Pass Di Hot Sauce! Hardy Halts Mickens & Holden TKOs Tsanimp
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: May 25, 2024
Venue: Greater Newark Boys and Girls Club, Newark, Delaware
Promoters: Greg Pritchett & Rashad Brown—Strict Biz Promotions
Matchmakers: Brian Dillon & Helen Hall
Ring Announcers: Adam Crist & Matthew Kenny
Prefight Chant: “It’s Time To Brawl Y’all” – Terrance Tykeem ”The Dream”
Referees: Shawn Clark & Eric Irizarry
Ring Card Ladies: Maia Murray & Trinity Brown
Timekeeper: Alice “The G.O.A.T” Grady
Coverage: FCLTV.com
Gloves: “Put Up Your Dukes” brand – www.kdukesboxing.com
Photos: Kenny Ludwig
I was unable to attend Strict Biz’s inaugural show on November 4, 2023. However, absent of a natural disaster I was going to be in the building tonight seated in press row for the third show featuring four top prospects – Jalique “Duck No Action” Holden, David “Hot Sauce” Hardy, Adonis “The New Iron Mike” Wilkins and Cornellio “Chada” Phipps. In 1867 Delaware became the “First State,” – the first colony to ratify the United States Constitution. Therefore, I was hoping that US President Joe Biden, former US Senator from Delaware, would miraculously be in attendance. The venue was packed, and the environment was electrifying. And tonight, debuting featherweight – 17-year-old David “Hot Sauce” Hardy from Chester, Pennsylvania stole the show with his fans yelling “Pass the hot sauce” during his action-packed bout with Philadelphia gladiator – 28-year-old Nasir “Demon wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko).
I serendipitously sat in the ringside seat not too far from timekeeper Grady – watching the pageantry of Hardy making his ring walk, sporting sunglasses – his fans screaming “Hot Sauce,” taking me back to the first time I saw footage of the late, great Rock and Roll pioneer – Chuck Berry. Like Berry, Hardy mesmerized the audience as he strolled calmly to the squared circle, locs in a ponytail bouncing atop his head. The only thing missing was a guitar and him duck-walking to the ring. Hardy supremely confident and ready for combat was unfazed by the moment. At 5 ft 11 inches – he towered over his opponent by five inches – a featherweight version of Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns as referee Clark gave the instructions in the center of the ring.
The gong sounded for the scheduled four-rounder and Mickens hopped on Hardy like a roving rottweiler discovering a new bone. The action was fast and furious with the teenager keeping his hands high, staying relaxed and blocking Mickens’ hooks and overhand rights that were etched with devastation and destruction. Hardy conducted himself like a seasoned veteran – knowing every inch of the ring – pivoting to gain separation – using his jab, positioning Mickens for uppercuts. The opening stanza was worth the price of admission with “pass the hot sauce” being heard whenever Hardy mounted an attack.
Following trainer Rashad Brown’s instructions, Hardy evoked fond memories of three-division World Champion – Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum as he connected with hooks and uppercuts to Mickens’ ribs and midsection. No one will ever question the Philadelphian’s courage and confidence. Despite the onslaught – he refused to go backwards or down to the canvas – blanketing Hardy – pushing him with his shoulder – a tactic that was mastered when he graced the sports pages of the Philadelphia Inquirer as a three-way player (starting quarterback, defensive back and running back) for Overbrook High School’s football team back in 2015. I don’t mean to be misleading or to inject humor into this discourse but in the words of rap artist – Lil’ Wayne – Mickens “is tougher than Nigerian hair!” Hardy was in a zone – that ultimate space of nirvana where everything is effortless, and one is like a plane flying on auto-pilot. He dominated the second stanza with his body work and several vicious straight rights that momentarily buckled Mickens’ legs. Nevertheless, Demon Dog stayed upright.
