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Forrest Upset By Takam
By William Trillo
Photos: Mikey Williams - Top Rank
Heavyweights Carlos Takam (39-5-1, 28 KO’s) & Jerry
Forrest (26-4, 20 KO’s) were less than bristling in the
main event on ESPN. Taking the fight against Forrest
after the “Big Dummy” Miller drug test Trifecta, the
aged warrior Takam was a decided underdog. Forrest was
the obvious A-Side in this match but he came far from
performing in that fashion.
Takam who is a true road warrior made the best of his
opportunity as he brought the fight right to Forrest who
was not expecting this kind of battle. Known mostly as a
come forward brawler, Takam boxed more than he is known
for and it served him well. Landing frequently and
making Forrest miss Takam was in clear control. Forrest
looked confused and unwilling to let his hands go over
most of the fight.
A cut over Takam’s eye became troublesome in the
mid-rounds and opened a small crack in the door for
Forrest to get back into the battle. For a brief moment
Forrest appeared to take advantage of Takams trouble but
it didn’t last long. Takam kept putting rounds in the
bank. When your corner tells you before the last round
to go for the Knockout it’s safe to assume you are
miserably behind on the scorecards. When you go out a
lose that round rest assured it’s gonna be a long ride
home and back to the drawing board. Such was the case
for Forrest.
In the meantime, judges scored the fight 96-94, 98-92 &
97-93 all in favor of Takam who took his moment to shine
on national television and made the most it with the
unanimous decision victory.
“My father passed away a week ago, so I came into the
fight with a heavy heart. It may not have been a
spectacular knockout, but most importantly, we got the
win. We took this fight on short notice, but the
opportunity on ESPN was too big to pass up. We knew we
could beat him regardless.I want anyone in the top five,
or a title shot if that materializes.”
Like a Conga player in a Las Vegas nightclub, Super
Bantamweight Carlos Castro (26-0, 11 KO’s) beat a nasty
tune out on the body Cesar Juarez (25-9, 19 KO’s).
Castro was in complete control of this fight from the
opening bell. The young man is a very talented fighter
inside and out. Juarez was a proven opponent and
promised to give the young Castro a tough time. That was
anything but the case.
After a fourth round that saw Castro land over forty
power punches the corner of Juarez wisely ordered their
fighter his night was over. Castro is a very fan
friendly fighter who is on the precipice of getting a
shot at a title. Watch out for this kid.
“I admire Cesar Juarez as a Mexican warrior and for
everything he’s given the sport. I told him it was honor
to share the ring with him. I want any title opportunity
or interim title shot. Whatever comes my way, I am
ready. I am highly ranked and prepared for the next
step.”
For the first 4 rounds Super Featherweight Joshafat
Ortiz (8-0, 4 KO’s) was having his way with Joshua Orta
(6-1, 2 KO’s). Then inexplicitly Ortiz decided to take
the fight to the inside with the shorter Orta and
suddenly it was a different fight. Orta took the final
two rounds and made this a very close fight. So close in
fact that it went to a majority decision on the cards
that read 57-57 & 58-56 twice in favor of Ortiz.
In the opening bout of the ESPN broadcast Middleweight
Fred Wilson Jr (6-1-2, 2 KO’s) was manhandled and mauled
by Donte Stubbs (7-1, 2 KO’s). Down twice and deducted
another point for holding, Wilson dug a huge hole for
himself. For Stubbs it was all about the wild overhand
right that clipped Wilson and sent him down twice. Final
scores all in favor of Stubbs read 58-54 & 58-53 twice
giving him the unanimous decision victory.
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