The Champ is Here!- Lennox Lewis in the House!
Arias Draws With Lacy
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024
Venue: 2300 Arena – Philadelphia, PA
Promoter: DiBella Entertainment Presents Broadway Boxing
Ring Announcer: Henry “Discombobulating” Jones
Referees: Shawn Clark & Eric Dali
Ring card: Kiana Kareema
Coverage: BXNG TV
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.
It was another outstanding night of boxing in “The Capital of Boxing” – “The City of Brotherly Love” – Philadelphia. Broadway Boxing came to town with a five-bout card – thirty scheduled rounds of pugilism featuring rising talent and prospects. And I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to meet a living legend – one of my favorite fighters and Jamaican brother – Lennox Lewis – 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist, three-time world heavyweight champion, two-time lineal champion – the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed championship. Lewis was in the building to guide his boxer – undefeated Jamaican southpaw middleweight Kestna “Hardball” Davis (5 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) Kingston, Jamaica now fighting out of Vauxhall, New Jersey.
Equally gratifying, handling the ring formalities was my favorite ring announcer – Henry “Discombobulating” Jones – who was recognized by the White House with a “Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award” on February 21st. Jones is in his 37th year of his chosen profession and reminded me that “everything came full circle” because he announced a show for DiBella thirty years ago and had nothing but love and respect for the promoter, my fellow Harvard graduate. In addition, Jones quipped that Lewis is “one of the unquestionable g.o.a.t.s (greatest of all times) of the game and we miss him!” Amen!
I arrived an hour before the scheduled start time of 7:30 PM and made my way to the dressing rooms where I saw the Champ showing his sartorial splendor decked out in an exquisitely tailored suit, white shirt and blue silk tie looking like the CEO of a Wall Street investment bank. I introduced myself and we immediately began a conversation regarding the state of boxing in our beloved Jamaica. We are both convinced that if our country committed to the sweet science as much as it did track & field – Jamaica would produce Olympic medalists and professional world champions like our dominance in the 100 meters and 200 meters. We spoke continuously for approximately twenty-minutes being disrupted twice – opportunity for an official or trainer to get a picture with the Champ. The show was about to start – I scribbled Lewis’ phone number and email address in my notepad – covered in blue pinstripe cloth – matching my suit of the same color and texture.
The main event featured heavyweights, a matchup of contrasting styles and stature as 5 ft. 11 inches, 228.6 lbs. “Gentleman” George Arias (18 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws – 7 kos) of the Dominican Republic fighting out of Bronx, New York squared off against 6 ft 7 inches, 251.9 lbs. Skylar “Big Dog” Lacy (8 wins – 0 losses – 1 draw – 6 kos) of Indianapolis, Indiana. The gong sounded and Lacy raced across the ring and threw a lead right that soared over the head of his shorter adversary who came out bobbing and weaving reminiscent of the late, great Smokin’ Joe Frazier. With former two-division World Champion Buddy McGirt in his corner, yelling instructions Arias uncorked several deadly left hooks that missed the towering target. Nothing of consequences landed in the opening round.
I scored the second round for Lacy who landed a straight right midway in the round. This bout was shaping up as a classic case of the bull versus the matador. Arias came forward attempting to decapitate his adversary with his vaunted left hook. In the third round McGirt shouted “Frazier” to get Arias to start with the left hook to the body then going upstairs with the same punch. The bout continued at a fast pace and tempo with Arias never taking a step backwards – launching bombs at Lacy’s head not throwing enough blows to the body as instructed by his trainers. Nevertheless, I scored the opening round along with third, fourth, fifth and eighth for Arias. Lacy fought gallantly boxing behind his jab not allowing his opponent to land his vaunted left hook to the head. In the end two judges scored it a draw 76-76 with the third reflecting my scorecard of 77-75 for Arias – a majority draw.
It is back to the drawing board for the talented Arias who was hoping to get back in the winners’ circle after suffering his first and only defeat – a third round corner stoppage by his handlers April 8, 2023 – against rising undefeated star Jared Anderson at the Prudential Center, Newark New Jersey. It appears that ring rust from the more than one year hiatus adversely impacted Arias’ performance. Hopefully, the gifted and entertaining fighter will stay busy and get back on the road to the pinnacle of his profession. On the other hand, Lacy has a bright future in the era of super-heavyweights who towers over 6 ft. 5 inches.
