On Friday night at Capitale in the heart of New York City’s Chinatown, Dino Duva and Global Sports Entertainment presented “Empires Collide” — a showdown between the U.S. and Chinese national boxing teams. Those in attendance witnessed eleven bouts total, including three female fights. All mens bouts were three rounds apiece, three minutes per rounds. All female bouts were four rounds apiece, two minutes per round. 15Rounds.com was there to cover the action.
Zhilei Zhang vs. Danny Kelly (Washington, D.C.) — 201+ lbs.
Ref. Michael Rosario
In what could be considered one of the “co-main events” of the night, Beijing Olympic’s silver medalist Zhilei Zhang squared off against Washington D.C.‘s Danny Kelly in the 201+ weight division. Heading into the fight, which was the last of the night, USA and China were tied with five victories apiece. Understanding that a win by Zhang would be a win for the Chinese national team, the overwhelmingly pro-Chinese crowd erupted into a “China! China!” chant before the first bell.
Immediately Zhang assumed control of the fight and backed Kelly to the ropes with a steady stream of jabs. Kelly, who looked soft and out of shape, also looked like he wasn’t interesting in winning this fight for the first two rounds. Zhang controlled the ring, walking Kelly down and unloading on his counterpart while his back was pinned against the ropes. This trend continued through round two, as Kelly refused to mix anything up and seemed content to lay against the ropes. To his credit, he was able to pickoff many of Zhang’s punches and land occasionally counters.
Finally in round three, something the USA corner said must have registered with the D.C. native as he started round three moving forward for the first time in the fight, and not coincidentally, finding his first bit of success. Spending three minutes against ropes. Kelly comes out aggressive, finding success for the first time in the fight. Zhang catches kelly with straight left. In the end, it was too little too late for Kelly as the Beijing silver-medalist won this bout fairly easily. With Zhang’s win, China defeated Team USA 6-5.
Winner by decision: Zhilei Zhang — China. 16-8.
Zou Shiming vs. Santos Vasquez (Reno, Nevada) — 108 lbs.
Ref. David Llarado
In the other “co-main event,” Beijing gold medalist Zou Shiming took on Reno, Nevada’s Santos Vasquez. Vasquez, who was at a significant disadvantage in the height and reach department, struggled to find an answer for Shiming’s quick combinations and well-placed jab. Shiming, a southpaw, looked every bit of a gold medalist — continually putting his jab in Santos’ face, usually coupling it with a lightning-fast left, and then moving away from his shorter opponent. In round three, Shiming continued to impress by throwing — and landing two crisp uppercuts placed perfectly on his opponents chin.
Winner by decision: Zou Shiming — China. 15-1.
Fanglong Meng vs. Marquice Weston (Tacoma, Washington) — 178 lbs.
Ref. Ray Russell
In what was perhaps the most lopsided fight of the night, Fanglong Meng made easy work of USA’s Marquice Weston. Round 1 was highlighted by two straight lefts from Meng that landed flush on Weston’s face. Meng was able to keep Weston at distance, and his quick jab was never intercepted or avoided and landed at will. In round 2, Meng went back to the well and landed two more straight lefts, one of them causing blood to trickle out of Weston’s nose. In round 3, Watson tried to change gears and force the action, but Meng countered Weston’s attack and landed a looping right that deterred Weston from mounting any further offensive-minded attack. No matter what Weston tried, Meng was always one step ahead.
Winner by decision: Fanglong Meng — China. 18-2.
Jianting Zhang vs. Jesse Hart (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — 165 lbs.
Ref. David Llarado
In one of the night’s more entertaining bouts, Philadelphia’s Jesse Hart took on China’s Jianting Zhang. From the opening bell, Hart tried to impose his will on his counterpart, throwing meaningful jabs and following them up with bullet-like rights. His aggressiveness seemed to stun Zhang a bit as he never seemed comfortable in round 1, spending a lot of the round in defensive positions. When Zhang did try to engage, he came out on the losing end, as Hart rocked Zhang with a right, forcing Zhang to stumble as he regained his balance.
In round 2, Zhang put forth a better effort, landing a flurry of punches while Hart’s back was against the ropes. In an impressive showcasing of skill, Hart — who was once again backed into a corner — was able to slip a barrage of punches from Zhang, whose momentum from his whiffs almost threw himself over the ropes. Hart finished the round strong, landing one of his best combinations of the night, resulting in a loud thud on the headgear of Zhang.
In round 3, Zhang tried to be the aggressor and found success and times, but it was too late for the Chinese national.
Winner by decision: Jesse Hart — USA. 15-7.
Jinzi Li vs. Alyssa Defazio (Phoenix, Arizona) — 165 lbs.
