Story and Photos: Boxing Bob Newman at Ringside
Super middleweights Austin “The Native Nightmare” Deanda and Jessie “The Beast” Linton headlined Scott Sigmon’s Cujo’s Toe-2-Toe Promotions show in Lynchburg, VA Saturday night, thrilling a sold out crowd of over 1200 boxing hungry fans at the Crosswhite Athletic Center.
From the get-go, Deanda controlled the tempo, distance and style which was fought. While not running, Deanda definitely utilized every inch of the ring to his advantage. Despite being on the move constantly, Deanda was able to alternate between taking the lead offensively or countering off the defense. Linton’s face began to swell around the eyes, cheekbones and his nose was bleeding by the midway point of the scheduled ten. By the seventh, Linton’s face was a grotesque mask of blood and mis-shapen flesh, his features extremely distorted. Deanda began teeing off on him, and referee Malik Walid mercifully stepped in, the time was 2:37 of the seventh. Deanda improves to 17-0, 11 KOs. Linton falls to 28-11-3, 10 KOs.
Semi-main event heavies James “OG” Willis and Justin “Teddy Bear” Novaria threw down in a scheduled six rounder. Novaria was a mountain of a man a just over 300 lbs and extremely hirsute! The smaller “OG” chopped away at the “Teddy Bear” until he fell twice in the second and twice more in the third for a TKO at 2:34 for the third. Willis improves to 7-2-1, 6 KOs, while Novaria falls to 7-33-, 3 KOs.
Super middleweights Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson and George Blessed” Sosa went right at it at the sound of the opening bell. “Truck” was an apt ring name for Simpson as he hit Sosa like a tractor trailer! Two vicious knockdowns in the first and two more in the second, forcing referee Bill Clancy to wave it off at 1:10 of the round. Simpson improves to 16-3, 10 KOs. Sosa falls to 15-14-1, 15 KOs.
Cristian “El Gallo Negro” Fuentes took on Lenwood “Mr. Composure” Dozier in a clash of super welters over four rounds. Dozier had over nine times the pro fight experience as Fuentes and it showed. While Fuentes displayed youthful energy and speed, Dozier was a study in senior seasoning and poise. It was predestined that this would go the distance and it did, with Fuentes ripping shots to body and head, Dozier countering and looking to lure Fuentes into making a mistake. Fuentes made very few and the judges awarded him with a 40-36 score across the board. Fuentes moves to 7-0, 3 KOs. Dozier coasts to 11-42-3, 6 KOs.
Tristian “The Grizzley” Lackey and Anthony Marks met in a super lightweight bout scheduled for four. It didn’t go a minute! After hurting Marks seconds into the bout, The “Grizzley” lashed out with a devastating right to the head and Marks was out before he even began to fall. His head sickeningly slung out over the middle rope strand and remained that way as he was out cold in a sitting position. Referee Malik Walid imeediately waved it off, calling for the ringside physician to attend the stricken Marks. The time was :44 of the opening round. Marks was able to get to his feet and leave the ring under his own power. Lackey improves to 2-4, 2 KOs. Poor Marks continues to 0-6.
Roberto “Mad Cow” Cantos took on Alfred “Lamont” Moss at super lightweight. Cantos walked down Moss throughout the bout. Cantos finally dropped Moss in the fourth with a right to the body, left to the head combo. Moss got up and barely survived the round and the fight. All three judges saw it 40-35 for Cantos, who moves to 2-4, while Moss drops to 1-10, 1 KO.
Super middles Isaiah Carr and Jessi Hackett decided to call it a night…QUICKLY. Hackett was down from a hard right hook, moments into the fight. Beating the count, Hackett was felled by a right to the head, in delayed fashion, prompting referee Malik Walid to wave matters off at :45 of the opening round. Carr improves to 7-0, 5 KOs. Hackett slides to 1-11, 1 KO.
Super feathers Damari Philson and Shaquan Wager were an exercise in body work. The lanky Wager was a target for Philson’s hooks for two brutal rounds. Wager was down late in the first, then permanently in the second at :55 of the round. Philson is now 5-0, 5 KOs. Wager plunges to 1-9, 1 KO.
Super feathers Aziz Yasin and Denzel Bowlding opened the show. Aziz stalked his foe for nearly the full six rounds, until referee Malik Walid finally called a halt to the proceedings, as a bloodied Bowlding wasn’t defending himself any longer. The time was 1:37 of the final round. Yasin keeps his KO streak intact at 3-0, 3 KOs. Bowlding remains winless at 0-8.
