By John DiSanto at ringside
Welterweights Ray Robinson, Philadelphia, 24-3-1, 12 KOs, and Oxnard-based Lithuanian Egidijus Kavaliauskas, 21-0-1, 17 KOs, fought to a 10-round majority draw, in the 10-round semi-final. Robinson boxed smartly and kept the touted puncher at bay. However two of the three official judges scored the fight even, 95-95. The remaining judge had the fight a more reasonable 97-93 for Robinson. Kavaliauskas was a huge betting favorite in the bout.
In an IBF welterweight elimination bout, Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, Kuala Lampur, MAL, 16-0, 9 KOs, beat Japan’s Keita Obara, 20-4-1, 18 KOs, by 12-round unanimous decision. Abdukakhorov was the aggressor most of the way, constantly pressing and landing his shots. Obara stayed in the fight with his own power punches, especially right uppercuts. After twelve rounds, the official scores all favored Abdukakhorov, 118-110, 117-111 and 115-113.
Southpaw junior lightweight Donald Smith, Philadelphia, 9-0, 6 KOs, knocked out Jose Antonio Martinez, Albuquerque, 11-18, 6 KOs, with an arching left hand in the fourth and final round. Referee Benjy Esteves began counting, but then called the fight over at 2:01.
South Philly heavyweight Sonny Conto, 2-0, 2 KOs, satisfied his large and rowdy cheering section by knocking out Texan Omar Acosta, 1-6, 1 KO, at 1:15 of round one. Conto dropped Acosta with a left hook, and although he made it to his feet, was in no condition to continue. Referee Gary Rosato waved the fight to an end, giving Conto his second win in the professional ranks.
Allentown junior featherweight Jeremy Adorno made a successful pro debut against free-swinging Sebastian Baltazar of Tacoma, 1-4, winning a 4-round unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight a 40-36 shutout.
Chino Lopez, Humacao, PR, 12-1, 10 KOs, schooled Oxnard’s Askhat Ualikhanov, 4-2, 2 KOs, stopping him after the sixth round of their scheduled 8-round junior lightweight bout. There were no knockdowns, but after six rounds, Ualikhanov retired in his corner. The official time was 3:00 of round six.
Reading junior lightweight Joshafat Ortiz, 6-0, 4 KOs, knocked out James Thomas of Grand Rapids, 6-5, 6 KOs in the opening round of a scheduled sixer. Ortiz slammed home a left uppercut that put Thomas down for the full 10 count. Eric Dali was the referee.
Tijuana junior middleweight Juan Ruiz, 22-4, 14 KOs, stopped Ghanaian Fredrick Lawson, 27-2, 21 KOs, in round four of their scheduled 8-round bout. Ruiz scored one knockdown and when the action resumed, just fired away until referee Gary Rosato stepped in at the 1:15 mark.
Super middleweight Christian Mbilli, Montreal, 14-0, 13 KOs, scored an 8-round unanimous decision over Humberto Gutierrez, Tijuana, 33-8-2, 22 KOs. The fight was a trench war with much of the action playing out along the ropes, and a steady stream of two way body punching. However, Mbilli was sharper and stronger and won by easy scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice.
In the first bout at the 2300 Arena in South Philly, heavyweight Cassius Chaney, New London, CT, 15-0, 9 KOs, dropped Christian Mariscal, Tijuana, MEX, 12-3, 5 KOs, twice in round one, and won by TKO after just 2:16.