Philly’s Dhafir “No Fear” Smith Back with Win over Brian “Wildman” Donahue at Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester, PA.
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Philly’s Dhafir “No Fear” Smith Back with Win over Brian “Wildman” Donahue at Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester, PA. By Ken Hissner and David Ruff at ringside, Doghouse Boxing (May 13, 2014) TweetFollow @DoghouseBoxing
This was a Joey Eye Boxing Promotions and David Feldman’s XFE promotion that had more than a couple of fighters falling out but they managed to put together enough fights to give the fans a good night of boxing in their 15th promotion at Harrah’s.
In the main event cruiserweight match Dhafir “No Fear” Smith, 27-24-7 (4), of West Philadelphia, PA, won a lopsided decision over Brian “Wildman” Donahue, 2-9-2 (0), of Philadelphia, PA, over 6 rounds.
In the opening round Smith controlled things with an effective jab, known in Philly as one of the best. In the last 30 seconds Smith opened up with a left hook to the body. He won the round. Each time Donahue, the aggressor, got inside Smith tied him up. In the 2nd round the action picked up some with Smith landing several left hooks while Donahue tried coming forward low into the midsection of Smith.
In the 3rd round Smith’s jab had Donahue’s nose very red. With 10 seconds to go Smith landed a solid right to the chin of Donahue who keeps coming forward.
In the 4th Smith’s right glove was split. His trainer Percy Custus replaced it in a short time though the crowd was getting unruly. Donahue tried roughing up Smith against the ropes out of frustration causing both fighters to have words after the bell.
In the 5th Smith had Donahue’s nose bleeding. He landed a 3-punch combination that had Donahue outgunned. In the 6th and final round Smith opened up knowing he has lost in the past on a controversial decision in the same ring last year but Donahue’s chin stood up. All 3 judges had it 60-54 as did DHB. The referee was McCall.
“I took the fight on 4 days notice. I have been in training camps all over the world. I just got back from Canada with Jean Pascal and two camps in Germany before that. It’s been a year since I fought and it’s not the same as being in camp. I tried for the knockout in the final round but he takes a hell of a punch. My trainer Percy Custus and others tell me I can beat any light heavyweight out there if I put my mind down to it. I’ve also been training a couple of amateurs,” said Smith.
Also in the corner of Smith were former IBF 154 champion Rob “Bam Bam” Hines and Marty Shuler the former boxer and brother of the late James Shuler. “Everyone comes out to see the Wildman. I got frustrated being tied up so often but I came to fight,” said Donahue.
Ring announcer Larry Tornambe did his usual fine job.
Junior lightweight Antonio Dubose, 5-0 (2), of Philadelphia, won by disqualification over William Harris 0-3, of Bristol, PA, at 2:15 of the 1st round in a scheduled 4 rounds of boxing.
Harris hit on the break losing a point and later was holding and hitting then tossed Dubose to the canvas causing referee Benjy Esteves, Jr. to halt the fight.
In the opening bout featherweight Roberto “Infamous” Irizarry, 2-0-1 (0), of Camden, NJ, defeated Benjamin Burgos 1-7-1 (1) of Mt. Pocono, PA over 4 rounds.
It was an action packed fight from the opening bell. In the second round Irizarry went down but the referee ruled it a slip. Several times in the 4th and final round Irizarry rocked Burgos with straight rights to the chin only to have Burgos come fighting back. Judges Dave Greer and Adam Friscia had it 40-36 while Dewey LaRosa scored it 39-37 as did DHB. The referee was Hurley McCall.
Do to several fights falling out there were 3 exhibitions prior to the start of the show. The original main event that fell thru was to have Anthony Caputo Smith against Pedro Martinez for the PA heavyweight title. At the press conference the week before nothing was mentioned about a #215 weight limit. The manager of Martinez Chuck Diesel claimed he knew nothing about this.
On Monday the promoter informed him Dave Escalet the promoter for Smith pulled his fighter out due to weight difference. Without going on a scale this was questioned by Diesel. This writer was at their gym Tuesday when Martinez weighed in at #210. Smith claimed at the press conference he would come in at #210.
Executive Director Greg Sirb (filling in on fight night as timekeeper without a bell using pot) would not allow Martinez Thursday night to be weighed. How this fight was cancelled without the fighters being weighed was the fault of the commission who could have had both fighters come in early to be weighed in knowing it would cause the main event to fall thru otherwise.