Ref. Ray Russell
In a fantastic female fight, Alyssa Defazio of Phoenix, Arizona eked out a victory over Jinzi Li. This fight was one of the more evenly matched bouts, with both fighters matching up well stylistically. In round 1, Defazio seemed to score more than her counterpart, with a steady jab and solid rights. She created angles and moved well-laterally, but Li was not afraid to engage and exchange with her opponent. Round 2 was Li’s round, as she was able to land the cleaner shots. The final round, Defazio, who was seemingly behind in the fight turned it up a notch and was able to score with a slew of combinations. With the addition of women’s boxing to the Olympics starting in London in 2012, I would keep my eye on both Defazio and Li as they seemed to be two of the more polished fighters tonight.
Winner by decision: Alyssa Defazio — USA. +15-15.
Blige Huricha vs. Michael Reed (Waldorf, Maryland) — 141 lbs.
Ref. Ray Russell
In a close bout at the 141-pound weight class division, Chinese national, Blige Huricha, was able to hold-off Michael Reed of Waldorf, Maryland for a 18-15 victory. Reed, who gave up significant height and reach to his opponent, was able to get creative and find ways to get inside his opponents jab to connect and score points. In round 2, the crowd became electric after chants of “China! China!” were countered by the American fans who chanted “USA! USA!” In rounds 2 and 3, both fighters had their moments. As round 3 came to a close, Reed was able to land his best combination of the fight, a sharp jab followed up by a straight left right on the nose.
Winner by decision: Michael Reed — USA. 18-15.
Cheng Dong vs. Patricia Manuel (Commerce, California) — 132 lbs.
Ref. Michael Rosario
In a close bout at 132-pounds, Patricial Manuel edged out Cheng Dong with a late rally in the final round to win 11-10. In round one, both fighters landed a few good shots, the best coming from Dong, who landed a hard right on Manuel. In round 2, roles reversed as Manuel got the better of Dong, with the best punch being a huge left hook that landed just as the bell sounded. In round 3, Manuel forced the action, sending Dong back against the ropes. As Manuel continued to press the action, Dong waited patiently until she finally caught manuel with a beautiful counter that deterred further aggression for the time being. Rd. 1 — fair share of exchanges. Rd. 2 — Manuel getting the better of Dong, best punch landed right before the bell…big left hook. In the final round, Manuel rocked Dong with a huge right sending her flying into the ropes where she continued to pummel the Chinese national. Most likely behind on the scoresheet, Manuel’s fourth round propelled her to a comeback win over Dong.
Winner by decision: Patricia Manuel — USA. 11-10
Qing Hu vs. Eric Flores (Ingle, California) — 132 lbs.
Ref. David Llorado
In another bout where a Team USA was smaller than their Chinese opponent, Eric Flores was able to overcome the height disadvantage to defeat Qing Hu by decision. Hu’s awkward style and “hand on my hips” defense allowed to Flores to neutralize the reach disadvantage and lay some leather on Hu. Hu liked to throw a jab and follow it up with a left to the body, which was successful throughout the fight, but it apparently was not enough, as Flores outscored Hu for the victory. Perhaps a late final round rally that saw Flores landed a vicious jab that violently snapped Hu’s head back added to scoresheet that ultimately resulted in the Flores victory.
Winner by decision: Eric Flores — USA.
Jiawei Zhang vs. Ricky Rodriguez (Greeley, Colorado) — 123 lbs.
Ref. Ray Russell
In the most action-packed fight of the night, China’s Jiawei Zhang squared off against fellow southpaw, Ricky Rodriguez. Zhang was definitely pressing the action from the opening bell, but Rodriguez wasn’t going to run. He made it clear he was going to be easy to find and stood toe to toe with the Chinese national, both fighters landing big-time power punches. Towards the end of round one, however, Rodriguez must have been rethinking this strategy as a a huge right hook stunned Rodriguez forcing his clumsy legs to fold until he was on one knee.
In round 2, Zhang pressed the action once again and landed an onslaught of right hooks and straight lefts. Once again, both fighters found each other standing right in front of them exchanging punches, except this time it was Rodriguez who stunned sending him down. In the last minute of round 2, Zhang turned up the heat again and was able to land a big right hook right on the button as the bell rang. Rodriguez collapsed to the ground, was able to get back to his feat, but Referee Ray Russell called a hault to the bout, giving Zhang the TKO victory.
Winner by TKO Jiawei Zhang — China.
Cancan Ren vs. Tyreishia Douglas (Baltimore, Maryland) — 112 lbs.
Ref. David Llarado
In the night’s first bout, Cancan Ren and Tyreishia Douglas kicked off the night by continually engaging each other in violent exchanges. Both fighters — throughout the four rounds — were willing to stay in the pocket and throw punch for punch with one-another, but it was clear that Ren was getting the best of her opponent. Perhaps a reason that Douglas struggled in this bout was because her headgear continually slid down to cover her face. All throughout the final two rounds, Douglas was forced to keep pushing her headgear up so that she could see.
Winner by decision: Cancan Ren — China. 21-10.
Photos by Claudia Bocanegra