Page Schools McBride in Poughkeepsie

Ohio journeyman Zack Page (21-29-2, 7 KO’s) ruined the comeback plans of former Irish heavyweight champion Kevin McBride (34-7-1, 29) Saturday night in Poughkeepsie over 8 lopsided rounds. Official scores were 80-72 (twice) and 78-74 for Page.

McBride, the man who sent Mike Tyson into retirement after forcing the former undisputed champ to quit on his stool in their June 2005 fight, was consistently outboxed and beaten to the punch by Page on Saturday.
Page, weighing 205.5 pounds to McBride’s 282 pounds, was far too quick and active for the lumbering Irishman who had not fought in almost 3 years due to injuries. Despite McBride being a former Olympian and having a win over Tyson, an opponent with a losing record outclassed him. At age 37, it might be the end of the road for the likable lad who for one night in 2005 had the eyes of the sports world upon him as he shocked the former baddest man on the planet into retirement. Now, retirement might be calling for McBride. Dating back to 2007, he’s lost 3 straight.


Photo Copyright: Ed Anderson/ 8countnews.com

In the evening’s co-feature, Puerto Rican featherweight prospect Luis Orlandito Del Valle (10-0, 8 KO’s) earned his best win as a pro with a 4th round KO of veteran Pasqual Rouse (20-15-3, 11 KO’s). Del Valle, a former amateur standout now signed with influential promoter Lou Dibella, was able to neutralize Rouse’s roughhouse tactics and finish Rouse off with combination in the 4th round. With the win, Del Valle won the New York state featherweight title.

Also on the card, heavyweights Nagy Aguilera (16-3, 11 KO’s) made quick work of Texas’ Roderick Willis (14-7, 8 KO’s) with an opening round TKO. Aguilera, best known for his 2009 1st round TKO over former titleholder Oleg Maskaev, cornered Willis and a barrage of unanswered punches forced the referee to intervene and stop the fight. It was Aguilera’s first bout since being stopped last March by former titleholder Sam Peter in a title eliminator.