“Pass the hot sauce” was heard throughout the venue as the bell rang to begin the third round. Hardy came forward behind his jab – digging to Mickens’ body – sedulous in his pursuit in not allowing him to go the distance as was promised when the Philadelphian stated at the weigh-ins – “I am not going to let a 17-year-old beat me!” To say that there is no bad blood between the two boxers is tantamount to stating that Bob Marley never partook in the burning of cannabis! Mickens hadn’t fully recovered from the heavy blows that almost short-circuited him in the previous round and was on borrowed time. Hardy continued with the heavy artillery – straight rights, left hooks to the rib cage and uppercuts straight up the middle. There is an adage in boxing that “you have to protect fighters from themselves.” In the case of Mickens – the word “quit” is absent from his vocabulary. Fortunately, trainer Quilly Hughes knows his fighter’s temerity and hopped up on the ring apron signaling referee Clark to stop the fight. Hardy was declared the winner by technical knockout 47 seconds of the third round, leaving no doubt that he belongs on everyone’s radar – a pugilistic prodigy with a future so bright – that his image would still be impeccable if he were to be photographed in the dark without a flash! Hardy turns eighteen next Thursday and will be graduating from high-school in June – STEM Academy, Chester, Pennsylvania. Happy Birthday and congratulations Hot Sauce!
Before the main event – the final bout of the night – the fans were reenergized by Terrance “The Dream” Tykeem who entered the ring and led his trademark chant “It’s time to brawl y’all!” It was truly time to brawl as the scheduled six-rounder featured top junior-lightweight prospect Jalique “Duck No Action” Holden (5 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 4 kos) Wilmington, Delaware and Romel Tsanimp (3 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) of Ecuador fighting out of Baltimore, Maryland. Holden, a tall, rangy boxer at 5 ft. 9 inches – with impeccable boxing skills – can wage war at a distance or closed-quarters – and has plenty of power in both hands to turn the lights off without notice. Equally important, he is a thinker who is truly in pursuit of greatness.
Decked out in an exquisite attire, Holden was already up on my imaginary scorecards for his sartorial splendor. Referee Clark gave the final instructions and the fighters, and their handlers retreated to their respective corners. The bell rang and Holden immediately started working behind his fast and stiff jab, keeping Tsanimp at a distance. It was shaping up as the traditional “feeling out” round with Holden dictating the pace, getting acquainted with his opponent’s tendencies – always planning, steering him into an abyss of his ultimate demise. Midway in the round Tsanimp complained to referee Clark that he had been struck behind the head. I doubted the veracity of his allegations. It appeared that the Ecuadorian was ducking, and Holden caught him on the side of his head with a downward right – a perfectly legal shot. Shortly thereafter, Holden lands a similar blow and Tsanimp is introduced to the canvas. I thought he was going to stay down and quit. As referee Clark reached the count of eight – the fallen fighter was upright and had his gloves wiped and the action resumed. He made it to the end of the round and back to his corner.
Holden continued boxing brilliantly in the second round – using jabs and feints to keep Tsanimp at a distance. He controlled the action, and you got the feeling that a stoppage was inevitable. A minute had barely expired when Holden connected with a straight right depositing Tsanimp on the canvas for the second time– complaining that he had been hit behind the head. Richard “The Ring Master” Caraballo who was working Tsanimp’s corner got on the ring apron and waved a towel – a sign of surrender – signaling to the referee that he was stopping the fight. Referee Clark accepted Caraballo’s submission and declared Holden the winner by second round technical knockout 1:02. I had an uncanny feeling that Holden’s fans were robbed, denied the opportunity to witness a spectacular knockout.
In the co-main event, eighteen-year-old featherweight Cornellio “Chada” Phipps (2 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) of Oxford, Pennsylvania faced twenty-eight-year-old Robin “The Gravedigger” Ellis (6 wins – 4 losses – 0 draws – 5 kos) Hempstead, New York in a scheduled six-rounder. I was at Phipps’ professional debut on January 12th at LIVE Casino, Philadelphia – where he pitched a shut-out – winning a unanimous four-round decision over Darin Holiday Jr. It was an impressive performance by the teenager. Ellis joined the punch-for-pay ranks back in 2021 – going 6 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 5 kos -losing the next four – three by knockout. I was at his last fight on April 18th at 2300 Arena, Philadelphia where he was stopped in the fourth round of a scheduled six-round junior featherweight bout by undefeated Romuel “Cuco” Cruz. I anxiously anticipated this bout because Phipps is a technician and Ellis needed a win to avoid being regarded as “an opponent” – a fighter who puts forth enough effort to be considered competitive but rarely ever wins.
