Williams’
Cannon Blasts Jackson!
March 30, 2002
By Andre Courtemanche at
ringside
photos
by Bonnie Margos
There aint no party like a
Detroit party, especially when Gerald Evans and Teamcannon get together
for a night of Motown Boxing. “Possess them not with Fear” featured
two regional title fights and a steamy, packed house full of rabid fans.
In the main event,
Teamcannon’s Rubin “Mr. Hollywood” Williams, 6-0 (6), won his first
professional title by smashing Detroit’s Warren Jackson into oblivion in
three rounds for the Michigan State Boxing Federation Super Middleweight
belt.
Jackson, 8-2, was in the
fight until the awesome power of Williams took over in sudden and dramatic
fashion. With his foe trying desperately to close the distance, “Mr.
Hollywood” unleashed a series of hooks to the body and head, culminating
in one smashing shot to the jaw that left Jackson out cold for several
frightening minutes.
"It felt great to win my
first belt. There’s a lot more to come after this, but it felt good,”
said Williams, who put a blossoming music career as a rapper on hold to
make a run for glory in boxing.
The young Detroiter says that
facing a more skilled opponent than some of his previous adversaries was
good for him. “Fighting a guy who could stand up and fight was good
because I could work on setting up my shots and moving him into them. I
get even more powerful against a guy who can fight back. That just makes
me stronger.”
In
the other regional title fight, Detroit’s Damian “Damo” Fuller, 17-2
(9), cruised to an impressive unanimous decision over Colombian Roberto
Ortega, 14-6-2 to win the MWBF championship.
Ever since losing on ESPN2 to
Juan Valenzuela, Fuller has changed his style to suit his angrier ring
demeanor. At one time a cutie with a finesse game, Fuller now fights like
he is on a mission to destroy. Hard, slashing hooks and thumping right
hands landed repeatedly to the head of Ortega, who to his own credit, kept
coming for the entire ten rounds.
Fuller dropped Ortega twice
in the fourth and nearly stopped him, but the South American tough guy
survived the duration and even landed enough hard punches to make the
fight interesting throughout. The final scores were 98-90, 98-91 and 95-93
all deservedly for Fuller.
“It felt good to go ten
rounds with such a durable guy and pick him apart with my speed and
skill,” said Fuller afterward. “I’m in such great shape from working
with Angel Manfredy for three weeks and then going to the Butzel Rec
Center (in Detroit) to work there. I feel that my skills really stood out
tonight.”
The other two-teamcannon
prospects, heavyweights Leo Nolan, 12-0 (4) and Rydell Booker, 5-0 (4),
took very different paths to remaining undefeated. While Booker made quick
and easy work out of Anthony “Rolling Thunder” Prince by stopping him
in forty-nine seconds of the first, Nolan was forced to go the entire six
tough rounds with Terry Porter of Elaine, Arkansas.
As usual with Nolan, his
power wasn’t enough to force a stoppage victory, so he settled for
outworking and outclassing his game, but limited opponent.
After the fight, Nolan was
upset with himself and his performance, but still optimistic about the
future. The 30-year-old, unbeaten heavyweight says he will soon be looking
for a televised debut on an ESPN2 level fight against another young
prospect. “I’m ready to step up now,” said Nolan, who already owns a
victory over 7’2 and formerly undefeated Julius “Towering Inferno”
Long.
JC
Boxing Management fighter and former top contender Marlon “Trouble
Man” Thomas, 27-5-1 (15), returned to the winner’s circle with a very
impressive stoppage of journeyman Sam Harvey, 12-10 (6).
Thomas has speed to burn and
when Harvey attempted to trade, the fight was over as quickly as it began.
The Detroit native landed several perfectly placed punches to the head
that sent Harvey face-first into the canvas. Thomas went a long way toward
shaking off the ring rust that plagued his first comeback fight (a
decision loss to Manning Galloway).
In the opening fights,
Detroit’s Tommy “Two Guns” Robinson, 4-1-1 (2), continued his
winning ways by outclassing and decisioning a game, but overmatched Paul
Reyes, while Jamar Nolan (brother of Leo) made his pro debut a quick one
by dispatching Darryl Brown in the first minute of the first round.
--Next for Detroit is an
April 19’th return to the Palace of Auburn Hills for Bill Kozerski’s
Fight Night Inc. Last time at the Palace, Kozerski and Co. drew 10,000
people to watch Rasheed Lee vs. Ka-Dy King. This time Lee returns in the
main event to tackle old school warrior Etienne Whitaker in an exciting
rematch.
--It was a joy to see Thomas
Hearns at tonight’s show, but who was the man with him that wasn’t
allowing pictures or autographs? The money you are being paid came from
loyal fans of boxing that shelled out their hard earned cash to watch your
boss fight. Be nice Mr. Bodyguard guy.
--Every fight referee Dan
Schmidt worked tonight went the distance. Every fight referee Marv
McDonald did was a quick knockout. Wonder if Schmidt was asking to be paid
by the round instead of by the fight.
--New Michigan Athletic Board
of Control Chairman Dr. Michael Sherbin introduced himself to Fightnews
and stated he is an avid reader. Sherbin will be giving an interview soon
to discuss his plans for professional boxing in Michigan.
--Referee Frank Garza always
does an admirable job of ring announcing at 1World Productions shows, but
his immense and diverse talents are quickly being overshadowed by the
striking beauty of his lovely daughter Drayonah, who has worked the last
three or four Evans shows as roundcard girl.
--Promoter Gerald Evans’
birthday was today and to show their appreciation, the sold out fans in
attendance sang Happy Birthday, as he was presented with balloons and
gifts in the ring.
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