Hendrix Delivers a Brutal Second Round Knockout

Tunica, MS – Lightweight Tyrese “Head Honcho” Hendrix 17-0 (7 KO’s) supplied fireworks for a standing room only crowd that included former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor and middleweight prospect Fernando Guerrero. Hendrix’s opponent Robbie “The Peashooter” Cannon 12-4-1 (6 KO’s) had suffered two of his previous three losses at Fitzgerald’s casino but was hoping the third time would be a charm. His hopes were quickly dashed.

Round one opened with Cannon pawing forward with his jab. Hendrix spent the first minute of the round waiting, not throwing anything of consequence, but instead patiently stalking composed and relaxed. As Cannon continued to flick out a lazy jab the Southpaw Hendrix finally pounced landing a solid lead right hook. Cannon took a step back and nodded in acknowledgement. The round progressed with Hendrix slowly increasing his punch output while controlling the tempo.

Shortly into the second Hendrix landed a big left hand that wobbled Cannon. He then abandoned the methodical workmanlike approach of the first round and pressed the attack. Cannon hit the deck courtesy of a well timed short left. He beat the count but his defense wasn’t the same for the rest of the round. Hendrix pounded him to the ropes and went to work strafing him with power shots. One ringside observer could be heard calling for the ref to step in as Cannon took a beating against the ropes before finally falling to the mat for a second time. His corner was already jumping into the ring to check on him as referee Randy Phillips began administering the count. Official time of the stoppage was 2:05 of the second.

Rarely will a match in which one fighter easily wins every single round get a standing ovation from a former undisputed middleweight champion of the world but that’s exactly what happened after the match-up of female welterweights Kita Watkins 3-5 (1KO) and “Notorious” Nichole Woods 9-4 (1KO). After entering the ring to Michael Jackson’s “Bad” Woods proceeded to dominate the action behind a stiff jab and crisp one-twos. The overmatched Watkins tried desperately to turn it into a street fight but Woods did a good job of maintaining distance and imposing her technical superiority. At the end of six rounds half the crowd, including Jermain Taylor who was there promoting his participation in Showtime’s upcoming Super Middleweight tournament, was standing and applauding as much for Watkins’ toughness as Woods’ skill and discipline. All three final scorecards read 60–54 in favor of Woods.

Junior welterweight Jamar Saunders 2-4 (1 KO) looked more annoyed than hurt when he suffered a flash knockdown at the hands of southpaw Xavier Burgos about thirty seconds into the first round. When another left put him on his backside again, around the one-minute mark, it began to look like the contest wasn’t going to go the scheduled four rounds. Later in the round Burgos made it a hat-trick of knockdowns when he buzzed Saunders with yet another left hand power shot.

It seemed academic, as they answered the bell for the second, but Saunders made a move that would confound Burgos, switching to a southpaw stance. Burgos chief second immediately exclaimed “He’s going south paw. He dead!” They couldn’t have been more wrong though. Burgos had done an excellent job of keeping his tasseled lead foot outside of Saunders’ left foot in the first round giving him a distinct advantage to land his big left hand shots. When Saunders switched to the lefty stance everything changed. Burgos started lunging with his left trying to land one more big shot but he couldn’t find his mark. As the fight progressed Burgos’ work-rate began to diminish. Saunders would manage not only to stay on his feet for the rest of the fight but to mount some offense of his own as well. Some additional intrigue came in the fourth round when a headbutt caused bleeding over Saunders left eye and swelling on Burgos’ right. In the end Burgos ended up needing all the knockdowns to preserve his unanimous victory as scores of 39 –35, 35-34, and 38 – 37 were announced in his favor.

Light Heavyweight Anthony Doughty 5-0 (4 KO’s) evoked the image of a mini Mike Tyson with his choice of black trunks and shoes with no socks. Unfortunately for his opponent Cody Kennedy (making his pro debut) he also fought like him. As the bell rang for the first round Kennedy had happy feet. He tried to use his nervous energy to move forward and unleash a flurry of punches. Doughty showed excellent composure however catching all of Cody’s shots on his arms and gloves before finding a gap and pressing forward with his own attack. He quickly put Kennedy down with a hook off a jab. Blood began streaming from Kennedy’s nose as he got to his feet and it looked as if it might be broken. Seconds later he was back on the mat after a hook to the body. He rose again only to be put down two more times for his efforts before referee Randy Phillips finally stepped in and called a halt to the bout at 2:30 of the first round.

Heavyweights Randy Johnson 2–2 (2 KO’s) and Larry Slayton 1-1-1 (0 KO’s) faced off in a four rounder that kicked off the evening. The first round was largely a feeling out process. Slayton managed to land a clean hook that would be the most meaningful shot of the round. Johnson’s nose was bloodied in the second round as his corner implored him to move and give angles. He remained hesitant to let his hands go until the closing seconds of the round. Round three began with a clinch and both fighters seeming to make a halfhearted attempt at a headbutt. Referee Phillips broke the clinch and warned them to keep it clean. Johnson’s corner kept yelling that Slayton was tired in hopes that their man would press the action and throw more punches. By round four it became clear that Johnson’s corner was right about Slayton being tired. He continued to move forward but without throwing punches and continually clinching. Johnson took control of the round behind his jab and finally unleashed some shots. At the end of four Slayton came away with a majority decision with scores of 40-36, 38-38, and 39-37.

Middleweight Fernando Guerrero was on hand, sporting a sharp three-piece suit, to announce he will be returning to the Fitz to participate in the next Prize Fight Promotions card scheduled for August 29th. He was originally set to participate in this event but suffered a hand injury in training. Stable mates Shawn Porter and Dominic Wade will be joining him on the 29th. It will be available live on PPV at www.prizefighttv.com for $4.99 starting at 7:30pm CST.