Ringside Boxing Report: Virgil Hill – Valery Brudov
 Click for larger image © Keith McMenamin Saddo Boxing |
Last Friday at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City was the “Night of Champions†in Atlantic City, NJ as Star Boxing, Guilty Boxing, Silverhawk Boxing and Xyience collaborated to give fight fans four title bouts live on Pay Per View. The card featured grizzled ring veteran Virgil Hill who took on the undefeated, #1 contender to the WBA Cruiserweight title, Valery |
Brudov. Ol’ Virgil beat the odds again and earned his fifth career championship belt with a unanimous decision, becoming the oldest boxer since George Forman to win a world title. Stevie “Lil But Bad†Johnston also took home some shiny hardware by earning a unanimous twelve round decision victory over Steve Quinonez. Johnson is now the IBO/NABA Light Welter Champion. Also featured were hometown Jersey boys “Mighty†Mike Arnaoutis, Prince Badi Ajamu and Chuck Mussachio.
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Virgil Hill vs.Valery Brudov
In the main event, North Dakota’s favorite son Virgil Hill shook off the ring rust of a twenty month layoff to win a unanimous decision against previously undefeated Valery Brudov for the WBA Cruiserweight title. Hill may be 42 years old, but he still has a left jab that could knock down a wall. He used that jab often in the early rounds; a strategy that put him in the driver’s seat for the time being. Brudov absorbed the punishment and stepped up his offense in the middle rounds, relentlessly approaching Hill. He was most effective when forcing the action to the corner and throwing hard rights from a variety of angles. In the sixth, one of those big meat hooks busted Hill’s right eye open. The pendulum swung back to Virgil’s corner in the ninth as he avoid Brudov and the Russian attacker’s heavy right handed bombs, circling the younger man and using his speed to land more well placed left jabs and an overhand right which left plenty of sting on Brudov’s face. The fight seemed to be close as it went to the scorecards but all three judges saw the bout 118 – 110 in favor of Hill. Regardless of the outcome, Brudov proved to be a tough challenger who wasn’t afraid to mix it up which earned the respect of thesizable crowd in attendance
Virgil Hill improves to 50 – 5 (23)
Valery Brudov falls to 30 – 1 (23)
Stevie Johnston vs. Steve Quinonez
Stevie “Lil But Bad†Johnston added more hardware to his title collection by taking a unanimous decision against a scrappy Steve Quinonez. It looked like it was going to be a quick one as Quinonez hit the deck in the first but the fight continued and Johnston was able to demonstrate the skills that make him one of the top fighters in his division. Johnston, now the IBO and NABA Light Welterweight Champion, showed the ability to box and brawl as he took everything Quinonez had to offer and always came out of the exchange dishing the most punishment. Quinonez did put together a late storm but that wasn’t enough as the judges saw the fight 118 – 109, 116 – 110, 116 – 110 all in favor of Stevie Johnston.
Stevie Johnston improves to 38 – 3 – 1 (17)
Steve Quinonez falls to 31 – 10 – 1 (10)
Chuck Mussachio vs. Derek Sierra
Chuck Mussachio was the guy many in the crowd came to see and he did not disappoint his followers, outboxing Sierra for every second of their four round bout. Mussachio, a Wildwood, NJ native, showed intensity and dictated the fight with his aggressive style which made his opponent seem lost at times. All three judges saw the fight for Mussachio 40 – 36.
Chuck Mussachio improves to 5 – 0 (3)
Derek Sierra falls to 1 – 4 – 2 (1)
Mike Arnaoutis vs. Marc Thompson
“Mighty†Mike wasted no time dispatching the previously undefeated Marc Thompson, dropping his opponent twice courtesy of two straight left hands, leaving referee Benjy Estevez Jr. no option but to call a halt to the bout 2:41 into the first round. Arnaoutis, the NABO Light Welterweight titleholder, keeps his record perfect at 16 – 0.
Mike Arnaoutis improves to 16 – 0 – 2 (8)
Marc Thompson falls to 14 – 1 (12)
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Prince Badi Ajamu vs. Galen Brown
The “Boxing Prince†defeated an outmatched Galen Brown, scoring a tenth round TKO to retain the WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight title. Badi worked both the inside and outside, avoiding the majority of Brown’s slow but heavy punches. Brown’s lack of speed and soft belly led to his demise as he was sent to the canvas three times from body shots before the fight was stopped in the tenth.
Prince Badi Ajamu improves to 25 – 2 – 1 (14)
Galen Brown falls to 22 – 4 – 1 (14)
Nate Campbell vs Francisco Olvera
Nate Campbell climbed another rung up the lightweight contender ladder as he won his match in impressive fashion with a sixth round TKO. The fight was a mini slugfest but Campbell always seemed to be one step ahead of the opponent and landed crisper blows. The fight was stopped after the sixth due to a nasty cut above Olvera’s eye.
Nate Campbell improves to 28 – 4 – 1 (24)
Francisco Olvera falls to 15 – 3 (13)