By Larry Tornambe
On March 17th Philadelphia will shine its light on one of the city’s finest amateurs on his pro debut and welcome back its most recent heavyweight king. Power Productions will promote a card at the National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia with Tim Witherspoon in the main event and Tiger Allen fighting as the main undercard draw.
Simon “One Punch” Carr will look for his 3rd straight KO victory and Harry Yorgey will be aggressively punching, as usual, to add additional steam to the cauldron. Promoter Greg Robinson tells BoxingScene.com that he has signed Tiger Allen to a multi-year contract and Tim Witherspoon to a five fight deal. We take a look at their two careers, their hopes, dreams and goals.
First we answer the question you’ve already asked: ‘Tim, why are you coming back?’ Witherspoon lets us in on his recent job, training Kassim Ouma and Clinton Woods. “They shut me down and I got to pay bills. Woods couldn’t help much, he’s in England” as Tim claims he wasn’t paid because Woods money in is his promoter’s bank account.
Tim was hurt by Ouma’s advisors who, he claimed, benefited from Tim bringing Ouma to the team and training him to the title before pushing him away from the corner before Ouma’s loss to Roman Karmazin. Tim is not looking for a title belt. His main reason is “this is my way of getting the word out that I am a good trainer. I am still in shape, I run with them (his fighters) 4-5 miles. By training fighters I feel like I can fight again.”
His last fight was 3 years ago, a loss to Brian Nix. His first bid for the heavyweight championship was in 1983, against Larry Holmes. He rebounded to win the vacant WBC belt in 1984, lost it half a year later and regained it early in 1986. Tim feels like he’s more fit than when he was boxing, because of his dedication to the kids he’s training and not having the problems he had when he was on top of his game. Tim is 48 years old, but feels like he’s 30.
On the day BoxingScene spoke with Tim, he sparred 8 rounds with two undefeated Philadelphia heavyweights. Time will tell to see if Tim has found the solution to beating father time. He claims he passed every mental and physical test the Pennsylvania Commission administered and he is motivated by the dough, “I didn’t manage my money right and now I know what to do.” Now he plans to “sacrifice and position myself to do good” and to have more provisions for his 5 children and two grandkids. He’s 9-3-1 in this century, so it’s possible his talents are still available. It’s also plausible that he’ll get owned by a fighter half his age. Tim is realistic “I am taking one fight at a time” and will be assisting in the promotions and always looking for the next talent he can lead by example to the top. At press time an opponent for Tim was not announced.
On the other glove Power Productions features the pro debut of Tiger Allen. His list of accomplishments include, but are not limited too: 1998 Junior Olympic champion at 125 lbs, National Golden Glove champ 3 years in a row and “I think I have won the ‘Most Outstanding Boxer’ more times than any other Philadelphia fighter, something like 25 times.” A weigh-in controversy got Tiger and his twin brother, Rock disqualified from the 2000 Olympic Trials. Rock has already turned pro and is undefeated in 7 bouts. Tiger is taking a different path but looking for the same baubles.
Rock is trained by their dad, Naazim Richardson, a trainer of Bernard Hopkins. Tiger is guided by Larry Cureton and Tony Key and will be promoted by Power Productions. “Since I started boxing I wanted to become a world champion.” Tiger will debut at 154 pounds against Ed Graves, but will drop to 147 in the future.
Tiger will look to represent the Philadelphia fighter more than his brother. Power Productions promotes in Philadelphia and with this signing Greg Robinson says, “It is our intention to make Philadelphia one of the premier boxing cities in the world by keeping our rising stars here in the city and developing and promoting their marketability here. We like to make Philadelphia the boxing capital it was once known for.” Tiger told BoxingScene he’s training hard “is focused, confident and excited.” Allen will surely be inspired by the city’s undefeated young crew in Saeed Hawkins, Harry Yorgey, Chazz Witherspoon, Rock Allen and Eddie Chambers. All of those Philly fighters are at or near 10-0 with the exception of the heavyweight Chambers who is 26-0.
Philadelphia is on the verge of a very exciting vibe and Tiger Allen plans to push that volume higher. Tim Witherspoon could add to the pulse with wins or by bringing more fighters into fighting shape. Simon Carr has won both of his pro fights in less than a total of 3 minutes and some are starting to call him the 2006 version of Mike Tyson.
Harry Yorgey continues to thrill with thudding punches, an attacking style and is fit with a never say quit attitude. At press time they are all scheduled to fight on the March 17th Power Productions card at the National Guard Armory at Roosevelt Blvd and Southampton Street in northeast Philadelphia. It’ll be taped for delayed broadcast with yours truly in the color commentary role. More info on the TV broadcast will be provided in the fight recap report. Be there live by obtaining tickets from ticketmaster (215 336-2000 or 856-338-9000), Power Productions (215-892-5411) or Philly’s Finest Auto (215 455-7727). Tell ‘em BoxingScene sent you! Doors will swing open at 6:30, the first fighters will be swinging around 7:45pm.
