In front of a very enthusiastic crowd, including former WBA Welterweight champion Adrien Broner, Charles “The Future” Hatley (21-1-1, 14 KO's) wasted no time in disposing of his opponent Mark “Poison” Suarez (25-5, 13KO’s) at the Southside Ballroom (formerly the Palladium Ballroom) to the delight of those in attendance. On paper it appeared that Suarez would be a challenging foe, and after the bell rang for the first round, Suarez was the one who was actually forcing the action. But things changed quickly as Hatley, the light middleweight southpaw looked for the opening. In less than two minutes, Hatley landed a lightning left hook that sent Suarez into the ropes and down on the canvas. The referee then stepped in and stopped the fight at exactly 1:40 of the first round and it was over.
In the Co-Main Event, Heavyweight Greg “Bad News” Corbin (6-0, 4KO’s) from Dallas, Texas had his hands full, that is, temporarily against the cool and slick Jamal Woods (3-1-2, 3KO’s) from Forest City, Arkansas. Across the ring, Woods was matched up against probably the biggest heavyweight he had ever faced. Despite the difference in size, the quicker Woods was able to connect with faster combinations in the opening round and landed a big left hook to the head of Corbin to the delight of the crowd. Corbin was able to get Woods on the ropes, but Woods blocked most of the punches. In the second round, Woods gave his best impression of the Rope-A-Dope as Corbin pounded on him in the corner. In the middle of all the pounding by Corbin, Woods was able to land a few counter punches. But at the end of the round, Corbin landed a huge right hand and the crowd responded in delight. The calm and cool Woods was not intimidated by Corbin as he started the third round by clowning in the ring as he made Corbin miss his punches. Corbin then forced Woods into the corner and began to land huge shots with punches to the head of Woods until he took a knee. The fight was stopped by the referee at 58 seconds of the third round by TKO.
In the first fight of the night in the light welterweight division, DeAnthony Bonner (4-1, 2KO’s) from Dallas, Texas took on Darryl Hayes from Houston, Texas. In a competitive matchup, the quick Hayes started the first round with a big right hand that quickly caught the attention of Bonner. Bonner, who forced the action throughout the fight, constantly pressured Hayes as they exchanged punches in the second round. After a head collision between fighters, Hayes ended up with blood coming from his forehead. To make matters worse, Hayes was later penalized for holding and a point was taken away. At the end of the round, Bonner connected with a nice uppercut, but Hayes countered back well. The competitive Hayes was able to bloody the mouth of Bonner, but Bonner continued to push the pace. As Bonner tried to land the knockout punch, Hayes was able to turn Bonner on the ropes and land a combination along with a hard right hand. Unfazed by the punches of Hayes, Bonner continued to walk down his opponent. Both fighters stared each other down as the bell sounded. In the final round, Bonner continued to walk Hayes down as he landed good hard punches until the bell sounded. Although a game fighter, Hayes lost by split decision, 37-38, 39-36, 39-36.
In the Junior Welterweight division, Brian Jones from Clarksville, Texas took on the very tough Juan Ocura from Dallas, Texas. In what looked to be an easy fight for the much taller Jones, Juan Ocura gave the fight fans one of the most exciting fights of the night. In the first two rounds, Jones was able to use his reach and fend off the oncoming Ocura. Although, Ocura did pick up the pace in the second round as he started to get in close and find his range as he was able to land several combinations. The third round continued the same with the shorter Ocura forcing the action as Jones countered back. Ocura finished the round with a good left hand that he followed up with a heavy right hand to the head of Jones at the end of the round. Ocura came to fight. In the fourth round, Ocura came out swinging, as his punches started to get harder and harder. Jones took it all and they went toe to toe as the crowd went wild. Jones then connected with two right hands, but Ocura kept coming forward. They went at it toe to toe again at the end of the round, with Ocura getting the best of it. The fifth round was almost the same as the last round with both fighters giving it their all. This time, Jones came after Ocura in the beginning of the round, but the tough Ocura held his own by landing several big punches to the head of Jones in the middle of the ring. They went toe to toe for the third time in the fight and Ocura walked back to his corner with a smile on his face. In the final round, Jones was able to get Ocura on the ropes early, but Ocura countered his way out. Ocura then landed several hard combinations on Jones, but he took it well until the bell sounded. As the bell sounded to end the fight, Ocura jumped on the ropes as the crowd cheered him on. Ocura went on to win by unanimous decision, with the card reading 57-56, 57-56, 57-56.
In the middleweight division, Jay Williams came all the way from West Monroe, Louisiana to take on Christopher Jones (3-0, 2KO’s) from Denton, Texas. The southpaw Williams came out by landing a big left hand in the first round and then gestured to Williams to “come on.” Jones had no problem with that as he pursued his foe throughout the first round. Williams was able to land a big left hand in this round, as he danced his way around the ring. Jones continued to stalk Williams in the second round as he walked his opponent down in the ring. The confident Williams missed a haymaker, and then he stopped and drew a line in the middle of the ring with his foot for Jones to cross as if to say, “I dare you to cross it,” then Jones did the same right back at him. In the third round, Jones landed a huge left hook, but Williams was able to block it with his arm. As Jones continued to stalk Williams around the ring, the brash Williams taunted him to follow him. In the final round, Jones stepped up the pace as he continued to chase Williams around the ring, and Williams continued to taunt him and say “come on.” Jones obligated him and landed a huge left hand to the head of Williams. Jones then landed a good combination and followed it up with a nice left hand. Williams then landed another hard right hand to the head of Jones, and again taunted Jones. Both fighters give it their all until the bell sounded. To the disappointment of the crowd, the fight ended in a majority draw.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
