Split Decision Upset Gives Wright Vacant New York Welterweight Title

Last night at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City’s Broadway Theater District unheralded Martin Wright of Brooklyn, won the vacant New York State Welterweight title with a narrow and questionable eight round split decision upset over Mike ‘Cangri’ Ruiz of Long Island. The card was promoted by Dmitry Salita’s Star of David and Jed Weinstein’s WCMG Events.

Wright, now 9-1-2 (4), coming of a second round knockout loss in a January 2011 Junior Middleweight bout against Stephen Scott, surprisingly fought out of the southpaw stance and had height and reach advantage over Ruiz, now 12-5 (6). Ruiz knocked down Wright in the third round, and picked up a point in the eighth and final round when referee Benji Estevez penalized Wright for excessive holding after being warned numerous times. The two point occurrences appeared more than enough to turn the tide in favor of Ruiz, but the scorecards told a different story.

Ruiz appeared to win rounds one and three with head jabs which scored. A well placed right hook by Ruiz put Wright down in round three for a 10-8 round. Wright took his time getting up, but was not hurt. Neither fighter appeared to have the power to knock the other out, so both boxers fought cautiously and did not try to punch each other out.

Wright appeared to win rounds two, four and five by landing more straight jabs to the head by volume. Rounds six and seven were close and difficult to score, but favored Ruiz, who landed more effective well placed jabs, and some effective body shots. Both fighters appeared in top condition, but tired somewhat down the stretch. Neither fighter appeared able to hurt the other.

As the eighth round opened, both fighters tangled in center ring and came crashing down upon one another as they wrestled each other to the canvas in a horrifying fall, forcing a safety time out stoppage in the action by referee Estevez. Wright appeared to win a close eighth round with his jabs, with Ruiz using a counter jab to score some decent head shots. Owing to the point deduction for holding, the eighth round would have been scored 9-9.

When the decision was announced, the first judge went for Wright, and the second for Ruiz. The third judge, Julie Lederman scored the bout 76-75 for Wright. Ruiz appeared to land the significant blows of consequence. Wright threw more punches by volume and landed consistently with his right hand, but missed most thrown with his left.

Result: Martin Wright SD 8 Mike Ruiz

Scoring: 77-74, 76-75 for Wright, 76-75 for Ruiz

From the balcony view where the press was situated, the ring at the Roseland Ballroom appeared to be a slippery type flooring which caused fighters problems all night. As example, unbeaten Bosnian cruiserweight Armin Mrkanovic threw out a knee and lost by first round TKO to 39 year old Cleveland, Ohio journeyman Rayshawn Myers, now 4-7.

In the undercard, three other bouts were noteworthy. Unbeaten light middleweight Boyd Melson of White Plains, New York, knocked out Hector Rivera of Paterson, New Jersey, at 44 seconds of the first round, and then spent five minutes in the ring with ring announcer Joe Antonacci trying to raise website money and public awareness for stem cell research.

Irish heavyweight Thomas Hardwick made an impressive pro debut with a third round knockout of Derek Walker, with Walker taking the count on his knees in his own corner.

Southpaw lightweight Deano Burrell went through hell to win a four round unanimous decision over short but tough George Santiago, whose jab could not reach Burrell, but who came forward for four rounds and applied pressure anyway. Santiago succeeded on several occasions of tying up Burrell and then working to the inside, but it wasn’t enough. Burrell moved side to side as counterpuncher, landing enough head jabs to give Santiago a mean headache. Santiago, undeterred, kept throwing jabs and trying to win, landed a few punches which scored here and there, remaining competitive.