-Photo Credit: Bob Kolb/BRC-

The ESPN Wednesday tour dropped by the Manhattan Center at midtown for a night of knockouts - with the return of David Tua, and Kronk Gym hopeful Johnathon Banks doing what comes naturally.

Show opens with the Tua-Man back from recent hiatus, brings a 44-3-1, 38 whacks of past legitimacy into gross mismatch with Edward Gutierrez, age 40 -  and a reported stat sheet of 15-2-1, 6 KO’s, that he carries to the lynching.

Stanza one, Tua moving forward albeit in slow-mo, Gutierrez on bicycle in careful retreat - fans in attendance become restless - and commentator Tessitore provides cover for the inaction with reminders Tua is in need of  "rounds" due to the layoff.

Now round two and a Tua left hook drops a not very fast Eddie - the hook was more a tester than serious in appearance, but the message came through loud and clear.

All Tua over candle three before picking up the punch output in finishing stanza four - late in the round a big left hook to the body crumbles hapless Gutierrez for the full math - time 2:59 seconds mark.

Post Scripts: Tua ~ a now age 33 but punching power intact - still, doubtful he can again return to the title threat he once was - brain trust couldn’t have been more careful in choosing the comeback opponent.
             
                     Gutierrez ~ age 40 and now at 15-3 with six by KO must call it no-mas - only evil things lie ahead if continuing the infamy.
………………………………..........................................................................

Top billing went to Cruiserweights Eliseo Castillo, a past Cuban Olympian and undefeated Johnathon Banks of Kronk Gym knockout artist fame - and both the age 31 veteran Castillo (20-1-1, 15) and age 24 Banks ( 11-0, 8) would send the paying clientele home happy as punch after nine minutes and 12 seconds of sizzling drama and excitement.

Round one opens with Castillo in boxer-puncher mode and showing good movement behind the jab - Banks pressing but with caution - then a text book counter right hand to the sweet spot drops the touted one.

Banks beats the count, and has presence of mind to grab and hold while Castillo is quickly on the offense - and wham-bam another right hand and Banks down again - but survives as Castillo runs out  the clock with wild, futile flailing.

Then stanza two it’s the Cuban settling and slowing down the output - claims the round but Banks regains the missing legs that had gone AWOL after the double knockdowns in round one.

Now stanza three and Banks with the edge - and with it comes a bit of confidence - and Castillo shows signs of losing the boxing skills he displayed in the opening candle.

Then the big finale - a big right hand following a flurry drops Castillo heavily to the canvas - and is unable or unwilling to make it to his feet as the count reaches ten - and with it, the Banks slate remains clean at 12 wins with nine by stoppage.

Post Scripts: Banks ~ Physically strong at 197 pounds - right hand showed some clout - but a glaring negative is the chin department - dropped by relative light puncher. Still, displayed excellent recuperative ability. Jury still out - plenty time to develop in skills at a now age 24.
                      Castillo ~ the albatross is the chin when facing power punchers. Only two debits, but both via knockout. The Klitschko loss understandable but not sure where this loss leaves him at a now age 31.

Rest of the story ~  Referee #1 - Best  job recognition goes to lady in charge of the action, Ms Sparkle Lee.  Cool, calm and in charge without any need of "watch my style" - broke the clinches without a hint of the usual male anxiety. The command "stop punching" preceded her physically separating the combatants and reduced chances of hitting on the break.   Five-star performance the old fashioned way.
                                Referee #2 - Michael Ortega - a tad better than his usual - still, doesn’t quite get it.  The Sparkle lady should exchange assignments for the extra dinero it would bring.
                               Referee #3 -Eddie Cotton - a disaster of the first order. This fool has got to find a pencil in the Christmas Party grab bag - trade judging assignments. The mad rush to break anything resembling a clinch comes out  more Abbot-Costello slapstick than ring official in charge. As Mike Lupica  of NY Daily News fame likes to shout it - "There’s New York and there’s outta town" - get a bus ticket now, Eddie.

GEL