By Brad Snyder at ringside
Photos: Bob Ryder
Undefeated welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis (24-0, 22 KOs) TKO’d Demian Daniel Fernandez (12-2, 5 KOs) in round three on Saturday night at the Dort Federal Events Center in Flint, Michigan.
Ennis was aggressive from the opening bell, landing 43 percent of his power shots as he switched from orthodox to southpaw. Two warnings for low blows in the first minute of the fight did not stop the speedy Ennis from attacking the body. In the third, Ennis backed Fernandez into the corner and unleashed an onslaught of unanswered power shots that forced the Argentine to take a knee. Fernandez beat the count but told referee Frank Garza that he couldn’t see and the fight was immediately ended. Time was 2:10. After the fight, Fernandez (12-2, 5 KOs) was transported to a local hospital with a suspected orbital injury.
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Jermaine Franklin (20-0, 13 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Pavel Šour (11-2, 6 KOs). Franklin dropped Sour in rounds six and ten en route to a 97-91, 98-91, 98-90 win. Sour who had opportunities, still had no answer for the left hook and right to the head.
WBO #13-rated super flyweight Jarico “Great Lakes King” O’Quinn (13-0-1, 8 KOs) and James Smith (13-3 7 KOs) entertained the crowd with an action-packed fight. O’Quinn was able to knock down Smith in round six. O’Quinn claimed the vacant WBO International title.
Cruiserweight Robert Simms (9-3, 3 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Demetrius Banks (10-9-1, 5 KOs) in an entertaining fight. He overcame a swollen left eye to win by scores of 58-56, 58-56, 60-54.
Heavyweight Izim Izbaki (3-0, 2 KOs) overwhelmed Troy Albright (0-3) scoring two first round knockdowns with referee Ansel Stewart stopping the contest shortly after the second knockdown at the 1:30 mark.
Welterweight Jacob Bonas (4-0-1, 2 KOs) worked off some rust to win a four round unanimous decision over Norfleet Stitts (1-4) by scores of 40-36, 40-36, 40-36.
In the nights opening fight, female middleweight Hannah Rankin (8-3 1 KO ) boxed her way to a six round unanimous decision by scores of (60-50, 60-50, 60-50) over her opponent Erin Toughill (7-6-1)
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I know I’m stating the obvious, but it’s a shame the Shields-Habazin fight was cancelled. So unecesarry. I personally think Habazin should have fought without her trainer. She has co-trainers and handlers that were in camp with her, she trained for the fight and knows the fight plan. Often times, a trainer isn’t even in his fighters corner on fight night due to other obligations. But hey, who am I? Im just a guy typing on a computer. That being said, what happened at the weigh-in is straight up bullshit! There are all kinds of thugs at these events who clearly don’t belong there and have no respect for the sport. Clarresa should be held responsible to some degree as it was a member of her team, her brother, who was the culprit. Fighters need to be more selective as to who they allow to attend such events.
Three takeaways from Showtime’s telecast last night:
1) Ennis is a real prospect! I feel he needs to work on his jab even if he definitely didn’t need it last night. With that said he has everything you need: speed, power and he’s a large Welterweight!
2) Franklin is NOT a real prospect! Even in the awful Heavyweight Division he doesn’t seem good enough to even be a gatekeeper. Seriously, can you picture him giving Dubois, Joyce, Ajagba, etc… any trouble?
3) How sad had Showtime’s stable gotten when you wish for a women’s match? Shields is worthy of coverage, but definitely isn’t worthy of a main event. Franklin has now had 3 chances to impress and failed in all 3. Sour was a punching bag and still he couldn’t finish. Ennis clearly has talent, but his opponent clearly didn’t. I’m considering canceling based off what they’ve been putting out.
KEEP WORKING ENNIS AND DON’T LET THE HEADLINES FOOL YOU/… KEEP WORKING UNTIL YOU GET TO THE TOP… THEN KEEP YOUR MIND ON BUSINESS…WHEN IT’S ALL SAID AND DONE THIS IS ABOUT MONEY… GOOD LUCK