Last nite’s ESPN FNF transmitted from Bronx, N.Y. movie house with the name  Utopia Paradise Theater - on paper, the Andre Tsurkan-Jesse Feliciano feature promised fan favorite club fight action  - both more Gatti-Ward than Pep-Leonard in technique.       

Then the opening bell and it’s quickly trench warfare - and with Tsurkan holding the better hand it’s Feliciano down from hard a right - but that’s what club fighters are all about, and proven game Jesse would not be looking for an early exit. 

Regardless, it would get uglier for the younger in age at 25, but older in body Feliciano - and entering stanza seven, the kid maybe claimed a single round - a scorching candle three that saw both fighters swapping power shots. 

My thoughts during the prior round six was the Feliciano corner should have tossed in the proverbial towel as there was no chance of a win down the line - and finally, with Tsurkan pitching and Feliciano catching, referee Benji Estevez calls it no-mas at the 1:17 seconds mark of numero ocho.

Post Scripts:

• Andre Tsurkan ( 26-3, 17 KOs) ~ age 30 - quoted on tape as describing pro boxing for men only. Covers everything there is to know about the transplanted Ukrainian currently calling Bronx, N.Y. home. Tosses missiles from both sides but short on avoiding incoming. Ranked WBC 10, WBO 12. Fair enough, but not in same league as most perched above in either sanctioning body. Worth the dollar at club fight level.

• Jesse Feliciano ( 15-7-3, 9 KOs) ~ age 25 - (Vegas via Los Angeles) -promised this one would be Gatti-Ward reborn. No surprise he tried making it play out that way. Only missing link last night was try as he did the body failed to cooperate. The rap sheet hints of serious mishandling by the brain trust. Arrives on six losses in last nine outings. Poor choices found losses to Cintron, Demetrius Hopkins, Oscar Diaz, Arnaoutis, Abdulaev. Pitch and catch is more team sport games than stepping stone in style for most young fighters in hope of one day claiming a glittered strap.

• Referee Benji Estevez ~ just a tad late in pulling the plug - but better late than never. Villains the Feliciano hapless corner from A to Z.
   

GEL -