By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
Last night’s fight venue was perfect. Overlooking Atlantic City’s beach, with the boardwalk’s ‘Crazy Mouse’, Bunji jump and Ferris wheel operating in the backdrop, swimmers body surfing, those Cessna planes flying overhead with their ads and banners, and pretty girls in halter tops with casual full-length cotton skirts serving fancy drinks; can you feel the sand in-between your toes, yet?
It was "Boxing at the Beach", Nikki Beach at Resorts Atlantic City.
Capitalizing on the eve of the most anticipated boxing event (tonight’s ‘Gatti vs. Mayweather’ mega fight at the Boardwalk Convention Hall) in Atlantic City since Mike Tyson destroyed Michael Spinks almost twenty years ago, Sal Musumeci and his Final Forum Boxing, in association with Dee Lee Promotions, put on an exciting and crowd pleasing six bout fight card.
The standing room only crowd was treated to some interesting fights which included: a one-punch knockout, a local fan-favorite, some talented prospects, as well as veteran fighters attempting to resurrect their once-promising careers; on this cool breezed summer night at a truly spectacular and innovative spot for a boxing match.
Headlining the night was former Olympic gold medallist "Merciless" Ray Mercer.
Mercer, who gave former world champion Lennox Lewis more then he could handle, yet came away on the short end of a 1996 ten round majority decision, has reeled off three knockout victories since his destructive sixth round technical knockout loss at the hands of -then indestructible- WBO Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko three years ago in Atlantic City.
Mercer, improved to 34-5-1 (25 KO’s) with an uneventful ten round unanimous decision over Darroll Wilson, who last fought over two years.
Wilson, now 27-8-2 (21 KO’s), was dropped to the canvas by a couple of Mercer left jabs in the seventh round, and never posed a threat during the bout.
Mercer, who saw his dreams of a match up with Mike Tyson fade away with Tyson’s loss to Kevin McBride earlier this month, hopes to land a big fight in the twilight of his career.
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe, who is also back fighting and trying to salvage another taste of the big time, was in the crowd…….if that means anything?
On the Nikki Beach fight undercard:
Up and coming New York heavyweight prospect Derrick Rossy stayed perfect, improving to 7-0 (5 KO’s) against forty four year old David Chappell from Portsmouth, Virginia, who dropped to 6-5 (2 KO’s).
Rossy, a former Boston College football player, fought hard and shows improvement with each bout. Against a stubborn Chappell, Rossy looked good and earned his six round unanimous decision win.
Former welterweight prospect Julio Aquino (16-2, 13 KO’s) put forth a very disappointing effort in defeating veteran Anthony Bowman who fell to 7-15-2 2KO’s). Facing a supposed "look good" opponent Aquino appeared listless, easy to hit and to be just going through the motions-which could be dangerous in his chosen profession.
A rare female bout showcased Chika Nakamiura, making her pro debut, against Iris Griffin (0-1). Nakamiura, fighting out of New York, displayed a high level of skill and boxing ability in beating the game and willing Griffin for the entire two minutes of the first round.
Though never down Griffin was soundly worked over and unable to come out for the second round.
The opening bout show Rohnique Posey, now 8-1-1, earn his seventh knockout in grand fashion; at the expense of a winless Oscar Martinez, who fell to 0-3.
After controlling the first two rounds Posey, whose goes by the nickname "Pulverizer", did just that: firing off two big left hand shots which set up a perfect monster right to the jaw which had Martinez out before he even hit the canvas!
In the fight of the night local favorite Chuck "Hard Rock" Mussachio, from nearby Wildwood, gave his large following a reason to cheer with his impressive performance in a scheduled four round light heavyweight bout.
Mussachio, entering the ring to Frank Sinatra’s "Summer Wind", went right to work on Dewayne Warren from the opening bell. Exhibiting quick hands and a nice jab, Mussachio out-worked Warren and was hurting his foe with both hands; which delighted his large number of fans. Banging away hard in round two, Mussachio had Warren hurt and defenseless as referee Steve Smoger wisely stopped the damage, giving Mussachioa a second round TKO win.
A great night of fights brought by Sal Musumeci and Diane Fischer at the Resorts/Nikki Beach, which turned out to be a spectacular place to watch a boxing match.
Also great to see former world champion Pernell Whitaker and the new IBF Lightweight World Champion Levander Johnson at ringside.
