ATLANTA, GEORGIA (IB – April 18, 2003) – In front of a sell-out crowd of approximately 1000 fight
fans, boxing fans were treated to an very exciting
night of boxing at the Coca-Cola Roxy theatre in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia,
and promoted by David Oblas & Austin Wingo’s Undisputed Productions.The main event was a highly anticipated rematch between Xavier "The X-Man Tolliver (11-3, 8 KOs), of College Park, Georgia against Richard Lee Hall (8-10-1, 5 KO's), of Bayboro North Carolina. In their first encounter in September of 2000, Tolliver took his 1-0 record into Hall's back yard and suffered his first defeat as a professional via a four-round decision. Tolliver was hopeful that by having more experience since then, and fighting in front of his hometown crowd this time, there would be a different outcome and he would emerge the victor. Well, that was not what Hall had in mind.
Tolliver started out fast and appeared to have won the 1st two rounds and opened a cut over the right eye of Hall. In round three, Hall began to take over the fight by being the stronger fighter and put forth a much faster pace with solid combinations to the head and body of Tolliver which prompted referee Jerry Korb to give Tolliver a standing eight count as the round was concluding.
Although Tolliver absorbed the punishment to make out of the 3rd round, the 4th and 5th rounds were more of the same and ultimately Tolliver’s corner, (rightfully so) threw in the towel at 1:07 seconds of the 6th round. So Hall scored a 6th round TKO over the hometown welterweight prospect.
I spoke to Hall after the fight and here is what he has to say:
Ron: What did it feel like coming into Tolliver’s back yard and pulling off this victory?
Richard: “Oh man, I knew it was going to be a war. I knew I had to step my game up and give 110 % to win here. I knew Xavier was going to come ready. He came ready when we fought in my back yard, so I knew he was going to be extra ready here in Atlanta.”
Ron: Did you feel you had to take the fight out of the judge’s hands?
Richard: “Yeah, I knew it couldn’t go the distance. My trainer told me that I had to go out and close the show. So I went out and did my best and it happened for me.”
When I spoke with Xavier, he didn’t offer any excuses. “I have no excuses, he was the better man tonight and he was strong. I will get back to the gym and keep working on my boxing skills.”
The under card also produced some good excitement as well and Atlanta fans continue to come out and show their support for these events.