Rahman Gets Back on Track
Dateline: 03/15/99While all the attention this past weekend was focused on the atrocious decision rendered in the aborted attempt to unify the heavyweight crown, there was plenty of other boxing action that actually resulted in victory for the winning fighters.
Friday, March 12, 1999 - Roseland Ballroom, New York City
ESPN2's Friday Night Fights resembled one of promoter Cedric Kushner's 'Heavyweight Explosions' -- only this one was free!
Hasim Rahman (30-1, 25 KO), in his first appearance since his controversial TKO loss to David Tua back on December 19, stopped Michael Rush (17-4-1, 10 KO) in five rounds when a nasty gash over Rush's left eye forced an immediate end to the action. The cut was so bad and bled so profusely, that Rahman, in a very sportsmanlike gesture, stopped punching as soon as the cut appeared. At 26, 'The Rock' needs to remain busy if he hopes to stand out among the impressive crop of young heavyweights (Tua, Michael Grant, Ike Ibeabuchi, Chris Byrd, Kirk Johnson).
Danell Nicholson (33-3, 25 KO) knocked journeyman Frankie Swindell (34-17-1, 25 KO) down in the ninth round of their scheduled ten rounder and extended his winning streak to nine with an easy unanimous decision. Each judge scored the fight 98-91 -- imagine that, all three judges seeing and scoring the fight the same way.
Sumya Anani (13-0, 7 KO), who took a ten round decision from Christy Martin back in December, knocked down Denise Moraetes (4-1, 1 KO) in the fourth round and cruised to an easy unanimous decision -- again with all three judges in agreement, scoring the bout 78-73.
Also, Kelvin Hale (5-1-1, 2 KO) won a majority decision in his four-rounder with Jose Colon (2-3, 2 KO) by scores of 39-37, 39-37, 38-38.
Saturday, March 14, 1999 - Madison Square Garden, New York City
The Holyfield-Lewis undercard featured a couple of championship bouts which were fought in front of a basically empty MSG. While the Garden was full for the main event, plenty of great seats went to waste as the late-arriving crowd was predictably composed not of boxing fans, but rather of people interested in seeing and being seen at a 'big event'.
James Page (24-3) retained his WBA welterweight title with a 12-round decision over Sam Garr (25-3). Page looked better in his two previous outings, but this unimpressive showing may actually help his chances of landing a shot against either Oscar De La Hoya or Felix Trinidad.
IBF junior middleweight champ 'Ferocious' Fernando Vargas (16-0) successfully defended his title by knocking out Howard Clarke (26-11-2) in four rounds. Vargas knocked the overmatched Englishman down four times and appears destined for superstar status -- can't wait to see Vargas in with David Reid, De La Hoya or Trinidad.
Leo Gamez (31-6-1) recorded a third-round knockout of champion Hugo Soto (50-6-2) to capture Soto's WBA flyweight title.
Also, heavyweight John Ruiz (34-3) knocked out Mario Cawley (21-2) in four rounds.
