Indy's Shuler Stops Veteran Belcher

Indianapolis, IN (December 3, 2002) -- Junior middleweight Anthony Shuler of Indianapolis survived a late rally to score a last round technical knockout over South Bend's Victorio Belcher to win the Indiana Boxing Association championship here tonight.

Shuler was too fast from the opening bell and took a commanding lead after six rounds, but the gritty Belcher rallied in the seventh to take the round. The eighth saw Shuler turn things his way again and he was able to drop Belcher and the referee called a halt to the bout.

The much awaited "Smallest Fight of the Century" was also one of the shortest! John Littlejohn of Indianapolis wasted no time in whacking Bred Frerrman at 41 seconds of the first round. Littlejohn was overjoyed at his victory and challenged any other little people who wanted to fight.

Indianapolis' popular duo of fighting fireman came away victorious when super middleweight Chris Lytle took out veteran Reuben Ruiz in the second round and Mike Stone won a narrow split decision over rugged James Rice of Indianapolis.

In a woman's featherweight bout, Shelby Walker of Indianapolis stopped
Diane Thompson in the first round.

Indianapolis welterweight Jamie Voyles was disqualified in the third round of his bout with Columbus, Indiana school teacher Mark Prince. Voyles ignored the referee's instructions and continued to punch when Prince was tangled in the ropes.

Promoter Ron Kern was pleased with the standing room only crowd and said boxing would return to the 8 Second Saloon in January of 2003.

RESULTS:
Anthony Shuler, Indianapolis T8 Victorio Belcher, South Bend
John Littlehjohn, Indianapolis T1 Brad Frerrman, Indianapolis
Chris Lytle, Indianapolis T2 Reuben Ruiz, Indianapolis
Mike Stone, Hope, Indiana W4s James Rice, Indianapolis
Mark Prince, Columbus, Indiana Wq3 Jamie Voyles, Indianapolis
Shelby Walker, Indianapolis T1 Diane Thompson, Indianapolis