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On Thursday, May 8, 2003, I was honored with being invited back to cover
the 50th show of Scott Wagner’s long running syndicated boxing series,
Ballroom Boxing from Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, Maryland. As
I sat ringside, I thought about the 8 shows I covered from ringside in the
last three years, and a plethora of good memories shot through my brain
that along with watching the legendary Boxing Scribe, Burt Randolph Sugar
doing the Moon Walk in front of me, caused a huge smile to come across my
face.
Wagner, neatly dressed in a tuxedo was beaming with joy, as he told me, “I
love putting on these boxing shows, and giving the fans the very best each
time out.”
During the intermission, Wagner in a very heartfelt speech took the time
from the boxing ring to recognize his successful staff, and also, to bring
back some of the early fighters who appeared on his show that helped it
grow to what can only be called, “The Best Boxing Show on any Coast”.
In the main event, local light heavyweight favorite Darnell “Ding-A-Ling
Man” Wilson, (12-1-1, 11 Ko’S) faced Detroit, MI Charles Rasheed Lee,
(16-12-2, 7 Ko’s) in a scheduled eight round match. Key word here is
scheduled. Wilson, known for his “Mike Tyson power” didn’t disappoint the
fans when he came out at the bell, and cornered Lee in a neutral corner,
banging him out with a huge right hand that was followed by a short left.
The latter punch, separated Lee from his senses, and sent him crashing to
the canvas.
Referee Malik Waleed had seen enough, and wisely called the fight to an
end. Covering several of Wilson’s fights, I have to give him credit for
creating an excitement each time out, and really making a concerted effort
to meet with his fans which he continues to build at the Ballroom.
In the co-main event middleweights would take to the ring. Philadelphian
Sir William “The Gladiator” Gibbs, (14-0, 11 Ko’s) would face another
fighter who came in from the Motor City, when he faced, Leon “Ice Cold”
Pearson, (11-8-3, 2 Ko’s) in a scheduled eight rounder. In the first
round, Gibbs landed a right hand that dropped Pearson and many thought
might be the end of the fight. To our delight, it wasn’t, and Pearson made
an exciting fight out of it for the entire eight rounds. But, in the end,
he would lose a unanimous decision to Gibbs.
Under card results:
(Heavyweights): Jed Phipps, (8-0, 5 Ko’s) KO1 over Steve Griffin, (3-7, 3
Ko’s)
(Light heavyweights): Sam Reese, (8-7-4, 4 Ko’s) six round Majority
Decision over Jameel Wilson, (12-4-2, 7 Ko’s)
Heavyweights: Brandon Cabell, (1-0-1), four round majority draw against
Adele Olakanye, (0-0-1).
Junior Middleweights: Tracy Whitfield, (1-0) four round majority decision
over Spencer Harsley, (0-2).
Faces in the crowd included: Former NABF & NABA Junior Lightweight
Champion Lamont “Bay” Pearson, WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Demarcus
“Chop- Chop” Corley, former two-time WBC Middleweight Champion Keith
Holmes, current women’s champion, “The Raging Beauty” Isra Girgrah, along
with early mentioned Boxing writer, Burt Randolph Sugar and ESPN boxing
Commentator Max Kellerman.
Promoter: Scott Wagner
Director of Boxing Operations: “Wildman” Dave Wilkerson
Matchmakers: Josh Hall and Chris Middendorf
As always fight fans, keep reaching for the stars, and all your dreams can
be fulfilled.
Email: bberkwitt@aol.com
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