CALGARY COWBOY RIDES TO VICTORY By George J. Elsasser

His name is Dale Brown ... rated #9 on the WBO charts ... and going into last noche's meeting with Rich LaMontagne he hadn't made the IBF, WBA top ten ... but the 31 year old cowpuncher from Calgary town clearly showed the better skills of the two.

Brown ... calls himself "Cowboy" ... quickly set the stage in the opening candle with a short, snapping left-hook that drops game Ritchie to the canvas ... and come third stanza he adds insult to injury ... a right hand floors LaMontagne who arises with a cut over left eye.

From that point on it was Brown in control as he rode to victory by scores of 98-90; 98-90; 99-90. My unofficial had it 98-90 via point method and 8-2 under round by round system.

Brown goes to 29-3-1 with 19 whacks while LaMontagne drops top 28-5-1, and 23 stops.

Post Scripts:

Brown ~ Could be this impressive outing improves the IBF #11, WBA #15 rankings but the 31 year old veteran is not title timber ... had two shots at cruiserweight baubles but was stopped on both attempts. A good watch with nice moves but the needed power is just short of the mark.

Lamontagne ~ Claim to fame is #10 rated among WBC band of groupies ... and a recent score over Ernie "Gattling Gun" Mateen ... hopefully, it was just one of them things last nite ... seemed confused to put it politely.

*** Just a word or three about semi-final jr. welter affair ... Brooklyn's Paul Malignaggi remains undefeated at 14 with 5 stops ... selected pigeon was one Kevin Watts who had zilch going for himself. Think if we're to take Paulie the babied seriously, he needs a partner with stronger pulse and heartbeat. Watts doesn't qualify. Permit me to add, Malignaggi should maybe decide on which profession he prefers ... professional boxing or circus clown.

This jerk bores me ... and sadly, will get mucho favorable ink until the bubble bursts come a legit foe.

Semper fi,