This card was filled with four talented fighters all looking to make their mark in this business. But, it was really about one fighter getting a second chance in a business that doesn’t offer too many. First there was an undercard fight that had two evenly matched fighters, each trying to pave their way to glory in the welterweight division. The winner would be one step closer to winning a shot at the vacated IBF title.
Joshua Clottey (28-1 18 KO’s 1 NC) is the younger brother of the tough Emmanuel, but unlike Emmanuel he finds himself in the position to rise to great heights. Clottey’s one blemish in his career came via a somewhat dubious disqualification to current welterweight king Carlos Baldomir. Clottey was actually winning the bout at the time, before the stoppage in the 11th round. That doesn’t look bad against a fighter like Baldomir, who has gone undefeated in the last seven years.
After winning a couple of fights he fought for his first “trinket,” or lesser-known title. In September 2004, “The Hitter” hit and knocked out Christopher Henry to win the NABC title. Not a major accomplishment, but a good starting point for a fighter who had lost early in his career.
Clottey also won his next two fights, but in between the wins he had a no contest with the veteran Steve Martinez, on account of a head butt. Clottey has turned his career around well, and with a couple more wins, he could find himself with the IBF title, and a much bigger bank account.
One man who hopes to get the bigger bank account himself is Richard Gutierrez (21-0-13 12 KO’s 1NC). Gutierrez, 28, a native from Columbia is only fighting in the USA for the fifth time. His competition has picked up from his Columbian days, but he has never been in with a prospect like Clottey.
Gutierrez’s three wins (his last fight was a no contest after his opponent Thomas Davis couldn’t continue after a head butt) on American soil came against Luis Alberto Santiago, Edson Aguirre, and Hicklet Lau, not exactly household names, but steps up from where he used to be. A win over Clottey would be an upset, but there is no doubt “La Lámina” wouldn’t make the best of his opportunity.
Very good action started out the night, as both men fought hard all the way through the entire fight. Richard Gutierrez came right out of the shoot throwing powerful body shots. Also in the round, both fighters were warned for low blows.
In rounds two and three Clottey landed good body shots, but Gutierrez continued to throw hard punches himself.
Clottey landed a solid right hand at the beginning of the third round while going backwards. At the end of the third Gutierrez was warned for hitting behind the head at the bell, but it didn’t look too serious.
Clottey was dropped by a low blow in the fourth round. Lou Moret took a point away from Gutierrez. Clottey landed hard punches this round, but it showed that Gutierrez has a solid chin and wouldn’t go away through the night.
In the fifth round Clottey returned the low blow, and was also deducted a point after a bit of a delay from Moret. In this round the fighters also collided heads. Gutierrez was left with a cut about his left eye, but it was in the corner, so it didn’t affect the outcome of this fight.
The more experienced Clottey controlled rounds 7-9. Clottey controlled the center of the ring, landing good body shots and counter shots. In round 10 Gutierrez would start to battle back.
Gutierrez would take the 10th by throwing punches just as hard as he was in the beginning of the fight. Clottey stayed against the ropes and paid for it. Gutierrez landed mean body punches that seemed to slow down Clottey ever so slightly.
Clottey took a close 11th round where both fighters seemed to slow down a little bit. Clottey came back with solid bodywork of his own, and seemed to do enough to win this round.
Going into the 12th Gutierrez fought like a man who knew he was behind on the cards. Gutierrez controlled the action by throwing massive body shots, and even landing a solid right hand. In the final 30 seconds Clottey tried to rally back and win the round by landing some counter punches of his own, but not enough to win the round.
The final score cards were read in a much closer than expected bout. Marty Denkin scored the fight a draw 113-113. But David Mendoza scored it 115-114, and Max Deluca scored it 116-110, a little wide, but giving the victory to Joshua Clottey.
The main event features a fighter trying to rebound after a stunning loss, and another fighter trying to take advantage of a great opportunity presented to him. The winner of the bout will be on the short list of fighters contending for a major title at the welterweight limit.
“Vicious” Vivian Harris (26-2-1 17 KO’s) had a very successful start to his career after a minor setback early on. It would be what happened recently that would have a more drastic impact.
After losing to the tough veteran Ray Olivera in only his 17th professional fight in 2000, Harris’ career skyrocketed. After a draw with former Arturo Gatti conqueror Ivan Robinson in his first fight after the loss, a fight most ringside observers felt Harris won, it was down to business.
Harris won three fights, two by way of KO, before defeating “The Contender” challenger Michael Clark for the vacant IBA title.
