TalkingBoxing Articles
Lacy Overpowers Pemberton, Retains IBF Title; Marquez Silences Mabuza
SUN November 6 - Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy made what may have been his last fight at 168 pounds a memorable one. In yet another impressive, devastating performance, Lacy demolished Scott “The Sandman’’ Pemberton, flooring the #5 contender two times en route to retaining his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight crown with a second-round knockout Saturday on SHOWTIME. In a second title match on the world championship doubleheader, IBF bantamweight titleholder Rafael Marquez had a surprisingly easy time as he successfully defended his belt with a thrilling fourth-round TKO over previously unbeaten IBF No. 1 contender Silence Mabuza.
The bouts at Caesars Tahoe were promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and aired at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Lacy (21-0, 17 KOs), of St. Petersburg, Fla., showed once again why many consider him not only the most talented 168-pounder in the world, but one of the most exciting boxer-punchers in any weight division. He decked the game but outclassed Pemberton with a right hand to the head early in the second. The challenger made it to his feet and attempted to fight back but went down again, this time from a vicious overhand right in the closing seconds of the round. The referee stopped the contest without a count at 2:59.
The defense was the fourth for the well-conditioned Lacy, who became the first 2000 Olympian to capture a world title when he won the IBF crown with an eighth-round TKO over Syd Vanderpool Oct. 2, 2004, on SHOWTIME. After his 14th appearance on SHOWTIME, Lacy called out fellow unbeaten Joe Calzaghe, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight kingpin, and 175-world champion Antonio Tarver.
Pemberton (29-4-1, 24 KOs), of Fair Haven, Mass., entered his first world title fight of his 12-year career on a five-bout winning streak. Making his first appearance before a paying audience in a little more than 12 months, Pemberton came to win. But Lacy simply was too strong and powerful. The defeat was Pemberton’s first since August 2002.
Marquez (35-3, 31 KOs), of Mexico City, Mexico, was magnificent as he landed countless hard right and left hands to the head and body. He scored a knockdown in the first from a picturesque left hook, and had won every round when an excellent slugfest was halted because of cuts 2:08 into the fourth round. The successful title defense was the sixth for Marquez, whose 14th consecutive triumph also earned him the International Boxing Organization (IBO) bantamweight title. The brother of Juan Manuel Marquez, Rafael won the IBF 118-pound belt with an eighth-round knockout over previously undefeated champion Tim Austin on Feb. 23, 2002.
Mabuza (18-1, 15 KOs), of Johannesburg, South Africa, performed gallantly throughout and got in his fair share of solid shots, but he was done in by several cuts around the eyes. Mabuza seemed to recover in the second after going down for the first time in his career, but he was cut above the right eye and below the left eye in the third. The bout was stopped due to the cut over the right eye. Mabuza’s cornermen claimed the cut was caused by a headbutt, but the referee ruled it was the result of a punch. Mabuza had captured the IBO bantamweight title in only his 11th professional bout by knocking out Jose Sanjuanelo in the sixth round on March 2, 2002, in Brakpan, South Africa.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was Jay Larkin, with David Dinkins producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
In addition to Monday night, Saturday’s fights also will be replayed in their entirety on SHOWTIME TOO at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
For information on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and “ShoBox: The New Generation” telecasts, including complete fighter bios and records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing.
Powell Bests Ter-Meliksetian, Green Crushes Codrington
SUN November 6 - In a highly-anticipated match up of former Golden Gloves champions, Oklahoma native Allan Green knocked out Jaidon Codrington shortly after the opening bell, on “ShoBox: The New Generation.”
The fight was waved off 18 seconds into the first round as Codrington, unconscious, fell through the ropes. Codrington remained out on the canvas for roughly three minutes before regaining consciousness. Codrington was taken to Integris Baptist Regional Health Center in Miami where initial reports indicated that he had suffered a fractured sixth vertebrae.
Doctors have since retracted that diagnosis, according to promoter Lou Dibella, and Codrington was released after neurological tests and CAT scans of the vertebrae came back negative. A full recovery is expected.
In the night’s main event, Sechew Powell continued his progress as a light middleweight prospect, taking a unanimous decision, scored 100-90 and 97-93 twice, against hard-hitting Archak Ter-Meliksetian.
SHOWTIME televised the DiBella Entertainment doubleheader from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., at 11 p.m. ET/PT.
Powell (18-0, 11 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., boxed smoothly and punched sharply en route to a convincing victory. After hitting the canvas in his two previous “ShoBox” outings, Powell went toe-to-toe with the strongest puncher he had faced in his career in Ter-Meliksetian, and did not get hurt. Powell counter punched effectively and had better mobility and upper-body movement. The slick southpaw hurt his left hand midway through the fight but did not stop his assault. According to ShoBox ringside analyst Steve Farhood, Powell could be one-to-two fights from major title contention.
Ter-Meliksetian (15-2, 12 KOs), of Yavard, showed that he could hit hard at times and was quicker than expected. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 12 contender had never been passed the sixth round in his career, but seemed to be the busier fighter later.
In the telecast’s opening bout, Green (18-0, 12 KOs) of Tulsa, Okla., attacked Codrington (9-1, 9 KOs) from the first bell. He landed a left hook, then a body shot, followed by a right cross, another body shot and a right cross that brought Codrington’s hands down. Green finished him with a flush left hook to the jaw that sent Codrington face-first through the ropes. Green, a “ShoBox” veteran, showed he is a force to be reckoned with in the super-middleweight division.
The bouts will be replayed on SHOWTIME TOO Saturday at midnight, on SHOWTIME EXTREME Monday at 8 p.m. and Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. and back on SHOWTIME TOO Thursday at 11 p.m.
“ShoBox: The New Generation” features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. The best of the new generation of hungry, young boxers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and heart as they battle each other in competitive fights in front of a national television audience. “ShoBox: The New Generation” is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport.
Nick Charles called Friday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast was Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing.
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