Ringside Boxing Report: Arturo Gatti – Thomas Damgaard
| Another night, another fight in Atlantic City, this time it was Main Events bringing Arturo Gatti home again to Boardwalk Hall to take on the unknown Thomas Damgaard for Mr. Excitement’s first test in the welterweight division. While most were expecting a cakewalk, Damgaard gave a better than expected performance but in the end it was Gatti providing the sparks scoring an eleventh round stoppage. |  Click for larger image © Mike McGuigan Saddo Boxing |
Gatti was his usual action packed self, igniting the crowd with flurries of rights and lefts to the head and body of Damgaard. While Arturo was in command for most of the fight, Damgaard had his moments, particularly in the fourth round when he used his short left hook to perfection. The Dane showed he has a mahogany head and big heart as he would not back down from the hometown hero but his lack of punching power and stamina led to his demise. Gatti’s speed turned out to be the killer as he would bait in Damgaard, then counter with a plethora of power punches which left Damgaard’s face in a mutilated state after the bout. Gatti is now eyeing a match against Carlos Baldomir for the welterweight title.
Arturo Gatti improves to 40 – 7 (31)
Thomas Damgaard falls to 37 – 1 (27)
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Light heavyweight Rudy Markussen took on Brock Stodden and floored him twice in route to a second round knockout.
Markussen improves to 32-1 (20)
Brock Stodden falls to 17-10-1 (9)
Featherweight Jason Litzau stays undefeated scoring a sixth round knockout of Carlos Contreras. Litzau comes as advertised and packs a big punch in his small body. Contreras gave it his all but just didn?t have enough to handle a fighter of Litzau?s caliber.
Jason Litzau improves to 17 – 0 (15)
Carlos Contreras falls to 20 – 11 – 3 (13)
Philadelphia heavyweight prospect Malik Allen mopped the ring with Kendrick Releford for eight rounds and earned the decision victory.
Malik Allen improves to 24 – 0 (10)
Kendrick Releford falls to 13 – 7 – 1 (5)
Heavyweight B.J Flores won a rather easy eight round decision victory over journeyman Jermell Barnes
B.J. Flores goes to 15-0-1 (10)
Jermell Barnes falls to 17-10 (4)
Super middle Wayne Johnsen won a four round snoozer against Edward Hemphill.
Wayne Johnsen sees his mark to 10-1 (5)
Edward Hemphill drops to 3-2 (1)
Welterweight Henry Crawford won via technical decision over Luis Santos in what had the makings of a very good fight. Both fighters tasted canvas but a cut that Santos received from an accidental head butt left no choice but to stop the fight at the end of the sixth round.
Henry Crawford increases to 9-0-1 (3)
Luis Santos goes to 9-2 (6)
Heavyweight Mariusz Wach earned a four round unanimous decision victory over Adele Olakanye. All three judges saw the fight 40 – 36
Mariusz Wach stays unbeaten at 6-0 (2)
Adele Olakanye goes down to 6-4-2 (4)
Super flyweight Noriko Kariya won a unanimous four round decision over Maria Contreras with her speed and punching power. All three judges scored the fight 40 – 36 Kariya.
Noriko Kariya improves to 3 – 0
Maria Contreras falls to 1 – 3