Boxing Lows And Blows Of A Night

By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor

What’s going on here? A reference always from the late and great New York sports scribe Dick Young and there was never hesitation at ringside when providing fight coverage. Saturday night and here is the thought again, either nothing or too much boxing presented from the New York State Athletic Commission.

Two shows, within a few miles from each other, off Flatbush Avenue in that great borough of Brooklyn. Barclays Center for the PBS/Showtime championship card at an arena that is quickly becoming a new “Mecca” of boxing and “The Real Deal” Evander Holyfield showcase of young and rising stars at the Kings Theater, and the prevailing opinion of scheduling comes down to a basic concept called revenue.

So a boxing night of Lows and Blows. It can’t get better than this for a boxing fan, though in reality it simply is as bad as the decision making of the judges at ringside known more as “Three Blind Mice.”

Though this time. Peter Dobson of the Bronx did not rely on the judges scorecards. The 27-year old welterweight with a four-year and three fight deal under Holyfield, never got in the ring for his eight-round fight with Martin Wright at the Kings Theater. He trained hard as always and sold a good amount of tickets that promoters want rising stars to sell.

But  Wright, after the weigh-in Friday afternoon, decided to assault an unidentified security official and is still on the run, a wanted man and probably done with boxing. Dobson, though, is not done for now and will give it another try even though this was his second straight fight that fell through under his deal with Holyfield.

Fans that purchased tickets were informed, of course not pleased. Neither was Dobson who was not aware his fight was off until he arrived on the scene at 5pm, two hours before the first bell of a 12 fight card that also was curtailed with another cancellation.

“Right now I’m ready to fight,” Dobson said in the lobby of the fight theater. “I’m in the best shape of my life. Hopefully my next fight I get to step in the ring and my opponent gets in the ring that’s when I know for sure.”

But this is boxing. Never is there a certainty until the first bell rings and Dobson, who got in the ring and expressed his disappointment to family and friends, of course is disappointed. Angry, yes, and that is expected with hopes on the next “Real Deal” card scheduled for June 9th at the Kings Theater.

Commission officials would not comment about the particulars that has NYPD enforcement looking for a man on the run and Holyfield had disappointment etched on his face, though could not be reached for comment on site. Dobson said he will get over this and of course he will. This is a fighter with potential, a rising star that Evander Holyfield the former champion wants to succeed. Dobson awaits his next  opportunity and knows this was another of those circumstances beyond his control.

“Discouraging but at eats at me,” he said. I haven’t taken a loss and that motivates me. I know I’m better, way more talented when i get in the ring. They (opponents) don’t have the heart and discipline that I have.”

This, though is a major setback for Peter Dobson the soon to be 28-year and undefeated at 9-0, who loves the sport. That low blow for a promising fighter that has been the victim of hard luck in a sport that is accustomed to trials and tribulations in and out of the ring.

He said about Holyfield, “It’s not his fault. I don’t know what to tell him. Who would think my opponent would do something like that. Only thing is to blame him.”

The eight-round main event went on as scheduled. Josue Vargas a promising junior welterweight from the Bronx, a flashy fighter with a sparkling red outfit, stopped Victor Vazquez in the seventh round.

On To Barclays: Traffic on Flatbush Avenue and 13,984 in the building was a blow for the sport, only because it was Adrien Broner the controversial fighter vying for another championship at 140. A low blow because Broner always brings trouble out of the ring that follows him.

Amanda Westcott/Showtime

Security is always a priority at the fights, always was, and more conscious now with a sign of the times. But with Broner giving another moment of drama and attention, this time with a famed rap artist, safety of the venue and fans came first.

But the PBC, Showtime Boxing, and Brooklyn Boxing at Barclays, quickly becoming the venue for big fights look at Broner as a spark. He opens his mouth and there is that unpredictable moment even though Broner has the tools and proves to overcome adversity with talent.

The quick stoppage for former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo made his statement in the middleweight division with a commanding win over previously undefeated Hugo Centeno Jr. and now the mandatory challenger for Gennady Golovkin, the WBC, WBA, and IBF champion.

And, Gervonta Davis, is a two-time world champion with a third round TKO over former champion Jesus Cuellar, a win Davis needed after some setbacks under the promotional banner of retired and undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Heavyweight George Arias from  the Bronx, looking to become the first Dominican heavyweight champion opened the Barclays show, got the unanimous decision though wasn’t impressed with his latest win that improved his undefeated record to 11-0.

Broner, the four-division champion fought a 12-round majority draw against two-division champion Jessie Vargas. Had two judges scored the 12th round for Broner, the result would have went his way in a fight that Broner dictated the final rounds.

Amanda Westcott/Showtime

However, and nothing new coming from the mouth of Broner. You be the judge of these post fight comments in the ring to Vargas and Showtime broadcaster, Jim Gray the Boxing Hall of Fame inductee.