Chaney and Graceski Gets the TKO Victory; Lino and Johnson loses the decision and Crespo Gets the BI
[Uncasville, Connecticut] There were 5 local New England boxers fighting on Main Event’s last night’s pro boxing event entitled “Mohegan Sun’s Rising Stars Boxing Series” held at the Mohegan Sun’s Ballroom. In the Heavyweight division we had
Cassius Chaney of New Haven, CT vs. Mexico’s Carlos Sandoval. I was surprised that Cassius didn’t have his usual high hair but new to his corner was John David Jackson. The bout was scheduled for 4 rounds. Cassius had an increase height difference between the 2 fighters. Round 1 Cassius staring off and going to the body. While Keeping Sandoval at bay with his arms. I’m really not sure if Sandoval landed anything. Round 2, Cassius the busier of the two fighters and coming forward on Sandoval. Sandoval instead of jabbing he keeps smiling in the ring. I don’t know how much more Sandoval can take of Cassius’ punches. At the 3 minute mark on the 2nd round, referee Michael Ortega calls a halt to the bout and Cassius advances to 8-0-0, 5 Kos and wins by TKO.
Light Heavyweights, Ray “Bazooka” Graceski of Springfield, Massachusetts whom we haven’t seen fight locally in a few years stepped back in the ring against mma fighter Rodrigo Almeida of Woburn, Mass. During round 1 of 4 Graceski controlled the bout while Almeida kept shaking his right hand/wrist. You could tell something wasn’t right with Almeida. After the doctor was called to the ring, referee Danny Schiavone stopped the bout at 1:25 of round 1 and Ray got the TKO victory and advances to 4-0, 2 Kos and Almeida goes the other way to 1-6.
Middleweights – 6 Rounds: Well-known Lino Fernandes of Brockton, Massachusetts took on St. Louis, Missouri Vaughn Alexander [and older broker of Devon Alexander]. Lino took some punishment in there while taking some heavy shots. It was Lino circling around Alexander while Alexander kept trying to cut off the ring. Alexander landing the heavier shots and controlling the action. Lino jabbing to keep Alexander at arm’s length. After 6 of 6 rounds all 3 judges scored the bout 60-54 by UD in favor of Alexander. Fernandes decreases to 7-29-3, 2 Kos.
New Haven, Connecticut, super Bantamweights, Josh Crespo vs. Jesus Gonzalez of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. First round ended quickly of the scheduled 6 rounds. Gonzalez started off looking to control the bout. Crespo steps in and lands a right on Gonzalez and Gonzalez goes straight to the canvas at 1:47 of round 1 and wins by KO. Crepso advances to 7-4-3, 3 KOS.
Cruiserweights – 4 Rounds: Boston’s Tracey Johnson vs. pro debut Kennedy “The Shadow” Katende of Uganda. Both fighters jabbing there was through the 4th round, exchanging punches. Katende lands a right in round 3 and Johnson goes to the canvas. Johnson continues and Katende tries to finish Johnson off and end the fight. As we get into round 4, right before the end of the round, Katende tried to finish off. Johnson landing the clearer shots, but it is what it is… Bell rang. After 4 rounds the judges scored the bout all in favor for Katende by UD 40-35.
On hand at the fights I did recognize Toka Kahn who will be fighting next weekend in Rhode Island.
Other non-New England Bouts:
Jr. Middleweights – 6 Rounds: Enriko “Gudan” Gogokhia vs. Arizona, Roberto “Ali” Yong. After 6 rounds and straight to the score cards, Steve Weisfeld judged the fight 59-55 for Gogokhia; Dick Flaherty 59-55 for Yong and Tom Carasqure (?) 60-54 for Gogokhia. Gogokhia won by split decision.
Featherweights – 4 Rounds: Ernesto Ornelas of Portland, Maine vs. Kevin Asmat of Union City, New Jersey. Round 1 Ornelas got dropped. Round 2 Ornelas gets dropped once more by right hook. Dammm the crowd went crazy. Ref Mike Ortega stopped the bout at 1:02 of the 2nd round. Asmat wins by TKO.
Junior middleweights – 6 rounds: Madiyar Ashkeyev of Kazakhstan vs East Meadow, New York, Marcus Beckford. After 6 rounds the judges scored the bout 59-55 3x all in favor of Ashkeyev by UD.
Main event between Virgilijus "The Terminator" Stapulionis, Oxnard, CA vs. Patrick Day of Freeport, NY. This was a very exciting, action packed main event. During round 3 Day dropped Stapulionis to the canvas. After 10 rounds of Day controlling the action the judges scored the bout 97-92; 99-90 and 98-91 in favor of Day.
