July 23 - ESPN2 6:00
David Telesco vs. Drake Thadzi
David looks to be the best pick in this match up. David owns a win over Frank Tate last
December (4th round stoppage) and is the NY state Light Heavy Champ. David is ranked by
the IBF, WBA and the WBO.
Drake is getting a little to old to be in the ring with bangers like David. Most all his 9
losses have been by KO, and at 37, it appears his head is getting soft. The last time out
he was stopped in the 9th by Dariusz Michalczewski last Dec.
Expect David to end it sooner.
Telesco inside 8
July 24 - Showtime 8:00
Terronn Millet vs. Virgil McClendon
This will be a do or die match in my eyes for Terronn. Against what I expected, he stopped Vince
Phillips last Feb to win the IBF JR Welter belt. Boy was I surprised! Terronn had NO
previous bouts of any recognition, and I was shocked to see Phillips get stopped by the
ex-con.
Virgil is in the same boat Terronn was in against Phillips, except the #1 ranking. He is
ranked # 8 by the IBF. He also has no impressive wins and suspect power. This will be a
good match up as a first title defense for Terronn.
With momentum on his side, I expect to see Terronn come out on-fire to prove he is a
viable champion, and quell his detractors.
Millet inside 6
James Page vs. Freddie Pendleton
James won the vacant WBA Welter title with an ugly one punch stoppage of Andrei Pestriaev
last Oct. In his first title defense last Dec against Jose Luis Lopez, the tough and
determined Page got off the canvas twice to win a unanimous decision! In his last bout, he
hooked toe to toe with Sam Garr to another exciting decision victory. This will be James'
3rd title defense.
Freddie used to be favorite of mine. Like when he fought Frankie Randall the first time
and lost, then fought him to a draw. But that was in 1986! Freddie is WAY past his prime,
and obviously in need of some cashola, or he wouldn't be in the ring with Page. Freddie
was coming back in the mid 90's, until Trinidad and Vince Phillips made KO victims out of
him. How does an over the hill has been that isn't ranked in the top 15 in the WBA as a
welter get a title shot? Can Don King be near by? Perhaps it was his defeat of Freddie
Rojas last Dec. Who knows, but this is the epitome of what is bad in boxing, and doesn't
prove a thing to me about Page's validity as a champion.
You have to wonder why ANY champion would take a joke of a fight like this.
Expect Page to dismantle the former IBF LW champ in an ugly fashion.
Page inside 8
July 24 - Not Televised
as of yet
Ed Mahone vs. Derrick Banks
Big Ed is another of the few who carries a %100 KO to win ration. This big heavy is
currently 20-0 with 20 KO's. He's a Forum Boxing regular, and really caught my eye when
way behind on points, stopped the late Cody Koch in the 10th in Feb 98. He owns a win over
Everett "Bigfoot" Martin, but other than that, hasn't fought any world class
competition. Cody showed that a boxer with a good jab can keep the man at bay, and most of
today's young heavies wouldn't have a problem with the menacing Mahone.
Derrick looks as though he is another tomato can set up by Mahone's handlers. Derrick has
NO fights of recognition, and it appears will be KO victim #21.
By the way Derrick, when you fall down, don't break your fall with your hands. It adds to
the drama and looks more convincing =)
Mahone inside 3
Edgar Ruiz vs. David Kamau
This ought to prove to be the most interesting fight of the evening. David Kamau was a USA
TNF's regular, but has fallen by the wayside since Oscar De La Hoya stopped him cold in
June of 97. He went the distance with Julio Cesar Chavez in Sep of 95, and in my eyes,
looked good. David needs a big win to propel himself back into world title contention, and
against what most think, I believe this is his chance to shine.
Edgar is the current NABO Welter champ, and has descent speed and power. He hasn't faced
the same opposition as David, and has a considerable reach deficit to Kamau. (David has an
82" reach - same as Muhammad Ali!!)
If David fights Edgar on the outside, and utilizes his well proven jab, he will box his
way to the title. David has been inactive, but I expect the Kenya native to step up to the
plate and deliver.
Kamau by Decision
In Retrospect:
David Telesco vs. Drake Thadzi
As expected, but Drake was replaced by Hector Sanjuro. Goes don in my record as a DQ. I
hate it when that happens.
Terronn Millet vs. Virgil McClendon & James
Page vs. Freddie Pendleton
I'm going to comment on these fights together, because I have the same opinion on
both. Both these guy's didn't show me much from these bouts. Terron was getting caught BIG
time and rocked by a guy with no power. It took James 11 rounds to take out Freddy. No big
statements this time around. I reserve further comment until I see them defend their
titles again against worthy opposition.
Ed Mahone vs. Derrick Banks
Ed Mahone had a tougher night than I expected, but the outcome was as expected. One thing
Ed did show, and that is he has power even in the late rounds. Hell, 7 knockdowns in the
10th before the ref stopped the bout. Not bad.
Edgar Ruiz vs. David Kamau
As expected!! David came off the canvas in the second round beat Ruiz in the 9th. He
opened up a gnarly cut above Edgar's eye in the 9th, and the ref stopped the bout at the
end of the round. Kudos to David for a well fought bout and showing grit and perseverance.
