| |
|
|
Gonzalez Defends Title Over Hernandez
Star Boxing's "Rockin' Fights" 37 lived up to expectations
on Saturday night in front of a lively, packed house at The
Paramount in Huntington, New York. The action started with
the opening bell and continued into the highly anticipated
main event rematch between DANNY "EL GALLO" GONZALEZ and
JOHNNY "HITMAN" HERNANDEZ.
Leading up to Saturday's fight, Danny Gonzalez and Johnny
Hernandez were clear on their feelings towards one another.
Danny had a simple game plan, "leave no doubt" in his
rematch with Hernandez. Johnny, on the other hand, was set
on revenge, proving that the first Gonzalez-Hernandez bout
was the incorrect decision.
The first round of the rematch picked up right where the
last fight left off. Johnny (now 10-5 1KO) utilizing his
solid footwork, and slick combinations, while Gonzalez (now
19-8-2 7KO's) settled in and finished the round strong.
Hernandez looked very sharp, but the WBC FECARBOX & ABO
Intercontinental championship main event turned in the
second round at the 1:24 mark, when a perfect right-left
Gonzalez combination planted Hernandez on the canvas.
Hernandez returned the favor with a flush counter right,
just seconds after standing from the knockdown. From the
third round on the bout was intensive with both Gonzalez and
Hernandez exchanging solid combinations, however, Gonzalez
seemed to get the better of the clashes. Over the back half
of the fight, Gonzalez established his control and dominance
and stalked and banged Hernandez, and while a thoroughly
entertaining bout, Gonzalez physical strength and command
was evident. At the end of the rematch, Gonzalez retained
his titles via a unanimous decision. (98-91 (x2), 99-90).
Danny had this to say about his win, "You can tell I have
gotten ten times better since our last fight. He is tough,
he is good, but I am on a different level. I give him
credit, but I am top level now and you saw that tonight." As
for what Danny wants next, "I want big fights, give me world
champions. I am ready."
In the WBC Continental America's Cruiserweight co-feature
bout, Italian SIMONE FEDERICI (now 16-2-1 7KO's) and
Albanian, STIVENS BUJAJ (now 17-3-1 11KO's) went the
distance for the hardware. From the opening bell Federici
took the fight to Bujaj, moving forward relentlessly, like a
tank. Bujaj never backing down from Federici's pressure,
attempted to slow the Italian's come forward style with
counters and combinations to the body. Over the loud
contingent of Albanian's cheering on Bujaj, Federici, from
Rome, Italy, continued to control the action through the
closing bell banging Bujaj with multiple barrages. At the
finish, it was clear that Federici would be taking the
vacant title belt, and there was jubilant celebration when
he was officially announced the winner and new WBC titlist.
The scores were unanimous for Federici. (97-93 (x2), 98-92)
Federici had this to say about his career changing win,
"This is a great moment, and a great honor for me. My goal
is to defend this title to the world. Thank you, Joe
DeGuardia, for this opportunity. "
There was much hype surrounding the battle of the undefeated
between DASHUAN "TOOSWEET" JOHNS (now 2-1 1KO) and ALEX "EL
TORO" VARGAS (now 5-0 1KO). The two southpaws entered the
ring as amateur standouts, putting their perfect
professional records on the line. In the opening rounds both
men let their hands fly, staying in the pocket, fighting for
control. After a tight first and second round, Vargas began
sitting on his punches, establishing himself as the more
aggressive fighter. With momentum on his side, and loud "El
Toro" cheers from the electric crowd, Vargas finished the
fight strong, earning the unanimous decision victory in an
entertaining fight. (60-55 (x2), 58-56).
Vargas recapped his strong victory, "My plan was to work the
jab, stay low and work the body to slow him down. I am
training with the best, so I have to fight like I'm the
best. It is amazing to be a kid, a prospect, who is 5-0, to
have that many people come out and support me, I have to
keep winning, and make them proud. "
The opening three fights of the night set the table for the
rest of the action. Featherweights, JUSTICE "LIL NASTY"
BLAND (now 2-0) and DAWSHAQUAN "THE DRAGON" THOMAS (now 0-1)
went to battle over 4-rounds, as Bland controlled the action
for most of the fight earning the unanimous decision
victory. (40-36, 39-37 (x2))
JAHVEL "SMOKIN JOE" JOSEPH (2-0 1KO) devoured "KING" CURL
AITCHESON (now 0-1) with an overhand right, just 30 seconds
into the first round, dropping Aitcheson. Only 40 seconds
later, another flurry from Joseph caused the referee to stop
the action at the 1:47 mark of the first round, as Joseph
secured the TKO victory.
SALEEM "BAD DREAM" KELLY (now 3-0 2KO's) wasted no time
kicking off the show as he stopped fellow New Jersey native,
GEORGE "THE PITBULL" GETHERS (now 0-2) in emphatic fashion
with 47 seconds left in the first round of the scheduled
4-round fight.
Star Boxing President and CEO JOE DEGUARDIA had this to say
about "Rockin' Fights" 37, "Another 'Rockin' Fights' that
lived up to expectations. From top to bottom fans were
greeted with great action and thrilling fights.
Congratulations to Danny Gonzalez on his decisive title
defense and hats off to Johnny Hernandez for leaving it all
in the ring. Simone Federici really impressed, traveling
from Italy, battling with a game Stivens Bujaj. Alex Vargas
showed again why he is a crowd pleaser for his local Long
Island fans. We cannot wait to be back at the Paramount on
February 28, for another great "Rockin' Fights" card."
|
|
|
