight division. No surprise that Fowler’s corner refused to send him out for the fifth round and notified the referee. Therefore, Cuevas was declared the winner at 3:00 of the fourth round by referee technical decision (“RTD”).
With his father— two-time World Heavyweight Champion—Hasim “The Rock” Rahman in his corner—twenty-six-year-old southpaw Hasim “Gold Blooded” Rahman Jr. (3 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 3 kos) of Baltimore, Maryland found himself in a spirited rumble with thirty-four-year-old Ronny “Big Country” Hale (3 wins – 10 losses – 0 draws – 3 kos) of Austin, Texas. Rahman resembled a heavyweight version of four-division world champion Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker in the first minute of the opening round—jabbing, countering, slipping and sliding—working to the head and ample stomach of Hale. However, midway through the round, a looping right hand careened off the top of Rahman’s head and momentarily discombobulated this equilibrium. But, Hale was clueless about his opponent’s imminent demise and did not seize the moment. Rahman split-second recovery was impressive and he was able to right the ship and continued jabbing. Hale shook him up with another right almost twenty seconds before the bell ended the round.
Rahman who had scored three consecutive first-round knockouts was in unchartered territory when the bell rang for the second round. He continued working the body of Hale as he did in the previous round. However, it appeared that both combatants ran out of gas after only a minute had expired in the second stanza. Both were breathing heavily and moving around the ring like two large land turtles. It was a slow round. To say that the action resumed in the third stanza would be an overstatement as Rahman walked around the ring with Hale trying to connect with haymakers. There wasn’t much action but Hale was the busier fighter. Hale was so tired in the fourth round that he literally backed into a corner and placed his gloves on both knees waiting for Rahman to attack. Rahman landed a few jabs as the round moved at a pedestrian pace. When it was over two judges scored it for Rahman 40-36 and 39-37 with the third seeing it a draw 38-38.
Rahman Jr. (R.) landing the right hook
In the opening bout of the night, debuting Philadelphia middleweight— amateur standout— “Dangerous” Dillon Kasprzak under the tutelage of trainer Greg Hackett lost a four-round split-decision to southpaw Michael Crain (0 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws) of Smyrna, Delaware. The rounds were close but Crain had a slight edge by simply being busier—throwing more punches as Kasprzak seemed one step behind. Crain hurt Kasprzak early in the third round with an uppercut but the Philadelphia fighter was able to hold until he cleared the cobwebs and finish the round. Needing a knockout to win, Kasprzak sent Crain to the canvas with a perfectly placed straight right. Crain was hurt and made it to his feet as referee Clark started counting. The action resumed and Kasprzak moved in to finish his opponent but lost his mouthpiece and the referee called a halt to the action. By the time Kasprzak’s corner gave him his second mouthpiece—Crain had recovered and was able to survive and make it to the final bell. Two judges scored it 38-37 for Crain with the third having the same score for Kasprzak.
It was another exciting night of boxing by Hard Hitting Promotions in front of a near-capacity crowd. Hammerin’ Hank Lundy and Father Time were able to be victorious over the aged-warrior DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley who isn’t quite ready to retire to a rocking chair. Lundy simply wasn’t going to be denied in his hometown and stuck to his game plan and out boxed the former WBO Junior-welterweight champion. One can only hope that Ray Beltran—who won a controversial ten-round majority decision and the NABF Lightweight title over Lundy back in 2012—wins the vacant WBO lightweight title on February 16th against Paulus Moses and makes his first defense against The Hammer. Beltran vs. LundyII would be simply delightful!
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece!
ghanson3@hotmail.com
