Recap From Baltimore!

Here is the recap from the Keystone Boxing, Rize Promotions and Kash Kow Promotions card at the Coppin State University Physical Education Complex in Baltimore, MD:

In front of a raucous crowd of fans, Baltimore featherweight Gervonta "Rambo" Davis remained undefeated in the main event with a second-round stoppage of Rafael Casias of Arlington, TX.  Davis's punches landed a brutal cut over Casias's right eye that proved too difficult to close.  The bout was stopped at 2:26 of the second.  Davis is now 4-0, four KO's while Casias falls to 4-8.

Baltimore light heavyweight Willie "For Real" Williams made a triumphant return after an almost three-year absence as he scored a fourth-round TKO over Kentrell Claiborne of Arlington, TX.  Williams got off to a slow start but recovered nicely to wear down Claiborne and stop him at 2:20 of the fourth.  Williams is 13-6-2, four KO's while Claiborne drops to 4-7, three KO's.

In a bout many fans in attendance would rather forget, George "El Terrible" Sosa of Reading, PA stopped Joseph "El Diablo Noir" Judah of Brooklyn, NY after the second round.  Fans booed throughout the contest before the bout was stopped.  According to a ringside doctor, Judah suffered a shoulder injury and could not come out for the third round.  Sosa lifts his record to 8-4, eight KO's.  Judah is now 6-3, one KO.

Baltimore featherweight Glenn Dezurn won his pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Marquis Pierce of Phillipsburg, NJ.  Dezurn was very comfortable battling inside and landed more shots than his opponent.  Dezurn scored a shutout on all three cards.  Pierce's record is now 1-1.

Laurel, MD middleweight Demond Nicholson scored a second-round TKO in his pro debut when his punches opened a bad cut on the nose of his opponent, Eli Smith of Wilson, MI.  The bout was stopped at 1:35 of the second round.  Smith is now 0-3-1.

DC-born, Baltimore-based flyweight Tyrieshia "Lady Tyga" Douglas won an impressive four-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Marisol "La Chihuahua" Miranda of Hollywood, FL.  Douglas dropped Miranda with a straight left hand in the third round and went on to the convincing victory, winning 40-35 on all cards.  Douglas is 3-0, one KO.  Miranda falls to 5-6, one KO.

The matchmaker was Brian Dillon.  The ring announcer was Henry "Discombobulating" Jones.

Before we get to the Post-Fight Wrap-Up, let me share three special moments from Saturday night with you.

1.  I know I have mentioned how special the night was personally for me.  To see a place I have announced almost every basketball event in since the building opened in 2009 transformed into a first-class boxing venue was awe-inspiring.  Especially knowing what it took to get this together.  I should say that I had very little to do with the event taking place, except to vouch for the people involved and how exciting it would be.

Coppin State representatives in attendance were very impressed.  Truth be told, the school was behind the project -- the only real issue was how to protect the basketball court that cost more than 100 million dollars.  Once that was settled, the event was going to take place.  The event fits in with the plans the university has to make the PEC available for the community.  They have already hosted graduations there as well. My personal thanks to athletic director Derrick Ramsey and Coppin State athletic hall of famer and TRUE boxing fan Winky (and wife Peaches) Camphor for their roles in helping this event take place.

2.  My credit to the promoters for honoring former IBF Junior Middleweight champion and Baltimore's own Vincent "The Ambassador" Pettway with a nice video tribute during intermission. Pettway became the first world champion from Baltimore in 80 years when he won the IBF title in 1994.  People will never forget his incredible knockout win over Simon Brown at the USAir Arena in April of 1995.

However, Pettway fought more than 25 times in the Baltimore area during his career.  Simply put, Pettway's efforts during his career helped paved the way to have the event at Coppin Saturday night.  Pettway is helping future generations of Baltimore boxers in the same gym he trained in for many years -- the Mack Lewis Eager Street Gym.

3.  What made this night even more special was the return of one of the truly leading ladies of Beltway amateur boxing.  Back in September of 2012, Tracy Thorpe of the South Atlantic Association (SAA) suffered a stroke and spent quite a time in the hospital.  Well, Saturday night, Ms. Thorpe was in attendance and looked wonderful as she was recognized by both the SAA and the Maryland State Athletic Commission.  Just put a nice bow on the night.

To hear more about the actual boxing on the event, here is the Post-Fight Wrap-Up: