Story And Photos By David Algranati
Knockout Night and We Fight For Peace: Double Header Delivers Action in Chester
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino hosted a unique boxing doubleheader on Saturday, offering fans two events on one ticket: the inaugural edition of Teefy Bey’s Knockout Night and the latest installment of RDR Promotions’ “We Fight For Peace.” The combined card featured five amateur bouts followed by seven professional contests.
Main Event: Noble-Pegese Returns After 15-Month Layoff
Philadelphia’s undefeated Jibril “Lil’ Dump” Noble-Pegese (7-0, 5 KOs) successfully returned from a 15-month layoff, defeating upset-specialist Yeuri “Dinamita” Andujar (7-8-1, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision in the lightweight main event.
Noble-Pegese appeared to be the better-conditioned fighter in the opening rounds, using movement to stay out of range while landing effective shots. Andujar made a determined effort to pressure at the start of the third round, enjoying some of his best moments of the fight before Noble-Pegese made adjustments to regain control. A highlight came in the fourth when Noble-Pegese torqued Andujar’s neck with the second punch of a body-head double left hook.
Andujar rallied again in the sixth, outworking Noble-Pegese, though the Philadelphia fighter remained the more accurate puncher throughout. The judges scored the bout 58-56, 59-55, and 60-54, all in favor of Noble-Pegese.
Smith Continues First-Round Knockout Streak
Twenty-two-year-old Lemar “Supastar” Smith (6-0, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia delivered a career-best performance in his first co-main event appearance, stopping 45-fight veteran Juan “The Savior” Rodriguez (13-32-1, 7 KOs) in the opening round.
Smith effectively used his footwork to position himself and implemented a committed body attack from the opening bell. Less than a minute after digging a left hook to Rodriguez’s body in the middle of the ring, another left hook to the body sealed the victory. Rodriguez suffered a delayed-reaction knockdown and was unable to beat referee Eric Dali’s count at 2:25 of the first round.
The knockout marked Smith’s third consecutive first-round stoppage.
Grandy Twins Continue Rise
Seventeen-year-old Daniel Grandy (4-0, 3 KOs), one half of the fighting Grandy Twins, took on the most experienced opponent of his career in 33-year-old Mason “Matrix” Wickett (2-24-2).
The teenage prospect displayed impressive poise and control, applying deliberate pressure while landing power shots to head and body. Grandy clipped Wickett with a left hook in the middle of the first round before scoring a knockdown near the end of the frame.
Sensing the finish was near, Grandy attacked immediately at the start of the second round, scoring another knockdown. Wickett was unable to beat referee Shawn Clark’s count, with the official stoppage coming just 20 seconds into the second round.
Jefferson Survives Fourth-Round Scare
Philadelphia’s undefeated Zaire “The Punisher” Jefferson (4-0, 1 KO) survived a spirited challenge from fellow Philadelphian Jerome “Java Lava Mr. Do Damage” McNeill (0-1), who was making his professional debut.
The raucous affair saw Jefferson score two knockdowns, one in the first round with a right hand and another in the third with a right uppercut. However, McNeill showed tremendous heart, fighting gamely after each knockdown as if nothing had happened.
The fourth round belonged to McNeill, who became the aggressor, throwing lengthy combinations and pinning Jefferson on the ropes. With Jefferson not returning fire, referee Eric Dali repeatedly implored him to “show me something!” Jefferson eventually composed himself and mounted his own rally to close the round.
The judges awarded Jefferson the unanimous decision with scores of 39-35, 38-37, and 38-36.
Additional Professional Action
Abdul-Salaam Stops Kamara:
Piscataway, New Jersey’s Muadh Abdul-Salaam (2-0, 1 KO) earned his first stoppage victory, forcing Dallas’ Avante Kamara (0-3) to retire on his stool after two rounds. Abdul-Salaam demonstrated an authoritative mix of power shots to head and body, hurting Kamara late in the second round with a right hand before the Texan opted not to continue.
Kirkpatrick Goes the Distance:
Long Branch, New Jersey’s Jasai Kirkpatrick (3-0, 2 KOs) went the distance for the first time in his career, defeating Scranton’s Nelson Morales (6-27-1, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision. The quicker Kirkpatrick controlled the first two rounds before Morales became more aggressive in rounds three and four. Kirkpatrick responded well with effective counters to earn scores of 39-37, 40-36, and 40-36.
Homitov Remains Unbeaten:
Philadelphia-based Uzbek fighter Timur Homitov (2-0) dominated Luis Saldana (0-1-1) in the opening bout of “We Fight For Peace.” The aggressor throughout, Homitov used his faster hands and more accurate punching to control the action, with his overhand right proving most effective. He scored a knockdown near the end of the second round en route to a unanimous decision victory with all three judges scoring it 40-35.
Amateur Showcase: Knockout Night Results
The inaugural Teefy Bey’s Knockout Night featured five competitive amateur bouts.
In the main event, Rahfiq Baker (244 lbs.) defeated Dijon Jones (261.8 lbs.) by decision in a heavyweight clash featuring over 500 pounds in the ring. While Jones was the busier fighter in the first round and countered well in rounds two and three, Baker punctuated his performance with a right hand at the end of the third to earn the victory.
Sanjay Davis defeated Justin Litz by split decision in an eventful heavyweight brawl. The larger Litz was often the aggressor, but Davis’s power counters were able to send him in reverse at times. A third-round exchange saw Davis land a right hand over Litz’s left hook while fighting off the ropes
Qwadir Womack (184.6 lbs.) won a decision over Abraham Fofana (192.4 lbs.) in a deliberate, methodically paced bout where Womack held the edge in punches landed.
Muhammad Morris captured a decision victory over Isaiah Jordan at 145 pounds, using his height and reach advantages along with straighter punches. Morris’s overhand right proved most effective, and his aggression in the third round led to the referee giving Jordan a standing eight count.
In the opening contest, Matthew Munoz (171.6 lbs.) defeated William Aston (168.6 lbs.) by decision. While Aston used his height and reach advantages to work from the outside, Munoz was the busier fighter, working his way inside with combination punches and splitting Aston’s guard with a left hook near the end of the third round.
All twelve bouts are available for on-demand replay on BXNGtv.com.
