Estrada Passes Whitaker Test!
Williams KO's Purlette...

April 4, 2008 - Twin River Events Center, Lincoln, RI
Ringside Report: Scott Ploof
Photos: Emily Harney

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The career of Jason "Big Six" Estrada has been a proverbial roller coaster from his days as a U.S. Olympic super heavyweight in the 2004 games and throughout his almost four year professional career that has consisted of fourteen pro bouts.

"Big Six" went unbeaten over his first seven bouts with only one win by way of knockout. In what was his biggest test to date, Estrada lost a close majority decision over a then unbeaten Travis Walker (27-1-1, 21 KOs) late in 2006.

Since then the Providence, Rhode Island heavyweight hopeful Estrada has slowly and quietly made his way back up the ladder in a division that is currently led by WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs) and WBC world champion Samuel Peter (30-1, 23 KOs).

For "Big Six" he encountered quite possibly his toughest challenge since the Walker fight against a man that holds victories over former title challenger Monte Barrett (33-6, 19 KOs) in 1999 and former WBC champion Oleg Maskaev (34-6, 26 KOs) in two rounds back in 2001.

On this cold Friday night in New England, Jason Estrada (12-1, 2 KOs) continued his journey to join the elite in the still somewhat open heavyweight division with a lackluster yet still effective ten round unanimous decision over former NABO and NABA titlist Lance Whitaker (32-5-1, 27 KOs) in the main event of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights from the Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, RI and promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment and Sports. Scores of the bout were 97-93 twice and 98-92.

This contest was only Whitaker's second fight back since getting knocked out at the hands of former WBO titlist Sultan Ibragimov (22-1-1, 17 KOs) back in 2005 which amounted into just under a three year layoff.

Both fighters continued to clinch and punch throughout the bout with Estrada landing and moving more than Whitaker. The 35 year old Whitaker fought too much on the inside and wasn't able to fire off enough punches at his opponent.

In the end it was somewhat of a redemption for Estrada as he displayed his skills in getting the nod in front of a national television audience, while it appears as if the almost thirteen year professional career of Whitaker is nearing its final curtain call.

In the first round, "Big Six" went right into his game plan which was to fire off a jab or two and then battle in close to negate the reach advantage of the 6'8" tall Lance "Mount" Whitaker. Although he would have been better served to fight on the outside having the height and reach advantage, Whitaker stood toe-to-toe with his adversary as he countered with hooks to the body and head of Estrada.

Estrada immediately charged right into the chest of Whitaker as he again continued to bang inside on the body of Whitaker as if he were a big oak tree and "Big Six" as he played the part of Paul Bunyan with an axe in his hands. He was warned by referee Joey Luppino after landing a hook to the back of Whitaker's head. "Mount" used his size to back Estrada into the ropes to allow him the ability to corner his opponent. This proved to be a mistake as well as the hand speed and youth of Estrada allowed him to counter Whitaker and get out of harm's way.

The crowd at the Twin River Events Center began to grow a bit tired of the one punch and clinch attack from both fighters as if they were witnessing a boxing match featuring former heavyweight title holder John Ruiz. As Whitaker began to fall complacent to this style of fighting, Estrada rose up as if form a sound sleep to land a three punch combination that had the fans suddenly rise to their feet as his opponent stumbled towards the neutral corner. Whitaker survived the round with his sheer size as Estrada with only two professional knockouts to his credit is not known as one of the heavyweight divisionÕs most powerful punchers.

By round six, Whitaker realized that keeping a distance from Estrada was a good thing not only for his defense but also allowed for him to fire punches at Estrada from a distance and land successfully. Although he was able to land, his punches were weak at best. At one point late in the round, Whitaker landed a solid right hook that seemed to wake up "Big Six" from the nap he was taking halfway through the fight. Estrada rebounded and landed a left to the body and right hook to the chin of his adversary that again had the crowd on its feet cheering for their hometown heavyweight contender. Whitaker again kept a safe distance at first only to be pounced on again by a charging "Big Six" in round right and nine. Estrada seemed in both of these late rounds to allow Whitaker to take an early lead in these rounds only to pour on the pressure late to give the judges the final impression that he took the round.

