Chicago Recap

Rahman Defeats Barrett, Mayorga Takes WBC Crown, Garcia and Collazo Keep Titles

Hasim Rahman had promised to deliver a knockout performance on Showtime’s PPV card from the United Center in Chicago on Saturday night, and send a message to WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko that “The Rock” was coming for the fabled green belt. What transpired instead was a cautious performance from both Rahman and opponent Monte Barrett as they grappled over the “Interim” WBC title and the right to face Klitschko. The two admitted to being friends during the publicity run leading up to their bout and certainly fought like it. Despite each rocking the other at times during the contest, neither man seemed to have much interest in pressing the issue. After managing to hold the course during a shaky twelfth, Barrett’s best round, Rahman was declared the winner by scores of 116-112 and 118-110 (twice). On the outcome of this bout one can hardly imagine the rugged Klitschko quaking in his boots at the prospect of facing Rahman, who moves to 41-5-1 (33).

In the main co-feature, Ricardo Mayorga was far more motivated in his bout with Italy’s Michelle Piccirillo and took the vacant WBC 154lb title belt in convincing fashion. Failing as well to deliver a predicted stoppage onto his adversary, Mayorga did however canvass his man on three occasions. It was only the experience and sheer toughness of 47 bout veteran Piccirillo that kept the Italian in the game during this battle of former welterweight world champions. After securing the WBC bauble with marks of 120-105, 117-110 and 117-108, Mayorga once again picked up his pre-fight challenge to former IBF kingpin Fernando Vargas, who sees action against another ex-beltholder, Spain’s Javier Castillejo, this coming Saturday in Chicago. Should Vargas prove himself still to be world class by getting past the very tough Castillejo, a matchup with Mayorga would generate serious fan interest and deliver a financial windfall for both men.

Alejandro “Terra” Garcia overcame a possible broken hand to retain his WBA Light Middle trophy as the man from Tijuana staved off another Italian fighter, Luca Messi, over the twelve round distance. Messi distinguished himself as being the only opponent to go the distance with Garcia, who has 24 KOs in 25 victories. “Terra” is also a potential opponent for Mayorga but lacks the big name recognition of Vargas, who incidentally is highest ranked contender for Garcia’s WBA belt.

Another WBA strapholder, welter Luis Collazo, was in action at the United Center and faced the most experienced boxer on the card, Miguel Angel Gonzalez. A native of Queens, Collazo at 24 years old proved far too youthful for the aged 34 year old Mexican and beat the former longtime WBC Lightweight (and light welter) Champion to the punch for seven long rounds until Gonzalez’s corner stopped it prior to the eighth. By turning back the old warhorse, Collazo moves to 26-1 (12) and has challenged light welters Arturo Gatti and Floyd Mayweather to step up a division and face him.

Rounding out the card, native Ugandan Robert Kamya picked up the biggest win of his career along with the WBC Continental Americas Light Middle trinket by surprising seasoned veteran Alex Bunema in a majority decision victory. 40 year old ex-WBC Heavyweight titlist Oliver McCall proved he still has a punch by stopping 37 year old Polish tourist Przemyslaw Saleta in four. Another Pole, lightweight Matt Zegan, had better luck by stopping journeyman Jesus Perez in seven rounds.

Contact Curtis McCormick at thomaspointrd@aol.com