Ellis entered the ring decked out in a black Cowboy hat with a black handkerchief covering his mouth bearing an uncanny resemblance to a cattle rustler. The venue was filled with fans sporting t-shirts emblazoned with “Chada” on the front. Phipps has a huge following and the cheers were deafening as he made his way to the ring. I noted the disparity in size as it was evident that Phipps – a full-fledge featherweight – was the bigger man. I am confident that Ellis should be competing two weight divisions down – at bantamweight. Referee Irizarry signaled the beginning of the opening round and the combatants fought on even terms working behind their jabs – throwing combinations – hoping to gain an advantage. Phipps came forward and Ellis boxed smartly – using lateral movement to avoid punishment – countering with his combinations. It was a chess match being played by two grandmasters. During an exchange, Phipps connected with a wicked left hook to Ellis’ kidney – sending him to the canvas writhing in pain as the referee administered the ten-count. Phipps’ hook left the gravedigger in the dirt – garnering him a first-round knockout – 2:49 – handing Ellis his fifth consecutive loss. Hopefully, the talented Ellis will get his career back on track by moving down to the bantamweight division with a promoter that can help revitalize his career. The young man is talented, but I doubt that he will have any success as a free agent barnstorming over the country.
In the third bout – the most interesting and intriguing fight of the night – Philadelphia natives – Greg “Hot Shot” Hackett (3 wins – 22 losses – 1 draw – 0 kos) squared off against Dominique Mayfield (3 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws – 0 kos). Standing 5 ft. 6 inches, tipping the scales at 214 lbs., Hackett who debuted as a super-middleweight at The Legendary Blue Horizon on April 11, 2008, was at a considerable size disadvantage by nine inches in height and sixty-eight pounds in weight. The 6 ft 3 inches Mayfield towered over him. Ironically, in his third fight on September 25, 2010, Hackett went 0 wins – 3 losses – after losing a four-round unanimous decision at Bally’s Atlantic City to one of tonight’s promoters – Rashad Brown who was making his professional debut. Brown would have four more bouts – all victories – before getting a detached retina during sparring in 2011 forcing him to retire and follow his passion for training boxers.
With the Robinsons (former world title challenger Ivan “Mighty” Robinson and his father Jim Robinson) in his corner – Mayfield answered the bell by stalking his short opponent, taking me back to 1988 when “Big” George Foreman squared off against the 5 ft 6 inches former world light-heavyweight & cruiserweight champion – “The Camden Buzzsaw” – Dwight “Muhammad” Quawi. Hackett, hands held high, stayed on the back foot – looking for an opening – throwing the occasional jab. It was a chess match until the collective silence in the room was shattered when Hackett launched an overhand right that caught Mayfield partially on the chin and shoulder. Mayfield kept his composure and distance. Before the bell rang ended the first round – Hackett had similar success with another overhand right. Those two punches gave him the round on my scorecard.
Mayfield got back on course in the second round working behind his jab, not giving Hackett the opportunity to land the overhand right. There were no knockdowns or either fighter being in dire straits. The fight was on cruise control as Mayfield used his reach and size to his advantage. He smothered Hackett whenever he pinned him on the ropes – not allowing him to land anything of consequence. Throughout the third and fourth rounds – Hackett engaged the audience by responding to their queries throughout the rounds, even forcing referee Clark to smile. Greg Hackett is an entertainer, and he wasn’t going to allow anyone in the audience to make a disparaging remark without a response. When the fight concluded, ring announcer Crist declared Mayfield the winner by unanimous decision, 40-36 and 39-37 twice in an entertaining bout.
The opening bout of the night featured middleweights – southpaw Joshua “The DMV Striker” Diop (1 win – 3 losses – 0 draws – 0 ko) of Hyattsville, Maryland against John Hawk (0 wins – 1 loss – 1 draw) of Bellmawr, New Jersey in a scheduled four-rounder. Diop got out of the blocks quickly at the opening bell, controlling the action with his southpaw jab, living up to his moniker – “The DMV Striker.” With about a minute remaining in the round, Hawk hurt Diop with a combination that got his attention. However, this was short-lived as Diop returned the favor by shaking up the Bellmawr native with a right hook and straight left. However, Hawk has a granite chin and great recuperative powers, making it to the bell ending the round in good condition. I scored the opening stanza for Diop by a small margin.