The opening bout of the night featured heavyweights – 2018 National Golden Gloves Champion, Roney “Too Much” Hines (13 wins – 0 losses –1 draw – 8 kos) Cleveland, Ohio against Robert “The Truth” Hall Jr. (14 wins – 2 losses –1 draw – 8 kos) Johnson City, Tennessee in a masterful display of the sweet science – a tactical and delightful chess match. Standing 6 ft. 6 inches, the 28-year-old Hines, another pupil of Buddy McGirt, controlled the action working behind his southpaw right jab with his trainer instructing him to “back him up Rony!” throughout the bout. Hall pressed the action and worked behind his jab also, trying to neutralize his adversary while probing for a chink in his armor.
Hines’ jab to Hall’s midsection and head garnered the man from Cleveland the opening three rounds on my scorecard with Hall winning the fourth with a one-two combination and his jab. McGirt felt that the tide was turning and shouted, “I need your jab Roney!” However, Hall was simply busier and outworked Hines. The fifth stanza opened with promoter Lou DiBella – two seats to my right, an earshot from Hines’ corner– joining the narrative with “Step on the gas Roney!” Hines regained control of the fight, capturing the fifth round with his jab causing blood to trickle from Hall’s nostrils.
Midway through the sixth round Hall connected with a straight right that momentarily shook Hines who was able to regain his composure. I had to score the round for Hall because this was the most telling blow of the fight. The seventh and final round were fought on similar terms with the Clevelander getting maximum usage of his jab as his opponent came forward with McGirt being heard over the audience giving instructions to Hines, Let him get close, then go downstairs!” Hines lived up to his moniker and was too much, winning a unanimous decision 79-73.
In the third bout of the night – southpaw middleweight Kestna “Hardball” Davis (5 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) of Kingston, Jamaica fighting out Vauxhall, New Jersey squared off against Abdalla Nagy (1win – 0 losses – 0 draw – 0 kos) of Albuquerque, New Mexico in a titillating action-packed bout. Nagy came out at the bell like a gloved-B2 bomber – throwing with bad intentions – launching left hooks and overhand rights that would have decapitated a cement statute. However, Davis is a master boxer with impregnable defense, well-versed in the art of slipping and pulling back from punches – countering with straight lefts and right hooks to the head and body. They competed at a frenetic pace with virtually no pause in the action. Nagy charged forward and Davis was nimble as a mouse on roller-skates – evading punishment, firing from his arsenal – perpetual motion – landing with power and precision – capturing rounds one and two.
The action continued in the third round with Davis on the move stopping on a dime uncorking the perfect hardball – a counter right hook that sent Nagy to the canvas. Referee Clark reached the count of two as the fallen fighter made it upright – had his gloves dusted – his vitals checked, and the action resumed at the same temperature and tempo. Nagy pressed forward unaffected by his trip to the canvas. Davis boxed brilliantly – a matador in motion – gorging the bull with combinations while dodging bombs as the bell sounded bringing the third round to closure.
Davis captured the fourth and final round, displaying his wares – boxing flawlessly behind his right jab while being defensively responsible. Nagy never took his foot off the gas and pressed the action to the final bell. No surprise that all three judges’ scorecards were identical 40-35 for Davis who won a unanimous decision. It was an impressive display of the art of hitting without being hit – evidence that Jamaica has a rising star. However, I am confident that with a few tweaks in the way he delivers his punches that Davis’ fights will not make it to the final bell. Kudos to Nagy who also has a bright future because not too many boxers will be able to withstand the pressure he brings.
Philadelphia middleweight Erron “Junkyard Dog” Peterson (5 wins – 0 losses – 1 draw – 4 kos) aka “JYD” is a man on a mission. The 28-year-old southpaw understands that he is truly in the entertainment industry when he acquired a professional boxing license and selected one of the greatest monikers – the same one made famous by the late, great professional wrestler Sylvester “Junkyard Dog” Ritter – the most electrifying and charismatic grappler of his time. Like his namesake, Peterson brings similar energy and intrigue to the squared circle because he has nitroglycerin in both gloves and can end a fight with one punch. Therefore, you must keep your eyes glued on the ring whenever he is fighting because a slight distraction will cause you to miss JYD’s destruction.
