Boxing Analysis: Edgar Santana – Tomas Barrientes

ByKatrina Walters

Ode’s and Upsets At The Hammerstein Ballroom In NYC

Ode to a Mexican were the words that Edgar Santana and his team proclaimed after a hard fought fight at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC against Tomas Barrientes in the nights main events. Edgar and his team goes on to thank all their fans and friends for their continued support leading up to his victory. “We also appreciate all the messages of congratulations.” We want to send our respect to Tomas Barrientes who came to NYC and fought a great fight and showed that Mexican fighters are made with the heart of warriors!!

Those are the gracious words of Edgar Santana after a hard fought 10 round decision over Barrientes on Friday, May 19, 2006. The fight started out with both fighters throwing jabs and body shots, and as the rounds progressed, Barrientes began to attack the body relentlessly against Santana. But in defense, Santana used great blocking and precise jabs as well as body shots to counter the tough Mexican. The scores were later tallied at 98-92, 98-92 and 96-64, and Santana improves to solid 18-2.

Also on the card, Gary “Kid” Starks once again proved to the boxing world that he is ready and willing to handle all comers as he faced veteran and two time 115 title challenger Luis Bolano. In an eight round, action packed fight, Starks stood toe to toe with Bolano and traded vicious bombs one after the other, with hooks and body shots landing almost continually.

Although Gary Starks decided to abandon his trade mark vicious uppercuts that he is known to land with precision and ease, he showed much heart and stood right in front of his opponent and landed as well as absorbed throbbing body blows and neck snapping head shots. Gary Starks is definitely one to watch as he shows the boxing world that’s able to handle pressure and handle it well. In my opinion The Kid became a man. He improves his record to 16-0 with scores of 77-74, 77-74 and 78-73.

In the upset of the night, favored Maureen “Moe” Shea fell short to relatively unknown Kimberly Colbert of Chicago in her first outing, ever on the card. The fight began as usual with both fighters feeling each other out and Shea winning the round with her jabbing and moving. But at the close of round two, Shea was dropped with a left hook seconds before the bell, but made it up quickly to beat the eight count.

As the fight progressed, Colbert verbally taunted Shea and was warned by the ref, but continued with the verbal jabs as well as looping body shots. Although Kimberly Colbert landed hard shots, it was clear that Maureen Shea out boxed the challenger and stayed much busier and moved much more utilizing the ring to her advantage.

Shea previously unbeaten, falls to 5-1 with the scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 57-56. Promoter Lou DiBella announced that there will be a rematch. Earlier in the night, Emmanuel “Sleek” Clottey improved his record to 24-6 as he pulled out a decision win over Francisco Campos.