This will rank as one of the best -- if not the best -- knockout of 2007. It was dramatic and in many ways, just plain painful to watch.
Takoma Park, MD's Darnell "The Ding-A-Ling Man" Wilson scored a brutal 11th round knockout over Baltimore-based Emmanuel "Chukwu" Nwodo to capture the USBA Cruiserweight title at the St. George Theater in Staten Island, NY in front of a nationally-televised ESPN2 audience.
This was a bout that had so much ebb and flow that you may have to wonder whether Wilson won the bout or did Nwodo lose it. Both boxers were tentative at times, maybe because of the head clashes that led to the two warriors suffering cuts.
Both guys had their moments also with Wilson scoring a knockdown in the third and Nwodo seemingly recovering enough to take control of the bout in the middle rounds. In fact, Nwodo seemed to be in control until he was knocked down for the second time in the 10th round.
But Wilson, showing the heart that he has always had, finished the job with a brutal left hand that snapped Nwodo's head back while buckling his knees at the same time. Nwodo stayed down for a number of minutes before finally leaving the ring under his own power.
For Wilson, the win raises his record to 22-5-3, 19 KO's and has to firmly entrench him in the path to a world title shot, as he has won four straight against legitimate cruiserweight contenders. For Nwodo, the loss drops him to 21-4, 17 KO's. The loss was his first in the United States and breaks a 10-bout winning streak. There's no telling where he goes from here.
Just an incredible night.
I've seen a lot of fights and that was the one of the most brutal KOs I've seen in a long time. It's unfortunate for Nwodo, who is a great person, to lose like that. Much credit to Ding a Ling for weathering the storm and doing what he had to do. Who was working Nwodo's corner for this fight? A world class fighter needs a world class corner. Why was Han Kim, a promoter, working in the corner? Why didn't they have Nwodo using his jab to keep Ding a Ling off balance?
ReplyDeleteDC boxers always beat baltmore boxers. It never fails.
ReplyDeleteIf we had the same amount of sparring, you guys would never beat us. DC has more boxers and thats the only reason why. Give us all the sparring and amature fights you guys get and we would beat you easly everytime.
ReplyDeleteThe above ridiculous comment was not made by Vincent Veazey of Baltimore. If good sparring is hard to find,TRAVEL. Thank you. Vincent Veazey
ReplyDeletemy name is Rob "Veazy" Williams. I own Veazy Vending in Crystal City.
ReplyDeleteSo whoever you are Vinnie Veazy, please get a life and stop being so insecure you low life bastard.
first, I would like to congratulate new USBA champ Dranel Wilson.He is true worrior and excellent counter puncher. And he had an one of the best conerman worked with him, Charles Mooney.Congratulation to both you guys. second, I would like to say that Emmanuel is not finished. He is a worrior just like Darnel and he will be back soon. He could have used more jabs and movement but he choose to fight like a worrior. He just got caught, thats all. It happens in boxing. third, I(Han Kim) did not worked in the Emmanuel's corner,I was at the ringside sitting next to Dino Duva. If I was the corner man, I would have stopped the fight after the 5th or 6th round when Emmauel was at comfortable lead. That clash of head in the 2nd round blurr the vision of Emmanuel.
ReplyDeleteWell anyway, its over now. Again, congratulation to Darnel. You are really a gentlman. Top of the line classy guy !!
Han Kim-
Darnell is not from DC, he is a Tacoma Park/ Silver Springs.
ReplyDeleteThat comment about sparring is dumb, we have good sparring in Bmore. Nwodo got caught, if he didnt he would nave won the fight, but he did. No excuses but the ref gave neither man time for those headbutts (that affected both fighters, but affected Nwodo more).
What fight were some of you watching? Nwondo wasn't winning that fight by the time the 11th rolled around, though he had been competitive. He didn't get worn down, he got hunted down and knocked out cold. In fact, if the ropes were not there he would have run back to his dressing room, he was back-peddling, stumbling then BOOOOOM, KO of the year!
