The highly anticipated rematch between Michael “The Midnight Stalker” Walker (19-1-1, 12 KO’s) and Antwun Echols (31-9, 27 KO’s) met the expectations of fans right from the starting bell. After their initial meeting in February of this year as the Main Event on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights, which ended in a draw Walker and Echols had some unfinished business to resolve.. These two warriors showed this time it was personal as the heated exchanges began immediately. Walker initiated the action and pushed the fight tempo with his relentless charging offense and body attack. The crafty veteran Echols worked with his stiff jab trying to keep the come forward Walker away.
The more experienced Echols looked to counterpunch from all angles to help weather the offensive storm of Walker. The constant pressure of Walker led to numerous heavy exchanges throughout the bout. Both fighters landed crushing punches that shook there opponent at times. The constant pressure of Walker seemed a bit much for Echols as he began to show fatigue at the end of each of the latter rounds and Walker continued to finish strong until the last bell. Such tremendous action brought the fans to their feet as both fighters received a standing ovation for the performance they had delivered.
After eight hard fought rounds of back and forth action the battle went to the judge’s scorecards. Even after the first judge saw the bout 76-76 a draw both fighters stood confidently. Michael Walker however would be the victor as the other scores of 78-74 and 77-75 were announced for Walker who won by majority decision.
Just prior to the start of the Main Event One In A Million, Inc. CEO Octavius James honored members of the Armed Forces as well as a member of Team One In A Million Gabriel Besa (pictured in center photo on the left of CEO Octavius James) who has enlisted into the Navy and would be shipping out for training after the fights.
In the co-main event Middleweight Derrick “Superman” Findley (13-2-0, 8 KOs) made quick work over Elliot Bland in less than thirty seconds. Findley overwhelmed Bland with a non-stop flurry of power punches until Bland collapsed and do not get up to make the count. The time was :28 seconds.
Opening the second half of the evening fan favorite Welterweight Ed Ochoa (6-0, 6 KOs) had a very entertaining match with the relentless Christian Nash, who engaged back and forth until finally being stopped by Ochoa at 1:38 of the fourth and final round.
Middleweight Orphius Waite (3-0-0, 2 KOs) showed get resolve as he controlled the pace with Juan Aguilar (6-2-0, 3 KOs) who started the fight with great aggression. Waite kept his composure under the pressure and let the hard pressing Aguilar wear himself out as Waite would pick and choose his punches. After six hard fought rounds the judges would see the final scorecards 59-55, and 60-54, all for Waite.
The night started with some huge knockout victories as boxers Michael Parker of Highland, IN, Josh Crouch of Schererville, IN, and Sam Merza of Chicago, IL all dispatched their opponents in quick fashion to start the evening.
Heavyweight Michael Parker (7-0, 6 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact with a TKO win over Ronald Garr of Virginia at 1:32 in the first round. Middleweight Josh Crouch (2-0, 2KOs) dispatched Dan Summers who was making his pro debut in 45 seconds of the first round. Sam Merza (15-1, 12 KOs) contained a wild Michael Rush before stopping him at 2:11 of the first round.
BELLEW: IT WOULDN’T BE CLEVER TO FACE ME!
Tony Bellew says he is gunning for the winner of Friday night’s Commonwealth light-heavyweight title fight between Nathan Cleverly and Tony Oakey.
And he says he hopes it is young gun Cleverly – so he can knock the Welshman out.
Cleverly and Oakey will slug it out for the vacant belt at the Everton Park Sports Centre on October 10.
And Bomber Bellew is set for his seventh professional on the undercard, his first appearance in his home city.
The 25-year-old, who has stopped four of his six victims, has already been involved in a war of words with Cleverly, who he believes is over-rated.
And he continued his verbal attack today.
“Nathan’s good, but I’ll beat him 10 times out of 10,” said Bellew.
“He’s a little bit more experienced than me, but once I’ve had a few more fights, I’ll be gunning for him.
“I definitely want him to win on Friday night because it would be great to knock him out somewhere down the line and get my hands on that Commonwealth belt.
“If he wins I hope he comes back to Liverpool and defends against me – but I’m quite happy to go to Wales and knock him out in front of his own fans.
“By all accounts Cleverly is quite a brainy lad studying maths at university, so I’m sure that once he has worked out that speed multiplied by strength equals power and will result in him being knocked-out then he will wisely stay away from me!
“When I was an amateur they called me the Bomber, and I’ve carried my power through to the professional ranks.
“As soon as I step into championship class then some of the big names are going to get taken out in style.”