Ringside Report: Arnaoutis v Coleman
© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing hosted a live fight card televised on the Versus Network last night at the Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New York City. Headlining the event was “Mighty†Mike Arnaoutis who lost a controversial twelve-round split decision against Tim Coleman for the vacant USBA Light Welterweight belt.
Arnaoutis 22-4-2 (10) was only one fight removed from his TKO loss to Victor Ortiz earlier this year and had rebounded nicely with a unanimous decision victory over Doel Carrasquillo in June as he had hoped to regain his USBA Light Welterweight title against Coleman.
Arnaoutis had appeared to do enough to win the fight and seemed to be the more active fighter during the bout. Coleman 17-1-1 (4) launched a good offensive but he seemed to tire in the middle-late rounds before coming on strong again in the championship rounds.
Both fighters landed solid blows and counter-punched well and even though Arnaoutis seemed the victor he appeared worse for wear based on the cuts dripping with blood caused by an accidental head-butt from Coleman.
One judge scored the bout for Arnaoutis 116-112 while the other two scored for Coleman 115-113. Upon hearing the decision the disgusted Arnaoutis immediately left the ring in disbelief.
In another televised bout two undefeated welterweights Ray Robinson and Brad Soloman squared off for a thrilling six-round event.
Robinson had a distinct reach advantage that he was not able to capitalize on as he had trouble connecting with Soloman.
Soloman threw his punches sparingly and almost seemed to “load-up†his shots landing heavy blows to the head of Robinson that caused the crowd to cheer the exchanges. Robinson took his best shots well and also continued to throw his own shots missing more than he landed.
Robinson was cut badly in the fourth round from an accidental head-butt. The blood continued to flow in the last two rounds as both fighters traded shots in the middle of the ring neither clinching nor backing down.
One judge scored the fight a draw 76-76 while the other two judges scored the bout for Soloman 79-73 giving him a majority decision victory. Soloman remains undefeated 9-0 (3) while Robinson drops to 11-1 (4).
The opening televised bout marked the return of heavyweight Shannon “The Cannon†Briggs making his comeback after two and a half years out of the ring.
Briggs 49-5-1 (43) made short work of Marcus McGee 22-18 (11) landing a right on the ribs of McGee which sent him to the canvas at 2:01 of the first round which marked his 28th first round knock-out.
Briggs who weighed in at 272 pounds hopes to get down to 245 pounds and work his way back into contention for a shot at a heavyweight title but more specifically the Klitshcko’s.