In the latest edition of the popular and longest running boxing series in New York – Broadway Boxing, DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s SMS Promotions presented a thrilling eight-bout card before another packed house at NYC’s famed Roseland Ballroom. Headlining the card was comebacking former junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman taking on Philadelphia’s tough Jamaal Davis.
It was the third fight and first eight-rounder for Foreman since returning from a 26-month layoff and signing with DBE. Foreman looked very fresh, and was extremely accurate with his shots. Davis, who has been in with the likes of middleweight champion Peter Quillin, Gabriel Rosado and Joel Julio, was easily the toughest test for Foreman since making his comeback.
Foreman was precise and dominant throughout, controlling the action and opening a cut over the right eye of Davis early in the fight. Davis was able to hang in there, but ultimately was just no match for the Brooklynite Foreman, who won a complete shutout on all three judges’ scorecards, 80-72 across the board.
Foreman will look to step it up even more in his next bout as he looks to throw his name into the mix of the 154lb. division.
HARDY STOPS TROST
In the co-feature bout of the evening, fast-rising female junior featherweight and Brooklyn fan-favorite Heather “The Heat” Hardy continued on her path to stardom with a vicious beating of Cassie Trost (1-2-1).
Hardy lived up to her nickname by putting on the heat and jumping all over Trost from on onset. Hardy bloodied Trost’s nose badly and was all over her, scoring with a barrage of punches that sent Trost to the canvas near the end of the fourth frame. Trost was able to beat the count, but was a beaten fighter. The referee wisely called a halt to the contest at 1:30 of round number four.
It was the most impressive showing thus far for Hardy, who improved to 6-0 (1KO), scoring her first career knockout in the process.
DEJESUS STAYS UNBEATEN
SMS Promotions highly regarded undefeated Puerto Rican prospect Emmanuel DeJesus improved his record to a perfect 6-0 (4KO’s) with a four-round shutout decision over Khalik Memminger. DeJesus stalked his opponent from the outset, landing well with both hands. Memminger was able to hold on, but DeJesus was just too much.
Brooklyn’s undefeated light heavyweight Travis Peterkin improved to 8-0 (4KOs) with a well deserved six-round unanimous decision over the tough Hector Hernandez, from Phoenix, now 10-6-2 (4KOs). Peterkin dictated the pace and was the busier fighter, never letting Hernandez to find a groove to mount sustainable offense. After six frames, all scorecards read 60-54.
DBE’s undefeated junior welterweight prospect Louis Cruz improved his record to a perfect 4-0, 2KO’s, with a dominant four-round unanimous decision over Justin Robbins.
The Bronx-native and former NY Golden Gloves Champion Cruz controlled the action throughout, working behind a stiff jab and scoring with both hands all night long. Cruz dropped Robbins with a hard left hook in the second round, but Robbins was able to survive and make it to the final bell. In the end, all three judges scored the bout a shut-out, 40-35 for Cruz.
Before a raucous crowd of supporters chanting “Peewee-Peewee-Peewee”, Port Chester’s Bryant “Peewee” Cruz pounded out a clear four-round unanimous decision over the very tough Nuwan Jayakody in their four-round junior lightweight matchup.
Cruz pressed the action throughout, but Jayakody hung tough and took a number of hard shots. Cruz scored with fast combinations to both the body and head of Jayakody, with each combination bringing the hometown fans to a standing, screaming ovation.
In the end, Cruz was awarded the well deserved decision, winning by scores of 40-36 across the board. With the win, Cruz improved his record to 6-0, 5KO’s.
In a battle of super middleweights, Louis Rose claimed his third straight victory over a previously undefeated fighter with a six-round unanimous decision over Akil Frederick-Auguste. There was good action throughout, but Rose was simply the busier fighter. All three judges scored the bout 59-55 in favor of Rose, who improved to 8-1, 2KO’s. With the loss, Auguste dropped to 2-1, 2KO’s.
In the opening bout of the night, former Olympian Ytalo Perea continued on his tear through the pro ranks with a first-round knockout over John Orr. Perea came out firing in the first, jumping all over Orr. Midway through the round, Perea landed a devastating left hook that sent Orr flat on his face. Orr was able to beat the count, but was on very shaky legs, prompting the referee to call a halt to the contest at 1:48 of the first round.
With the win, Perea improved to 4-0, 3KO’s, while Orr dropped to 1-1.
