| 18 July 2010
In a night punctuated by non-stop action and a blown transformer that left the Rockwall’s Harbor District blacked out, Black Gloves Promotion put forth a night of pugilistic action that captivated the fight fans in attendance Saturday night. (All photos © Edward Garza/NorthTexasFisticuffs.com).
Texas State Middleweight Title Fight
James “Boogie” Freeman (7-2, 6 KOs) KO 4 Larry “Slomoshun” Smith (8-2, 6 KOs)
Time of knockout: 2:15 in round four
In a fight that had fireworks written all over it, former amateur standout Larry Smith and all-action slugger James Freeman engaged in a four round war that was filled with heated exchanges and heated words. The fight was a rematch of a February meeting between the two fighters, one that Smith won via unanimous decision. Things started off with a twinge of animosity as Freeman and Smith exchanged heated words and gestures to one and other during the fighter introduction. With emotions already running high, Smith and Freeman set the tone of the fight early on as the battered each other with salvo after hard salvo. While Smith was clearly the more polished fighter, a byproduct of his sterling amateur career, Freeman was undeterred in battle. Smith began to loose ground in the fight as he absorbed the heavy hands of Freeman and the night ended in spectacular fashion after Freeman landed a straight right hand that split the guard of Smith. Smith went down, melting into the canvas, and though he gamely rose to beat the count, the referee waved a halt to the contest.
With the win Freeman captured the Texas state middleweight, much to the chagrin of Smith who made it abundantly clear that he wants another crack at Freeman to regain his title. While this fight packs all the personal animosity to make a compelling rematch, Freeman does have options at middleweight. After the fight, Freeman called out Joey Dunmoodie who was in attendance. Freeman has a long running feud with the Dunmoodie’s having beat Franco Dunmoodie before dropping a majority decision to his brother Joey. A potential dark horse waiting in the wings is Fort Worth’s Corey Washington who was to have initially fought Smith on this card before Freeman was given the assignment.
Junior Middleweight Co-Main Event
Charles “The Future” Hatley (12-0, 10 KOs) TKO 1 Michael Soberanis (7-17-2)
Time of stoppage: 2:15 round one.
On one hand, you have to give credit to Soberanis for taking a fight with the highly-dangerous Hatley on one days notice. But, on the other hand, don’t take the fight if you don’t intend to actually put forth the effort to win. Harsh criticism I know, but in a fight that Hatley was dominating, but one that Soberanis was not really taking that much punishment, Soberanis’ corner inexplicably threw in the towel as soon as Hatley landed a three punch combo. Soberanis didn’t appear to be in any real danger, but never the less, his corner saw it fit to end the fight at the slightest hint of danger. I understand that such actions should be considered commendable, but this is boxing not ballet. Punches to the face are the norm and not an act of violence and Soberanis’ team would be wise to remember that.
Rafael Casias (3-3) UD 4 Christoval Larrazolo (1-2)
Scores: 40-34, 39-36, 38-37
Its official, Rafael Casias can not fight a boring fight. He can’t do it, it’s not in his nature. Inarguably one of the most exciting fighters to watch here in North Texas, Casias put forth a clinic on how to fight on the inside against the taller, rangier Larrazolo. While Larrazolo was able to unleash multiple salvos as he backed up Casias on many occasions, Casias was able to use some slick defensive movement to slip and counter with hard salvos of his own. It was a testament to Casias boxing acumen, one that he has honed under the tutelage of local pug and trainer Jabbar Herd along with the unquestionable talent found at the Fitness Fight Factory, a MMA hotbed of talent, where Casias trains at.
Casias is a throwback to an era when fighters not only fought, but made it a point to give the crowd their money’s worth. Never one to duck a challenge, Casias called out Duncanville’s Luis Yanez in his post fight interview.
“Luis Yanez says I’m ducking him. I’m not ducking him. You tell Yanez I will fight him anytime.”
Maybe North Texas fight fans will be fortunate enough to witness such a clash.
Mark “Too Sharp” Davis (13-0, 4 KOs) UD 4 Wayne “Hotdog” Fletcher (5-28-2, 3 KOs)
Scores: 40-36, 40-36, 39-37
Despite his less than impressive professional record, Fletcher always comes to the ring looking to fight. Unfortunately, Saturday night he was paired with the extremely gifted Davis. Davis, whose amateur credentials are impeccable, was simply to fast, and too gifted for Fletcher. Using slick boxing and lightning fast hands, Davis repeatedly beat Fletcher to the punch in a dominated one-sided victory.
Kentrelle “Beast” Claibourne (2-0, 1 KO) 4 SD Greg “The Technician” Hatley Jr. (0-1)
Scores: 38-37, 38-37, 37-38
Those who are familiar with the Dallas amateur boxing scene over the years know just how much of a force the Hatley brothers were in the ring. While Charles Hatley has translated his amateur stardom into the professional ranks, Greg Jr has been slow to take the next step. To be fair, it’s not Hatley’s fault that his professional career has taken its time to begin. After all, when you carry the reputation of being a beast in the amateurs, finding willing participants to fight you sans headgear is often a lesson in frustration. Enter Claibourne, the Louisiana transplant, now based out of Cleburne was not Hatley’s first choice of an opponent for a professional debut. While Claibourne may be far less experienced in the ring than Hatley, one cannot discount the sheer determination and strength that Claibourne posses.
Claibourne’s tools carried him early on in the fight. As Hatley tried to use his reach and box from the outside, Claibourne methodically stalked him behind a concussive right hand that eventually cracked the guard of Hatley and deposited the former amateur standout on the seat of his pants in the first round. Give credit to Hatley for righting himself to rally back in the second round. From there the fight became a closely contested battle with Hatley appearing to be the more active fighter but Claibourne’s heavy shots visibly shaking Hatley. To two fighters didn’t disappoint in the fourth and final round as they closed out the show in spectacular fashion by standing and trading hard bombs at one another. To be honest, the fight could have gone either way, but in the end, Claibourne’s will was what carried him to victory.
Fernando Rodriguez (4-0, 3 KOs) TKO 4 Geraldo Dominguez (1-8)
Time of stoppage: 0:10 round four.
Pleasant Grove’s Rodriguez fights mean. In the ring, he seems to not be content with just beating you, but actually hurting you. Not in any malicious way, it’s just that the kid is a natural fighter. To date, he has been on a tear in the professional ranks and has already engaged in more than a few memorable battles (his fight with Forrest Curry should be a candidate for Fight of the Year). Against Dominguez, Rodriguez was facing a fighter with a will, and chin of iron. Dominguez, despite his record, is a fighter that comes to fight. Not only that, it takes a bazooka to drop the Tyler resident. Rodriguez seemed to know this going in so he utilized arguably the most brutal body attack I have seen ringside. Every hook and uppercut to the gut, the ribs, and the sternum was throw with murderous attempt. Dominguez took a beating, but dished out his own brand of body punishment that made for a beautifully grueling battle. After being dropped twice in the contest, Dominguez’s corner wisely threw in the towel prior to the start of the fourth round.
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