Tank Yuh!—Dawejko Decisions Madison
Bumboclaat! Vincent Floyd!
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: May 2, 2023
Venue: Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Promoter: Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Promotions
Ring Announcer: Henry “Discombobulating” Jones
Referees: Shawn Clark & Eric Dali
Ring-card Ladies: The Queens of King’s Promotions – Kiana Kareema & Kendra Danelle
Coverage: BXNGTV.COM Photos: Kenny Ludwig
There is no better way to spend a Tuesday night than in the press–row at the fights in the City of Brotherly Love – courtesy of Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions. Kauffman over the years has risen to the pinnacle of his profession simply by being sedulous in his pursuit of excellence– acquiring superb talent – putting on great cards, raising the bar for the profession of prize fighting. Yes, Kauffman’s promotional company was aptly named as he sits atop the pugilistic pyramid. And tonight, King’s Promotions’ inaugural show at this venue, was no different as we were treated to a five-bout card with much action, intrigue, and upsets.
The six-round main event featured Philadelphia heavyweight Joey “The Tank” Dawejko (23 wins – 10 losses – 4 draws – 13 kos). Standing 5 ft. 10 inches and tipping the scales at 262.1 lbs. – the thirty-two-year-old is a boxing savant who started training as a kid before he was a teenager and joined the punch-for-pay ranks months after his nineteenth birthday back in 2009. Despite his pugilistic prowess, somehow, many people have forgotten that in November 2008, Dawejko was the first US amateur boxer to win gold at the AIBA Youth World Championship. Fighting in the super-heavyweight division – the 18-year-old fighter traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico – won four bouts in the inaugural event. We must recall that it was Dawejko who was rumored to have knocked out heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in sparring prior to his upset defeat at the hands of Andy Ruiz – June 1, 2019, at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
Standing 6 ft. 4 inches weighing 252.4 lbs. thirty-nine-year-old Colby Madison (11 wins – 4 losses – 2 draws – 7 kos) of Owings Mills, Maryland was first to exit the dressing room, made his way into the ring awaiting the entrance of the Philadelphia hometown hero. About a minute later, Dawejko emerged, handlers in tow, strolling like a Roman emperor returning home from the conquest of a neighboring territory, basking in the adulation and euphonious cheers of his fans – Rihanna and Jay-Z blaring over the house speakers on the track “Run This Town’ from Jay-Z’s 2009 album “The Blueprint 3.”
Feel it comin’ in the air (Yeah)
Hear the screams from everywhere (Yeah)
I’m addicted to the thrill (I’m ready)
It’s a dangerous love affair (What’s up? Come on)
Can’t be scared when it goes down
Got a problem, tell me now (What’s up?)
Only thing that’s on my mind (What’s up?)
Is who’s gon’ run this town tonight (Ah, what’s up?)
Is who’s gon’ run this town tonight (Yeah, what’s up? Yeah)
We gon’ run this town
Referee Shawn Clark executed the formalities, the gong sounded, and the action began with the taller Madison working behind his stiff jab. It didn’t take long for Dawejko to calculate his adversary’s timing and distance and started countering with his overhand right – a thing of beauty. It turned into a chess match and the man from Maryland simply was not equipped to outduel the Philadelphia grandmaster. Dawejko has too much in his arsenal. Watching him slipping and countering – using subtle movement to offset Madison reminded me that I was not crazy when I told many of my boxing compatriots that Dawejko could be World Heavyweight Champion. I guess they became believers when Andy Ruiz dethroned Anthony Joshua, capturing the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles.
Madison made the requisite adjustment and won the second round working behind his jab – using his shoulder to negate Dawejko’s overhand right. It was a close round, but Madison had the edge even dislodging his opponent’s mouthpiece causing a halt in the action for approximately ten seconds. The action continued in the third stanza with Dawejko finding his counter right and Madison using his jab judiciously. Madison’s face was carmine in the fourth round – blood dripping down his chest forcing Referee Clark to halt the action and have Dr. Tony Al-Amin, Ringside Doctor – assess the damage and make his recommendation. The doctor gave his approval for the fight to continue and Dawejko immediately landed a right hand that forced Madison to retreat.
