Bronx, NY – Oct 21, 2007 Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, hosted a night of spectacular star-studded talent, from the Manhattan Center, New York, in front of a SOLD OUT, standing room only crowd. Frenchman Jr. Welterweight Ali “Hurricane” Oubaali stole the show and electrified the crowd in his American debut. Showing everyone why he is the known as the “Hurricane”, Oubaali was sensational, tearing through his game opponent Victorio Abadia with non-stop aggression and punching..
Oubaali was a fireball from the opening bell as he went right after Abadia throwing crisp combinations to the head and body that had Abadia reeling backwards. Abadia bravely fought back much to the crowd’s delight as the bell sounded ending Round 1. Round 2 started with both fighters standing toe to toe in ring center trading bombs. Oubaali let loose with tremendous combinations that put Abadia on the seat of pants. Abadia gamely rose as Oubaali moved in to finish him and just when it looked like the fight would be stopped Abadia caught Oubaali with a flush right.
Abadia seized the opportunity as he backed up Oubaali with hard combinations to the head. At this point the crowd was in a frenzy but there was more to come. Oubaali, showing the tenacity of a true champion, turned the tide again catching Abadia with a straight right hand backing him to the ropes as the bell sounded ending what is clearly one of the rounds of the year.
Oubaali had a big round 3 continuing his relentless assault on Abadia. Round 4 opened up with Abadia showing renewed vigor but that didn’t last long as Oubaali again began to pummel his opponent prompting referee Sparkle Lee to halt the action at 1:27 of the fourth round of the scheduled 8 round bout.
Oubaali improves to 20-3 17 KO’s, while Abadia slips to 22-6-2 8 KO’s.
Fan favorite James Moore came out to a thunderous chorus from the throngs of Irish supporters from the balcony and ringside seats he faced off with Chad Greenleaf. Jr. Middleweight Moore took a little time to figure the crafty southpaw out but soon took control. Moore controlled the fight with his strong jab and applied pressure the entire fight. After six rounds, the judges scored unanimously in favor of Moore, who remained undefeated (13-0 9KO’s) as Greenleaf drops to 10-8-1 4KO’s.
The Main Event saw Vinny Maddalone in his first return back to the ring after his heroic fight against Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, back in March of this year. After a seven month lay off Maddalone was eager to get back into the ring. Entering to the “Rocky” theme song, the crowd gave their favorite fighter a huge welcome back ovation.
Both fighters came out fast and strong at the bell. Barnett caught Maddalone with a solid punch that rocked him against the ropes. Then, due to a nasty head-butt from Barnett, Maddalone suffered a cut on his left cheekbone.
In the second round Maddalone put Barnett down with a huge body shot. Barrnett got up and began leading with his head causing a nasty cut over Maddalone’s left eye. The referee, Eddie Cotton warned Barnett repeatedly about head-butting and lacing as Maddalone tried to keep the pressure on Barnett, only to be met with clinches and dirty tactics that ultimately led to two points being deducted from Barnett during the fight.
After repeated Barnett fouls, the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight in the seventh round and disqualified Barnett. Maddalone improves to 28-4 20 KO’s. Barnett goes to 9-6 4KO’s.
Noriko Kariya, 7-2-1 1KO, was victorious over Dawn Kelley, 3-3, the wife of former world champion Kevin Kelley, in a 4 round Bantamweight fight.
Ronny Vargas, 3-0 2KO’s, pummeled opponent Paul Scianna, 3-2 1KO, stopping him 51 seconds into the second round of a scheduled 4 round Jr. Middleweight bout.
Jose Guzman, 1-1-2, scored an upset 4 round majority victory over previously undefeated Jr. Lightweight Nicky DeMarco, 2-0 2KO’s. The bout was all action as both fighters traded freely throughout the four rounds.
The opening bout got the evening off to a rousing start as debuting Middleweight Troy Artis and Rondu Campbell, 1-0-1, hooked up in a give and take battle which ended up a draw.
All in all, it was a smashing and successful night for Star Boxing in NYC!