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return to boxer/articles directory"THE BOB CONNELLY CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON"
By Danny Serratelli, ringside
It had to be close to 100 degrees at the legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, but once the action started no one seemed to care, because the action was that good. At first glance the card, offering several 4-rounders and a couple of 6-rounders did not look like it would be very exciting, but unlike many small shows I've seen before, as well as many big cards, there wasn't any down time once the action started. I sat ringside, next to former heavyweight title challenger Randall "Tex" Cobb, a nice guy who looked like he may still be able to get in the ring and do some damage.
The first and last fights showcased up and coming talent, with middleweight Harry Yorgey 5-0 3 KO's, from Bridgeport, PA scoring a knockout over Mickey Stackhouse 0-3, Releigh, NC. In the last fight, undefeated heavyweight Eddie Chambers 14-0 8 KO's from Pittsburgh, PA stopped veteran Allen Smith 23-26-5, 14 KO's at 2:49 of the second round. The word with the locals is that Eddie Chambers is an up and comer, one to watch. Chambers was impressive, he moved well and looked like he could punch, but at 207 pounds, he'll need to grow a little if he eventually wants to compete with the top heavyweights.
The most entertaining part of the show was the "The Bob Connelly Championships." Blue Horizon Boxing Promotions Inc., Vernoca L. Michael, promoter, and the legendary Don Elbaum, matchmaker, put together a winner of a small show. The "Championship" bouts had guys with records like 2-1 or 1-2, but they all came to fight. Connelly, who recently passed away, was Elbaum's partner; he had to be smiling down on Philadelphia and the fights named in his memory. Each bout was 4 rounds and there was a champ in the Featherweight, Jr. Welterweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions.
Each fight had odds listed on the bout sheet, an interesting touch, and each champion received a large "Bob Connelly Champion" trophy. In addition, the press voted on the best fight of the championship series, and the fighters chosen from the fight of the night were each given an extra cash bonus of $1000, a prize awarded in the ring before the final match of the night.
Results of the Bob Connelly Championships:
Featherweights - Mike Weaver 0-0-1, (2-1 favorite) from Philadelphia, impressively knocked out Ernest Scott, 0-1 from Virginia Beach VA at 1:43 of round 1.
Jr. Welterweights- Orlando Mateo 1-2, (2-1 favorite) from Harrisburg PA, knocked out Jorge Acupa 0-1 from Harrisburg PA, at 2:29 of round 2.
Middleweights - Al Certo trained Tim O'Neil 2-1-2, 2 KO's (even money), from Staten Island NY, held on for a unanimous decision after dropping Kevin Howard's pupil Sheldon Rudolph 1-0 1 KO from Jamaica, in the first round of their match.
Light Heavyweights ($1000 fight of the night winner)- Eugene Cyclone Hart's guy, Lujuan Simons 3-1, 2 KO's (9-5 favorite) from Philadelphia PA, won a unanimous decision over the seemingly outclassed but game William Scales 1-1 from Philadelphia, PA. Scales, who entered the ring with a John Gotti T-shirt on, was often beaten to the punch, but he kept coming and had you thinking he could end it with one big punch that never came. This fight was my vote for fight of the night, and press row's overall selection. Both fighters were appreciative to have received their extra grand in the ring just before the curtain call of the night.
Heavyweight - Desean Harper 3-1, 3 KO's (7-5 favorite) won by TKO at 2:08 of round 3 over Kerron Speid 2-0, 1 KO from Jamaica. Harper was impressive, but another small heavyweight at 202 pounds.
Many club circuits have died out across the country. In my home city of Newark NJ, where there used to be a lot of local shows, they have now become a rare occurrence. I was happy to see the club circuit still alive and well in Philadelphia. The show went smoothly with no long delays, controversy, or mismatches, another rarity in recent years at many small shows. They also showed that you don't need the best fighters to put on a good show, what you need are game fighters who are evenly matched.
I'll be back next week in Lodi, NJ where the newly formed Knockout Promotions is putting on their first show. With the same matchmaker Don Elbaum and his son Kipp on board, I'll be looking forward to it.
08-17-03
