-Photo Credit: Bob Kolb/BRC-
 

The HBO Saturday double-dip played the Garden - make that the Theater - at the once celebrated big tent  of past rodeo, circus, and top of the line fist fights - and when the smoke cleared it was Kassim Ouma claiming a well earned decision over rookie Sechew Powell, and Vernon Forrest nipping Ike Quartey.

The opener saw recently deposed jr. middle shareholder Kassim Ouma in with hot undefeated prospect Sechew Powell - a battle of solid southpaws that quickly got things off on a positive note.

From the start it was the more seasoned of the 27 year-olds, Ouma, that would set the tempo - accustomed to working at fast forward, he proved the quicker handed and more accurate puncher - Powell had trouble getting off, and would settle into the role of puncher’s chance - thus the unanimous verdict for the one called Kassim "The Dream" to the tune of 100-90, 97-93, 96-94.

Ouma ups the resumé to 38-2-1, 31 while Powell drops to 20-1, 12.

Post Scripts: Ouma ~ the transplanted Ugandan displayed the early arrival days of confidence - pressed the action from the get-go behind the accurate jab and ongoing combinations to body and head - when on receiving end of the bigger puncher Powell he quickly returned fire while taking the play away. What we saw is what we expect in Kassim - light hitter that sprays to all fields. Should be ready for another title shot after this impressive outing.
                     Powell ~ the Brooklyn port side bomber may well have gotten caught up in the celebrity of his intro to the majors- has size, power and the tools but simply could not get off in convincing fashion. Perhaps concern over the pace. Still, no disgrace and showed a strong final round ten, but was too little too late. Says here, he shall return from the learning experience.
                  
                   Referee: Eddie Claudio - first peek at this new face -  hopefully the last.
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-Photo Credit: Bob Kolb/BRC-

Co-feature had past welter champions Vernon Forrest (37-2, 28) and Ike Quartey (37-2-1, 31) topping the card - maybe goal was to pair the winner with Ouma since he is the only ranking fighter among the quartet.

To set the stage what we get is Forrest at age 35 and when standing is 6’ - Quartey of questionable crockery is now age 36 and 5-8 in height - the action was pretty much a one foot on the gas and the other on the brake scenario.

Tough one for the scorers at ringside - neither combatant proved dominant - clearly a beauty in eyes of the beholder - Quartey busier while Forrest the more stylish whether on offense or while in retreat.

Most telling score of the night went to referee Arthur (I ain’t my daddy) Mercante Jr. who debits Forrest a point deduction for low blow in stanza nine.

Official numbers unanimous for Forrest - (Weisfelt) 95-94, (Lathan) 95-94, (Paolillo) 96-93 - my unofficial had it Quartey 96-93 in points and 6-4 in rounds.

Closing comments: Try as they do, the purveyors of pugilism dig deep for any living, breathing, pugilistic semi-cadaver of yore, to resuscitate for display to the uninitiated. Forrest and Quartey no longer have anything to offer but a brief biography of past titleholder for sale. Forrest tentative at best - Quartey not a prayer at 154-160 groupies.
  
P.S. Ouma-Powell earn curtain calls with legit credentials - Ouma for today, and Powell nearing the doorstep. One final recall: the show was not without humor - Mercante Jr. gets huffy when Forrest refuses offer (command?) to touch them up at end of pre-fight instructions. Junior was emphatic enough to be the envy of past ref "tough" guy Frank Cappuccino. Payback arrives in stanza nine of a close affair with Mercante docking Forrest for low blow of minor consequence.

GEL  

Questions? Comments? Email George Elsasser