Report & Photos By David Algranati
Davis Defeats Rosario as Rising Star Promotions Presents “South Philly Showdown Round 2”
Rising Star Promotions returned to Philadelphia with a ten-bout card, “South Philly Showdown Round 2,” at the 2300 Arena. The event featured two WBA Fedelatin USA title fights. Half of the ten bouts on the card did not make it to the final bell.
In the main event, former unified world champion Jeison “Banana” Rosario faced Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis in a ten-round middleweight bout.
Davis Outpoints Rosario in Main Event
Davis established his advantages early, with his hand speed and punch selection allowing him to control the action by the end of the second round.
He continued to dictate the fight in the third, landing a left hook on Rosario. The fight took a dramatic turn in the sixth when Rosario scored a knockdown. Davis beat the count and continued fighting, including landing power shots of his own.
Davis re-established control in the seventh. Rosario, fighting through a cut, continued pressing forward through the remainder of the bout.
The fight went the ten-round distance, with all three judges scoring it for Davis, 97-93, 96-93 and 96-93. Davis won by unanimous decision.
The victory gives Davis his second consecutive win and moves his record to 21-4-1 (6 KOs). Rosario falls to 24-6-2 (18 KOs).
Blumenfeld Wins Split Decision in Co-Main Event
Undefeated Thomas “The Bullet” Blumenfeld faced Dante “The Architect” Ettore in a ten-round super lightweight co-main event.
Both fighters had success in the opening round. Ettore established his straight right against the southpaw Blumenfeld, while Blumenfeld rocked Ettore in a neutral corner during the final 30 seconds of the round.
The bout remained competitive, with Ettore often controlling the engagements and appearing to have an edge in activity.
Blumenfeld went the ten-round distance for the first time in his career. The judges were divided, with one scoring the bout 97-93 for Ettore and two scoring it 97-93 for Blumenfeld, giving Blumenfeld the victory by split decision.
Blumenfeld remains undefeated at 13-0 (10 KOs). Ettore falls to 12-4-2 (7 KOs).
Haywood Captures WBA Fedelatin USA Welterweight Title
Philadelphia’s Tyreem “Moobanga” Haywood entered the night having won all eight of his professional fights by knockout. He left as a champion.
Haywood faced Abram “Elegante” Martinez for the WBA Fedelatin USA Welterweight Title in an eight-round contest.
The opening round was competitive, with both fighters landing power shots. In the second, Haywood connected with a left hook that staggered Martinez toward his corner.
Haywood immediately followed with a series of power punches, prompting referee David Fields to stop the fight at 1:37 of the second round.
Haywood won by TKO and captured the title, maintaining his perfect record at 9-0 (9 KOs). Martinez falls to 12-4-1 (10 KOs).
Holmes and Rodriguez Fight to a Draw for Vacant Title
The second title fight featured DWayne “Sugar Wayne” Holmes and Emmanuel “Salserito” Rodriguez battling for the vacant WBA Fedelatin USA Super Bantamweight Title over eight rounds.
Holmes attempted to use his movement to keep the fight at range, while Rodriguez consistently moved forward. Holmes was the more active fighter, while Rodriguez committed more heavily to his power punches.
Both fighters had their moments, including a Holmes left hook in the fifth and a clean Rodriguez right hand in the sixth.
The bout went the distance without a knockdown. All three judges scored it 76-76, resulting in a unanimous draw.
The title remains vacant. Holmes moves to 12-0-1 (5 KOs), while Rodriguez is now 16-3-1 (8 KOs).
Tinnerello Stops Kidd in Second
Undefeated Berlin, New Jersey, fighter Damian Tinnerello stepped up to his first scheduled six-round bout against Noah Kidd, his most experienced and winningest opponent as a professional.
Kidd started aggressively, pressing forward and landing power shots. Tinnerello remained composed and kept his defense tight before taking over the action as the first round progressed.
By the final minute, Tinnerello was the aggressor, landing power shots to both the head and body.
The action remained intense in the second, but Kidd and his corner elected not to continue after the round.
Tinnerello was awarded the victory by TKO at 3:00 of the second round, improving to 7-0 (6 KOs). Kidd falls to 10-19-3 (5 KOs).
Butt Stops Annan in Second
Philadelphia’s Daiyaan “Badshah” Butt returned to his hometown for a six-round welterweight bout against veteran Tackie Annan.
Annan’s unorthodox style featured winging power shots, but Butt was able to time the attacks and counter with his own offense.
Butt landed a left hook to the body in the second round, and Annan subsequently suffered a delayed-reaction knockdown, going to his knees.
Although Annan beat the count, the referee stopped the bout on the advice of Aman’s corner at 2:25 of the second round.
Butt wins by TKO and improves to 21-5 (11 KOs). Aman falls to 20-14 (18 KOs).
Rosa Scores Second-Round KO
Following his successful professional debut in May, Devon “Da Stunna” Rosa returned against Marcelino Rangel in a four-round bantamweight bout.
Rosa established his advantages immediately, demonstrating faster hands and greater accuracy.
He continued the attack into the second round, eventually scoring a knockdown from which Rangel could not recover.
The official time of the stoppage was 50 seconds of the second round, with Rosa winning by knockout.
Rosa improves to 2-0 (1 KO), while Rangel falls to 2-5 (1 KO).
Saunders Keeps Perfect Record
Undefeated super welterweights Keith “Iceman” Saunders, Jr. and Alexander “Pretty Boy” Schenk met in a four-round contest.
Despite having height and reach advantages, Saunders chose to fight primarily on the inside. He outworked Schenk and attacked the body effectively from both sides.
Saunders won by unanimous decision with 40-36 scores from all three judges.
The victory keeps Saunders unbeaten at 6-0 (4 KOs). Schenk falls to 1-1.
Lee Wins Pro Debut
Camden, New Jersey’s Tyron “Pistol Pete” Lee made his professional debut against Patrick “Silverback” Harris in a four-round super welterweight bout.
Both fighters were southpaws, with Lee using his height, reach and boxing ability to control the action. He was the more active fighter and was able to slow Harris, although Harris continued to look for opportunities with selective lead power shots.
The fight went the distance without a knockdown. The judges scored it 38-38, 40-36 and 39-37, all in favor of Lee, giving him a unanimous decision victory.
Lee begins his professional career 1-0. Harris falls to 1-8 (1 KO).
Hall Stops Tabor in Opening Bout
The card opened with the professional debut of Springfield, Massachusetts’ Teshawn Hall, who faced Chachi Tabor in a four-round super lightweight bout.
Hall controlled the opening round before increasing his attack in the second. Tabor found himself in a completely defensive posture in his corner as Hall continued to land.
Referee Harvey Dock stepped in to stop the contest at 1:56 of the second round, giving Hall the victory by TKO.
Hall begins his professional career 1-0 (1 KO). Tabor falls to 0-2.
Rising Star Promotions continues to ascend
“South Philly Showdown Round 2” featured a good mix of competitive bouts, undefeated prospects, and world-class contenders.
The highlights of the card include Davis advancing his quest for a world title, Haywood continuing his impressive knockout streak, and the crowd-stirring draw between Holmes and Rodriguez.
