In the main even on ESPN, WBA #1-ranked welterweight Brad “King” Solomon (17-0, 7 KOs) successfully defended his WBA International belt with tactful unanimous decision victory over Demetrius Hopkins 30-2(11KO) from Philadelphia.
This fight started of slow with a definite feeling out process between these two skillful fighters. Solomon’s speed was a factor as he beat Hopkins to the punch early but not without being caught with counter punches by the skilled Philly fighter Hopkins. As the fight wore on Solomon was much busier and rocked Hopkins on occasion, not without taking a few nice shots back from the hard fighting Hopkins, who is the nephew of future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins. Solomon gained national attention on Friday Night Fights in front of a nationally-televised audience with a domination of formerly undefeated prospect Kenny Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs) last June. The cards read 97-93 99-91.
Cedric “The Bos” Boswell (34-1, 26 KOs) is the new NABA Heavyweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over former World Champion Oliver “The Atomic Bomb” McCall 55-11(37KO). From the opening bell Boswell did not show much respect for McCall’s power and looked sharp and much faster while firing off sharp jabs and big handed combos on McCall’s iron chin. Throughout the fight Boswell was far busier, while the hesitant McCall, who turns 46 next month, landed occasional huge bombs and hurt Boswell a couple times in the fight. The two exchanged plenty of un-pleasantries throughout the 10 round fight, but proved to be competitive jaw jacking more than anything. The official score cards read 99-91 98-92 and 99-92.
Dieuly “The Untamed Beast” Aristilde 8-4(1KO) won a slow paced fight by unanimous decision over Lujan Henderson 2-5(KO). Aristilde was off of a tough loss in which he showed the ill effects of his war with Elijah McCall showed some spryness in his step this go The cards read 39-37 and 40-36 twice unanimous decision.
2004 Cuban Olympic gold medalist Super Bantamweight Yan Barthelemy (11-2, 4 KOs) won a hard fought battle over tough Francis Ruiz 9-5(4KO). As the fight remained competitive there was a noticeable skill difference level in Barthelemy who knocked Ruiz down with a sweet left lead hand, right hook in 3nd round. The Cuban southpaw pressed the action with a high volume of punches while Ruiz put up a good fight and exchanged often with the sharp punching Barthelemy. The cards read 98-91, 97-92, 100-89.
Palm Beach-based bruiser Erik “The Viking” Leander (10-1, 7 KOs) brought his berserker attack to bear against Puerto Rican giant Albert “El Caballo” Jimenez (5-4, 5 KOs). Leander crushed Jimenez with a brutal right hook and dropped the Giant down and out at 1:20 of the first round. Official scored a KO for the Viking.
