"Ethnic Invasion" Rocks The Roxy
If the age old adage 'Big things come in little packages' ever rang true, the Cappiello Promotions "Ethnic Invasion" fight card was certainly a testament to the phrase. With 126-pound, Vietnamese-American featherweight, Dat "Dat Be Dat" Nguyen (12-1, 6 KO's) earning a a majority decision victory over Providence, Rhode Island native Robert Daluz (10-111-2,9 KO's), and the originally slated eight-bout card, having been reduced to four bouts, "Ethnic Invasion" was still a big hit in Boston. "Unfortunately, we were only able to give the Boston fight-fans four bouts," stated promoter Rich Cappiello. "However, they definitely got their money's worth on this night!"
While the eight-bout card was forced down to four professional bouts (two due to injury and a subsequent two bouts that were refused by the Massachusetts boxing commission), the Boston boxing fans still came out, in force, to take in the event. "We have always put on great show here, in Boston," Cappiello stated. "And, the fact that the fans still came out to support us, given the unfortunate turn of events, goes to show that the boxing fans know what they are going to get when they come to a card at The Roxy."
Nguyen Decisions Daluz
Once-beaten, Buddy McGirt-trained featherweight, Dat Nguyen (12-1, 6 KO's) earned a hard-fought, majority decision over Providence, Rhode Island's Robert "Dont Lose" Daluz, in what was DaLuz's (10-11-2, 9 KO's) first-ever New England professional appearance. "I was in the Navy for four years, and I have fought most of my career in Florida. This was my first time fighting back home."
While Nguyen started out fast and furious, DaLuz hung in there tough, standing his ground throughout. Nguyen's vicious body attack, in the early going, was relentless, and paid dividends as the late rounds wore on. "I hadn't fought in seven months," Nguyen stated. "I felt good, against a very tough opponent. He had the heart and wanted to win, but my desire and how much I wanted to win was just a little bit more. I had to shake off the ring-rust, and I felt I did that tonight."
Not only did Nguyen shake off the ring-rust, but he was also able to test his chin, and a very durable one at that, as the heavy-handed DaLuz managed to land some big right hands throughout the eight-round headlining bout." I caught hi with some big right hands," DaLuz stated. "We knew he would want to fight inside, so I tired to keep him outside and slip in some big ones whenever I could. I would have liked the majority decision to have gone the other way, though." Judges at ringside scored the bout 76-76, 78-74, and 78-74 for Nguyen.
Orr Decisions Taylor
Donald "Donnie Boy" Orr (12-0, 5 KO's) pitched a near perfect shutout in decisioning twenty nine fight veteran, Clarence Taylor (12-15-2, 6 KO's), in the evening's co-feature bout. Though Orr suffered a serious cut over his left eye, in the first round, as a result of an accidental clash of heads, the 2000 Canadian Olympian was unaffected, and dominated the action throughout the eight round affair.
Taylor, a slick veteran didn't make it easy for Orr, as the Delaware native tried to either remain elusive, or bully his way inside - typically head first. "Donald did a great job with an awkward fighter, " Cappiello stated. "Taylor was very slick, and very defensive minded, but Donald took every opening he left available. I thought he fought very well tonight, and he will develop a great following here in Boston." Though Orr is a Canadian native, his strong Irish ancestry brought out the Boston Irish in droves, with chants of "Ole, Ole, Ole," bellowing throughout the venue nearly every time Orr threw one of his many combinations. Judges at ringside tallied the bout 79-73, and 80-72 twice.
Rodriguez Stops Osborne
Two-time National Amateur champion, Edwin Rodriguez (4-0, 3 KO's) scored the only knockout of the evening, with a fourth round stoppage of Davenport, Iowas' Jeffrey Osborne (4-11-2, 1 KO), in what turned out to be an all action affair. While Rodriguez brought in all the credentials, the rugged Osborne never took a step back, as the two exchanged punch after punch throughout the four round slug-fest! Rodriguez landed combinations, body shots, and accurately placed head punches throughout, but Osborne simply kept moving forward gamely. In the final round, Rodriguez landed a big left hook to the head of Osborne, causing Osborne to immediately paw at his ear. The punch was the beginning of the end for Osborne, who was last stopped in 2006 by Ronald Hearns. Rodriguez then backed his game opponent into the corner, where he began to unleash a barrage of heavy handed punches, forcing referee Mike Ryan to jump in and call a halt to the action. Though there were only five seconds remaining in the bout, Ryan should be commended for making a tremendous call in ceasing the action, and saving Osborne from any further punishment. Time of the stoppage was 2:55 of round four.
Dunwell Outworks Antoine
Massachusetts' junior welterweight prospect, Simeon Dunwell (6-0, 2 KO's), fighting a serious case of the flu, put on a tremendously gutsy performance in decisioning thirty two fight veteran Damon Antoine (7-23-1, 3 KO's). While Dunwell's illness left him appearing to be out on his feet even prior to the first bell, the Peabody, Mass. native showed his heart in this one, outworking his most seasoned foe to date, throughout the six round action packed bout. Dunwell, in an effort to utilize what little energy he had on this night, counter-punched with great effectiveness. Dunwell used slick head movement in avoiding Antoine's attacks, then followed up with big left hooks and right hands, snapping back the head of Antoine throughout the bout.
Upon the announcement of the decision (59-56, 58-57, and 58-56), Dunwell dropped to his knees in sheer exhaustion. Though Dunwell had to be thrilled with his win, unfortunately you never would have been able to tell, as the gutsy junior welterweight had to be carried out of the venue, and into a car awaiting outside. Dunwell's brave performance in this bout can not be commended enough.
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