Little did I know that the tide was going to change in round two. Hawk was able to hurt Diop early in the round with a well-placed combination beating him from pillar to post until he crashed to the canvas, forcing referee Clark to call a knockdown. The DMV Striker made it to a standing position as Clark tolled four – checked his vitals – dusted his gloves and signaled for the action to resume. Hawk was going to shape his own destiny by seizing the moment – unloading from his arsenal forcing referee Clark to rescue Diop from serious punishment – calling a halt at 2:12 – declaring the man from Bellmawr the winner by technical knockout – his first victory in three fights. It was an outstanding performance by Hawk who was able to make the necessary adjustments after being outboxed in the opening round and score a technical knockout.
I should have anticipated the outcome of the second bout when middleweight Zak “Noble” Kelly (2 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws – 1 ko) Lancaster, Pennsylvania made his ring-walk to Ini Kamoze’s “Here Comes the Hotstepper” blaring over the house speakers as debuting Josiah “ The Student of the Game” Swarr of Pennsylvania waiting patiently in the ring. Kelly, his body covered with numerous tattoos, shares his time between boxing, mixed martial arts, and kickboxing. He was extremely confident – unbothered by the moment – ready at the opening bell. The first round was close even though Kelly’s jab appeared more effective. However, there was no doubt that Kelly dominated the second stanza – sending Swarr to the canvas twice – the first time with an uppercut and the second trip was compliments of a vicious combination after Swarr was blinking frantically as though something had impaired his vision. After each trip to the canvas, the fearless Swarr was upright before referee Irizarry reached the count of five.
Swarr, despite being dominated in the second round – came out for the third round working behind his jab. Kelly continued his dominance – coming forward and landing combinations as his opponent bled from cuts over his eyes. Swarr’s handlers shouldn’t have allowed him off the stool for the third round. They should have stopped the fight saving him from further punishment. It was his debut, and he was compromised in the previous round. Nevertheless, he came out for the third stanza and fought valiantly even though he was outboxed by Kelly who was blazing from both guns, capturing the third round.
With over a minute expiring in the fourth and final round, Kelly caught Swarr with a combination capped off by a right uppercut and left hook to the body, sending him to the canvas. The referee immediately stopped the fight – declaring Kelly the winner by technical knockout at 1:12. Kelly surgically dissected his opponent – taking him apart over four rounds – leaving no doubt that he was not only the more experienced fighter but also the better boxer. Hopefully, Swarr will be able to learn from this fight and continue his career because he has talent and the heart of a true gladiator. However, tonight his adversary’s experience in multiple combat sports was the deciding factor.
Junior-middleweight Adonis “The New Iron Mike” Wilkins (2 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws -2 kos) of Newark Delaware recorded his third win – a unanimous four-round decision 40-36 on all three scorecards over tough Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez (12 wins – 23 losses – 1 draw – 7 kos) of Front Royal, Virginia. With his trainers/promoters Greg Pritchett and Rashad Brown in his corner – the 25-year-old Wilkins was simply too much for his 33-year-old adversary – controlling the action behind an effective jab, excellent work to the body round after round – never allowing his opponent to out-land him. Despite the administering of what appeared to be a perfect game plan by Wilkins – Rodriguez showed his mettle by going forward the entire fight, attempting to disrupt his nemesis from painting a masterpiece with his Dukes’ boxing gloves. It was four rounds of well-needed experience for the talented and gifted boxer who scored knockouts in his previous two outings. Wilkins has a bright future.
I am ecstatic that I made it to Strict Biz’s third show to witness a great night of the sweet science – especially David Hardy’s debut. Kudos and much respect to our promoters Greg Pritchett and Rashad Brown! In the words of Tykeem – “The Dream,” – it truly was “time to brawl y’all!” Equally important, ring announcers Crist and Kenney were two masters of ceremony who rocked the mic. And I would be remiss if I did not mention the gorgeous ring card ladies, Maia Murray and Trinity Brown who graced us with their performance – making a difference between rounds!
I am looking forward to the next show on August 24th – my birthday – at the same venue. Hopefully, by then Hardy will have his own brand of hot sauce..
I cannot help myself and must in the language of my homeland – Jamaica – say one last time – “Pass Di Hot Sauce!”
And please go to YouTube Boxing 396 Episode 304 to watch the interviews from tonight including promoter Greg Pritchett.
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece!
ghanson18@icloud.com
