DO YOU KNOW EBO?

"DO YOU KNOW EBO?
By Ron Brashear
Inside Boxing Writer/Columnist

ATLANTA, GA (IB – July 9, 2004) – Well fans, hopefully you were one of the fortunate ones that were able to tune into ESPN's Friday Night Fights tonight. The very popular Boxing Series took its show on the road to Atlanta, Georgia. The event was promoted by the Atlanta Duo of David Oblas & Austin Wingo under the banner of Undisputed Productions. The headliner for this event was Newnan, Georgia's hometown star Ebo "Extreme Machine" Elder (20-1, 12 KOs) performing against a rugged and very game Fernando Trejo (23-7-4) from Mexico City, Mexico in a 135 lb 10 round bout.

On a night were quick knock outs during the under card bouts were entertaining the Atlanta sold out crowd, the stage was being set to help answer the question; who is Ebo? Is he the truth? Is he ready to step into prime time? You can only imagine the pressure that Ebo was placed under for this event. The hometown crowd screaming emphatically, EBO! EBO! EBO! ESPN broadcasting nationally to millions of homes across the USA. This was Ebo's coming out party.

I feel that Ebo Elder definitely passed the test. The bout began with a feel out round with Ebo being the busier fighter of the two and trying to establish his jab. The second round was very competitive with both fighters exchanging combination body shots. At the end of the round, you could sense that we were about to witness a very competitive match up with Ebo appearing to have the advantage in speed and technique but Trejo was holding his own with a willingness to mix it up and take the fight to Ebo.

About midway through the 3rd round, the two clashed heads and a cut was opened on the top of the forehand of Trejo. The fight doctor ruled that the fight could continue so these two got right back to imposing their will upon each other. The high-output of exchanges continued throughout the night with the stronger and faster Ebo demonstrating his superiority over one tough and courageous fighter in Trejo. Ebo Elder won a unanimous decision by the scores of 100-90, 100-90, 99-91. I had the fight scored 99-91 per I gave the 2nd round to Trejo for his effective body punching.

After the fight, I spoke with Ebo and here is what he had to say:

RB: Ebo, first of all congratulations on a great display of boxing. How did it feel to be performing here at home on a nationally televised event with ESPN?

EE: "It’s an honor to be here and to have ESPN in my hometown. The fans here are spectacular and I thank them for their support. I can't thank everybody enough."

RB: This Trejo was a one tough guy; did he ever hurt you during the fight?

EE: "He did deliver some good body shots. I have to give him that. Had I not have worked my body very well, I would have been hurt. Like I said before, he is the toughest guy I have ever fought. His record has six or seven losses. That doesn't mean anything. Where he comes from, he had to be a warrior. That's exactly what he is, a warrior, he came to win."

RB: As a lot of folks may not be aware, you had just recently sparred with current 135lb king "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather Jr in prep for his title fight with "Chop Chop" Corley back in May of 04. Did that experience lend an advantage to you for this fight?

EE: "That experience gave me an advantage to my career. I saw first hand what it takes to be a world champion. Not only is he a world champion, he is one of, if not the best, fighter in the world. I loved it, I enjoyed it"

RB: Since you put on this great performance on ESPN, what would you like to see take place next for Ebo Elder?

EE: "Well, I have to get right back in the gym and sharpen up. Tonight I wasn't as sharp as I wanted to be but the outcome was good. Definitely I want to get back in the gym and go wherever the Lord has me to go..."

RB: Once again, congratulations Ebo!

ESPN commentator Teddy Atlas felt pretty good about tonight's event in Atlanta as well. "This is a great venue to host a fight. Great Fans, great enthusiasm made for terrific broadcast. Everyone was into this fight. It was a terrific fight and they got the decision right. Ebo was stronger and quicker than this kid, but he made Ebo work."

Under card Notes:

* Tom Nguyen improved to (2-0, 2 KOs) by knocking out Anthony Henderson (0-2) with the 1st punch of the fight in round one at :36 seconds into their heavyweight bout.

* Troy Wilson (5-0-1-1 KO) TKO's Rodney Freeman (4-2, 2 KOs) with a crushing right hand to the jaw at the end of the 2nd round. Freeman failed to answer the bell for the 3rd round.

* Yusef Mack (16-0, 10 KOs) KOed Donnell Wiggins (21-4-2, 12 KOs) in the second round with :44 seconds remaining. This was a light heavyweight bout. FYI: Don Turner, trainer of Evander Holyfield was working in the Wiggins corner.

* Tyrese Hendrix (1-0-1) received his first win as a professional by defeating undefeated Jovann Jones (2-0, 2 KOs) in a welterweight bout by split decision.

* Philip Botha, making his pro debut, knocked out Jeremy Mickleson (3-7, 2 KOs) at 47 seconds into the 3rd round.

* Brian Norman (3-1, 2 KOs) took on Calvin Dixon (1-0-1) and this fight was ruled a no contest as a result of an accidental head butt at the end of the 1st round. Norman suffered a severe cut above his left eye and referee George Chip called a halt to the bout.

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Ron Brashear can be contacted at brashear@insideboxing.com, ron@brasheargear.com