By Ja Lang G. Greene (at ringside)

Calvin Brock closed 2005 on a winning note by defeating David Bostice to capture the IBA heavyweight championship. Brock, a Charlotte North Carolina native, walked to the ring with the Rocky theme song blaring from the Cricket Arena speakers. The crowd was electric in supporting their hometown fighter. Make no mistake Brock who is the only heavyweight ranked in the top ten by the IBF, WBC, WBA, and WBO was not considered an underdog by any stretch of the imagination. Official scores had the bout 118-10 (twice) & 116-112. Boxing Scene scored the bout 118-110.

Both fighters came to fight and traded hard leather early and often. Brock landed the crisper and harder punches and dictated the pace of the bout. Bostice entered this fight in great condition and he clearly was not the same fighter who got smoked by Jeremy Williams in one round. There were no knockdowns in the bout, but both fighters were throwing bombs much to the crowd’s passion for toe to toe action. Brock won the first five rounds on my card by going to the body, establishing the jab, and executing great ring generalship.

Bostice’s best round came in six when Brock appeared to be resting, when he landed several hard shots to the body and a good mix of combinations. Brock competitively won rounds seven and eight and scored his biggest round of the night in nine when he staggered Bostice with vicious head and body blows. Brock continued the pace in the tenth and hurt Bostice again with a solid left, right combo that sent Bostice reeling into the ropes. Bostice earned respect with his showing and firing punches back at the favorite. The twelfth ended with both fighters throwing hard shots and the Charlotte crowd chanting “Calvin, Calvin, Calvin.”

Other Action

Dorin Spivey won a unanimous decision over the game but overmatched Kevin Carter. Pernell ‘Sweet Pea” Whitaker worked the corner for Spivey as he controlled the action throughout. The outcome of the fight was never in question but Kevin Carter never was in any serious trouble. Official scores 59-54, 60-54, 60-54.

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Malik Scott dominated U.S. Military veteran Dennis McKinney. Scott was too big and strong for his opponent dropping him in rounds two and six. Referee should have stopped this bout earlier. Official scores 60-52 (all).

Former NBA player Kendall Gill destroyed Quincy Mitchell (who was making his pro debut) in round 1. The jury is still out on whether Gill can become a contender versus limited competition but he appears to have some skill displaying a good jab and footwork.