Primera, Holland win CBA titles
By “KO” Ken Caro
15 November 2002- Junior middleweight Marcos Primera (13-2) won a TKO over Martinius Clay (9-2) and took the CBA title belt for junior middleweights. Clay gave up 10 pounds and 4 inches to fight for the title in front of his home crowd. Primera who was not without his own cheering section was just too much for the smaller Clay who never got out of the box. From the opening bell Primera lashed out with jabs and power shots that slowed Clay down to the point that he was an easy target. Clay was finally stopped in the sixth round after a right hand to the ear sent him to the canvas for the eight count, Primera jumped on the opportunity and the fight was stopped. After the fight Clay said that he would probably go back to fighting at welterweight.
In the second title fight of the evening Carlton Holland (14-7) took on Shakir Ashanti (15-6) in a super middleweight contest. Holland out worked Ashanti and showed the crowd what boxing is all about. Holland moved and punched in combinations that frustrated Ashanti from the beginning. Ashanti came into the ring with a good heart but seemed to leave his boxing skill in the dressing room, throwing punches while he was looking at the canvas and wild over hand rights that Holland easily slipped. Holland won a majority decision 78-74,77-75 and 76-76.
In other middleweight action on the card featured “Lightening” Les Ralston (7-0) of Buffalo N.Y. against Ed Goins of Sanford N.C.Goins was coming off a 14-month layoff and was clearly stunned by Ralston from the opening bell. Les lived up to his nickname and made Goins retire on his stool in-between the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Gions suffered a broken nose in the second round and when his corner pressed him to pick up the pace he said “F-that I cant pick it up”, at that point his corner threw in the towel.
In what could have been the ho-hum fight of the night Sean Lockhart (4-14) came back from an early knock down to decision Frankie Armstrong (1-4). Lockhart was down early in round one by a right hand from Armstrong and came back with a vengeance to almost knockout Armstrong at the end of round one. The next 3 rounds were classic boxing with the fighters standing toe to toe and slugging it out. Lockhart won 39-37, 38-37 and 38-37 to win the middleweight contest.
Bonnie Mann (1-3) showed true boxing skill against Linda Gudellia (0-2). Mann won bronze medals in the U.S. Nationals in 98&99 and was just to skillful for her opponent who would just not go down. Again to much heart not enough skill. In other bouts Paul Marinacco Defeated Giles Knox 60-54, 59-54 and 59-54, Quentin James was tko’ed by Cornelius Ellis in the second round and Dennis McKinney out pointed Clarence Goins all three fights were in the heavyweight division. A disappointed Henry Humpries had a no contest against Lavelle Mclurkin who hyper extended his right knee slipping a punch.
Thanks to Mitchell Promotions and the RBC center for brining boxing back to North Carolina. In the pre fight press conference Chuck Lanier of the RBC center said that they were making a concerted effort to change the face of boxing in N.C. Hats off to you gentlemen Great job. The next card for Mitchell promotions is in Myrtle Beach S.C. on November 21st at the House of Blues, Hope to see you there,