Rock and Box: Another Perspective!

Here's another view of last Saturday's Baltimore Pro Boxing "Rock and Box" card from my Fightnews.com colleague Julian Burgower:

Baltimore Boxing concluded with another successful show in the packed National Guard Armory in Pikesville, Maryland, as the “Rock and Box” billed Pro-Am show solidified the school of thought that Jake “The Snake” Smith is producing what is quickly becoming the most consistent venue for boxing in the Baltimore and Washington, DC beltway area.

The main event brought the fans a rematch in which undefeated Jesse “The Beast” Nicklow looked for a second win over James Shedrick in a middleweight contest in which Nicklow looked to gain a more dominant victory than in their first bout, which was fought to a fifth-round technical decision in September of last year.

After a slow first round, Nicklow, adorned in his customary red and white trunks, complete with socks bearing the crest of Poland, opened up the second round by landing hard right hooks to the body of Shedrick, 5-7 (2), who gamely fought back although being slightly outgunned.

The third would be the last for Shedrick, Philadelphia, PA, who halfway through the round had his mouthpiece blasted across the ring by a Nicklow right hand and shortly after found himself laying on his back in a neutral corner, compliments of another Nicklow right. Although he was able to rise before referee Kenny Chevalier reached the count of ten, he was in no condition to continue as Chevalier waved off the contest at 1:58 of the third round. Nicklow, Severn, MD, raises his record to 9-0 (3).

By far, the most popular fighter of the evening was female middleweight Shelley Seivert, of Severna Park, MD. Taking on Cimberly Harris, Gibsonton, FL, Seivert entered the ring to an unbelievable crowd reaction, looking for her second win as a paid professional. Seivert’s popularity was not enough however. Outgunned by Harris, a veteran of 12 fights, Seivert was cut on the hairline in round three and developed a nasty mouse on her left check bone in the fourth. Seivert fought back with heart and was able to force the judges to decide the result, in which all three turned in a verdict of 39-37 in favor of Harris. Harris improves to 4-9 (0), while Seivert evens out her record at 1-1 (0).

The most exciting fight of the evening was a junior middleweight bout as two Maryland fighters looked for hometown bragging rights over the other.

Undefeated Tim Coleman, Pikesville, MD, took on Jayson Champion, Suitland, MD, in a give and take contest that pitted two contrasting styles against each other.

The first punch in which Coleman threw almost floored Champion as he splayed across the ring off balance before regaining his composure and started to set up his southpaw jab. Coleman attempted to wade inside was successful in landing hard body shots as he came in underneath Champions punches.

Both fighters threw caution to the wind at the start of the second round as the went toe-to-toe in the middle of the ring, both staggering the other in landing punches meant to take out the other.

Coleman landed with a straight right hand in the third round which sent Champion to his backside that appeared to be more of a balance issue as Champion squared up to Coleman. Coleman was able to rise with no problems and was able fight on, using his jab to keep Coleman at bay.

At the end of six rounds, Champion’s jab was not enough to convince the judges that he was the more dominate fighter, as Coleman remained undefeated by scores of 58-55 (twice) and 58-56. Fightnews scored the bout 58-55.

Elias “The Golden Greek” Bouloubassis and Vinson Robbins’ super middleweight bout ended early but without any satisfaction from either fighters of the plethora of pro-“Boul” enthusiasts as the popular Greek has yet to register a professional win.

In his second professional outing, Bouloubassis, 0-0-2, was able to get inside on the ripped Robbins, 1-3-2 (1), jumping in and connecting early, although a head butt in the second round caused a nasty gash on Robbins’ left eye, which forced referee John Gradowski to call in the ringside physician as blood streamed down Robbins’ face. The injury was deemed too severe for Robbins to continue and the bout was ruled a technical draw, much to the dismay of both fighters.

In heavyweight action, Bowie, MD native Ray “Horace” Grant stopped Glenn Williams, of Palm Harbor, FL at 2:25 of the fifth round. Williams drops to 4-4-1 (4) and Grant improves to 3-1 (2).

Notables in the crowd included former three-time world champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, former IBF Featherweight Champion Eric “Mighty Mouse” Aiken, former WBO Cruiserweight Champion Boone Pultz and current USBA Cruiserweight Champion Emmanuel Nwodo. “Rock and Box” was promoted by Jake Smith’s Baltimore Boxing and concluded with a concert following the fight card.

There are photos from this bout courtesy of Beltway Boxing Photographer Linda Siadys by going to javascript:ol('http://photodawg1.smugmug.com/gallery/2329374%23125921517');