Arnaoutis Trumps Tyner!
Vargas Wins Quick in Co-feature...

May 9, 2008 - Bally's Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, NJ
Ringside Report: Matt Richardson
Photos: Ed Mulholland

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Junior welterweight contender "Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis overcame a cut right eye and a spirited challenge from Lanardo Tyner to win a 12-round unanimous decision in defense of his USBA title in the main event of last week's ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Arnaoutis (19-2-2, 9 KOs) was simply the busier, more effective boxer while Tyner (19-1, 11 KOs) only saw success when he fought in bursts, never maintaining a consistent offensive attack. With the win Arnaoutis keeps himself in the title hunt at 140 pounds.

Arnaoutis appeared to hurt Tyner in the first with a right that wobbled Tyner's legs momentarily. Tyner appeared to return the favor in the second, hurting Arnaoutis with a right uppercut. Arnaoutis was more aggressive and accurate for the majority of the round however. Tyner continued to stalk Arnaoutis in the third but wasn't throwing enough punches and he absorbed too many shots coming forward, although he was more aggressive at the end of the round. The pace continued in the fourth but Arnaoutis stepped it up in the fifth, hurting Tyner to the body after Tyner had complained of getting hit with a low blow. Tyner took a pounding for the rest of the round although referee Wayne Hedgepath did warn the title-holder to keep his punches above the belt.

Arnaoutis appeared to take the sixth round off although neither fighter did much. Tyner, meanwhile, was badly hurt again in the seventh. He took a lot of punishment along the ropes towards the end of the round and stopped throwing punches. His defense remained tight but Arnaoutis mixed up his attack well, punching to the body and head. Tyner fought back towards the end but his comeback was brief. The pace slowed again in the eighth while Tyner complained of another low blow in the ninth. Hedgepath allowed for a brief break for Tyner to recover but the fight recommenced shortly afterwards. Tyner continued to be outworked in the final two rounds, leaving no doubt as to the final outcome.

Judges scores were 118-110 and 116-112 (twice) for Arnaoutis.

Arnaoutis vs Tyner Photos

Vargas Demolishes Brunelli!

Former 2004 Olympian Devon Vargas made quick work of Dave Brunelli when he knocked him out in less than two minutes. Brunelli tasted the canvas twice, first after taking a left-right combination and later after absorbing another flush right. After the second knockdown referee Harvey Dock elected to waive it off. The time of the stoppage was 1:31. Vargas, a prize pupil in DeGuardia's stable and a rare unbeaten American heavyweight is now 16-0 with 6 knockouts. Brunelli is 8-4 with 3 knockouts.

Vargas vs Brunelli Photos

Majewski Wins a Tough One!

Super middleweight Patrick Majewski had a tougher than expected time with Ariel Espinal, rising from a second round knockdown to win a four round unanimous decision. A big right by Espinal dropped Majewski in the corner in the second round. It would be a punch he would absorb for the remainder of the bout. He recovered from the knockdown well though and won the final two rounds of the fight. All three judges handed in identical scores of 38-37 for the still unbeaten Majewski. Majewski, a local AC product, is now 8-0 with 5 KOs. Espinal is 6-3-1 with 2 KOs.

Majewski vs Espinal Photos

Other Results!

In other action, welterweight prospect Raymond Serrano Jr. stopped journeyman Charles Wade in 106 seconds. Serrano is now 6-0 with 3 wins coming via knockout. Wade is 4-6 with 1 knockout.

Bantamweight Qaid Muhammad (2-0, 2 KOs) looked impressive as he stopped Arthur Parker (1-7, 1 KO) with body shots in the second round a of a scheduled four. Time of the stoppage was 2:41.

Lightweight Francisco Palacios scored a minor upset when he won a four-round majority decision over Clinton Douglas. Scores were 39-37 (twice) and 38-38. Palacios is now 3-4-4 while Douglas falls to 2-2-2.

PROMOTER JABS:

Promoter Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing had this to say about the evening's fights, "What those in attendance and those watching on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights saw tonight was the re-emergence of "Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis to the elite of the junior welterweight division. I am very proud of both fighters who fought an exciting fight. I am also thrilled by the showing of Devin Vargas who I believe is ready to move up the ladder of the heavyweight division. Vargas promises to be the next Olympian to become a world champion. Also, keep your eye on the young destroyer from Philadelphia, Raymond "Tito" Serrano Jr.!"