Ringside Report: Broadway Boxing
© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series hosted their latest installment last week at the Manhattan Center in New York City. Gary Stark, Jr was looking for revenge in the main event in his rematch against journeymen Andres Ledemsa after he suffered a surprise knockout loss to him in May of 2007.
Stark’s ambition was clear, he was looking for a knockout. When they first met Stark was putting on what seemed to be a boxing exhibition when Ledemsa caught him with an unexpected punch in the fifth round sending him to the canvas for several minutes.
Since the loss to Ledemsa in May 2007 Stark has regrouped and came back to win two confidence building decisions against two opponents with a combined record of 21-30-4.
Early in the fight Stark suffered a blow to his right eye which caused some swelling which would later close his eye completely. The ring physician allowed the bout to continue checking Stark’s eye in his corner during each of the last three rounds.
Perhaps feeling the urgency that the bout may be stopped, Stark pressed hard throwing several power shots and finished the fight strong to win a unanimous decision with scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice. Stark’s record improves to 21-2 (8) while Ledemsa drops to 14-8-1 (9).
Although not a rematch Edgar Santana fought in a similar situation to Stark, also suffering a knock-out loss last year. Last June, Santana was in a frustrating fight against Harrison Cuello receiving several rabbit punches in the second round and in the third round stood up at a nine count but staggered forcing the referee to stop the bout.
After winning his return fight last December, Santana would now face veteran Grover Wiley best known for defeating Julio Cesar Chavez. Santana easily improved to 23-3 (15) dropping Wiley in the first, second and third round before the referee stopped the bout at 1:27 of the third round. Wiley drops to 30-11-1 (14).
UNDERCARDS:
Heavyweights – 8 Rounds
Israel Garcia 19-1 (11) TKO1 Innocent Otukwu 14-12-1 (2)
Junior Welterweights – 8 Rounds
Joel Torres 9-0 (5) UD8 Mike Gonzalez 10-4-1 (9)
Junior Middleweights – 6 Rounds
Raymond Biggs Jr. 8-0 (6) SD6 Chris Gray 8-7 (1)
Middleweights – 6 Rounds
Ariel Espinal 6-2-2 (2) DRAW6 Ray Darden 10-18-1 (4)
Featherweights – 4 Rounds
Lindsay Garbatt 1-1 (1) KO4 Tracey Hutt 0-1
Super Bantamweights – 4 Rounds
Joseltio Collado 2-0 UD4 Vineash Runega 2-9-2