A vivacious crowd accented a special Thursday night edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, that was headlined by a 10-rounder featuring a battle royal to top off the appropriately named “Noche De Combates”. Fredrick “General Okunka” Lawson 24-0, (20 KOs) of Ghana earned a hard fought 10 round split decision over Colombian Breidis “El Khanqueror” Prescott (27-7, 20 KOs) of Colombia. With great give and take action througout the entire fight with Prescott hitting the floor in round three but to come back in round four with a great overhand right that backed Lawson up to help even the tide. Round six was a great round with an almost a Gatti-Ward feel. Relax I said almost. This was a great fight for a great crowd. The finals cards read 95-94 twice for Lawson with the final card coming in at 96-93 for the Colombian Prescott.
In the co-main event former IBF Super-Featherweight champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy, who is 22-0(13KO) made easy quick work of Angino Perez (18-7, 6 KOs) in his first fight as a lightweight after vacating his IBF strap for bigger purses at lightweight. As Teddy Atlas called it, a total mismatch. Early in round two Barthelemy unloaded on Perez with a quick end at 15 seconds into round two.
In a slugfest Egyptian bomber Ahmed Elbiali 10-0(9KO) was taken the distance for the first time by Michael Stafford 13-3(3KO). In Elbiali’s last fight, a bout that was shown live on ESPN “Friday Night Fights”, Elbiali, scored an impressive 2nd round knockout against former undefeated foe Dustin Echard (10-1, 7 KOs).
For the undercard of the ESPN Friday Night Fights heavyweight Robert Alfonso improved to 5-0 with a sharp shooting target practice TKO win over Raymundo Lopez 4-12(2KO) to get the night started at Hialeah Park Rachin and Casino.
Antonio Tarver Jr. 2-0(2KO) resembled his father while boxing in his southpaw stance and stalking Bruce Lutchmedial with a commanding jab setting up slick combinations. With no amateur career Tarver was blessed with natural ability in the ring, moving like a seasoned pro. The end came after a final assault by the second generation boxer to the bell ending round three and by advisement of his corner.
Michael Seals 19-0(14KO) dropped Carlos Reyes 7-6-1(5KO) in round five with a straight right hand which looked like it came all the way from his home in Atlanta Georgia. Reyes who normally fights at a heavier weight gave Seals a test with good movement and tough give and take. Seals mentioned after the fight Reyes was slick and a tough challenge. The final cards read 60-53 twice and 59-54.
Jr Middleweight Daquan Arnett 13-1(9KO) kept on the comeback trail as he dismantled journeyman and too-tough-for-his-own-good Travis Hartman 13-22-1(10KO). Hartman hit the canvas a number of times by result of well placed blistering body shots throughout the fight. The crowd patiently awaited the eminent end for the Orlando boxer. This is the second consecutive win for Arnett since dropping a heartbreaking decision to Eddie Gomez in January of 2014.
Undefeated Cuban heavyweight Yasmany “El Tiburon” Consuegra improved to 15-1(14KO). Consuegra has a record of 16-0 with 14 knockouts, most in the early rounds. Consuegra has not had to wait for the scorecards to be tallied since winning a four-round bout 5 years ago in only his third lifetime.
Super welterweight “Silky” Wilky Campfort 20-1(11KO) from Tampa stopped Jamaican Devon Moncrieff 10-4(4KO) after five rounds to earn his twentieth with as a pro.
Super featherweight Kamil Laszczyk 20-0(8KO) had his hands full with Jose Luis Araiza 31-11(22KO) and had to come off the canvas twice and saved by the bell to come back and stop Araiza with a willful non stop effort. A cut over the left eye of Araiza and a headbutt in round 5 followed by an onslaught by the determined Polish pugilist. Araiza was saved by the bell and by his corner whom advised the fight stopped after 5.
Polish Super middleweight Patryk Szymanski improved his mark to 13-0(8KO) with a TKO victory over a very game Yoryi Estrella 11-10(8KO). The Polish Szmanski picked apart his opponent with heavy shots at all angles, while touching his body and head often. Referee Sam Burgoes wisely stopped the bout at the end of two.
