21.09.07 – By Craig Mastendri: World Class Promotions presented a Saturday evening boxing event dubbed “The New Breed” at the Iceoplex at Southpointe. The card Showcased up and coming professional talent from the Pennsylvania Tri-State area. Presenting six fights. Several prospects showing promise. The fans in attendance have more to look forward to as they continue to rise and progress..
Light-Heavyweight prospect, Tommy “The Pride of Uniontown” Karpency pushed his record to 8-0 4 KO’s as he gave fans a thrilling knockout just 22 seconds into the first round against James North 8-19-2 3 KO’s. North has been knocked out by a few name opponents such as Anthony Dirrell, Joey Spina, and Jaidon Codrington though none as fast as Karpency’s. North also lost decisions to fighters like James Mcgirt Jr and Anthony Hanshaw. Perhaps, facing experienced competition gave him a false sense of confidence, as he charged Karpency at the opening bell. If, you blinked? You’d have missed the straight counter left hand, landed after dipping under North’s assault. Clearly, North didn’t see it! It left him wobbling and helpless in the corner and the referee quickly stepped in and put a stop to the action.
Mike “Steel City” Strauss, a former Pennsylvania Golden Gloves Champion. Improved to 2-0 2 KO’s in a Lightweight bout against Shawn Detamore, a former Ohio Golden Gloves Champion, who fell to 2-3. Strauss displayed excellent technical skill, timing, defense, and power at one point sending his opponents mouthpiece into the third row from a pinpoint right hand. The fight was waived off at the two minute and thirty-three second mark of round two as Detamore was taking heavy punishment. Strauss has the look of a talented prospect who might one day make noise in the lightweight division.
Jimmy Lubash improved to 2-0 against Heath Harris 1-5 1 KO after being dropped in the first round of their Super Middleweight fight. Lubash was clearly the more skilled fighter and it led to overconfidence in the first round. He got caught posing with his hands down in an attempt to get his opponent to open up. That approach backfired as Harris landed cleanly, crumpling Lubash to the canvas. Harris failed to capitalize and didn’t apply enough pressure after the knockdown and allowed Lubash to escape the round. After the wake up call, Lubash regained his composure and won the next three rounds, of the four round bout, and pulled out the victory.
Jesse Lubash, formerly ranked #2 in the U.S as an amateur welterweight, improved to 2-0 1 KO against Shane Gierke 2-13 1 KO. The younger Lubash looked good and put his shots together completely dominating his opponent. Gierke was overwhelmed and had no clue how to handle his more talented opponent.
Jim Emerick moved his record to 2-0 with 2 KO’s with a 39 second KO of Aaron Harris 1-2 1 KO. Harris was hurt badly by a chopping right hand that caught Harris on the side of his head. He collapsed face first to the canvas. Harris was down for a while and had to be assisted from the ring. Emerick, has yet to see the second round and has power and a tenacious attitude.
Rod Salka went to 2-0 1 KO with a third round TKO as his opponent quit on his stool. Salkas physical style, bodywork, and pressure broke his opponents resolve.
Michelle “Amazing Grace” Linden now 6-4-1 fought to a majority draw against Michelle Garland 1-3-1 a four round, female fight, with back and forth action Linden was more experienced but Garland had faster hands and volume.
One of the worst fights this writer has been forced to endure in sometime, took place between Heavyweights Jason Bergman 5-3-1 4 KO’s and Mike Miller 2-4-1 2 KO’s. There was hardly any action as these two “fought” to a draw. If ever there was a fight, where both deserved a loss? I’d like to submit this as a candidate. These two did their best to put the entire place to sleep and nearly succeeded. It was the only blemish on an otherwise exciting evening. One fan at ringside wondered aloud, “I wonder who would win a hot dog eating contest between these two?” There would undoubtedly be more action in that event. At least!