Harris defended the IBA title once before knocking out WBA champion Diosbelys Hurtado in 2002, his career completely flip flopping since the early loss.
Harris dominated while defending the title three times, defeating then undefeated Souleymane M’aye by unanimous decision then defeating Oktay Urkal twice, once by a majority decision and once by 11th round TKO, both in Urkal’s backyard of Germany. It seemed like the native of Ghana was one step away from fighting major title fights throughout the rest of his career.
If Harris could get by little known Carlos Maussa he would be in line for a world title shot with Ricky Hatton. Harris got off to a great start, hurting Maussa occasionally and seemingly on his way to either a knockout win or an easy UD. However, Harris seemed to get more and more exhausted as the fight went on. Harris was fighting way too fast a pace, and in the seventh round fell over more from sheer exhaustion than anything Maussa was offering. Just like that though, Maussa went to England to challenge Hatton for the world title.
With a win tonight Harris is back on the map, and at 28 years old still has a lot of time to make his mark felt on the welterweight division. The man standing in his way though is a world-class fighter himself, and hopes for one more shot at the big time.
Stevie “Lil’ But Bad” Johnston gladly stepped in for the injured Mike Arnaotis about two weeks ago. Johnston saw it as a great opportunity to get back to the front of the line for a title shot. Johnston, 33, has been to the top before, so he knows what it takes to get there.
Johnston is little, only 5’5”, but he has used that small frame to his advantage, making many opponents look foolish as they attempt to hit him. Johnston didn’t have to wait long for his first title shot. In just his 21st fight, in 1997 he was invited to Paris to take on then 135-pound WBC champion Jean Baptiste Mendy. Johnston won a split decision, on foreign soil, so he probably won fairly handedly.
Johnston would successfully defend his title three times against Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Saul Duran, and George Scott between 1997 and 1998. Johnston then had a split decision go against him when he lost to the tough Cesar Bazan.
After taking a warm up fight, he signed on to fight Bazan for a second time in the winter of 1999, this time returning the favor winning a split decision and regaining the WBC title.
Johnston defended the title successfully six times before losing a disputed majority decision to Jose Luis Castillo. Three months later in June of 2006 he fought Castillo again, this time losing, scoring a draw in another fight most ringsiders had Johnston winning.
Taking a step down in competition, Johnston would win five in a row before losing decisively for the only time in his career. In a WBC eliminator bout John Lazcano controlled the action before knocking out Johnston in the 11th round in 2003.
After having to take a two-year hiatus due to a horrific car accident in which he received 100 stitches to his face, Johnston came back in 2005. He’s won four in a row, but against limited competition. But, in the world of boxing, sometimes all it takes is a phone call to be put back in the limelight. With a win over Harris, Johnston could get one step closer to fulfilling his goals of being a three-time champion but his first in the 140-pound division.
As the clock struck midnight on the east coast, so did the dawn of Johnston’s career. Johnston was down twice in the first round, but he didn’t appear to be that hurt. Harris landed right hands to cause both knockdowns.
In round two Harris continued to land the right hand. Johnston was knocked down again, but it was wrongly called a slip by referee Raul Caiz Jr. Harris was very economical in this round, looking much more calm and relaxed than he did in his loss to Maussa.
Johnston showed a view of his old self in the third round. He was elusive and even landed three left jabs in a row. The round would be one of the best for Johnston.
In round four Johnston was down again from a right hand. Once again he didn’t appear hurt and was up right away. However the punch caused a cut over Johnston’s right eye that would eventually turn to bad swelling.
Johnston gave it a hell of a go in the fifth round. He came out of nowhere landing a series of overhead lefts that appeared to slightly stunned Harris. Johnston, knowing he was way down on the scorecards already, went all out. It was short lived though as Harris landed two more right hands, slowing the Johnston rally.
Swelling around the right eye of Harris was now very bad by the beginning of the six. Johnston tried his best to come inside but as he was throughout the fight, continued to get hit with the right hand.
The end of the Johnston’s night came in the seventh. Unlike the other knockdowns, the one Harris delivered in this round hurt. Johnston would get up, as he did the other three times, but was on unsteady legs. He was now cut over both eyes, and bleeding from the nose. Caiz Jr. rightfully stopped the bout giving Harris a very satisfying win.
After the fight Johnston said he would consider retirement, partly blaming the loss on only having two weeks to train. Harris said he only wants the best, and after a clear cut win like that, he looks like he deserves it. Five years ago this fight would have been a lot closer, but tonight Harris was clearly the better man over the very game and brave Stevie Johnston. |
