Bernadin Annihilates Robles on Top of Kings Promotions Card

By Frank Bartolini, Ringside

Marshall Kauffman's Kings Promotions staged a four-bout card on Friday night at South Philly's the 2300 Arena. In the feature bout, James Bernadin of Lancaster annihilated Kenny Robles of Staten Island, to obtain a unanimous 8-round decision. Approximately 750 fans came to watch fights that showed how quality, instead of quantity, will always send the consumer home satisfied.

The main event showcased Bernadin, an undefeated fighter with less than ten fights and Robles, a ticket-selling prospect. Robles, 138.8 lbs., started fast and took it to Bernadin in the first two minutes of round one. However, from that point on, the fight was all Bernadin. A dedicated body puncher, Bernadin, 138.9 lbs., continuously landed blows to the pit of Robles' stomach while mixing in strikes to the sides of his foe's torso.

During the contest, Bernadin was warned for low blows, but this did not deter his commitment to attacking Robles' midsection. Able, to stay in the pocket and deflect punches, a confident Bernadin gained momentum by initiating his offense from that position.

Although Robles was taking a shellacking, he never stopped trying to change the tide of the fight. In the last three sessions, Bernadin began stalking Robles, landing heavy wallops with both hands to the head. Finishing strong, Bernadin stunned and rocked Robles, scoring bombs off his cranium. Floundering all around the ring, Robles did all he could to finish the match on his feet - which he did.

All three judges had Bernadin ahead by a large margin, 79-73 by two judges and 78-74 by the third. Bernadin improved his record to 7-0-1, 4 KOs. At 32 years old, Robles, 9-2, 3 KOs, must decide his next course of action.

After witnessing Bernadin fight several times on the club circuit in Eastern Pennsylvania, this scribe sees a boxer who gets wild at times, but with some fine tuning, can advance in the junior welterweight ranks. Unbeknownst to most of the boxing community, Bernadin is one of the hottest professional prospects in PA.

DiBella Sports and Entertainment-promoted lightweight southpaw, Victor Padilla, Williamstown, NJ, improved to 10-0, 9 KOs by stopping tough journeyman, Jesus Perez of Culiacan, Mexico, at 1:53 of round three. Padilla, 136 lbs., dropped Perez, 136 lbs., in the second and third stanzas. Unable to rise after the second knockdown, referee Eric Dali counted out the defeated battler. Perez' record fell below .500 to 13-14-1, 7 KOs.

Two very skilled welterweights slugged it out in one of the best four-round scraps a fan could ask for. Thanjhae Teasley, Allentown, PA, 144.8 lbs., squeezed out a four-round majority decision over Jetter Burgos, Bronx, NY, 145.8 lbs. Teasley took two of the official scores, 39-37, while the third judge had it 38-38. Burgos, 1-1, lost for the first time. Teasley improved to 3-0, 2 KOs.

Light-hitting Philadelphia native James Martin, 156.5 lbs., nearly pitched a shutout against Lukasz Barabasz, of Mikolow, Poland, to commence the evening. Winning by scores of 39-37 and 40-36 twice, Martin improved to 8-3. He is scheduled to fight again on June 4th in Houston. Barabasz, 157.5 lbs., slid to 1-4, 1 KO. 

Strolling Along Flatbush Ave.

By Frank Bartolini

All the marquee arenas in the western hemisphere that host boxing are located in cities of reputed glamour and glitz. London’s Wembley Stadium, Manhattan's Madison Square Garden, and any large arena in Las Vegas are renowned for different reasons. Las Vegas' lights and glitter, Madison Square Garden’s illustrious history plus it’s midtown address, and Wembley’s enormity and raucous fans within a gentlemanly behaved London, England. Brooklyn, New York is not as cultured as London or glamorously Manhattan trendy. “Forget about it!”, Brooklyn will never match the gilded gaudiness of Vegas. With its endemic personality Brooklyn can boast, there is no other place like it on the planet. Located in ethnically diverse Downtown Brooklyn, the Barclays Center holds its own at hosting pro prizefighting events with any of the aforementioned sites. A walk up crowd on the evening's affairs, always fills any remaining seats with enthusiasm. 

The lobby at the Hampton Inn filling up with undercard prizefighters and their crews awaiting to grab shuttle ride to the Barclays Center. Striding through the revolving doors onto the concrete, in front of me an idling mini bus AKA “The Shuttle”, to my right a block away, the Manhattan Bridge that crosses the East River connecting Downtown Brooklyn to what was formerly known as the “Five Points District” and currently named “China Town.” Google Maps informs, in the opposite direction from that span, it is just over a mile and a half down Flatbush Ave onto Atlantic Ave for a pedestrian to arrive at the Barclays Center. I forsook a free lift and decided to hoof it. A blatant lie about this choice would suggest getting some fresh air, but the soot stained facades of the tall buildings would imperiously disprove that phrase. 

Lights changing, voices rising, humans strutting and jogging, as automobiles roll in both directions. Downtown Brooklyn is in constant motion. 

A twenty something guy approaches me from the rear, “excuse me sir. I’m sorry to bother you. My mother is sick and I have to see her. I lost my wallet with my paycheck in it. Could you please give me fifteen dollars for the bus to Long Island?” 

I examine a lucid, cleared eyed inquisitor, and deduced he was no junkie. Further inspection found him wearing a pair of suede, leather accented Timberland boots. My thoughts, were that this grifter did have a job and his billfold, and scored chump change scheming. Interesting that a cheap flim flam artist chose me as an easy mark. A bit insulted, I replied “NO” and brushed off this millennial conman. 

As always, I purchased a pretzel and diet coke from a Kurdish looking street vendor, and sat in front of the arena and chowed, as a queue formed outside of the Barclays Center. 

DiBella Entertainment in association with Premier Boxing Champions put on aa night of fights here. Assuredly these two associates are always going to deliver a quality slate. 

Polish countrymen come in multitudes to Barclays supporting any native who climbs between the ropes. When heavyweight Adam Kownacki of Poland crushes foes, the P.A. system churns out Poland’s national anthem, initiating a resounding vocal harmonizing in unison among the faithful. 

The pound-for-pound coronation of Errol Spence Jr., as the best in the land, has been supported by this venue. Deontay Wilder has also proven before the Barclays' faithful he can whip anyone he hits with his concrete shattering right hand. 

Brooklyn has a unique style and it’s residents have an accented speech that is recognized globally. Sporting fans world wide should acknowledge the Barclays Center importance to paid fist trading. 

The following morning…...Bumps, bruises, scratches, stitches, and hurt ego’s indulged in the Hampton Inns' continental breakfast. Managers and trainers discussed future moves and possibilities over syrup soaked waffles and sausages. Some defeated boxers smile and enjoy the meal with friends. Other conquered pugilists chew their food with bowed heads until some good natured fellows see their discourse and pull up next to him with assuring words, that everything will be alright. Within moments this beaten man sits up in his seat and grins as he shovels grub through a pair of fat lips. When it is time to leave, the victors jump up and rush to the shuttle anxious to get home and tell tales of grandeur. Boxing close knit fraternal members bid adieu to one another. Back through the revolving doors for the last time this weekend, carrying a suitcase and briefcase, I walk to a fifty dollar a night parking garage, get my car, pay my fee, and eventually cross the Verrazano Bridge on my way home to “Champions Rest,” as Brooklyn maintains it’s perpetual motion. 

I finished 2018 where I started it at the Barclays Center. I began 2018 last January, when Errol Spence defended his welterweight world championship laurels throwing Lamont Peterson a beating. I have ended the year watching the Charlo twins fill the venue with a near sellout crowd that booed disputed decisions in both their bouts. 

The boxing future is bright as the blue lettered marquee of the Barclays Center. The sport is filled with talent globally and a billion dollars of revenue is being invested from media outlets DAZN, Fox network, ESPN+, and Showtime cable. All this cash makes bouts happen and combatants will square off in first rate matchups. No need for a fortune teller's crystal ball to see 2019 will be a great year for pugilism…...Until next time...Keep Punching!

Support The Weigh-In: Your Home for Combat Sports by Shopping World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Products!

