Carney Bowman and Eric Nemo Win in Battle at York 3!

Carney Bowman and Eric Nemo Win in Battle at York 3!

By Ken Hissner at ringside for DoghouseBoxing (Mar 9, 2009)

York, Pennsylvania’s two favorite fighters finally appeared in winning efforts on the same card as TKO Boxing Promotions made their third appearance in the city Saturday night at the Valencia Ballroom!

Carney “Beeper” Bowman, 13-0 (5), had his hands full with an awkward Jesus Perez, 25-24-3 (10), of Colombia, who once fought for a world title, but came to frustrate and not fight in an 8 round junior lightweight match main event. Bowman did enough while scoring knockdowns in the 2nd and 4th rounds to win on

all scorecards 80-71, 79-73 and 78-74. It was a packed house screaming for “Beeper” but none were thrilled with his opponents holding tactics. “He was awkward and there are going to be fights like that. I kept my cool,” said Bowman. He will next appear on an April 2nd show at Michael’s 8th Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland per Double B Publicity’s Bernie Bahrmasel. Bowman won two fights there in 2008. Bowman is managed by Cameron Dunkin.

Eric Nemo, 7-1-1 (3), found himself on the canvas in the 1st round after being a little too over anxious after a 22 month absence. “I think I let the crowd pump me up to the point I wanted to go in there and impress and got caught off guard,” said Nemo. His opponent Ricky Alexander, 7-9 (5), of Stillwater, Oklahoma helped make it the fight of the night while it lasted. Nemo came back and dropped Alexander with a right to the body. It was a wild 1st round! In the 2nd round Nemo had a bloody nose as both fighters again went toe to toe. In the 3rd round a left hook to the body dropped Alexander who got to his feet but was in no condition to continue. Referee Gary Rosato called a halt at the 2:00 mark.
These were featherweights scheduled for 4 rounds.

In a 6 round bantamweight bout prospect Leo Santa Cruz, 8-0-1 (2), Lincoln Heights, California, used his long arms to advantage in working the body of former IBO light flyweight champion Jose Garcia Bernal, 27-15-1 (18), of Colombia, who also fought for two WBA world titles. Cruz won on all scorecards 60-54 and 59-55 twice. Santa Cruz is tall and slender and the brother of Jose Armando who is a former NABF lightweight champion. He is also trained by former IBF super featherweight champion Robert Garcia, and managed by Dunkin. The referee was Vic deWysocki.

Andres “Taylor Made” Taylor, 6-0-1 (2), of Johnstown brought his usual group of loyal fans with him and he didn’t disappoint in a slugfest win over Detroit’s southpaw Larry Carter, 3-4-1 (3) taking scores of 40-35 twice and 40-34. Taylor had Carter down in the 1st round from a left hook. The taller Carter had Taylor in his face for the entire 4 rounds of this cruiserweight match. “He could take a punch. He has a real block head,” said Taylor. He had fought on the Pavlik-Rubio card last month in Youngstown, Ohio. Referee was deWysocki.

Olympic alternate Terrance Crawford, 6-0 (3), of Omaha took a straight right hand in the 1st round from Travis Hartman, 9-11-1, (7), of Osborn, Missouri, and switched to southpaw the rest of the way. Crawford had Hartman so much on the defense in the 2nd round this writer counted close to two dozen unanswered punches. In the 4th round Crawford scored a knockdown and a follow-up punch while down out of frustration in receiving a warning from referee Rosato. Crawford seemed disappointed he couldn’t put his survival mode opponent away starting in the 2nd round. Scores of 40-35 twice and 40-34, told the story. Referee was Rosato.

The show opener was a real good back and forth light middleweight 4 round rematch that had Norman Allen, 6-1 (3), of Laurel, Maryland winning a majority decision over Spencer Harsley, 1-9-2, of DC. Allen had Harlsey out on his feet in the 2nd round at the bell. In the 3rd round while up against the ropes Harsley dropped Allen with a short left hook to the shock of the fans. In the 4th Allen landed his own left hook dropping Harsley onto the lower strand of ropes. Jack Castellani had it 37-37 while Rich Grasso had it 38-36 and Gary Rosato 38-37 for Allen. Allen won their first match. Referee was Wysocki.

Rumors are there may be an outdoor show. York has a minor baseball park just down the street from the ballroom. Since the last 3 promotions have been 4 months apart that would put the next York show in July. TKO’s next show will be March 21st in Cincinnati, Ohio featuring 2000 Olympian Ricky Williams and the 2004 and 2008 Olympian Rau’Shee Warren making his debut. Houston businessman Chet Koerner is the founder of TKO Boxing and have offices in Houston and Las Vegas.

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Ken at: kenhissner@yahoo.com