On Saturday, June 16th, NBC Sports Network “Fight Night will return with Tomasz “Goral” Adamek vs. “Fast” Eddie Chambers at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The first fight will be 6:30pm at “The Rock” and the NBCSN broadcast will begin begin at 9PM ET. There’s a deep undercard for the show, including Bryant Jennings, the undefeated heavyweight prospect, and much more.
Bryant Jennings:
Jennings made a big splash when he agreed to step into the very first NBC Sports Network Fight Night main event. Jennings beat Maurice Byarm that night, and has been on a roll ever since. His TKO of Sergei Liakhovich on NBCSN in March proved that Jennings was no fluke. This Saturday, Jennings, 13-0, 6 KOs, makes his third appearance on the series when he takes on Steve Collins, 25-1, 18 KOs for the USBA heavyweight title in the 10-round co-feature.
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Steve Collins:
The once-defeated Texan Steve Collins, 25-1-1, 18 KOs, has twice as many pro bouts as the fast-rising Bryant Jennings, and has more knockouts than Jennings has fights. So, the “Freight Train”, as his fans call him, may present a stern challenge for the new NBCSN star. With all that power, Collins will certainly be looking to test Jennings’ chin. To help him out, the Texan will have height and weight advantages over the Philadelphian. Perhaps Collins can do what Jennings’ previous 13 opponents could not.
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Curtis Stevens:
In his first fight as a true middleweight (160 lbs.), Curtis Stevens, 22-3, 16 KOs, looks to make a splash before Adamek’s Polish fans at the Prudential Center, where he upset then undefeated Pitor Wilczewski, in his last start in Newark, on July 11, 2009. Curtis has extra incentive this time out now that his new baby boy, Amor, is in his life and inspiring him to work harder than ever. Stevens faces Marcus Upshaw, 14-7-2, 6 KOs, in an 8-rounder that will air on NBCSN between the co-feature and main event.
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Marcus Upshaw:
Floridian Marcus Upshaw, 14-6-2, 6 KOs, is best known for his 2008 draw with James McGirt, Jr. His last time out he beat Durrell Richardson by unanimous decision. This time, he’s had a full five weeks of training camp, and comes to Newark with upset on his mind. The natural 160-pounder should be a real test for Curtis Stevens.
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Doel Carrasquillo:
Known as “The Upset King” to many, the heavy-handed Doel Carrasquillo is the kind of guy who is in the fight until the very end, even if he falls behind on the scorecards. Doel carries fight-ending power in both fists, as upset victims Shamone Alvarez (TKO5), Denis Doughlin (TKO3), and many others can attest. His deceiving record of 16-19-1, 14 KOs, has lulled many into thinking he is a push over, but Carrasquillo always comes to fight. Jamaal Davis will have to be careful in this one.
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Jamaal Davis:
Jamaal “Da Truth” Davis, 13-8-1, 6 KOs, is coming off a solid decision victory over tough Eberto Medina, and is looking to stay in the win column against Carrasquillo, in this his second appearance at the Prudential Center. The classic Philly fighter, has faced one tough foe after another in his career, and is always prepared to do battle. Davis has the skills to beat Carrasquillo, but will have his hands full until the final bell. Davis will have to be at his best in this must-win fight.
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Jose Peralta:
Jersey City resident, Jose Peralta makes his third start at “the Rock” when he squares off against Dontre King of Maryland in a 6-round bout. In his last fight, Peralta topped Samuel Santana in tough battle, for his sixth straight victory. If he can keep that streak going against King, Peralta, 8-1, 4 KOs, may start turning some heads in the jr. welterweight division.
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Dontre King:
This Maryland measuring stick figures to test Peralta, as he has numerous other young prospects. Although he lost his last bout, Dontre King went four for five before that. If taken lightly he’s a sleeper that is ready to pounce. He’s the type of guy Peralta has to be careful with. He’s not squeamish about taking out-of-town fights, or facing rising stars with pretty records. In fact, that’s exactly what he does.
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John Thompson:
Known as the “Apollo Kid”, John Thompson is a hometown middleweight making his first-ever start at Prudential Center. He’ll try to impress the boxing-smart Newark crowd when he puts his spotless, 8-0, 3 KOs record on the line against journeyman John Mackey of Montgomery, AL. The 22-bout veteran is the most experienced fighter Thompson has ever faced.
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John Mackey:
It was not so long ago that John Mackey, 13-6-3, 6 KOs, dished a 15-0 Donald Orr his first career setback. He’ll be looking to do the same against John Thompson Saturday night. He’s previously fought before the action-hungry Prudential Center crowd, so he knows he has to come to fight. In his last bout, Mackey held 11-1 Vladine Biosse to an 8-round draw. Thompson’s mere 8-0 record has Mackey licking his chops.
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Tureano Johnson:
Undefeated Tureano Johnson looks to extend his pro winning streak to nine straight with his first trip to “the Rock”. Only two fighters have avoided being knocked out by Johnson, a native of the Bahamas. As an amateur, Johnson had more than 300 bouts and spent three years in the Cuban amateur boxing program, which to a boxer, is like getting a Harvard education. Johnson faces Roberto Yong on Saturday.
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Roberto Yong:
Roberto Yong is coming off his upset of skilled Philadelphian Fred Jenkins, Jr. His two-fisted power punching shocked the undefeated Jenkins, who may have been caught looking past Yong’s ordinary-looking 5-4-1, 4 KOs, record. No doubt Yong will be looking to surprise Tureano Johnson when they meet in their six-round middleweight scrap.
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Patrick Farrell:
A fireman from Jersey City, heavyweight Patrick Farrell, 6-1-1, 3 KOs, is no stranger to the Pru Center fans. His 4-rounder against Philly’s David Williams on Saturday will be his fourth appearance at the venue. Farrell’s only loss came at the hands of another Philadelphian, so he will be looking for some measure of revenge against Williams.
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David Williams:
Philadelphia’s David Williams will be looking to end his three-bout losing streak when he gets in the ring with Patrick Farrell. Williams lost to rising star Bryant Jennings about one year ago, so he’s been in with some very stiff competition. He should provide a good test for Farrell, who’s 50% KO percentage may not be enough to send Williams back to Philly early.
