Last Saturday, TKO Promotions and L’Auberge Casino and Hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, teamed up to put on L’Auberge’s first professional boxing show at their Event Center. The place was sold out days in advance and the fights were action packed from the very first bout of the evening.
Kevin Green from New Orleans, La. fought Charles Paul in his hometown of Baton Rouge, La. This fight went back and forth for 4 rounds, exchanging punch after punch. The fight resulted in a draw which tells you they brawled to the end.
Second fight of the evening consisted of Rennard “Flash” Oliver out of Terrytown, La. and Gary Bergeron from St. Bernard, La. Oliver’s hands and feet showed just why they call him “Flash” but Bergeron did not let up and kept coming right at Oliver. Oliver came away with a unanimous decision improving his record to 6 wins 0 losses and 3 draws.
The third fight of the night was a Heavyweight bout featuring another hometown favorite Kennan Hickman from Baton Rouge, La. and Robert Murray from Gulfport, Miss. This fight had heavyweight written all over it from the ring of the bell, they dropped some devastating blows to each other that had the crowd in awe. Hickman came away with a close victory to making his record 6 wins 2 losses and 1 draw.
Next fight was in the Super Lightweight Division featuring Rynell Griffen from Las Vegas, Nevada and Curtis “Hardknocks” Johnson Jr. This fight went the distance as Johnson controlled the fight throughout 6 rounds. Johnson won by unanimous decision and showing the fans he means business when he steps in the ring. Johnson a top prospect in Louisiana continues his unblemished record to 7 wins 0 losses.
The Co-Main Event was Keith Thompson out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and The King Jonathan Guidry out of Dulac, La. This Heavyweight Bout was scheduled for 6 rounds but Guidry only needed 2 to put Thompson on the canvas. The Dulac crowd went crazy running around the arena and screaming DUUU….LAC, DUUU…LAC. Guidry increased his record to 8 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw.
The Main Event of the evening was a much anticipated bout between Jasmine Clarkson from Cedar Hill, Texas and Kim Connor, from Little Rock, Arkansas. Connor came into this fight rated #3 in the world by the International Boxing Federation and #1 by the Northern American Boxing Federation in the Lightweight Division. Connor had her work cut out for her in the first 2 rounds of this 6 round bout, but she settled in and turned it up. Connor showed thought out this fight why she has fought for 2 world titles in her career. She astonished the spectators with her skillful, powerful punches, and determination to win the fight. Connor won and continues to be a top contender in the world with a record now of 13 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws.