The Paramount, Huntington, NY on April 19th – Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing Light Heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. lived up to his nickname as he stopped Cory ” Black Ice” Cummings in two thrilling rounds to capture the vacant IBA Continental Americas Light Heavyweight title before a standing room only crowd last night at The Paramount in Huntington, NY.
There was no feeling out process in this one as both fighters came charging out in round 1 throwing bombs. The action was frenzied as both guys landed big shots standing toe to toe. Smith’s punches seemed to be having a greater effect as he backed Cummings to the ropes and staggered him with a big right hand near the end of the round.
Cummings to his credit never stopped trying to answer Smith punch for punch. The bell for round 2 sounded and again both fighters went right at it much to the delight of the crowd who by now were all on their feet. A picture perfect left hook by Smith midway through the round put Cummings flat on his face but miraculously he made it his feet before the count of 10. Cummings was in bad shape as Smith swarmed him looking for the knockout.
Somehow Cummings stayed on his feet and continued trading with Smith as the crowd was going absolutely crazy. Smith continued the assault on ever so game Cummings and finally put together a flurry of hard punches causing Referee Sammy Viruet to call a halt to the action at 2:10 of round 2.
With the victory Smith improves to 18-1 14KO’s while Cummings drops to 18-9-1 13KO’s. Smith, hailing from nearby Mastic, NY, certainly made a statement to all Light Heavyweights with this victory over the tough Baltimore, MD native Cory Cummings.
Anthony “Showtime” Karperis and Bayan “The Mongolian Mongoose” Jargal went to war over 8 rounds in a Lightweight matchup. Karperis scored a majority decision win over tough luck loser Jargal by scores of 79-73, 78-74, and 76-76. Karperis started fast utilizing his speed and movement over the first three rounds.
Jargal pressed forward at all times and started to have success finding Karperis having a big 4th round. The two way action continued to the final bell with both sides feeling they did enough to win but in the end it was Karperis who received the nod. Karperis, Hicksville, NY improves to 10-1 3KO’s as Jargal, Arlington, VA, drops to 17-7-3 11KO’s.
Constantin Bejenaru, 9-0 3KO’s, Brooklyn, NY made short work of Dave Valykeo, 4-5, Neptune, NJ, stopping him at 1:02 of round 2 in a scheduled 6 round Cruiserweight bout.
Huntington native Johnny Hernandez, 4-0 1KO won a hard fought decision over Philadelphia’s Derrick Bivins, 1-3-2 by scores of 39-37 twice and 40-36 in a Featherweight contest.
Dave Meloni, 3-1 1KO, Westbury, NY and Michael Gargouri, 0-5-1, Quebec, CN put on a crowd pleasing brawl over 4 rounds in the Jr. Lightweight division. Meloni escaped with a majority decision win by scores of 39-37 twice and 38-38.
The opening bout saw Newark, NJ’s Ian Smith, 4-0 3KO defeat Marlon Farr, 4-9 in a 4 round Super Middleweight fight by scores of 40-36 on all three cards.
Promoter Joe DeGuardia was thrilled with the outcome of Rockin Fights 18 and had this to say about the card “This was another exciting night at The Paramount. The fights were great the crowd was electric. I am so impressed by Joe Smith Jr. and I truly believe he is the most exciting Light Heavyweight in the world today and showed he will be a force to be reckoned with. This was our 18th consecutive sellout at The Paramount and a new star was born tonight in Joe Smith Jr”.
