Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik successfully defended his WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine titles with a 5th Round TKO over Miguel Espino.
At the opening bell, the crowd erupted with chants of Kelly, Kelly as their hometown hero stalked his opponent. Both fighters were landing hard jabs and body shots. Pavlik appeared to be scoring with hard combinations keeping Espino in the middle of the ring. Espino hit Pavlik after the bell and referee Steve Smoger deducted one point. The second round saw Espino being warned early for low blows. A violent round with both fighters landing hard shots throughout the round. Espino slows down in the third round with blood beginning to trickle from his nose. Espino and Pavlik traded shots early in the 4th but the tide changed quickly as Espino was knocked down
“There was alittle rust in there tonite”, Said Pavlik
“The hand is a little tender but no problems in the fight”
“To Paul Williams you got a guy standing here in Youngstown that wants you”
“Great performance….To all the loud mouth guys with Williams, just initial the contract and we will do it early next year..or shut your damn mouth”, Said Bob Arum
Willie Nelson remains undefeated with a 6 round UD over Doel Carrasquillo. Carrasquillo stunned Nelson early in the first dropping him with a hard right. Nelson recovered easily and landed at will for the remainder of the round. The remainder of the fight, Nelson was the busier fighter although not hurting Carrasquillo. Judge John Kikta scored the fight 59-55 while Judges Phil Rogers and Gene Glenn both saw it 60-54. Nelson moves to 13-0-1 8 KO while Carrasquillo drops to 12-14-1 10 KO’s.
Former WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World Samuel Peter dispatched of Gabe Brown in three rounds with a 3rd round TKO. Brown was a tough fighter and won over the Youngstown crowd with his comical antics in the ring and the ability to take clean shots of from the Nigerian Nightmare
Peter moves to 33-3 26ko and Brown falls to 18-13-4 12ko
Miguel Garcia scored a 3rd round KO over Yogi Herrera. Garcia floored Herrea twice in the 3rd and referee Jimmy Villers reached a 10 count at 2:19. Garcia remains undefeated at 19-0 16 KO’s while Herrera falls to 22-13 15 KO’s.
Vanes Martirosyan dethroned Willie Lee with a 3rd round TKO to capture the NABF / NABO Super Welterweight Title. The opening round saw Lee stunned midway thought the first and Martirosyan mounting an offensive barrage of punches that sent Lee into the ropes. Martirosyan continued his aggression in the third round sending Lee to the canvas twice before referee Randy Jarvis called a halt to the contest at 2:13 of round 3. Vanes improves to 26-0, 17ko and Lee falls to 17-6
“I am ready for a world title shot”, said Martirosyan.
Jake Giuricio and Henry White fought to a 6 round majority draw. Giuriceo remains undefeated at 6-0-1 2 KO’s while White adds another draw to his record at 4-4-2. Numerous power punches landed by both fighters. White was a formidable opponent for Giuricio, his biggest test yet in a young professional career. Judge John Kikta scored the contest 58-56, Judge Phil Rodgers and Gene Glenn has it 57-57.
*Writer commentary: No one including myself expected this fight to go past 2 rounds. White is a tough opponent with the heart of a lion. His record is no reflection on his toughness.*
Youngstown native Chris Hazimihalis was victorious in his professional debut in front of his hometown crowed as he dispatched of Norman Allen with a 3rd round TKO. Hazimihalis moves to 1-0 and Allen is still looking for his first wing as he falls to 0-6-1. The time 1:06.
Russian silver medalist Matt Korobov remained undefeated and improved to 9-0 with 7 knockouts with a round 3rd KO over Ken Dunham who falls to 7-11 4 KO’s. Dunham was dropped by a hard right at 2:50 of the first round but recovered to finish the round. Korobov continued to land power shots on Dunham, and he once again found himself in trouble at the tail end of the second round and tasted his own blood as a cut has developed over his left eye. The power of Korobov was too much for Dunham as referee Randy Jarvis stopped the contest at 1:29 of the third round
Omar Henry improved to 6-0 with 6ko’s with a first round stoppage of Jessie “The Kid” Davis. Henry dropped Davis three times in the firt round and referee Jimmy Villers called a halt to the contest after the third knockdown. Davis dropps to 11-16 8ko’s. THe time 2:23 of the first round.
Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank