Bay City's Sixty Pound Junior battler, Rocky Poole puts his all into his punch on Lapeer's Jacob Milliron. Fall Fight Night at Bay City Armory Is Big Hit
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The American Athletic Association/Greater Bay Boxing Center hosted their annual "Fall Fight Night" at the Michigan National Guard Armory located at 2510 E. Wilder Road in Bay City. This year's event had an international flavor as a team of boxers from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada participated along with teams from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Cleveland, Ohio as well as Lapeer and Flint area.
For those who have not had the pleasure of seeing one of these events, and I was one of them, it was a great and fun experience. These are not trash talking competitors with egos as high as mountains. These are talented young athletes who are well trained to box, not brawl, and are in great shape.
The most impressive trait that all these athletes exhibited was the respect and admiration they have for their opponent. Following every bout, competitors would embrace and go to each opponent's corner to congratulate the trainers and coaches. Then they return to their opponent and again congratulate each other for the battle and effort each made. The respect for each other was clearly genuine.
The bouts range in length from one to two minute rounds with three rounds making a match. With the intensity of punching and being punched, it is a wonder they can stand at the end of their bouts. For many, it is the strategy and pacing that allows them to win their matches.
Safety is a top priority of the USA Boxing who sanctioned these fights. Two doctors were on hand with each boxer having to pass a pre-fight checkup and are looked at as soon as they step out of the ring. Referees keep a tight watch on the boxing to insure a good clean fight.
There were eleven bouts on the night. The first fight involved two 60 pounders in the junior division. Rocky Poole took on Jacob Milliron out of Lapeer. While both showed good technique, Poole was clearly the aggressor forcing Milliron to have to cover up. Poole won by a decision.
Match two pitted Michael Cass from FWC against local boxer Dequan Leaman the 125 pound junior division. Leaman the stronger looking boxer came out quick and strong landing good blows. But Cass stayed steady and as Leaman tired, Cass was able to keep the course boxing his way into a winning decision.
The third match involved Jay Thiebeault of Canada against Eric Gutierrez in a 141 pound senior division match. This was a very exciting and even match as both fighters boxed hard exchanging solid blows. But Gutierrez open up a cut about the nose area of Thiebeault and while the fight was stopped once to have the cut checked out and addressed, the referee finally stopped the fight.
The fourth match involved a contrast of styles in the 132 pound senior division. Delonte Heath of West Side Boxing took on Lawrence King-Miller of Bay City. Heath nailed King-Miller early knocking King down but he got right back up and took the fight to Heath. King-Miller used what I call a bull rush style getting into Heath's body and staying away from the long reach of Heath. Heath's reach got more points and he won by a decision of the judges.
The fifth match was a 152 pound junior division bout between Jacob Quarrell of Canada versus Ardreal Homes of FWC. This to me was an inspiring display of sportsmanship. The two squared off well with Holmes having the longer reach. Then Holmes caught Quarrell squarely in the midsection dropping Quarrell to his knees. As soon as the referee called the match, Holmes rushed to the side of Quarrell to insure he was alright. It showed the respect the fighters have for each other.
The sixth fight was a 141 pound senior division fight involving Adam MacArthur of Torque Boxing against local boxer Edwin Weber. This fight really got the crowd going as both boxers came out standing toe to toe and delivering multiple combinations to each other. Weber delivered some heavy blows that were taking its toll on MacArthur. The referee stopped the fight in the second round after Weber clearly stung is opponent.
After a short intermission, fight seven involved the 152 pound senior division with Nathan Ceemoans of Torque Boxing earning a decision over Bay City's Russell Mason. This was a good entertaining match as both fighters moved well exchanging lots of blows with each other.
The eighth match was a 160 pound novice division. Anthony Belanger of Canada took on DeShone Ray of Shiloh. Belanger earned the decision by taking the fight to Ray hard and fast. As Ray wore down, it seemed to charge Belanger up more as he really took the fight to Ray.
Fight nine featured a very impressive looking boxer in Canada's Vyrnn Phillips challenging local boxer Evan Wilber. This was the 201 pound senior division fight with Phillips using all of the weight class in muscle with a tremendous looking physique. At the bell, Phillips came right at Wilber with good boxing technique throwing powerful combinations each hitting Wilber. Wilber fought back but was over-matched and was forced back into the ropes. The referee stopped the contest half way through the first round after Wilber received multiple blows to the head that he could only over up and take.
Fight ten was a very different style fight. In the 178 pound senior division, Terrell Myles took on Bay City's Frank Pingatore. This had to be a difficult fight for Pingatore and the referee due to Myles' style. Pingatore was the taller boxer and every time he started to get the best of Myles, Myles would bend over heavy at the waste either to punch at the midsection or to just avoid the blows. The referee kept stopping the action instructing Myles to stand up. Pingatore quickly adjusted connecting on several blows. Finally at the beginning of the third round, Myles failed to come out of the corner giving the win to Pingatore.
The final bout of the night pitted Calvin O'Neal of Unity against Bay City's Mike VanDorn. VanDorn had moved down in weight class after fighting in the heavy weight division. The two boxers came out looking good exchanging some early solid blows. Then O'Neal caught VanDorn with a solid right and before long the referee stopped the match.
The night was exciting and fun as talented athletes played there sport in a clean hitting competitive fashion. The near capacity crowd enjoyed the bouts as they would cheer for their picked favorite boxer. As the action heated up, so did the crowds enthusiasm. It certainly gave this writer a new and greater appreciation for the sport of boxing.
It was announced that the next upcoming event will be held in February at the Birch Run Expo Center.
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"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers! |
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jimajik09 Says:
On November 09, 2010
at 07:24 AM
I just want to say THANK YOU Julie & John for the GREAT photos & articles about our Fall Fight Night.
The fighters Appreciate you work.Thanks again. Jim |
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Julie M Says:
On November 14, 2010
at 09:01 PM
Thanks John and John Jr. for covering, GREAT sports coverage and photos !!! ~ Entertainment Editor
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John Keuvelaar |
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