The ESPN2 Wednesday summer series season opened with a doctored version of a grudge match pitting former pals Verno Phillips and J.C. Candelo over some respective personal slights.

The action was brisk - Phillips the bigger puncher and Candelo the slicker stylist of the two - bitter feelings appeared to cloud the mind of the lighter punching Candelo, as he willingly spent much of the rounds waging battle on the inside.

Results were Phillips besting Candelo with a strong backside over stanzas six thru ten - the exclamation point was a two fisted flurry that dropped Candelo in the final candle.      

Scoring went unanimous Phillips 100-89, 97-92, 98-91  who now goes to 39-11-1, 20 KO’s and Candelo drops to 26-9-4 with 18 stoppages - but the writing on the wall pretty much translates to future as yesterday entity.

Neither opted to "touch them up" prior to the opening bell, and avoided any post-fight cordiality - maybe a Phillips lien on future Candelo stipends, and/or a Dr. Phil  session for Phillips on the other matter will help soothe feelings for the once close buddies.  

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In a hotly contested middleweight co-feature it was Antwun Echols and Mohamad Said battling to a majority draw decision - this one was picture perfect in style with Echols in role of boxer-puncher and Said playing the brawler.

Echols enters with neat resumé of 31-6-1, 27 KO’s, while a late starter to the pro ranks Said sported a rap sheet of 18 wins, 4 losses and 10 by knockout - and with it, the action was hot and heavy.

The Said game plan was to outwork the more battle worn Echols, and appeared to have the better over the early going - but the wily Echols made it a tough call during the run to the wire, as he showed flashes of his earlier days as he countered with eye-catching combinations.

Scoring went Echols 95-94, 95-95, 95-95 for a majority draw - my unofficial had it Said 96-94 in points and 6-4 under the round by round method.

Closing comments: Best work of the entire evening was the return of seasoned, established veteran referee Elmo Adolph, who once was a regular at the Mississippi-Louisiana circuit. Last evening’s assignment saw the return of both Elmo Adolph and New Orleans boxing. Kudos to the man for a clinic on how to handle the assignment of third man in charge of the action. Worthy of taping for new kids on the block.

GEL

Questions? Comments? Email George Elsasser

4-8-2006