The last two rounds were almost identical with Dawejko demonstrating his wares – reminding us that even at a heavy 262.1 lbs. his boxing acumen is so special that he can dictate the pace and outbox anyone. With about five seconds remaining in the fight, Dawejko connected with a hook and a vicious overhand right that wobbled Madison. However, as he was moving in for the kill, the bell rang bringing closure to a very entertaining match. Like my scorecard, all three judges had it 59-55 for Dawejko who won by unanimous decision. There are many big fights out there for Dawejko.
In a well-matched and competitive six-round junior middleweight bout, Philadelphia’s Brendan “The Irish Assassin” O’Callaghan (5 wins – 1 loss – 1 draw – 2 kos) faced Roudly Lolo (5 wins – 1 loss – 2 draws –3 kos) Camp Hill, Pennsylvania by way of Port au Prince, Haiti. Lolo, who suffered his first defeat – a six-round unanimous decision loss to James Martin, April 11th at 2300 Arena – was looking to rebound in the victory column. Callaghan, a licensed electrician and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 98 union – was riding a three-fight win streak and was banking on an electrifying performance in front of his huge fan base inclusive of his fellow union members.
The bell rang and O’Callaghan attacked working behind his jab. He hurt Lolo with a left hook early and hopped on him like a fat man at a free buffet. The Irish Assassin landed to the body and head with reckless abandon. But Lolo finally countered with a straight right that froze him momentarily, depositing him on the canvas – much to the surprise of the audience. Somewhat shaken – O’Callaghan was upright as Referee Eric Dali reached the count of three. The action resumed and he was able to stay on his bicycle – fighting from a distance with Lolo in hot pursuit – to the end of the round.
Lolo captured the second round as they traded early, and he was able to land the overhand right over O’Callaghan low left hand. Nevertheless, the Irish Assassin listened to his corner and in the third round -boxed behind his jab bringing it back to his chin – protective measure against his opponent’s right-hand counter. The tide shifted again in the fourth stanza when Lolo connected again with his right hand – rocking O’Callaghan who was able to stay out of harm’s way – evading further punishment and finished the round. It appeared that the tempo and pace was getting to the Haitian fighter as he slowed down in the final two rounds. O’Callaghan was able to hurt Lolo in the last ten seconds of the fight. However, time expired – having us wondering if an eight-rounder would have been better for the well-conditioned Philly fighter. All three judges scored it 57-56 for Lolo who won by unanimous decision – the knockdown being the deciding factor in an action-packed fight.
They say that “experience is the best teacher, and the worst experiences teach the best lessons.” Well, this adage was on display in the third bout of the night – an all-Philadelphia match-up – pitting last minute replacement and twenty-fight veteran Vincent Floyd (4 wins – 15 losses – 1 draw – 2 kos) against Tyler Zwicarowski (1 win – 0 losses – 0 draw – 1 ko) in a scheduled four-round middleweight bout. Floyd got the call on two days’ notice after Billie Briscoe Jr. (1 wins – 1 loss – 1 draw – 1 ko) had to withdraw due to a hand injury caused during sparring. Floyd hadn’t seen his hand raised in victory since 2018 and was on a ten-fight losing streak. He was supposed to be cannon fodder for the hard-punching Zwicarowski who was impressive in his professional debut last September.
The 6 ft I inch southpaw Floyd entered the ring with an afro – looking like a shorter and slimmer version of Philadelphia 76ers’ center Joel Embiid, who was announced today as the 2023 “NBA Most Valuable Player.” The shorter and compact Zwicarowski came out smoking at the opening bell – pinning Floyd on the ropes, driving shots to the body and head. His back against the ropes – Floyd shoulder-rolled – leaning back to avoid most of the head shots with Referee Shawn Clark nearby appearing ready to pounce in at any moment to stop the fight. Floyd made it out of the round. Zwicarowski continued his domination in the second round backing up his taller adversary – placing him on the ropes and working the head and body. Floyd, like a seasoned quarterback, stayed in the pocket – blocking and shoulder-rolling – getting hit with many of the shots to the body. It appeared that the rationale that made Zwicarowski the favorite and Floyd the underdog despite the 19-fight disparity in experience was justified.
