Prince Badi Ajamu Regains N.B.A. Title Defeating DeAndre Abron in A.C.!

Prince Badi Ajamu Regains N.B.A. Title Defeating DeAndre Abron in A.C.!

By Ken Hissner at ringside, Doghouse Boxing (Aug 2, 2009)

Prince Badi Ajamu, 27-3-1 (15), of Camden, won a lopsided decision over DeAndre Abron, 15-6 (10) of Youngstown, Ohio, to regain his N.B.A. light heavyweight title Friday night at Resorts Casino Hotel, in Atlantic City! This was a Dee Lee Promotion, Inc., as promoter Diane Fischer brought boxing back to Resorts after a long absence. Nick Tiberi served as matchmaker.

It marked the return of Ajamu whose inactivity for 30 months caused the title to be vacant. Prior to that, he lost a close decision to Roy Jones, Jr. in 2006. Abron lost in a bid for the WBO title held By Zsolt Erdei, in April of last year by decision.

Ajamu from nearby Camden had the crowd behind him as he methodically worked the body of Abron throughout the 12 rounds. He had Abron hurt in the 3rd round from body shots. Abron came back and seemed to win the 4th round outworking Ajamu. Each fighter landing body shots seemed to be the pattern throughout the fight. In the 12th and final round Ajamu had Abron out on his feet being saved by the bell. Steve Smoger did his usual fine job as the referee. The judge’s scores were mixed in favor of Ajamu, 120-108, 118-110 and 115-113. This writer had it 119-109 only giving Abron the 4th round.

In the 6 round semi-windup came to a sudden halt when referee Ricky Vera waved off Willie “Mr. P” Palms, 10-8-1 (5), of Jersey City, for no apparent reason other than he lost the first 4 rounds. Timor Ibragimov, 25-2-1 (14), of Uzbekistan, fighting out of Hollandale, Florida, had his way throughout. Palms never stopped trying even though he did his share of clowning. In the 3rd round Ibragimov dropped Palms with an overhand right. Upon rising, Palms was rushed by Ibragimov and backed through the ropes by a flurry of punches when the referee’s judgment ruled he would have been knocked down if it were not for the ropes causing a standing count. Whenever Palms did amount an attack it seemed Ibragimov was not willing to mix it up with him. Ibragimov’s one claim to fame was he fought to a draw in 2004 with unbeaten contender Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson. Palms outweighed the winner 251 to 226. The decision to stop the bout brought about the displeasure of the fans. Palms berated the referee for his actions and had to be calmed down.

Atlantic City boxers went 3-0 as Joel DLaPaz, 3-0 (2), started the night off by scoring a knockout in 0:51 of the 1st round over James Justice, 0-3 (0), of Youngstown with a right and left combination. DeLaPaz hadn’t fought in 10 months but showed no ring rust. He came in at 165 to his opponents 160. The referee was Sam Viruet.

Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell, 4-0 (1), may have been accidently thumbed early in the 1st round causing a mouse to form under his left eye. Harvall rocked George Perez, 0-1-1 (0), of Newark, who came back to rock Harvell. When he went to follow up he walked into a left hook of Harvell’s and down he went in this 4 round light heavyweight match. Perez did not look good waling back to his corner after surviving the round. Harvell came out looking to end it starting with a stiff jab and following with a straight right hand dropping Perez with a thud hitting the back of his head hard on the canvas. Referee Viruet stopped it immediately at 0:20 of the 2nd round. Harvell showed his concern by not celebrating until he knew Perez was all right. This was good sportsmanship on his part. Harvall has a nice following.

Qa’id “Kid Dynamite” Muhammad, 5-0 (5), had his first bout of 2009, stopping Alfredo Berto, 1-3 (0), of Houston, at 2:52 of the 3rd round. Muhammad got a shock in the 1st round as he walked into a straight right hand and hit the canvas. He seemed more embarrassed than hurt. He made the gutsy Berto pay the price with a combination of punches to the body and head in the 2nd round having his opponent out on his feet. He continued to land hard punches dropping Berto in the 3rd round on his back. Berto almost beat the count but would have been in no condition to continue as referee Viruet walked him to his corner. Give Berto credit for he never stopped trying in this 4 round bantamweight bout.

Amanda “Relentless” Serrano, 4-0 (3), of Brooklyn, lived up to her name as she overwhelmed Christina Ruiz, 1-1 (1), of San Antonio, scoring a pair of knockdowns in the 1st round A 3-punch combination dropped Ruiz in her corner, forcing referee Vera to call a halt at 1:09 of the 2nd round. These were featherweights. Serrano is a southpaw and I believe the sister of Cindy Serrano, and a boxer to keep your eye on.

Pedro Sandana, 1-0 (01), of Phoenix had his way with Maurice Amaro, 0-1 (0), of Philly, rocking him early in the 1st round with uppercuts. Amaro had little to offer but a jab and a big heart in return. Sandana won on all scorecards 40-36. Vera was the referee.

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Ken at: kenhissner@yahoo.com