The ESPN FNF show from Miami, FL, had the stage set for its newest imported tout "Baby Face" Julio Cesar Garcia from Ciudad Acuna, MX - then, a carefully selected Troy Browning from Philly town goes and upsets the apple cart.

First the vitals to get a clearer picture;  the "Baby Face" resumé has him turning pro in 2002 at age 15 as a featherweight -  enters last evening’s "prospect" credibility damager 40-2, 34 KO’s - has matured physically over the five years to six feet  jr. middle.

Browning arrives undefeated at 19-0-1, 8 KO’s - flip side is an age 40 albatross being toted by a light punching southpaw - so much for counting un-hatched chickens. This ol’ bird proved too tough for the prematurely touted one.

Garcia opens the quicker with decent body punching - claims stanza two with better output than the taking notes Browning.

The fall guy that refused to go along with the expected choreography comes alive in stanza three thru five with combinations - no damage, but clearly outscoring the touted one.

After a breather in a slow round six Troy the geezer takes full command over a confused and totally tutored Garcia - scoring went Browning 97-93, 96-94 with third hack somehow scoring it all square at 95-95.

For what it’s worth my unofficial had it a Browning cake walk at 97-93 in points and 7-3 in rounds.

Rest of the story: Browning: Once finding "Baby Face" was still in diapers, and nothing near the 40 wins with 34 KO’s suggested, he showed good skills. Cheated at birth with zero punching power, coupled with the age, realistically has no future. Deserved the win but likely a one night stand.
                              Garcia: First things first;  at a now age 20, along with the brain trust, needs complete overhaul. Turned pro much too early at 15 and nurtured on pugilistic pabulum - from what he showed last evening, "Baby Face" can count his lucky stars the man from the "City of brotherly love" lacked clout. Thus a spanking instead of anything more ominous. Needs finding the best fighting weight, and serious upgrading in skills. Final observation: had the feeling the kid wore the same trunks he did as lightweight judging by the repetitive tugging at the waist band.
………………………………..........................................................................  

Welterweight prelim saw Tessitore tout Richard Gutierrez improving to 23-1, 14 KO’s in a unanimous decision rout of hapless Luciano Perez who drops to 15-7-1, 13 KO’s.

Highlight here was Tessitore referring to Gutierrez as welterweight contender and asking studio guest Nate Campbell how he’d like seeing a Gutierrez-Andre Berto fight.  With friends like company man Tessitore who needs enemies.

Closing comments: Nate Campbell as studio guest came out smelling like a rose - says here Nate has future in fight commentating once hanging up the spikes. Opinions short, sweet and on the target. Clearly the best of some pretty good past ones sitting in the studio chair.  Brian Kenny fill-in also a step up in quality.

GEL  -    

6-23-2007