Zwicarowski was pitching a shut-out and attacked with reckless abandon in the third stanza. However, Floyd was waiting and connected with a well-placed left uppercut capped off by a sweeping right hook that found their mark – depositing his opponent to the canvas much to the surprise of the audience, The room went silent, and I swore that I heard crickets chirping and a mouse pissing on cotton under the ring. This is what happens when you are attending fights with an imagination that oftentimes runs wild. The fallen fighter was up at the count of three and Referee Clark checked his vitals and signaled for the fight to continue.
Instead of staying on the outside and clear the cobwebs – Zwicarowski attacked, going straight at Floyd with a barrage of blow to the head and body. It looked like he had Floyd right where he wanted him and was doing enough to negate the knockdown or score a technical knockout. As fate would have it, towards the end of the round Floyd dipped his legs and uncorked the same left uppercut-right hook combination – reintroducing his nemesis to the canvas. Zwicarowski was up at the count of seven and as the referee was assessing his ability to continue, he shook his head indicating “no” – that he was unable to continue. Bumboclaat! Floyd was declared the winner by technical knockout at 3:00 of the third round.
I had the opportunity to speak with Floyd after the fight and he stated that Zwicarowski hurt him, but he had been working on the left uppercut and right hook in preparation for the fight. He knew that if he waited patiently during Zwicarowski’s barrages he would be able to catch him with the left uppercut and right hook because he left himself wide open. Experience is the best teacher. It allowed Floyd to weather the storm with timing, precision and power. Hopefully, Zwicarowski will take this fight as a pedagogical moment and come back better and wiser.
In a scheduled four-round junior-welterweight bout – Philadelphians Christopher Burgos (3 wins –6 losses – 2 draws – 1 ko) and Tyree Arnold (1 win – 5 losses – 0 draw – 0 kos) fought relentlessly the entire fight with Burgos dominating most of the action. Burgos attacked at the opening bell going downstairs to the body forcing Arnold to retreat. He hurt Arnold early in the opening round with a left hook and never took his foot off the gas. Round after round Burgos bombarded his opponent who fought back but it was evident that he was overwhelmed. In the final round Burgos dropped Arnold with a left hook. Arnold made it to his feet at the count of two and was able to survive the round. All three judges scored it 40-35 for Burgos who won by unanimous decision.
In the opening fight of the night Five-time National Amateur champion Emanuel “El Trompo” Moreno (2 wins – 0 losses – 0 draw – 0 kos) of Wichita Falls, Texas won a four-round bantamweight bout by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice over debuting Darin Holliday of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The eighteen-year-old Texan was the first out of the dressing room. Shortly thereafter, Holliday made a glorious entrance with trainer Jimmy Deoria as his fans cheered raucously as rapper 50 Cent blared over the house-speakers on the track “Many Men.” Had this been anything other than a boxing match – Holliday was already ahead on the scorecards based on the pageantry of his entrance. It was quite exquisite. Little did we know that his entrance was the highlight of his introduction to professional prizefighting. He failed to throw punches or as we would say in boxing parlance – “let his hands go.”
The shorter Moreno used a jab to the head and midsection to control the action as his opponent stood like a mannequin posing for a photoshoot. The few times Holliday attempted to counter Moreno – he missed and was neutralized. When the fight was over I scored it 40-36 for Moreno. Two judges had it 39-37 and the third agreed with me at 40-36. I am still trying to determine how a round was given to Holliday. It is evident that the young man has talent. But, for some inexplicable reason he was extremely economical in his punch count. It is called prize fighting and not fight posing.
Tonight’s show opened with a four-round, two minutes per round exhibition/sparring session between flyweights Natalie Love of Philadelphia and Lia Lewandowski of Berlin, New Jersey. It was a wonderful display of the sweet science as the taller Lewandowski worked behind her jab with Love using head movements and feints to get on the inside. It was truly a sparring session because the combatants were in the ring by themselves – there was no referee. They conducted themselves with dignity – no illegal blows or clinches. I am confident that both amateurs will one day make excellent professionals.
Well, if you have made it this far – thank you for reading. Hopefully, through my writing, I was able to place you in the venue at ringside seeing what I saw – imagining the sights and sounds. Kudos to King’s Promotions and the best Ring-card Ladies in the world – “The Queens of Kings.” It was another great night of sweet science. Hopefully, we will see Joey Dawejko in some major fights. At thirty-two years-old there is plenty left in the tank! Tank yuh! Please ask your Jamaican friends to interpret the title of the article.
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece.
ghanson18@icloud.com
