Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing presented the 23rd installment of the popular “Rockin Fights” series before another sellout crowd this past Saturday at The Paramount in Huntington, NY. The main event saw Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith (21-1, 17 KOs, Mastic, NY) continue his winning ways with a 2nd round TKO over the very game Fabiano Pena (16-5-1, 12 KOs, Los Angeles, CA) in a scheduled 10 round contest.
Smith came out with a purpose at the opening bell stalking Pena behind a hard left jab. Pena did his best to try and fend him off but Smith’s relentless pressure continually backed Pena into the ropes allowing Smith to score with hard combinations. The 2nd round saw Smith land hard lefts and rights to the head and body of Pena. Pena tried answering back with wild overhand punches but Smith remained composed and his defense was tight. The non-stop action continued and near the end of the round, Smith caught Pena flush on the chin with a tremendous left hook which rocked him. Smith seized the opportunity and unleashed a barrage of 20 some odd punches on his opponent forcing referee Eddie Claudio to step in and stop the fight at 2:25 of round 2. Smith has now reeled off 15 straight wins with 10 of them by way of knockout.
Promoter Joe DeGuardia had this to say about Smith’s performance “Joe Smith looked sensational tonight against a very game, experienced opponent. I think Joe is ready to take on virtually anyone in the Light Heavyweight division and I have full confidence in Joe being in a huge Light Heavyweight fight in the very near future”.
When Joe isn’t knocking out opponents in the ring he knocks out concrete as a member of Local 66 Laborers Union.
The chief support of the card saw the “Battle for Backyard Bragging Rights” and the vacant NY State Jr. Welterweight title was up for grabs as Hicksville’s Anthony Karperis (12-2 4KO) defeated Huntington’s Alan Gotay (8-3 4KO) over 10 fast paced rounds. Each fighter brought a large contingent of fans, who were very vocal throughout this action packed contest. Karperis was the sharper of the two fighters as he boxed and effectively countered the ever charging Gotay. There were many exciting exchanges between the two local fighters but in the end Karperis came away with a decision, winning by scores of 98-92 on two cards and 100-90 on the third.
Karperis (right) goes to war with Gotay
The always exciting, undefeated prospect Daniel Gonzalez (11-0-1 5KO Woodhaven, NY) stopped the very tough Carlos Aguilera (10-17 4KO Chiapas, Mexico) at the end of round 5 of a scheduled 8 round Jr. Welterweight battle. Gonzalez took a couple of rounds to figure out his taller, southpaw opponent but once he did he turned up the heat as the two fighters exchanged freely in toe to toe action. Gonzalez’s firepower proved too much for Aguilera as Gonzalez systematically broke him down and unloaded some heavy artillery on his overmatched foe. Referee Pat Sullivan called a halt to the action at the end of round 5.
Patrick Day (12-2-1 6KO Freeport, NY) made his Paramount debut an exciting one as he and Courtney Pennington (8-4-1 4KO Brooklyn, NY) engaged in a pier six brawl. When the dust settled it was Day who came away with a 59-55, 59-55, and 58-56 decision win in this 6 round Jr. Middleweight fight.
In a pairing of outstanding amateurs, Michael Stoute (2-0 Corham, NY) came away with a very close majority decision over debuting Jonel Lorenzo (0-1 Jersey City, NJ) by scores of 39-36 on two cards and 38-38 on the third card in a 4 round Super Bantamweight contest. Both fighters fought extremely well in this fast moving fight and both had their moments but Stoute’s accuracy was the difference maker.
Promoter Joe DeGuardia had this to say about Saturday night’s festivities “What a sensational night of fights. Joe Smith showed why he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Light Heavyweight division, every undercard card was terrific, and the sellout crowd was fantastic and into each fight. It was another special night at The Paramount”.