Tonight, JYD was spectacular in his scheduled four-round super-middleweight bout against Raheem Davis (1 win – 2 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) of Morgantown, West Virginia who with his bleached blond hair resembles knockout artist, IBF World Junior-welterweight Subriel Matias. Peterson didn’t waste much time – introducing the supremely unorthodox Davis to the canvas with a right hook thirty seconds of the opening round. Referee Dali reached the count of four as Davis made it to his feet and was able to continue. Peterson hopped on him like a lion attacking a gazelle on the Serengeti plains – beating him around the ring until the bell ended the round. Survival is truly an innate instinct because I doubt if anyone thought that the fight would continue to the second round. Kudos to Davis for his temerity and defensive wizardry.
Peterson continued working patiently behind his southpaw jab probing for openings keeping Davis at arm’s length. Midway in the round, lightning struck twice as Peterson connected with another right hook that reacquainted the West Virginian with the canvas. I thought the fight was over. Before referee Dali could begin the count, miraculously and surprisingly Davis hopped up like he was shot out of a cannon to the amazement of the audience. In all my years of watching boxing I have never witnessed a similar occurrence. The action resumed, and Peterson stalked his opponent looking to end the festivities. A straight left and a right hook found their mark landing on Davis’s cranium sending him to the canvas for the third time. Referee Dali didn’t bother to count and signaled the end of the bout declaring Peterson the winner by technical knockout 1:53 of the second round. The Junkyard Dog is back!
In the fourth fight of the night – a scheduled six-round junior-featherweight bout Romuel “Cuco” Cruz (10 wins – 0 losses – 1 draw – 4 kos) Philadelphia won by technical knockout 1:43 of the fourth round against Robin “Gravedigger” Ellis (6 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 5 kos) Las Vegas in an extremely exciting and tactical fight with Cruz displaying his mastery of in-fighting – winning in the trenches. The fighters met in the center of the ring, and they fought at close-quarters with Cruz proving to be more adept and craftier, landing the harder shot, forcing Ellis to clinch. There wasn’t much separating the fighters for the first half of the fight with the action being toe-to-toe with Cruz being in control landing the more telling blows as Ellis survived the third round by holding until the bell. In the fourth stanza, Cruz connected with a combination capped off by right uppercut that put the Gravedigger on the dirt – the canvas. Ellis made it upright as Referee Clark reached the count of four – checked his vitals and signaled for the bout to resume. Shortly thereafter, Cruz connected with another combination and body shot that forced Ellis’ corner to waive off the action and save him from further damage. Cruz was declared the winner by technical knockout1:43 of the fourth round – a very impressive performance against a good opponent. Kudos to Cuco!
I doubt if there was a better way to spend a Thursday night – Broadway Boxing in Philadelphia with one of the greatest fighters God ever created – Lennox Lewis. Having the opportunity to meet and discuss the state of boxing in our beloved homeland of Jamaica was refreshing. Watching Lewis’ protégé Kestna Davis display his skill-set, boxing like a gloved-matador was pleasing. Trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards went 2-0 tonight with both of his fighters – Peterson & Cruz – scoring knockouts. I would be remiss if I didn’t publicly congratulate my friend – ring announcer Henry
“Discombobulating” Jones for garnering “The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.” Congratulations – you are the greatest. Thank you “Big Lou” for bringing your franchise and Lennox Lewis to Philadelphia.
Also in the arena, enjoying the action were promoters Marshall Kauffman, King’s Promotions; Manny Rivera, Hard Hitting Promotions and Dominic Walton, Teflon Promotions. Also in attendance were former WBA, IBF & IBO Junior-middleweight Champion Julian “J-Rock” William, trainer/professional boxer Greg Hackett, super-featherweight Avery Sparrow, trainer/former professional boxer Khalib “Big Foot” Whitmore and my good friend Alex Hamer, President & CEO of Ringside Network.
See you on Saturday, April 27th at The Liacouras Center as Teflon Promotions presents “Lets Settle” featuring some of Philadelphia’s finest including Jesse “Hollywood” Hart, Hammerin’ Hank Lundy, Juan “The One” Marrero, Dylan Price, Joey “The Tank” Dawejko and Juan Rivera.
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece.
ghanson18@icloud.com