Eddie Hearn and his "Band" Matchroom Boxing

Eddie Hearn and his band Matchroom Boxing are not the Beatles or The Rolling Stones, still his pugilistic British invasion resembles an inaugural rock tour of the USA. Things got started in early October in Middle America. A couple weeks’ later Boston, seven days after that “The Big Apple” New York City. All these nights featured championship fights and numerous world class boxers.

Excited boxing fans from around the five boroughs filled all the fifty six hundred seats in the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27th. Whether their warrior won or lost every one of them departed knowing they got bang for their buck.

A stirring Main Event pitted former WBA Middleweight King Danny Jacobs, Brooklyn, against Ukrainian Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who now lives in Brooklyn, NY, for the vacant IBF Middleweight Championship of the world. Some people may have looked at this matchup as Jacobs being spoon fed a title. Derevyanchenko only had a dozen bouts entering the contest without much exposure. Insiders were whispering the outcome was a toss-up.

Wasting little time feeling each other out, lighting their fusses, both released bombs with Sergiy getting the better of the exchanges. Gaining momentum, Derevyanchenko had round one won when with seconds left an overhand right to the head from Jacobs,159.6 lbs., had the Ukrainian hitting the floor. Jacobs carries one hundred sixty pounds in a big way, his biceps look like they belong to a heavyweight. Leaving his corner for the second, Derevyanchenko, 159.4 lbs., showed no ill effects from his fall. Having mastered the art of cutting off the ring, Sergiy kept cornering or backing Jacobs against the ropes, scoring shots. Derevyanchenko continued hit Jacobs to body throughout. Offsetting the offensive in front of him, Jacobs bounced hard leather off his foes’ head. Ten rounds of oohs, aahs, and roaring cheers left the alacritous throng wanting to witness the championship sessions. Not disappointing the faithful, both soldiers willingly engaged in a slugfest for the final six minutes. Once the final second ticked off, the house cleared their lungs with a booming loud approval.

Sometimes a tenseness is felt when waiting to hear a decision in a close match. Those moments slow down the clock and each second feels longer than the last. At that moment, Ring Announcer Miguel Flores put the microphone close to his mouth “Ladies and Gentlemen……” and went on to announce Danny Jacobs as the new IBF middleweight king by split decision. Julie Lederman 114-113 Derevyanchenko overruled by Tom Schreck and Steve Weisfeld 115-112.

Following giving kudos to Derevyanchenko, Jacobs said “We absolutely want Canelo. It’s a fight the fans want. Now that I have the belt there will be more in the pudding for everyone.” With Canelo and Jacobs both connected to streaming sports network the DAZN this could be happen soon.

Even though Derevyanchenko lost, he has proven himself amongst the elite in the talent laden middleweight division. Suffering his first loss, Sergiy’s record is now 12-1 (10 KOs). With a new belt to hold up his pants Jacobs marches forward with a 35-2 (29 KOs} slate.

Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment partnered with Matchroom to promote the show.

Negotiating a big dollar deal with DAZN to promote thirty two fights a year, Hearn has decided to enter the American market. 

-Frank Bartolini

Support The Weigh-In: Your Home for Combat Sports by Shopping World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Products!

Did Anyone See Alicia "The Empress" Napoleon Win on Saturday Night?

The answer to the above question is, yes... However, most the people in attendance were her fans from nearby Lindenhurst, New York.

(Photo - AliciaNapoleon.com)

Women's World Boxing Association (WBA) champion, Alicia "The Empress" Napoleon (10-1, 5 KOs) defeated Scotland's Hannah Rankin (5-2, 1 KO) by unanimous decision in a ten round bout on Saturday night at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The fight, which was on the ten fight undercard of Andre Berto's victory over Devon Alexander, was fought after the main event as most fans walked out of the arena and members of the media flocked to the post-fight press conference. The fight did not begin until just before 11:00 PM EST. 

Napoleon, who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, did not hold back her displeasure with the scheduling of her bout. Her ten round title fight was pushed to the back of a card that featured two four round and three eight round fights. When asked about the scheduling of her bout, Napoleon had this to say: “It’s typical of how women are treated in boxing. But we were the best fight of the night, for sure.”

MW