ReplyDeleteLewis got caught by Rock, Nwondo was destroyed last night by a more seasoned, better chinned, harder puncher.
Guys who get sent to the canvas three times in a fight are not caught, they are outclassed. I would like to refer people to the May forum on this fight, only a couple of us gave Ding-a-ling a chance. Even the poll was one sided. Keep making us Beltway fans proud Ding-a-ling!!!!!
Correction, he GOT worn down, hunted down and KO'd! Wilson dismantled him, plain and simple.
ReplyDeleteGabbie, do you remember April 29, 1995 when Vincent Pettway (from Baltimore) beat Simon Brown (DC)? Just a point of reference.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the way ESPN listed the corner, former Baltimore junior middleweight Kenny "Phone Booth" Blackston was leading the Nwodo corner. Kenny is from that Mack Lewis camp where they have learned from the master.
Han, thanks for the class you have shown throughout this week and for your very classy statements here.
Southpaw, I definitely agree that Nwodo was worn down in the last two rounds, but I think the bout was close going into the 10th round and Nwodo had some momentum at that point.
Gary I do remember when that happened to Simon and yes that hurt me too. I was crushed that night. Ok Dc does not win all the time-U R RIGHT!
ReplyDeleteWhat a show! For once, a fight lived up to the hype and it was two of our guys who made it happen. Bravo gentlemen!
ReplyDeletePlease for god's sake get Ding a Ling his title shot!
Mike Sawyer
i told everyone it was going to be a late ko for darnell no one wanted to listen
ReplyDeleteBrady THE BULLDOG Sensibaugh
Dammit I forgot about this/was too tired. Anyone know when/if this fight will be replayed? Or at least where I can see a clip of the KO?
ReplyDeleteDarnell is an exciting fighter to watch and clearly outclassed Nwodo. Nwodo suffered because he has been so mismanaged and has therefore fought infrequently. You cannot go from fighting stiffs on Virginia cards to competing at the upper echelon of the sport. Look at Darnell's career. He fought frequently in his home area against quality opposition, then moved outside of the area and fought some tough guys. In the process he developed into a real fighter. If you are going to develop as a fighter, following the career that Darnell has had is a good template.
ReplyDeleteHats off to him and to his long standing trainer Coach Mooney.
Mr. Sinsibaugh-Brady. You said that Ding-A-ling was going to lose. I spoke with Frankie and you told him the same thing.
ReplyDeleteHey Gary this is, Courtney "Runstopper" Bridget hope all is well with you. Wilson did is job well , Nwodo will bounce back. Kenny knew what to do we all been trained by the best Mack Lewis and so have I. Look I have reading bad incorrect story's about Nick 'Flash ' Collins sparring with the Peterson brother never happen ever . I 'am his manager and trainer so you got it from the horse mouth right here never happen . You have all way's gave Md,DC,Va,fighter's the same respect keep doing a great job. alone with the fight Doctor.
ReplyDeleteto martain 537 u can ask gary or go on the post fight interview i said late ko for ding a ling
ReplyDeletebrady the bulldog sensibaugh
YEAH RIGHT!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, Courtney Bridget is checking in? And we're reading about "phone booth" Blackston? Man, it's getting old school in here, Gary. I like it. While I'm rambling, congratulations to Charles Mooney and Darnell for a being a team that stays together through it all and shares the fruits of the labor. Also, Han Kim, since the days I covered him at war with the region's other middleweights, has always been a first-class guy. His comments on this site tell you all you need to know about how to conduct yourself with grace. As for the fight, Darnell is just too much. Even when nothing is going on -- and there was plenty of that! -- he is always coming for you. He's like the reaper. You can run, but you can't hide. Hey, I think I just coined a pretty cool phrase! -- J.S.
