Photos by Zach Radel / www.zarphotography.com
Joey Eye Promotions came to the National Guard Armory this past weekend and once again the Philly fight scene legend delivered a night full off knockdowns and drag-outs. In the Main Event, the world rated Light Heavyweight Yusef Mack returned home to take on another Philly fighter in Omar Pittman who was looking to score an upset. The PA State and NABA Light Heavyweight titles were on the line as well as a possible top ranking in the WBA. In the co-feature, Derek Ennis looked to put his name back a top the list of young Philly junior middleweights and his assignment was no slouch as he took on the 41 year old day time trash man Troy Browning in a 10 round State title fight. The under card was patch worked together but it did produce two entertaining heavyweight fights when Anthony Gatt took on Jonathan Felton and also when Lamont Barnes took on Tyaab Beale in 4 rounders. Jules Blackwell looked to get a bounce back win and Joel De La Paz returned from North Jersey to once again lace them up in our town.
Mack attacks Pittman!
The nights main event featured two local fighters with separate skill sets but one common attribute, they both could fight. Yusef Mack (26-2, 16ko’s) was a one time anointed prodigy of the worlds 168 lb division, only to see his shot at the big time go up in smoke due to losses against world rated opponents. This is a new ear for Mack as he moved up a division in order not to kill his body to make weight. So far so good at 175 lbs for Mack as he most recently won the NABA title in an ESPN carried fight against Daniel Judah in Brooklyn. Coming into this fight ranked #9 by the WBA, an impressive win is sure to position Mack for another run towards the more meaningful gold.
Pittman (14-5, 8ko’s) on the other hand has only faced a world rated opponent once which was in his last fight which came in Montreal against Jean Pashall. Pittman didn’t win the fight but did expose Pashall as more of a pretender than an actual contender, rocking his opponent and almost putting him away in the later rounds. With a win here, Pittman still probably wouldn’t be considered “world class” but would have a lot of power at the bargaining table when it came to negotiating future fights.
Inside of the ring, Mack played the role of boxer and Pittman looked to slug. In this case, the boxer eluded the puncher’s bombs but was able to return fire with pinpoint accuracy. Though Mack was clearly winning every round, Pittman kept on coming, throwing heavy rights in hopes of landing that one shot knockout punch. The drama unfolded late in the 6th round when Mack cleanly connected with an overhand right which sent Pittman staggering into the corner. Mack wasted no time in following up with a bevy of punches which put Pittman down hard. Pittman did beat the 10 count but was visibly wozy which left the referee no choice but to stop it with a second remaining in the round.
Winner – 2:59 in the 6th round Yusef Mack
Photos by Zach Radel / www.zarphotography.com
Ennis shuts down Browning!
The co-feature was also an interested match-up which featured two fighters from our area, both of whom desperately needed to make a big statement after recent slip-up’s in the ring.
Germantown’s Derek “Pooh” Ennis (16-2, 12ko’s) is considered to be one of the most well rounded fighters in our area. He was born into the sport and has continued to learn and improve well into his adult life. When he fights, you are almost assured it will be entertaining regardless of if he wins or loses. After suffering a surprise loss last year at the unknown Alphonso Williams, Ennis returned to reel off three straight knockout victories, albeit against low level of fighters. On this night he would take on an experienced veteran with a good record, the type of fighter who he has yet to face as a pro.
Troy Browning (20-3, 8ko’s) on the other hand unexpectedly made a name for himself a year ago when he won a decision over the then highly regarded Babyface Garcia live on ESPN. Feeling he was not getting the respect he deserved, the Browning team followed up by taking on two more well regarded prospects in Delvin Rodriguez and Pawel Wolak, losing 10 round unanimous decisions in both fights but showing he could hang in there with younger, fast fighters.
In the ring, Derek Ennis played the matador and Browning played the bull with Pooh leaving the 41 year old phenom swinging at air for more of the night. Browning kept on coming and Ennis kept of boxing. He would bait Browning in, slip away and fire off two, three and four punch combo’s almost at will.
Browning was most effective when he went after the body. A strategy he didn’t use nearly enough. Neither man was ever in serious trouble or truly hurt but it was still a very solid 10 rounds worth of boxing from Ennis, who on this night, showed he is worthy of making the jump into the next level and capable of winning there too. The fight went to the cards which read 100 – 90 x2 & 98- 92 all in favor of Derek Pooh “Ennis”.
Photos by Zach Radel / www.zarphotography.com
Gatt outbombs Felton in a sloppy slugfest!
West Chester’s Anthony Gatt (7-1, 4ko’s) was sent to the canvas in the 2nd round, courtesy of a Jonathan Felton (5-12, 5ko’s) left hook but pulled himself off the deck to win a 4 round unanimous decision over the Carolina based fighter. This one wasn;t pretty but it sure was entertaining as these two fired away and looked to basically knock the other guys head off.
Felton hung in their early but ran out of gas mid way through. Unfortunately for him, Gatt came with a full tank and did his best work in rounds 3 and 4 with hard body shots and right hooks to the head.
It went to the cards which read 39 – 37 & 38-37 x 2 for Gatt
Photos by Zach Radel / www.zarphotography.com
Blackwell blows through Dennis!
Phoenixville’s Jules “The Ghost” Blackwell (8-1-2, 3ko’s) was given a duck in his return to the ring and handled his business very quickly as he battered Javier Dennis (1-2) around the ring until referee Gary Rosato mercifully stopped it at the 2:33 mark of round 1.
If anyone earned an easy fight it is Jules who went on a run earlier this year taking on tough fight after tough fight. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back after suffering his first career loss. Tonight was a good start.
Beale stops Barnes in 2!
Heavyweight Tyaab Beale (1-1, 1ko) scored two knockdowns en route to a 2nd round stoppage over Lamont Barnes (0-1)to earn his first win as a pro. These two big guys traded some heavy shots early and often. A quick 3 punch combo from Beale put Barnes down late in the second. Barnes seemed stunned at first but possibly able to continue although the referee didn’t seem to agree and called a halt to the battle.
De La Paz blows out Hord!
Joel De La Paz (2-0, 1ko) needed only :35 to dispose of Indiana’s Ryan Hord (0-3, 3ko losses), nailing him with a left hook that put Hord down well past the needed 10 count. No disrespect to De La Paz but Hord should never be allowed to fight again, he might get seriously hurt in there.
De La Paz improves to 2-0 after this starching.
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West Philly’s Yusaf Mack will be on ESPN Friday Night Fights this week in a very important IBF Light Heavyweight title eliminator against war hungry veteran Glen Johnson. In a nut shell, it is do-or-die for the career of both fighters! This always makes for some great TV action. Mack has been considered amongst the best in Philly for years now. He has been on the cusp of a title shot a few times to no avail. Now, he has a new team, new division and seemingly new dedication, evident by his current 4 fight winning streak.
