G.M. Ross – A boxing renaissance is underway in Ontario. It seems the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, will join Casino Rama as a home of regular boxing events for the foreseeable future under the management of United Promotions. This fledgling promotional team made their initial foray into the world of boxing last Saturday, showcasing an excellent mix of Canada’s up-and-coming talents and more seasoned veterans..
In the middleweight division, former Canadian amateur titlist Richard Reittie, of Toronto, made his much anticipated pro-debut against Julius ‘Caesar’ Bunda of Syd Vanderpool’s Kitchener, Ontario, stable of boxers. This was Bunda’s second professional fight, and first in his home province of Ontario, having won his November pro-debut against Juan Sanchez in Winnipeg, Manitoba, via unanimous decision. Bunda’s first victory on home turf, however, was not to be, as the savvy Reittie tagged the Kitchener prospect with a right handed slumber-maker in the second round of their four stanza affair. Reittie, with his speed and ring generalship, could go a long way in the pro-game, keeping Canadian boxing fans on their feet for years to come. If Reittie stays busy and successful, a match with Olympian, and fellow Canadian prospect, Adam Trupish could generate a lot of buzz in Canadian pugilism. Trupish, who is undefeated in three professional fights, will return to the ring in February, at the Palace Banquet Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. His opponent has yet to be announced.
Two big lads in Irving Chestnut and Denton Daley, made their pro debuts in a heavyweight bout scheduled for four rounds. Daley dropped Chestnut four times in total, the final knockdown coming in the third round, when Daley landed with two consecutive right hands. Chestnut was knocked unconscious and the fight was called. Hopefully Chestnut makes a speedy recovery and is back training amateurs at his London, Ontario gym in no time.
In the other heavyweight contest, Neven ‘No Surrender’ Pajkic stretched his undefeated record to 11-0, defeating Florida’s Jason ‘the Sensation’ Gavern. Gavern was coming off a seventh round KO loss to Russian prospect Denis Boytsov, and has now lost three of his last six fights. With the win, Pajkic inches closer to Canadian heavyweight champion Grzegorz Kielsa and a shot the title.
In other undercard action, Steve Marsh of Edmonton dropped his third unanimous decision in a row, losing to Jorge Banos of Longueuil, Quebec. Both men weighed in at 132 lbs. Scott Paul, of Niagara Falls, Ontario – another of Banos’ victims – lost a six round, split decision to Harrison McBain of Hamilton, Ontario.
In the main event, welterweight standout, and reigning Canadian champion, Victor Lupo, of Toronto, was forced to settle for a draw against Ulises Jimenez of Mexico, after eight hard rounds of action. A knockdown scored by Jimenez in the first round proved the turning point in the contest, negating the slight edge earned by Lupo in the seven subsequent rounds.
United Promotions intend to provide another night of fights at Mississauga’s Hershey Centre on March 27th, featuring the return of newcomer Denton Daley, and Canadian bantamweight champion Andrew Singh Kooner (opponents to be announced).