Lincoln – With a discussed future super middleweight title shot against Lucian Bute potentially at stake, Providence’s Joey Spina (25-1-1, 17 KO’s) won a unanimous decision over Charlotte, North Carolina’s Tiwon Taylor (26-15-1, 19 KO’s) in an 8 round light heavyweight fight.
On the prospect of a Bute fight Spina said, “I got the offer, the money wasn’t right. If the money’s right, I’ll fight”. He added that he’d rather fight titleholder Carl Froch whose style he feels suits him better, but he’d like to fight either for the right paycheck.
Spina was more aggressive and landed numerous power punches to the head of Taylor though the entire fight, however was unable to achieve a knockout like he’s done in his previous two fights.
“He was a herky jerky kind of fighter”, said Spina, “I don’t think he had a good chin, I just think that I wasn’t able to hit him too much on the chin. But it was good to get rounds”.
Official scores were 77-75, 78-74 and 79-73 for Spina. 8countnews.com scored the fight for Spina 80-72.
* In the evening’s co-feature, Takoma Park, Maryland’s Willis Lockett (12-7-5, 5 KO’s) won a unanimous decision over New Englander “Irish” Joey McCreedy (10-3-1, 5 KO’s) of Lowell, Massachusetts. Official scores were 58-56 (three times) all for Lockett. 8countnews.com scored the fight in favor of McCreedy 58-56.
In the first two rounds, McCreedy was finding continuous success landing overhand rights on Lockett’s head. However, in the third round Lockett came alive raining punches on McCreedy while he was leaning in getting the crowd’s attention.
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th frames had solid two way action from both fighters. McCreedy appeared to land the more damaging blows. However, the rounds were difficult to score because both fighters were effective.
In the 6th, Lockett appeared to get McCreedy’s attention while he was up against the ropes and the bout ended with McCreedy bleeding from around his right eye.
*Super middleweight James McGirt Jr. (20-2-1, 9 KO’s) got back in the win column with a 6 round nod over Atlantic City’s Patrick Perez (25-5, 14 KO’s) via majority decision. Official scores were 59-55 and 58-55 for McGirt, while one judge had it even 57-57. 8countnews.com scored it 59-55 for McGirt.
“I needed that”. Said McGirt afterwards, “It was very important that I was since I’m coming off a loss (to Angel Hernandez).”
McGirt outboxed his opponent for most of the fight and had Perez hurt and stunned up against the ropes in the final seconds out the bout.
“I’m used to fighting 10 rounders, so I was just warming up in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounds”, he said afterwards.
It was McGirt’s first fight under the CES banner with new promoter Jimmy Burchfield after being dropped from Lou Dibella’s Dibella Entertainment. A new arrangement that McGirt says he’s happy with.
“I love Jimmy and the opportunity he’s given me. I’m going to become a world champion with CES”.
Perez hadn’t fought since 2004 after losing back to back fights. He last won in 2003.
*Bronx lightweight Jose Guzman (4-4-1) earned a unanimous decision over Lowell, Massachusetts’ Sean Eklund (6-4, 1 KO) in a 4 rounder. Guzman landed the cleaner and more effective punches through the first three rounds, before Eklund became more aggressive in the final round.
Eklund was working with former welterweight champion Buddy McGirt in his corner. Previously he’s had his uncle “Irish” Micky Ward in his corner for fight. However, on Friday night Ward was in Los Angeles working on the movie about his life “The Fighter” and was unable to attend his nephew’s fight.
Official scores were 40-36 (twice) and 39-37 for Guzman. 8countnews.com favored Guzman 39-37.
*In an exciting 4 round junior welterweight contest, Pawtucket’s Diego Periera (3-0, 2 KO’s) won a hard fought unanimous decision over Irvington, New Jersey’s Melchor Guillen (1-1). Periera was far more accurate throughout the fight landing numerous clean shots to the head of Guillen, who showed an excellent ability to withstand flush headshots and remain standing. In the end, Periera won by scores of 40-36 (twice) and 39-37 from the official ringside judges. 8countnews.com scored the fight in favor of Periera 39-37.
*Providence junior lightweight Omar Pena (2-0-1) defeated Detroit’s Rasool Shakoor (1-6-1, 1 KO) in a rematch of a 2008 draw in a 4 round fight via unanimous decision. Both fighter’s landed flush shots during the fight, but Pena was more consistent. In the 3rd, Pena noticeable stunned Shakoor and then pushed him to the canvas with his body. No knockdown was scored.8countnews.com scored the fight for Pena 40-36.
*In the opening bout of the evening, Providence native Jay Holland (2-0, 1 KO) scored a knockdown en route to a shutout unanimous decision over the still winless Chris Boykins (0-4) in a 4 round cruiserweight fight. Holland outworked Boykins throughout and scored a knockdown in the second round with consecutive right – left wide shots landing flush to the side of his opponents head. Official scores were 40-35 from all three judges. 8countnews.com also scored the fight 40-35 for Holland.
