Tyson’s McBride-to-be McWins at Foxwoods
By Alex Pierpaoli at Ringside (March 21, 2005)  
All Photo © Brendon Pierpaoli, DHB
All night there was talk of Tyson, as is usually the case when the big boys take to center ring. But on Friday night in the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Casino, most of the Tyson talk was because Main Event fighter Kevin McBride was to be Mike Tyson’s comeback opponent last summer.

Instead, Tyson faced British heavyweight Danny Williams, who knocked-out the former heavyweight phenom and made most observers, especially Tyson’s promoter, wish he had chosen Kevin McBride instead. Whether McBride would have lasted versus Tyson was the subject on the lips of most of the assembled and whether Tyson may yet face the Clones Colossus is still open for speculation.

On Friday night, Foxwoods’ The Night of The Irish featured a battle of Kevins in the ESPN2 televised main event. Heavyweight Kevin McBride faced off against Michigan’s Kevin Montiy in a slugfest that looked more like a barroom brawl than an exhibition of the Sweet Science. Such is the case with heavies, and it’s why most come to see them for one reason only; power.

And if power was what they came for then McBride did not disappoint, as he landed numerous thudding blows against the head and body of Montiy en route to a TKO stoppage at 2:28 of round number five. Montiy, who used his jab and straight right very well in round number one, abandoned those weapons as the fight wore on. Without using his reach and while standing right in front of McBride, Montiy began slugging with his larger, stronger opponent; a decision that cost Montiy the fight.

McBride’s thumping overhand right did much of the damage in slowing down and then stopping Montiy. Though the bout featured several heated exchanges, the harder punching McBride did far more damage when he landed and finally crumpled Montiy in round five after a body shot that prompted ref. Eddie Cotton to intercede and halt the bout.

Afterwards, Mike Tyson’s name could be heard in murmurs from the crowd and even from some of the assembled writers in press row. With Tyson now rumored to be training with Jeff Fenech and currently shopping for an opponent for yet another comeback fight this June, perhaps Team Tyson will look up McBride’s number to finally make the fight that might-have-been last summer. If the crowd on hand Friday was any indication, McBride’s fans would certainly love the opportunity to see their man face off against Iron Mike.

McBride’s record is now 32-4-1 (27) while Kevin Montiy falls to 15-3-1 (12).

In the briefest and most thrilling bout of the night, Derry, Ireland’s undefeated Jr. Middleweight, John Duddy cruised to his 9th knockout win in as many bouts. Leonard Pierre of Catskill, NY, a protégé of former Tyson trainer Kevin Rooney, found himself in trouble within the first 3 seconds of the bout when Duddy stormed from his corner throwing bombs with both hands. Pierre tried slugging from the traditional D’Amato/Rooney style but never tried clinching or grabbing Duddy to try and clear his head. Ref. Frank Cappuccino waved off the bout at 1:23 of round number one, adding the first defeat to Pierre’s record, now 16-1 (11).

Cruiserweight Anthony Russell, 8-1-1 (1) of Brockton, MA, scared much of the crowd when he was knocked down and into unconsciousness by John Douglas, 5-9-3 (3), of Brooklyn, NY. After both men slugged through much of round one, the more muscled Douglas was able to keep the longer-limbed Russell from boxing in round two and caught him with a short left hook that crumpled him along the ropes and brought the ringside doctors running to his aid. The crowd was later informed by the ring announcer that Russell was conscious and alert at a local hospital where he was being held for observation.

In a spirited welterweight bout, Bridgeport, CT’s Delvin Rodriguez soundly defeated Marteze Logan of Covington, TN. Rodriguez pursued and pounded Logan from corner-to-corner throughout much of the bout, dropping him twice, once in round two and again in round number eight. Rodriguez showed maturity and patience in sticking with what was working versus the safety-first Logan, when less disciplined fighters may have gotten careless in trying to finish Logan off. Rodriguez is now 14-1-1(7) while Marteze Logan falls to 18-13-2 (4).

Rounding out the last of the fighting Irish on the card, County Clare, Ireland’s fighting Clancy brothers, James and Mark, both scored wins to delight their Irish fans in attendance.

Cruiserweight Mark Clancy beat Joe Lorenzi of Duluth, MN, by unanimous decision. Clancy is now 2-0 while Lorenzi drops to 0-3-1.

Older, and heavier, brother, James Clancy also prevailed by unanimous decision over the durable but oft-beaten Harold Rodriguez of Taunton, MA. James Clancy is now 4-0 (1) and Rodriguez falls to 5-12 (1).
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2005