Star Boxing: Bruce Upsets Alvarez In Atlantic City
Before a standing room only crowd at Bally’s in Atlantic City, Ghana’s Ayi Bruce, upset hometown favorite Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez and in the process picked up the Vacant IBA Continental Welterweight Title winning a majority decision over ten exciting and action packed rounds. Alvarez-Bruce headlined a seven bout card promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
Alvarez came out hard and fast in the first landing with both hands to the head and body of Bruce and setting a pace that would continue for much of the fight.
The middle rounds saw both fighters more than willing to sit and trade, bringing the packed house into a frenzy time and time again.
Bruce began finding a home for a looping right hand in the 5th against the southpaw Alvarez. Alvarez was the aggressor as he continuously pressed the action, but Bruce countered nicely from the outside.
Both fighters traded big shots in a very close action packed 8th. Near the end of the 9th round Bruce landed a huge over hand right that nearly dropped Alvarez.
Both fighters came out in the tenth looking for the knockout hoping to prevent the close fight from going to the judges scorecards. The two traded heavy artillery for the entire round and brought the crowd into a standing ovation as they stood toe-to-toe to end the action packed main event.
Both fighters came out in the
In the end Bruce was awarded a close majority decision, winning by scores of 97-93, 95-94, while the third judge had it dead even at 95-95. With the win Bruce improves to 18-3, 12KO’s while Alvarez drops to 21-3, 12KO’s.
In the co-feature bout of the evening, Philadelphia’s hot rising welterweight prospect Raymond “Tito” Serrano knocked out extremely tough and durable Geoffery Spruiell with a single left hand in the 5th round of their scheduled eight rounder.
Serrano came out in the first and began immediately sticking a stiff jab in the face of Spruiell. Midway through the round a short left hand dropped Spruiell on the seat of his pants. He beat the count but soon after was dropped again by a beautiful over-hand right.
Serrano used a vicious body attack during the middle rounds to begin breaking Spruiell down, as Spruiell was left trying to unsuccessfully counter off the ropes.
In the 5th round Serrano came out in a southpaw stance, and landed a vicious left hand that caught Spruiell right on the button and sent him down hard. Spruiell made it to a knee but was in no condition to continue. Official time of the stoppage was 27 seconds of the 5th round. With the win Serrano improved to a perfect 14-0 with 8 big wins coming by way of knockout.
Local fan favorite Chuck “The Professor” Mussachio improved to 17-1-2 with an unanimous dround decision over Theo Kruger (10-11-2, 3KO’s).
Mussachio consistently worked off his jab and used his super speed and boxing ability to out work the rugged Kruger round after round. Kruger hung tough, but simply didn’t have enough fire power to keep up with the Wildwood, New Jersey native Mussachio who by scores of 80-72, 80-72, 79-73. Another impressive showing for the guidance counselor by day, boxer by night, Mussachio.
Undercard action:
Ismael Garcia W4 Joe Yerdon
Isiah Seldon W4 Todd Eriksson
Althea Saunders W4 Natoya Ervin
Rashad Brown W4 Corey Preston