Last noche’s HBO “B.A.D.” triple-dipper from tank town Primm, Nev. delivered the goods in fan friendly fashion, with unbeaten prospects James Kirkland, Alfredo Angulo, Yuriorkis Gamboa scoring impressive wins.   

The curtain no sooner opens it’s Kirkland going to 22-0 with 19 by stoppage after running into and over veteran Eromosele Albert, who would drop to 21-2 with 10 by knockout. 

The young Austin, Texas express, quickly brought it to Albert in explosive fashion - no more than a minute into the round it’s Albert down from a sizzling straight left hand from the port side power puncher. The game but overwhelmed Nigerian beats the count but is quickly dispatched by a finishing barrage. Enters the books TKO 1:06 stanza one. 

Observations:

• Kirkland ~ age 24 - too early for rest of the story. For now it reads “crowd pleaser” in style. Post fight interview with slow learning Maxie boy Kellerman, exposed  bizarre training methods geared to toughen and prepare. Ok, bring on the real ones at light middleweight. Jury still not selected.  

• Albert ~ age 33 - had no answers for the young energized Texan that was in his face seconds after the opening bell.

• Referee Joe Cortez ~ good news we got no more than 1:06 seconds of “I’m firm, fair and clueless” - better yet, it was his only gig of the night.

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Then it’s hot prospect Alfredo Angulo in with Richar Gutierrez with the WBO Intercontinental minor league strap the prize - Angulo of Mexicali, Mexico unbeaten at 12-0, 9 KO’s and Gutierrez a very respectable 24-1, 14 KO’s. 

Opening stanza shows Gutierrez with the edge - grabs the round with better technique -  but the nite would belong to the younger Angulo who picks up the tempo with each passing stanza. 

It’s Angulo in control entering stanza five - then looking to close the show, the kid is careless. Walks into a Gutierrez counter left hook and is in trouble - still, the chapter  closes on happy note for the touted prospect when turning it around with big right hands ending TKO 2:48.    

Rest of story: Angulo ~ age 25, with WBO Intercontinental strap the good news. Fan friendly tough in style - but mucho work on technique needed before stepping up a notch in a 155 pound minefield of talent.
                      Gutierrez ~ age 29 - first peek but looks an old 29. Could have been an off night. Deserves a second chance at small club level. Fight stopped while still upright but ready to be dressed.
                      Referee Tony Weeks ~ made correct call with stoppage - nothing in official handbook demands the victim to be DOA.

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Next up the triple-dipper feature attraction of the evening - and the answer on how to top two power punching crowd pleaser middleweights with a s/featherweight main event. 

Piece of cake - you relocate a Cuban transplant Olympic medalist from Guantánamo Bay to Miami, Florida - pair him with a young age 28 veteran from Bronx, NY via Dominican Republic named Darling Jimenez that has some four NYC Golden gloves medals - and then sit back and enjoy. 

The newly hired (HBO) house fighter Gamboa quickly lives up to the hype - super speed while relaxed in posture, hands, movement - and has all the trappings when tossing in a healthy dose of unorthodox. 

For three opening stanzas it’s 3-0 Gamboa - still, Jimenez making each chapter close while having moments of his own - then numero cuatro and the house favorite blinks - as do the sponsors - Jimenez catches the Cuban with hands low, and counters with big right hand - Gamboa down. 

The kid rebounds in number five with quickness and is once again in control - again in numero six it’s Yuriorkis - not with power but with a swarming offense that has Jimenez on the defense. 

It would continue all Gamboa to the finish line - a monster closing stanza ten capped a sparkling performance - only a proven club fight battler with solid chin would hold up to the final bell. 

Post Scripts:

• Yuriorkis Gamboa (10-0, 9 KO) ~ age 26 - wears the label prospect to the letter - but not as yet title timber - cocky and careless, but showed hints of possible special one. The chin will be tested again once moving up in class - then we’ll have the rest of the story. Worthy of a second peek.

• Darling Jimenez (23-4-2, 14 KO) ~ age 28 - true grit with skills that were restricted due to the Gamboa quick movement and sneak punches from strange places. Clearly earned another main event at “BAD,” or other club fight venues. 

• Referee Russell Mora - this new face Nevada hack looks ready for move from tank town Primm, Nevada to half hour road trip from Sin City of fools Las Vegas. Darts about the ring at dizzying enough pace to distract a blind person.

   

 

GEL   -