The Thursday nite Versus channel from the Utopian Theater in the Bronx, New
York featured undefeated Yuri Foreman from Brooklyn via Belarus with Andrey
Tsurkan a Ukraine transplant now calling Bronx, New York home.
The prize up for grabs the NABF super welterweight bauble - what we got was
Foreman in role of matador and Tsurkan the bull - after 10 rounds of a
difficult one to score, it was Foreman 96-94 on two cards and one judge having
it Tsurkan 96-94.
My unofficial agreed Foreman 96-94 in points and 6-4 in rounds.
Rest of the story:
Yuri Foreman (24-0, 8 KOs) ~ age 27 - first impressions are lasting - and from
what I saw last night Foreman is pretty much where he’s at. Tall at 5-11,
quickness is the name of his game - but much of the speed is wasted by darting
around while out of punching range. Power shortage sees him more club fighter
than prospect.
Andrey Tsurkan (25-3, 16 KOs) ~ age 30 - basically tough
and willing but needs the ball teed up. Slow and uncoordinated. Early pressure
was getting it done but lacks finisher qualities.
……………………………….............................................................................................
Co-feature saw Sergio Martinez too much for short notice Russell Jordan in a
mismatch of respective southpaws - Jordan arrived from upstate Rochester, New
York on three day notice.
Martinez age 32 and veteran of 42 kept appointments dropped the age 25 Jordan
late in opening stanza courtesy of a three punch combo. The proverbial
handwriting on the wall surfaced in round two with the shorter Argentine jab
beating the 6’2 Jordan version to the mark.
The more experienced Martinez claims number three in a fast paced last hurrah
for the upstate kid - then with Martinez pitching and Jordan catching while
backed to the ropes in stanza four referee Pete Santiago calls it no-mas at 59
seconds mark.
Post Scripts: Martinez (41-1-1, 21 KOs) a stranger to our shores - the single
debit back in year 2000 to Antonio Margarito. Shows quickness and works in
relaxed style. Worth the peek, although last minute opposition finds the jury
sequestered.
Russell Jordan ( 14-5, 9 KOs) ~ kid was made to order
with short notice coupled with questionable battle plan. At six feet two
inches and short on power never should have took on aggressor role. Repeatedly
walked into the Martinez power punches.
**** A six round heavyweight filler saw yesterday contender Monte Barrett
stopping Cliff Clouser at 2:16 of stanza two. Both fighters arrived at ages 36
and it showed.
Barrett goes to 32-6, 17 by KO - Clouser drops to 26-14-2, 14 KOs. Forget the
paper, both clearly yesterday’s news.
GEL
