TalkingBoxing News
Augustus Stops Oliveira After Eight
SAT July 9 - Hampton Beach, NH - A veteran of many wars against top flight fighters, Emmanuel Augustus was looking for a showcase win on ESPN2 last night.
Augustus, 31-24-6, showed compassion and class in his 10-round jr. welterweight fight against veteran "Sucra" Ray Oliveira, 47-11-2.
Augustus took over the fight around the fifth round and landed a solid hook to the head of Oliveira in the eighth. Immediately, Oliveira turned away and grabbed at the back of his neck in pain in a rather scary moment for all boxing fans. After a brief check by referee Steve Smoger and the ringside doctor, the fight continued as Augustus didn't go near the head of Oliveira for the second half of the round in a sign of true professionalism.
After the round completed, the doctor halted the fight giving Augustus an 8th round TKO when it was determined Oliveira could not continue. Oliveira was taken to a Portsmouth, New Hampshire hospital for tests and was released, according to his promoter Jimmy Burchfield.
For Augustus, the win is bitter-sweet as he has been on the recieving end of many questionable calls and could have went for the spectaular knockout on national television. Augustus said after the fight that he hopes Ray is OK and would never want to injure someone like that. This was just Augustus' second win since a very disturbing decision loss to Courtney Burton last July on ESPN2.
For Oliveira, who was recently stopped for the first time in his career in Manchester, England by now lineal champion Ricky Hatton, this could have been the final fight for one of boxing's best warriors.
Julian Letterlough [1969-2005]
SAT July 9 - One of boxing's most exciting fighters, Julian Letterlough, was found shot multiple times and killed on Thursday in his hometown of Reading, PA.
Nicknamed "Mr. KO" for his one-punch knockout wins, Letterlough was apart of many exciting wins and losses in his career. Maybe on the most memorable bouts was his epic light-heavyweight battle with Julio Gonzalez in 2001. Letterlough, 35, had Gonzalez down three times, but lost a close decision. Letterlough will be remembered for much more than that single fight, but for his entire career and as a loving father and husband.
Letterlough will be missed, may he rest in peace.
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