Rivera Knocks Out Barnett In Ninth; Barnett Loss Leads To Embarrassing Aftermath!

Cosme "Chino" Rivera stunned the crowd in the Washington Convention Center by scoring a devastating ninth-round knockout over Ty Barnett.  The aftermath of the loss was the most embarrassing moment I have witnessed in 30 years of covering Beltway Boxing.

First, let's talk about the bout itself.  For the most part, Barnett was in control of the contest, landed good jabs and mixing body shots in.  Barnett used strong ring generalship through the early parts of the contest. 

Rivera came back in the fifth and landed a solid right hand across the face of Barnett.  Blood flowed from Barnett's mouth.

In the sixth and seventh rounds, Barnett moved in with body shots that were effective.  However, Rivera landed another solid right hand that did some damage to the cut mouth of Barnett.  In the eighth, Rivera pressed his attack and had his best round of the night until the ninth round.  As the two men threw simultaneous right hands, Rivera's got there first and knocked Rivera stiff and out.  Referee Michelle Myers counted to 10 and the bout was over at 2:52.

Then, the foolishness began as a stupid "fan" dove in the ring and attacked Rivera.  Security and EMTs subdued him but the incident turned what was a solid night of boxing into an absolute embarrassment.

I'll have more to say on this later this weekend.