|
"HBO AFTER DARK (WOTTA) CARD" |
 |
|
"HBO AFTER DARK (WOTTA) CARD" |
|
On that note, music maestro ... opening bout was all Juan Carlos Gomez ... too advanced in the skills department, and didn't hurt doing biz from the port side against a game albeit plodder in Sinan Samil Sam.
Was a gimme as expected ... still, the tall Cuban had to work for the win ... handwriting on the wall began showing in stanza four action ... the hint arrived with Gomez showing he could handle the Turk's power punches.
Cakewalk or not, Sam helped entertain with a today version of a yesterday George Chuvalo in guts and desire - mismatch went full ten-rounds with Gomez getting the nod in a no-brainer 98-91, 99-0, 97-92 landslider.
Semi-final was the gem of the night ... Dominick Guinn tops Duncan Dokiwari in a heavyweight barn-burner from start to finish ... Doki gets bad break early on when a round two "inadvertent" cuts him over left eye - still, thru opening six candles my card had it a standoff.
Guinn upped the tempo in round seven and kept the beat going during the sprint to the wire ... and in a perfectly executed game plan, proved to be the one with the mostest over them closing 8-9-10 rounds.
Hunch here is the HBO brain trust will welcome back both these warriors to the After-Dark specials ... scoring somewhat belies the intensity and guts on display from both fighters - went Guinn by unanimous decision of 97-93, 98-92, 97-93.
And then the long awaited main event ... Baby Joe Mesi and DaVarryl Williamson ... went baby Joe in and out of the play pen in no more than 1:37 seconds of opening candle.
And it wasn't the baby headed for the crib ... was "Touch of Sleep" doing the early nap thing after sampling a flurry of power shots after an early right hand had him woozy.
Williamson appeared much too erect and tense come opening bell ... at least, that was my take ... had never seen him before so I could be off base ... as for Mesi, he came to fight, and the confidence, along with the results came through loud and clear.
Post Scripts:
JC GOMEZ: Want to see more of this past cruiserweight champ ... definitely a heavyweight in size at 6-3 and 213 lbs ... hands are quick and has every punch in the book ... straight left carries some power ... the combos are the point scorers ... see him as bigger version of Chris Byrd.
Dom Guinn: No question here that the Grant destruction was no accident ... this guy is no one nite stander ... a granite chin and evil power with the left-hand hooks and uppercuts. And he boxes the old fashioned way ... relaxed enuf to go 20 rounds. Underscores the argument that your (ho,ho,ho) daddy's heavyweight size big guy at 218 can still get it done today facing the 6-5 @ 240 pound size intimidators. Guinn earned top prize of the nite along with spot in heavyweight rankings.
Joe Mesi: Cannot badmouth an undefeated at 27-0 with 25 knockouts ... especially after the Williamson eye catcher ... but not 100% convinced he's quite what the resumé implies ... showed power with that finishing flurry ... DaVarryl was out of it long enough to suggest the clout is more than decent. Still, Baby Joe showed a tad of sloppiness in style ... could get him in trouble against a serious foe ... as in a Guinn maybe?
Dokiwari: I wanna see this guy again ... think he lost a battle but not an entire war ... brain trust must work on the big left stick ... strong and tough and maybe the punching power shows better when connecting with normal quality chin-construction.
Sin Samil Sam: True grit and forward gear approach earns him a underneath slot in future After-Dark card ... definitely ESPN2 main event level.
Semper fi,
GEL
9-27-2003
Well, the locals up at Buffalo town came to see its baby ... as in Baby Joe Mesi - my peek, via the magic lantern, was more to assess the new breed heavies circa year 2003 ... and got more than I bargained for.
Visit Geo El's "Nostalgic Corner"
