02.12.07 – By Wray Edwards, Photos © Wray Edwards/ESB from ringside…Friday night in Tampa, FL., One Punch Productions and Don King Productions presented the latest installment of Tampa’s “Ballroom Brawl!” series at the Tampa Westshore Doubletree Hotel. The full card, headlined by former world Champion Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, included eight other fights. The main event was an eight round Jr. Welter contest between Mr. Corley (31-6-1) from Washington DC, and Dario Esalas (30-10) from Columbia.
I expected that Demarcus wanted to use this fight as one of the rungs on his ladder back to national prominence.. Of course Dairo missed the meeting where that plan was approved and, naturally, decided to seek his own fame and fortune. Corley, who has been in the ring with the likes of Floyd Jr., Cotto, Judah and Witter is no stranger to people trying to spoil his plans. Their fight was very lively and they kept Referee Bryan Garry very busy. The following photos show the action from that and the other fights, as well as a very energetic group of technical support persons from Ker’s WingHouse, a local bistro with astoundingly attractive menu “advisors”:
As the fight progressed Corley spent more and more time on the ropes as Dairo succeeded in cutting him off.
Even in the center of the ring the Columbian took the lead.
Dairo was very resilient and aggressive. So much so that Ref Garry warned him many times about low blows, one of which resulted in a points deduction, elbow involvement and various head, neck and shoving warnings. It looked at one point that Esalas had been called on so many things that he was getting a bit intimidated and wondered if he should try anything.
Two of the judges, however, still found enough regulation boxing dominance from Dairothat he was awarded a Split Decision Victory by Judge: Emil Conforti 75-76, Judge: Ged O’Connor 75-76 and Judge: Alex Levin 76-75. Corley came to the ring looking fit and ready. He is 33 years old now and most likely done as a credible threat in the devision.
The co-feature was an eight round Jr. Welterweight bout between Vasyl Tarabarov (17-0-1) from Smolensk, Russia and Ilido Julio (35-12-1) from Columbia. Here we see Vasyl demonstrating his chin. Unfortunately, Ilido was somewhat shorter than Tarabarov which might have contributed to numerous low blows. Ref Dennis DeBon warned and took points away from Julio time-after-time until he couldn’t stand it any more.
As the low blows continued in the Fifth Round Dennis called a hault and DQ’d Julio for his activities south of the border. Tarabarov didn’t argue.
The first fight of the night was a Six Round Lightweight bout between John Jackson (9-1)from Detroit, Michigan and Marteze Logan (25-30) From Covington, Tennessee.
They started things off with a bang and didn’t let up.
Bang was the word. In the strange lighting of the DoubleTree ballroom the clouds of sweat are often featured.
Jackson worked a balanced attack and went to the body to great effect.
Then at 1:29 of the Sixth Round, a rather grumpy Ref Garry stopped the bout and awarded the prize to Jackson.
This guy, Adam Ortiz (2-4) from El Paso, Texas, was in fight number two which was a Four Round Jr. Middleweight match between he and Rahman Yusubov (5-1) from Baku, Azerbajan. I looked up after some quick editing on-the-fly to see Adam falling towards me with a daffy look which was a combination of cross-eyed surprise and bedroom eyes. He ended on his back under the ropes.
So this guy, Rahman Yusubov, who had spent a whole 57 seconds in Round One to get around to delivering a withering hook to pronate Ortiz, got to pose for his winnings.
Another Four-Rounder popped in front of us featuring Brian Meadows (Debut) from Owensboro, KY versus Laquel Fleming (1-1) from Jackson, Mississippi in Jr. Middleweight newbee action.
They both expended a lot of energy…
in stressful clashes which…
ultimately led to a draw which I couldn’t bring myself to record for posterity. I don’t like draws…but you know that.
Next, Kertson Manswell (13-0) from Charlotteville, Trinidad had a snot-knocker with Heavyweight Willie Perryman (9-12) from Clarksdale, Mississippi for Eight Rounds.
Perryman got really tired and at one point tried to rest a bit on Manswell’s, big, fluffy tricep. Who can blame him? Knocking the snot out of someone is very strenuous.
Manswell did more hitting than Perryman and took the match by all 79/73 cards for the UD.
Heavyweight Lenroy Thomas (7-1) from St. Catherine, Jamaica hopped on the canvass with Wallace McDaniel (1-1) from Covington, Tennessee for what was supposed to be a Four Round contest.
About 2:60 of the First Round Thomas transported a huge hunk of high-speed leather which put Wallace right on his beak on the floor.
I’ve fallen and can’t get up. Leroy Thomas was a happy fighter but he hopped out of the ring before anybody could get a pic.
Light Heavyweight Adam Jaco (4-2) from Sarasota, Florida went after Mike Rayner (4-8) from North Carolina.
Jaco was too much for Rayner and Adam was awarded a 40/36 UD across the board.
The seventh fight on the bout sheet featured Cruiserweight Willie Chisholm (5-1) from Gainsville, Floridain a contest with Earl Doe (4-1) from South Carolina.
Earl had a very effective body attack. He put Willie down near the ropes with this right shot…
then, just to even things out, he drops Willie with a left to the gut.
Is this Déjà vu or what? Am I having a flashback!!? No, same pose (I’ve fallen and I can’t get up) different boxer. People keep crawling over here. At 1:29 of the First Round Willie was done.
Mr. Doe gathers with his camp to celebrate. Hi Dan.
As usual, the advisors demonstrate the proper punching practices.
Dan is a party animal.
So is Nate Campbell…it looks like he’s having more fun.
Jeff Lacy says, “Ok Nate, I’ll see your four and raise you one.
There’s nothing like live Boxing to make an evening one to remember. ESB would like to thank Terry Trekas for his kind invitation to cover this event. These ballroom club-cards are always fun. Thanks to all you Boxers. See you at the fights.