Virgil Hill, A Champion Once Again.

Experience, commitment and "heart" pave way to WBA belt!

By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
 
"I was shocked at how well he (Hill) moved for a forty-two year old guy," stated beaten and previously undefeated Russian cruiserweight Valery Brudov. 

Brudov (now 30-1, with 23 KO’s) was not alone. 

Former two-time world champion Virgil Hill captivated and amazed all those in attendance friday night at Atlantic City’s Tropicana Hotel & Casino with his twelve round unanimous decision victory over the much younger, and stronger, Brudov.  The biggest, and most surprising, factor was Hill’s ability to stick and move; as well as out hustle an outwork the aggressive Broduv…for the entire twelve rounds!
 
Fighting in the main event of Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, in association with Silverhawk and Guilty Boxing, promoted pay-per-view fight card, the former two-time world champion Hill controlled most of the action with a good jab and constant motion which bewildered Broduv, and exposed the limited fighter (ranked as the # 1 challenger by the WBA); nullifying his potent right hand.
 
From the fight’s opening bell Hill peppered his foe with combinations, kept working an effective jab and was able to easily out-maneuver Brudov’s straight forward approach.  Hill was content to pile up the early rounds and was cruising until round five; when Broduv was able to land his right hand, which forced a concerned Hill to hold on.  Brudov continued his assault in round six and appeared to be gaining the momentum as his barrage cut open Hill’s left eye and the former Olympic champion (1984 Silver medallist) looked the worse for wear at the fight’s midpoint.
 
Strangely, Hill was able to keep his distance and wisely used his proficient jab and vast ring experience to escape any further threat.  Broduv, fighting for the first time on American soil and never facing an opponent anywhere near the talent level of Hill, apparently had no idea of how to properly "cut off the ring" and allowed Hill to dictate the fight.

This was never more evident then in the later rounds as Hill was fighting better backing away then Brudov was while coming forward.
 
With the resounding chants of "Virgil-Virgil-Virgil" echoing throughout the arena, a re-invigorated Hill never looked back and assumed complete control of the fight; even confidently showcasing his version of the "Ali shuffle" towards the end of round nine.  Bruised under both eyes and bleeding from a cut that would later require thirty stitches over his left eye, Hill displayed all the virtues that has made him a world champion and future hall of famer: skilled experience, tenacity, and a strong will; as well as a ton of heart and a "no quit" attitude. 
 
Brudov could only manage a few hard shots which did hurt Hill, sending the stunned fighter staggering into the ropes, but too little too late, as the bell sounds ending the twelfth and final round! 

All three judges agreed, scoring it 118-110 for Virgil Hill; a one-time Atlantic City resident who achieved a long time goal with picking up this vacant WBA crusierweight championship belt.  "My dream fight was to come back to Atlantic City to fight, and win, a title again," stated a gracious Hill afterwards.  "I won my first title here nineteen years ago!"

While Hill may have been alone in the ring, he did realize the victory was a team effort.  "Mike Hall (trainer and cut man) won this fight for me - he kept me in this fight," acknowledged the classy North Dakota resident, adding "I want one more fight - a big one; then I’ll retire on my own terms."
 
There was also plenty of action on the "Collision Course - a night of Champions" fight card.

The co-feature bout featured former two-time lightweight world champion Stevie "Lil but Bad" Johnston taking on the formidable Steve Quinonez (31-10-1, 10 KO’s) for  the vacant IBO light welterweight title.  The thirty three year old Johnston put on a boxing clinic en route to a twelve round unanimous decision win.

Johnston (now 38-3-1, 17 KO’s) had Quinonez bleeding from his nose and both eyes midway through the bout; which turned the white waistband of the game fighter’s Everlast trunks a deep red.  Johnson’s performance will lead to bigger and better things, possibly another opportunity to challenge for another world title.

Lightweight contender Nate Campbell (28-4-1, 24 KO’s) improved his stock with a dominating performance against rugged Francisco Olvera, who dropped to 15-3 (13 KO’s).  Campbell used his superior boxing skills and hand speed to render Olvera unable to continue after round six of their scheduled ten round contest.

Camden, NJ native Prince Badi Ajamu, now fighting out of Florida, improved his stellar professional record to 25-2-1 (14 KO’s), and picked up the WBC Intercontinental light heavyweight title in the process, with a one-sided victory over Galen Brown, 22-4-1.  Traveling from St. Joseph, MO., Brown was hurt often by Ajamu’s solid body shots and made five trips to the canvas before the lopsided fight was halted at :47 of the tenth round; with Ajamu getting the technical knockout win.

Highly regarded light welterweight prospect thrilled his hometown crowd with an overpowering first round TKO victory over the previously undefeated Mark Thompson (14-1, 12 KO’s).  "Mighty Mike" dropped Thompson three times before referee Benji Esteves stopped the anniliation.

The proud Greek fighter remained undefeated at 16-0-2, with 8 KO’s.

Crowd favorite Chuck Mussachio, from nearby Wildwood, NJ, improved to 5-0 (3 KO’s) with an entertaining four round unanimous decision win over Derrick Sierra, whose record fell to 1-4-2 (1 KO).

In the fight card‘s "walk out" bout, local Asbury Park heavyweight Kevin Johnson (8-0-1, 5 KO’s) blew out Robert Kooser with a quick and easy first round technical knockout win.  The tough, yet overmatched, Texas native was sent crashing to the canvas twice before the bout was wisely stopped. 
 
The "Collision Course - a night of champions" pay per view fight card delighted the near capacity Tropicana Hotel & Casino crowd with a night full of good, hard fought boxing action.

The highlight of the evening being the resurrection of Virgil "Quicksilver" Hill; one of the nicer guys within boxing.  The champ surprised us all with his ability to box and move superbly for the duration of his twelve round title bout; so aptly noted by legendary boxing broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan, who provided live radio coverage of the bout.

"I continually remarked how impressive it was for the forty two year old Hill to be fighting and moving as well as he was - until I had to correct myself and say how impressive it was for any fighter to be able to fight as Virgil Hill just had."