Exciting night of boxing at Foxwoods seen on ESPN2.
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
MASHANTUCKET, CN. - Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES) Promotions billed their doubleheader of championship boxing as the "Put Up or Shut Up" fight card.
Against two very tough and experienced opponents, both Providence, RI natives: Joey "KO Kid" Spina and Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey, stepped up and did "Put Up" in dramatic fashion, pleasing the capacity crowd jammed into the Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Godfrey opened the televised portion of the fightcard with a pulverizing first round technical knockout against previously unbeaten Shaun George in a cruiserweight unification bout (Godfrey has the WBC USNBC belt, while George was the NABF title holder).
While displaying a proficient jab which was carrying the round for the Wayne, NJ resident, George got caught with a debilitating right hand from Godfrey and crumbled to the canvas. Able to beat the count, George was in no condition to continue yet instinctively forged on. Godfrey, whose nickname should be changed to "Too Lethal", realized his opponent was in danger and landed several more hurtful shots which forced referee Richard Flaherty to jump in, at the 2:21 mark - saving the demoralized George (now 11-1-2, 5 KO’s) from any further punishment. Godfrey, with the impressive victory, remains perfect at 12-0 (7 KO’s) and proved that he is indeed a legitimate prospect to be reckoned with.
In the very exciting main event, Spina took all that Jesse Brinkley could dish out before finally catching up with the "The Contender" series semifinalist, hurting the classy fighter with a crippling body punch which greatly attributed to the fight’s stoppage in round eleven.
While the bigger and stronger fighter, Spina was getting a boxing lesson from Brinkley. Having built up a comfortable lead midway through the tough battle, Brinkley was essentially breaking down the rugged Spina before sustaining a nasty cut over his left eye late in the sixth round, giving Spina renewed hope.
Although getting out-hit and out-boxed, Spina showed his "nuts & guts" and clubbed away - hurting the smaller Las Vegas native when he was able to land.
Having one of the best cut men in the business in Miguel Diaz, almost enabled Brinkley to pull out the victory, as somehow Diaz was able to get the deep gash under control as it basically become a non-factor by round nine.
Brinkley appeared on his way to a convincing win as he peppered Spina with his pestering punches and had Spina missing on most of his wide, looping bombs. A confident Brinkley raised his hands as a sign of complete control as the bell sounded to end round ten. Round eleven began as ten ended, with all going Brinkley’s way. Towards the middle of the round Spina unloaded his version of the "Micky Ward - killer left hook to the body" and had his injured foe in deep trouble. Unable to continue Brinkley was forced to take a knee and spit out his mouthpiece, in obvious pain.
Getting too long of a reprieve as his corner less-than-feverishly cleaned and re-inserted the mouth guard, it was to no avail as Brinkley was now damaged goods and turned away, backpedaling as the rejuvenated Spina smelt blood and went in for the kill. Referee Michael Ortega had seen enough and quickly waved off the ensuing Spina (who improved to 18-0-1, 13 KO’s) as the fighter with all heart rejoiced in jubilation! Brinkley, who proved to be a smart and accomplished boxer, saw his commendable record fall to 26-4 (17 KO’s), and may be more suited for better things to come in a lesser weight division
On the Foxwoods undercard:
Local heavyweight Tony Grano started the night off with a bang, nailing Mike "The Hammer" Jones, now 2-5 (1 KO) with a second round knockout win. Grano is now 4-0, with all 4 wins coming by way of knockout.
In a battle of cruiserweights, talented Aaron Williams, from Las Vegas, NV., quickly dropped Lloyd Wilson twice in round one, rendering the North Carolina native unable to continue at the 1:52 mark of the first stanza. Wilson drops to 3-4 (3 KO’s), while Williams remains unbeaten at 8-0-1, with 6 KO’s.
Matt "Sharp Shooter" Remillard delighted the crowd with his aggressive fighting style against a stubborn and proud Mexican fighter Leo Martinez.
Neither fighter appeared to take a backwards step during the six round bout. The quicker and busier Remillard prevailed, via unanimous decision, and climbed to 9-0 (6 KO’s). The gutsy Martinez slips to 8-8 (4 KO’s).
In the walkout bout of the evening New Haven, CT., fighter Elvin Ayala made it a clean sweep for the blue corner with his fourth round knockout of Virgil McClendon. Ayala’s big right hand paralyzed McClendon and a vicious tow-handed head combination sent McClendon back to Columbus, Ohio with his ninth loss, against 22 wins. The undefeated super middleweight prospect Ayala improved to 14-0, with his sixth "W" by way of knockout.
A highly entertaining night of boxing, where two undefeated northeastern prospects were asked to "Put Up or Shut Up" and both Joey Spina and Matt Godfrey came through big - with knockout wins!
