ShoBox Friday night opened a busy weekend of fistic action that saw Jean Paul Mendy and Anthony Hanshaw advancing to the final round of its super middleweight tourney.

Things began with unbeatens Jean Paul Mendy (22-0, 12 KOs) and Henry Buchanan (14-0, 11 KOs) - a pairing that saw Mendy tossing a shutout on two of the scorecards - one could quickly spot the Frenchman Mendys’ advantage in size, and his working from the port side.

Buchanan had a few moments, but for most of the chapters, a much busier Mendy scored effectively with jabs, coupled with assorted flurries against a confused albeit game Buchanan.

Post Scripts: Jean Paul Mendy (23-0, 12 KOs) ~ strong performance over a confused opponent not familiar with southpaws. Short on legitimate power that most southpaws claim at birth but showed good chin. Busy in style with the leather arriving from all directions. Expect he be the underdog when facing Hanshaw for the trophy.
                      Henry Buchanan (14-1, 11KOss) ~ this one a matter of inability to solve a taller and unorthodox in style southpaw - the kid can punch a bit with both the left hook and straight right hand but simply could not get off over ten rounds of frustration.

The following ten rounder was something of a Sho-Box showcaser with Anthony Hanshaw (20-0, 13 KOs) bringing it in impressive fashion to the outclassed Lafarrell Bunting (16-1-1, 16 KOs).

Hanshaw displayed confidence and quickness from the opening candle … stanza two had the handwriting on the wall as he fired away with both hands going from body to head - then, it's Bunting trapped in a corner with Hanshaw pitching and Bunting catching, it was third man in charge Raul Caiz Jr. coming to the rescue.

Time was 1:58 mark of round three.

Post Scripts: Hanshaw (21-0,14 KOs) ~ looks here to be favorite going into the finale with Jean Paul Mendy. The better moves, quickness, and ability to alternate between slick combinations and flashy flurries should translate to a fun closer for Anthony from Ohio country.

Closing Comments: This semi-final saw the  better two of the four contestants in respective cake walk wins - both Hanshaw and Mendy have something in the trick bag - but that said, realistically the future not top quality timber among the elite at 168. Hanshaw impressive but was facing more a target than a threat. But at club fight level he should do very well. Has speed in punching department and good movement coupled with quickness. Mendy tough enough, but lacks serious punching power while being unorthodox in style, is also short on technique. Expect Hanshaw to open early with good results.

Rest of the cast:
Sho-Box Commentators Nick Charles and Steve Farhood~ if in need of humor in your life check this duo out. Close the eyes as they speak and you’ll find vaudeville is not dead after all. Best they have going is a slap stick comedy fite version of Abbott & Costello’s "who’s on first - wot’s on second" skit of the 1940s.
                      Referees David Mendoza and Raul Caiz Jr. ~ both stayed the course of the no-clue today variety of hacks. Mendoza, non-stop with the warnings, much like a Floridian weatherman predicting tropical depressions and hurricanes. Was on Buchanan for low blows for seven candles of a one-sided affair, then felt stanza eight was safe to go the point deduction route. Caiz Jr. worked the Hanshaw quickie but nothing new here as well. But then, we’re talking California where solid third men in ring need not apply.

GEL -                                                                                                         

10-7-2006