Ringside Boxing Report: Madison Upsets Lawrence For NY Heavyweight Title
© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
Sweet Science Events hosted a great evening of boxing at Monticello Raceway, in Monticello, New York, on Friday night entitled “Catch a Rising Fistâ€. In the main event, Darrel “King David†Madison took a big step up in competition and defeated Zuri Lawrence for the vacant New York State Heavyweight Title.
In facing Lawrence, 23-14-4, in his first eight-round main event, Madison, 10-1 (3), faced a veteran that had five times the professional ring experience of any of his previous opponents. The resume of Lawrence includes names such as former champions Hasim Rahman and Sultan Ibragimov as well as top contenders Calvin Brock, Jameel McCline, Tony Thompson and Ray Austin.
If Madison was impressed by the ring experience of Lawrence, he didn’t show it as he entered the ring staring down his opponent looking confident and relaxed, a demeanor he was able to carry throughout the fight.
Early into the bout, the southpaw Madison outboxed Lawrence and moved around the ring well. Lawrence and Madison both trying to work on the inside clinched on several occasions forcing the referee to separate them and warn both combatants to stop holding.
Near the end of the fifth round in what should have been ruled a knock-down Madison knocked Lawrence back who lost his balance with only the ropes preventing him from hitting the canvas. With only seconds left in the round Madison was unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
Lawrence was able to win three rounds on all of the judges’ scorecards by showing a few combinations during the bout but watching from ringside it appeared several shots were on the arms and gloves of Madison.
Both fighters gave their all down the stretch. Madison still boxing well was able to make Lawrence miss several of his punches. All three judges scored the bout 77-75 in favor of Madison while SaddoBoxing scored the bout 78-74 for Madison.
In a six-round welterweight attraction Daniel Sostre, 7-3 (3), from Highland, NY earned a unanimous decision over Mario Hayes, 4-3, of St. Petersburg, FL. Hayes was down in the second round from a Sostre left hook, straight right combination.
Cory “Black Ice†Cummings, 16-2 (12), from Baltimore, MD outworked Brooklyn, NY native John Douglas, 6-13-3 (3), over six rounds in a cruiserweight attraction.
Cummings worked well on the inside nearly knocking down Douglas in the second round. The taller Douglas lost the fight by giving up his height advantage, crouching down and was nearly dropped several times during the bout.
In a four-round lightweight battle of New York natives Jose Guzman, 2-3-1, of the Bronx earned his second professional victory by defeating Lindberg Freeman of Coram who was making his pro debut.
New York amateur stand-out Ronica Jeffrey, 2-0, also earned her second professional victory by defeating Lucia Larcinese of Montreal, Canada, who was making her pro debut.
Henry White, 2-2-1 (2), of Cleveland, OH faced Broderick Antoine, 2-5-1 (1), of Albany, NY, in a four-round welterweight bout which was declared a majority draw.