The ESPN kiddie channel played Staten Island, NY for last noche’s FNF - and what better venue for its fistic vaudeville than a 1920s movie theater - still, on paper, cruiserweight Darnell Wilson came out smelling like a rose with a comeback stanza eleven knockout of Nigerian stranger Emmanuel Nwodo.

On paper, because prior to Wilson coming alive in number ten, he was behind on my unofficial 86-84 going into the championship rounds of a sleep inducing duel battle for the USBA little league bauble.

Then stanza ten, with a restless band of spectators showing displeasure, it’s a seemingly harmless Wilson right hand at close quarters - and Nwodo is down - bell helps the Nigerian finish the stanza on his feet.

A light in the proverbial attic finds the energized "Ding-a-ling" man Wilson answering round eleven with bad intentions -  Nwodo response is as if in search of a fire exit. No such luck as Wilson clubs the fleeing one with assorted punches from both sides of the plate.

Finally, at 2.00 mark of eleven, and Nwodo backed to the ropes, a career best Wilson power left hook to the jaw instantly puts the Nigerian to sleep - is down on his back with the left leg bent underneath the torso - not a pretty sight.

Eventually, Nwodo would return to the living - after the ringside medics labored for more than a few scary minutes to bring him back.

Post Scripts: Darnell Wilson (22-5-3, 19 KOs) ~ age 32 - recent IBF cruiserweight rankings show ol’ ding-a-ling at 13 and Nwodo at 10 - the inevitable switcheroo likely has them swapping spots. Ring magazine you ask? Joey "friend of Ring Mag" Tessitore quickly notes they had Wilson at number ten entering last night. Fact is the guy is more about what we viewed over opening nine stanzas, than what the highlight reels will show him with the monster left hook finisher. Future not exactly bright if fraternizing among the upper crust at cruiserweight.
                       Emmanuel Nwodo ( 21-4, 17 KOs) ~ age anywhere between 33-35 - guess is the 17 knockout victims have since been returned to the respective resting places. Has no clue to what a combination is - not sure if he can dance but showed zero rhythm in boxing sense - chin soft, altho’ the left hook finale could likely have gotten it done against the field. The stanza ten right hand a whole different picture - fleeing the coop confirms something other than the chin soft.   
                      Referee David Fields ~ earned a curtsy - never once went for the Wilson complaint of rabbit punches nor Nwodo beef of clashing of heads - and the man in charge, a former pro fighter, saw through the theatrics. The awkward styles created inadvertent meetings of the mind - and the rabbit punches were the result of Wilson trying to dodge right hands by turning and putting it in reverse. Kudos to Mr. Fields who earned another gig off last nite’s work.

                     Commentators: Atlas did a quality job of selling the Atlas Foundation - job security restricts his critique of the kiddie channel fight cards when qualify for slap on the wrist. The tutoring on boxing technique to NY Jets footballers laughable - more promo than realistic.            
                                                Tessitore: More and more insulting - labels unskilled novice Chuck Cavallo as prospect after 15 undefeated pro outings with six via knockout - the 6-3 light heavy and age 22 is accident waiting to happen. Tall, gangly, awkward - no jab - arm puncher from outside - hangs around for a receipt that only age 36 Marlon Hayes fails to capitalize on. Cavallo-Hayes prelim more novice amateur than professional semi-final. Boo on Joey the hack.

GEL - 

6-30-07