Random Observations From Woodlawn!

First, a few informational notes about last night's card at Martin's West:

There were two amateur bouts on the card. Shante Jordan of Nomis Boxing Gym in DC (the former Finley's Gym) defeated Samantha Dolesky of the Baltimore Boxing Club by decision.

Also, Daniel Anchor of the Lincoln Way Gym in York, PA defeated Davon Roe of Baltimore's Upton Boxing Club by decision.

(I hope I spelled the names right because I didn't get any printed info on the amateur bouts.)

Baltimore's Golden Glove and Pan American female amateur champion Franchon Crews was scheduled to box last night, but her opponent had medical issues (blood pressure) and she couldn't fight. Crews, who tried out for the first season of American Idol, did deliver a wonderful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner to kick off the pro portion of the card.

Speaking of the pro card: If there is such a thing as "a good loss" then Cory Cummings got one last night. Personally, I thought he won the bout and won it handily. I thought the power shots were there and I thought he pressured Butler nicely. Having said that, Barry Butler's comments to me have serious merit. Cummings may have been frustrated by Butler's ability to take Cummings's best shots and still be there.

I think Cummings explained nicely in the previous post why this was a good loss for him. He needs to fight more often. I know he has difficulty finding bouts. This loss may open the door for him to get some bouts.

Let me also applaud Cory's attitude after the bout. I have to share this scene with you. I walk back to the dressing room with Cory and his handlers and people in his camp were naturally down because of the loss. Cory came in and he told everyone there to pick their heads up. His attitude was superb and I believe he will turn this "negative" into a positive for his career.

And before you start blaming ring announcer "The Auctioneer" Brad Dudley for getting everyone's hopes up, DON'T! Every ring announcer -- From Michael Buffer to Jimmy Lennon and everyone in between -- has made this type of mistake. Sometimes you can't read the scorekeeper's handwriting. Sometimes an announcer is just excited because he has seen a good contest (which this one was). A ring announcer doesn't WANT it to happen, but it does. It was a MISTAKE! Get over it!!

As far as the co-feature: The one thing I came away with after watching Mike Paschall defeat William Gill was this: Mike Paschall is going to have difficulties against guys who possess power.

It sounded to me that the fans were a little disappointed in Paschall's performance. I've noticed that he hasn't been the rumbling pressure fighter that he was in his pro debut. He has learned patience and that's a good thing.

However, when you are facing a guy that's 3-10 (which was Gill's actual record going into last night) and you are facing him for the SECOND time, I think a dominant performance was in order. Yes, on one scorecard (as well as mine) he pitched a shutout, but Gill is not a powerful fighter by any means. It will be interesting to see what happens once he gets tested.

Nice performance by Willie Williams against Andre Hemphill. Williams seems to have learned a lot from his loss to Bobby Jordan back in April in Pikesville. In that bout, he was tentative and allowed Jordan to dictate the bout.

Last night, Williams never allowed Hemphill to totally get into the bout. I've seen Hemphill at his best when he stopped Alan Snyder in April in Springfield in the first round. Hemphill took a step up in class against Williams, however. Williams's solid body shots took a toll on Hemphill, who was a game fighter throughout. But Williams was solid last night.

As was Jessie Nicklow who faced his toughest opponent to date in James Shedrick. Nicklow showed a solid chin because he did take some good shots from Shedrick, who can punch a little bit. One aspect of the bout that was overlooked was Nicklow was facing a guy more than TWICE his age. Shedrick is 42, Nicklow is 19.

Also what people might have missed is that while Shedrick had the cut over his left eye, Nicklow suffered a cut on the back of his head. Hopefully, it won't keep him out of action long.

Johnathan Felton got a good win last night over the debuting Dalante Marshall. Felton bounced back from a unanimous decision loss in August in Springfield, a bout Felton thought he won. Felton faced very little resistance from the inexperienced Marshall who had very little amateur experience, I was told.

A weird thing happened after the Felton bout: Former Baltimore cruiserweight and heavyweight prospect Courtney "The RunStopper" Bridget came in the ring and challenged Felton to a bout. Bridget, who fought in the mid-90's has been a noted trainer in the Baltimore area as of late. Why this is happening, I do not know.

Among the notable sightings last night: Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, Ishmail Arvin, Tyrell Samuel, Tim Coleman, Gary Russell, Jr.,Eddie Otts, Tony Cygan and Mike Ricasa. Don't forget: Arvin, Samuel and Coleman are all slated to be on the Ballroom Boxing card at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie on Sept. 28.

Beltway Boxing legend sightings included: Courtney "Pound-For-Pound" Butler, Kenny "Phone Booth" Blackston, Ed Griffin, Ed Saurhoff, Boone Pultz and a guy I hadn't heard from in years -- "The Baltimore Express" Butch Bartlett. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to talk to him but he had a brief career during the 90's and was a very exciting fighter.

With the exception of Saurhoff, I saw every one of those guys just listed and they provided many, MANY fond memories.

Another solid card promoted by Jake Smith with Josh Hall serving as matchmaker. Baltimore Pro Boxing will have an amateur show on Oct. 7 in Ocean City followed by a pro show on October 20 at the Pikesville Armory.