By Larry Tornambe, ringside
Atlantic City, NJ- Dino Duva brought boxing and ESPN2 back to the Tropicana in Atlantic City on June 9th. Brian Minto vs. Danny Batchelder getting the top bill after Kendall Holt was injured in training, but it was Harry Joe Yorgey with the vocal crowd support and most impressive outing.
Minto’s main event win over Danny Batchelder was a little more difficult than expected from the Minto camp. Batchelder (24-2-1; 11KO’s) had some shining moments early in the bout while countering Minto’s misses. Brian (25-2) won the bought by punching in combinations. He would usually miss two punches of a three-punch combo, meanwhile Batchelder landed nice counters. Minto’s bull-like attack began to bust up Batchelder and pin him on the ropes, gaining valuable control in the later rounds. The unanimous decision went to the 213 pound Minto by counts of 96-94, 97-93 twice.
Lightening Harry Joe Yorgey wound up fighting not only a late replacement, but also a southpaw to boot. Ronnie Warrior, Jr. took the bout and gained the opening spot on the ESPN2 broadcast vs. the undefeated Yorgey. Yorgey used angles very well, even getting credit for such from Warrior after the unanimous decision went Yorgey’s way. “His highlight was angles, he moved and was faster than I thought” Warrior would later tell BoxingScene.com. Harry, who slowed the pace in the 5th round, picked it back up in the 6th of a scheduled 8-round Jr. middleweight feature.
The crowd who traveled the 90-minute drive from Bridgeport, Pennsylvania also buoyed Yorgey. Yorgey showed no problems handling the southpaw and worked angles well, went to the body effectively and adjusted his attack upon realizing Warrior had good defense, “He blocked a lot with his elbows and gloves, so I started coming around with hooks.” Yorgey (15-0; 8KO’s) used the angles and sharper punches to remain undefeated and marketable for another ESPN showing this summer. Warrior (11-2-1) came it at 151lbs stated he’s a “welterweight and both of my losses and my draw came at Jr. Middle.” Warrior surely deserves more shots against top welterweights, based on this fight.
Other bouts filling out the 9-fight night:
Chuck Mussachio struggled to stay undefeated against Santiago Hillario over 6-rounds in the light heavyweight division. Somehow Mussachio got up from a knockdown and lost a point from fouls to win 59-55(what!?) and 57-55 twice. Hillario goes to 2-6.
Patrick Lopez went the distance for the first time as a pro in winning a bloody 4-round decision over Armando Cordoba. Lopez is 7-0; 6KO’s and will now have the summer off because of a large cut over his left eye.
Vinnie Maddalone pounded Dan Whetzel to gain a TKO in the 2nd. Maddalone is 26-3; 19 KO’s and Whetzel evens at 7-7-1.
Audley Harrison fought a 6-round walkout bout against Andrew Greeley. Harrison has not shined as brightly as his Olympic gold medal and tonight was no exception. Greeley’s physique was grown at the buffet table, while Harrison was huffing by the 2nd round. Greeley (11-13-2) took a knee and stayed down complaining of blurred vision and a probably broken nose in the 3rd. Harrison (20-2) gets the 3rd round TKO in front of about 50 unimpressed fans.
Heavyweight Malachy Farrell (232lbs) gets his 14th win (11th KO) against a soft Rick Zufall (234 lbs; 6-7).
Raymond Briggs dropped overmatched Gerald Jordan at 1:44 of the 2nd in welterweight bout. Undefeated Briggs looked good in getting his 4th knockout in as many pro wins.
Joe Park and Lajuan Simon quietly started the night with an 8-round super middleweight scrap. Simon wore down Park to a nub by the end of the 7th. The finely conditioned Simon is 14-0-2, while Park drops to 7-2.
We learned more of Harry Joe Yorgey’s desire to succeed and his ability to dissect the situation. We saw more of Simon’s steady skills, not thrilling, but very solid and well conditioned. Maddalone is what he is; a puncher and the fans love it. More exposure should be given to Warrior, don’t let his Oklahoma home fool you; he’ll bring his skills.