The ESPN WNF tour took a pit stop at picturesque Tampa, Florida with popular local Edner Cherry paired with Flint, Michigan native Wes Ferguson - and the results was a very entertaining battle of lightweights.

Cherry, age 24, a transplant from Nassau in the Bahamas has never been gifted with a gimme - the resumé says plenty, with Cherry at age 21-22 in with a Juan Gomez, Jaime Rangel, Ricky Quiles … and more recently it’s Jose Santa Cruz, Meza Clay that would lead to a Paul Malignaggi.

Last noche it was age 21 Wes Ferguson - a combination feeler-test by the Mayweather combine that train and promote the kid from Flint, Michigan - the choice in Cherry as opponent expected to provide answers to where they go next.

Didn’t take all that long to sense the outcome … was Cherry in control over the opening four stanzas … too big and strong as he went body to head with hurting power punches - Ferguson more in self-defense mode.

The kid did give it an honest shot at times … problem is forfeiting the reputed speed advantages ala Cherry-Malignaggi by working a survival game - hurt from power left-hooks to body in stanza seven the kid showed true grit in recovering.

So it went the full ten stanzas with Cherry claiming the unanimous decision 98-92, 96-94, 96-94 - my unofficial saw it Cherry 98-92 in points and 8-2 in rounds.

Post Scripts: Edner Cherry (22-5-2, 10 KOs) ~ still young at age 24 - tossed in with wolves early on with mixed results, the kid has survived to fight another day. Denied technical skills, that coupled with toughness and durability, might have draped him with prospect possibilities. Still, a draw at the ESPN, ShoBox level.
                        Wes Ferguson (16-2-1, 4 KO) ~ a baby at age 21 - the step up was a test -  showed  good chin and matching courage. Problem was not using the quickness, stick, move and counter skills in hopes of balancing the books versus a slow but strong opponent. His promoter, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has surely taken notes and will help make the adjustments. Kid could well develop in skills to compensate his shortage of punching power . Take note: Paul Malignaggi.

Closing comments: Joe Tessitore ~ always good for a laugh … front runner until it clear the "prospect" is in over his head. Makes kissing butt an art form.
                                   Teddy Atlas ~ clearly the pro of the Atlas- Tessie-Kenny trio . still, would help making the point quick and precise.
                                  Referees: Jorge Alonso and Brian Garry fit in nicely with the small town club fight scene wherever the choice - the Alonso threats to 4-round heavyweight going nowhere victim, "do that one more time and you’re outta here" was strictly Hollywood auditioning stuff. Boo!

GEL  
 

6-14-2007