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Alicia Ashley vs. Crystal Hoy — Jr. Featherweights, 8 Rounds
In the first ever female main event in New York City boxing history, Brooklyn’s Alicia Ashley bested Sin City’s Crystal Hoy by a unanimous decision at the Masonic Temple in the historic Fort Hood section of Brooklyn.

Ashley lived up to her nickname, “Slick,” as she cruised to her wide-margined victory over eight rounds. It was clear from the get-go that Hoy would have trouble with her much taller opponent, and subsequently, Ashley was able to keep her opponent at bay.

The opening round set the pace for the fight, with Ashley getting the better of Hoy, while still playing host to a few solid shots thrown by Hoy. As the fight progressed, Ashley continued to implement her strategy of firing off a few punches, then swiftly move out of harm’s way.

Hoy spent most of the fight attempting to apply pressure to the elusive Ashley. Unfortunately for the Filipino-American, success was few and far between. Although her corner repeatedly pleaded with Hoy to throw more punches as the two were tied up, insisted that Ashley was feather-fisted, screaming “She can’t hurt you!” she was unable to fully capitalize while on the inside with Ashley.

In the eight round, much to the delight of the hometown fans, Ashley scored a knockdown courtesy of a grazing left hook. Hoy was unshaken by the knockdown, but at that point it was all academic anyway.

Ashley defeated Hoy by scores of 80-71 and 79-72, twice.

With the win, Ashley improves to 16-9-1, 1 KO, while Hoy drops to 5-4-3, 2 KO.

“I felt a little rusty,” said Ashley, 16-9-1 (1 KO). ” I wasn’t being the typical slick fighter I am because Crystal forced me to fight her fight at times.

When asked how she felt being a part of female boxing history Ashley said: “It was nerve wracking. I was so nervous but I’m glad I came out on top and won the fight.”

“This was an amazing event, the support for both the females from all in attendance was overwhelming and it meant a lot. It showed the changing tides in accepting an athlete for an athlete, regardless of gender. I want to thank Global Boxing’s Mariusz Kolodziej for believing in me and helping make this all possible.”

“I was very pleased to be a part of this milestone in boxing history,” said Global Boxing CEO Mariusz Kolodziej. “But I was sitting and watching; It was all Maureen Shea. I’m so glad to see her succeed.”

Eilon Kedem vs. Jose “Chily” Rivera — Jr. Welterweights, 6 Rounds

In what was undoubtedly the fight of the night, New Rochelle’s Jose “Chily” Rivera eked out a close majority decision victory over Brooklyn’s Elion Kedem.

From the opening bell, the two junior welterweights made it clear that they were willing to take a punch or two to land a few of their own — and that’s exactly what they did for the entire eighteen minutes spent inside the ring together.

After two rounds of non-stop back and forth action, both fighter’s faces were already marked up, and Rivera had blood dribbling out of his nose.

The third round would feature all that and more when the two to engaged in battle for the full three minutes. To both of these fighter’s credit, they threw all of their punches with purpose — it was an impressive display of discipline and offensive skill on both their parts.

They fought within inches of each other for most of the fight, with Kedem committing to attacking Rivera’s body, while “Chily” consistently snapped Kedem’s head back courtesy of well-placed right uppercuts.

Chants of “Mexico! Mexico!” broke out in the crowd (to support Rivera) and the crowd gave a round of applause as these two fighter’s slugged it out until the final bell.

In a bout in which virtually every round could have went either way, one judge scored it even, 57-57 while two judges scored the bout in Rivera’s favor, 59-55 and 58-56, giving “Chily” the victory.

With the win, “Chily” Rivera improves to 3-2-1, while Kedem drops to 10-4-4, 6 KO.

“I never think about points,” said Kedem. “I just go out there and fight. I never felt I was losing, but I just gotta back harder next time. I’d love to fight him again; I’d fight anyone.”

Armin Mrkanovic vs. Sharieff Hayes — Cruiserweight, 4 Rounds

In front of his legion of Bosnian fans, Armin Mrkanovic scored a unanimous decision victory over Phoenix’s Sharieff Hayes to start off his professional career a perfect 1-0.

Hayes, who sported long black gym shorts because he forgot his trunks — and protective gear for that matter — was battered around a bit for four rounds, never able to stop Mrkanovic’s overhand right that consistently came in around his opponent’s defense.

In the third round, after Mrkanovic stumbled Hayes after battering him with right hands, Hayes was able to catch Mrkanovic and momentarily daze him in the closing seconds of the round.

In the sixty second intermission between bells, Mrkanovic was able to shake off any cobwebs that might have still been lingering and immediately picked back up where he left off in the first two rounds and most of round three.

At the conclusion of the fight, all three judges saw the bout 40-36 in Mrkanovic’s favor.

“I was really happy with the win,” said Mrkanovic, who was 6-0 as a mixed martial arts fighter. “I made some mistakes like trying to pulling back looking for distance to kick. He took some hard hits, I was surprised he didn’t go down.”

Nicholas Lavin vs. Bakari — Cruiserweight, 4 Rounds

Between his tens of noisy and energetic fans scattered throughout the Temple and his opponent, simply named Bakari (that’s all there was on the bout sheet — and after a few failed inquiries as to learn more about this mysterious boxer, I came to accept it), this match had a classic WWF feel to it.

Lavin scored best with his left hook throughout the bout, as Bakari struggled protect against it. Throughout the bout, Lavin proved to be the more athletic and less awkward fighter of the two, and was able to best Bakari working behind a nice jab.

In the fourth and final round, Lavin landed three consecutive left hooks right on the button, sending Bakari into survival mode. After absorbing a steady stream of blows provided by Lavin, referee Sparkle Lee stepped in and called a halt to the bout at the 1:06 mark of the fourth round.

With the win, Yonker’s Lavin improves to 2-0, 2 KO, while Bakari drops his professional debut.

Edward Ayuso vs. Kevin Walker — Jr. Middleweights, 4 Rounds

The first fight of the night saw two boxer’s make their professional debut.

When it was all said and done, Cleveland, Ohio’s Kevin Walker walked away with a majority decision victory over Carolina, Puerto Rico’s Edward Ayuso.

The judges scored the bout 38-38, and 40-36 and 39-37 in Walker’s favor.

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