ReplyDeleteTom Molineaux,
ReplyDeleteyou are very right, inactivity of Emmanuel was big factor in outcome of the fight. But that inactivity wasnt choice from Emmauel or his managenet. USBA told us that Emmanuel must defend his title against highest available contender. Believe me, we went up and down the rating asking and begging to fight us.But everyone turned us down. That is the reason why we stayed at champion without defending our crown. USBA were well aware of what was happening. Darnel was the only one to step up and challenged us for the title. Darnel is true worrior and he will fight anyone. Regardless, I give all the credits to Darnel and coach Mooney. Emmanuel will be back, and better than ever. Stay tune for his comeback !!
Tom, that was from me Han Kim
ReplyDeletethe USBA is one of the more money hungry organizations out there. Darnell can expect the same demands that Nwodo received, which will be to defend within 6 months against the highest available contender or vacate the belt. They put a lot of pressure on you. I think Darnell's best course of action will be to vacate the belt and set his sights on a world title. If he can't land a big fight, he should defend against O'Neill Bell on ESPN2 in the fall and then go for the world title later in the year, although I doubt Bell wants any part of him. Nonetheless, he can expect the letters to start pouring in from the USBA to make his first voluntary.
ReplyDeleteNwodo had a total of only seven rounds in the last two years. He prepared the best he could but was caught up in unfamiliar territory in the late rounds and made mistakes. That's what happens to a lot of punchers with too many early KO's. And unfortunately, the mistakes were against a murderous puncher like Ding...
ReplyDeleteAt least maybe now, we can get some of the right type fights against awkward, distance fighters that make you look bad, but prepare you so well for the likes of Ding who's definitely battle-tested and knows exactly what and when he can and can't do.
Tom Molineaux,
ReplyDeleteInstead of shotign from the hip when you make statements Han Kim is correct nobody wanted to fight Nwodo. Han I want to say that you have been nothing but class in all the time I have known you. Gary was correct when he said that Nwodo was ahead in the fight when things turned. Also think how far Wilson would have been behind if it were not for the knockdowns. Now for the final point look at the records and you will see that Wilson fought more in VA than Nwodo has. You remind me of the TV commercial where the guy talks out his azz and makes his mouth move. Sit back and enjoy the fights, read and ou may learn something.
[i]Tom Molineaux said, "Instead of shotign from the hip when you make statements..."[/i]
ReplyDeleteThis was no attack on his management... just a statement of fact which you will know has happened to many big time punchers if you have followed boxing at all. By no means was it "shotign from the hip".
[i]... Han Kim is correct nobody wanted to fight Nwodo.[/i]
Everyone avoided him because of his power, and when he did get some action, it was usually short and one-sided. He hadn't faced the type of late rounds adversity that someone like Darnell can bring on although it was thought that Darnell wouldn't be around that long. But Ding fought one of his best fights so far.
[i]Now for the final point look at the records and you will see that Wilson fought more in VA than Nwodo has...[/i]
Exactly my point...
[i]You remind me of the TV commercial where the guy talks out his azz and makes his mouth move. Sit back and enjoy the fights, read and ou may learn something.[/i]
Look who's blowing it out his own azz... if you wanna pick a fight with someone, start with your arch nemesis Tom Cribb. Oh no... Tom Cribb already busted you up twice...
Boxbible it is plain to see that you have problems reading. Tom did talk about Nwodo's management and he talked about the quality of fights in VA. So read what I responded to before you start with the mouth. Also I have been ringside a great deal more than you have.
ReplyDeleteGary, you ought to take down the foul, graphic language. Really. There might be kids reading this thing.
ReplyDeleteI don't get this... Tom Molineaux talks about how Nwodo was mismanaged and unprepared and how Ding was busy against tough opposition... I pretty much say the same thing about Nwodo not being able to get the right fights and Ding being a battle-hardened vet... so Tom Molineaux decides to start a keyboard fight tossing foul-mouthed jabs, cuss-filled looping rights and a couple low blows... I try to keep it clean but then an anonymous cornerman jumps in and starts attacking too saying randomly that he's got more ringside experience than I have... what the hell's going on here???
ReplyDelete