Last evening's boxing matches at the DC Convention Center gave boxing fans their money's worth, and then some.The highly anticipated rematch between Clarence 'Untouchable' Vinson and Robert 'Don't Lose Da Luz was an electric bout that had all the makings of boxers out for revenge. As we told you earlier, this was a rematch of a 2007 fight, and Vinson and Da Luz fought like their careers were on the line. Both men looked well conditioned and well trained, especially Vinson, who had not fought since their last match-up. Both men took the other opponent's thunderous punches like skilled boxers, and rebounded beautifully. Vinson was hit with a head butt by Da Luz, and needed a couple minutes to regroup, but returned to handle business.
Da Luz verbally taunted Vinson throughout much of the fight, and went after Vinson after the final bell rang, knocking Vinson to the canvas in the seventh round. When it was all said and done, and the final punch thrown, the judges decided favorably for Vinson. After the fight, the two fighters did what this guy could never do after a championship loss, they shook hands and made up.
The very hyped main event between Willis 'The Prophet' Lockett and Keith Holmes left little to be desired, and a split decision that found Holmes the winner.
Holmes, another boxer on the evening who hadn't seen action in the ring the last two years, was unimpressive and failed to deliver the strong punches and excitement fans of boxing long to see.
In the welterweight division Jamal Charlo of Texas defeated hometown talent, Terrell Davis by a second round TKO in a four-round bout. Charlo, clearly the better opponent, looked like a well tuned machine and delivered on his promise he made during the official weigh-in on Friday that fans would see "jabs, power-shots, finesse and skill."
The exhibition match between John "Nature Boy" Chavis and Tim Bolden was such that ring annnouncer, Henry 'Discombobulating' Jones made the statement, "We'll see them in a real fight with someone else, soon."
Other fights on the evening.
Louis Curtis, Jr. landed a majority draw over Gabriel Cruz (who looked visably disapointed over the decision). This bout was another good fight on the night, with much displayed talent, skill, and workmanship.
DC's 72-pound Zimmie Dickinson (remember that name) the winner over Jordan White; Tori Nelson defeating Kailyn Hattan; and Malcolm Lowery over Philadelphia's Shamsideen Justice.
Final thoughts: A well-rounded event, a good crowd (approximately 2,000), good music from the DJ (this always helps), an overall good evening of boxing from Al-Malik Farrakhan's Cease Fire - Don't Smoke and Brothers and Sisters. If you missed it, you missed a good night out of boxing.
What I would suggest: Make better preparation for media.
The After-Party: Took place at the National Historical Society (across from the Convention Center) featuring the Mix Band, and Chuck Brown.
Save the date: Fight Lady Wanda Bruce will showcase a Women In Support all-female amateur show on Saturday, June 20th and Saturday, August 15th at Rose Croft Raceway. Email Wanda at Fightlady1@aol.com, or call 202-412-3339 for details.
Seen at the fight: 1970s boxer Bunch Paige (who had a wonderful photo album of his fight career, and Sugar Ray Leonard's); Northern Virginia's reigning WBC USNBC Champion, Jimmy Lange; DC's new boxing commissioner, Bryan 'Scottie' Irving (who replaced former DC boxing commissioner, Jason Turner about a month ago), and the Peterson brothers.
(Photo #1: Keith Holmes; #2: Vinson vs Da Luz; #3:Chavis vs. Bolden). More photos, including Friday's weigh-in, here.