As a typical main event would dictate, both fighters came out throwing hard in the tenth and final round. Whitaker threw some clubbing hooks at Estrada as he probably sensed that he needed a knockout to secure any chance of a victory on this night. Unfortunately for this once great heavyweight, "Mount" was right on the money as "Big Six" cruised to another victory on all three judges' score cards.

In case of good matchmaking by CES matchmaker, Ted Panagiotis, he was able to place Estrada in the perfect case scenario for their young heavyweight prospect in the main event of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights. He put "Big Six" in there against a known fighter in Whitaker that has been relatively inactive, in the twilight of his career looking for one final shot at a meaningful fight, and against someone that can gain Estrada the notoriety and movement in the rankings he needs to seek another big fight.

After his performance, Estrada stated emphatically to the media in attendance, "I am America's next young heavyweight hopeful."

"I think my performance was great tonight. You know he came to fight tonight, the same way as I was expecting him to. Whitaker came to fight the same way that I came to fight. They made a big deal that the guy was 6'8" tall and he didn't seem that tall in the ring but he did come to fight."

"Even though he was 6'8" and there is a Russian heavyweight out there that is 7'1" (former WBA title holder Nicolai Valuev) so I have been training and preparing to fight against big guys my entire career so this is nothing new for me. They said he had a reach advantage on me but that wasn't the case because my hands were just too fast for him."

When asked who he would like to fight next, Estrada responded by saying, "You know they keep saying out there in the heavyweight division that there are all these prospects coming up and you know I am right here. I am right here and I keep showing everybody that every time they doubt me, I keep proving them wrong. All I am going to do is keep proving them wrong."

Estrada vs Whitaker Photos

Williams Makes Statement against Purlette!

"Awesome" Aaron Williams (17-0-1, 12 KOs) lived up to his nickname and showed he is a force to be reckoned with in the cruiserweight division in the co-feature bout of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights as he was technically brilliant in stopping former NABO title holder Andre "Tombstone" Purlette (40-3, 35 KOs) within two rounds. Williams, who is trained by the great Eddie Mustapha Muhammad, dropped Purlette with two consecutive right hands that had his opponent struggling to get back up to his feet. The former NABO title holder Purlette recovered at the count of eight only to be greeted by a barrage of punches from Williams that eventually caused referee Dick Flaherty to stop the bout at 2:50 of round two.

The nine time U.S. Amateur champion Williams began his assault in the first with a strong left hook to the body or Purlette that had him reeling back into the ropes early. Purlette was able to reverse the tide and fire some punches back at Williams that were well off their intended target thanks to his superior movement.

Purlette landed early in the second round with a good body shot on Williams. Williams fired right back and was able to consistently make his opponent miss while effectively countering. Purlette seemed to be very confused just as Williams landed a solid three punch combination. This attack seemed to anger Williams and light a fire under him as he relentlessly landed three vicious right hands that sent Purlette to the canvas. It wasn't much longer before referee Flaherty stopped the bout and the beating that Purlette was taking at the hands of the "Awesome" one.

After the fight when asked how to best describe his abilities in the ring, Williams responded by saying, "I think I am a boxer-puncher. I can do both. If I get down a little bit more I can be a fierce puncher. I do like to box in there though to land and then make a guy miss and that is all I can do."

"All of the training and hard work has paid off tonight. I was so focused on this fight as it was a step up for me. We did everything right this entire camp and it all paid off," emphatically stated by an excited and energized Williams.

When asked if we was nervous fighting in the co-feature bout in front of a national television audience, Williams said, "I wasn't nervous and no doubt I did well in the camp and in the gym. When you work hard good things happen like this."

Williams was finally asked if he was happy with the way he was able to stick to his game plan, "My plan was to make him miss and make him pay, which all of you have seen even though it was for only a short time, we were there. That was my plan to counter him. I did box against him a long time ago when I was fifteen years old and then again a couple of years ago out in Las Vegas so I kind of figured him out. I wanted to make him miss and make him pay."

Unfortunately for Purlette he did pay the price on this night after suffering such a convincing knockout with the only bright side for him being the eventual payday at the end of the night. Prior to the fight, Purlette's trainer, James Ali Bashir stated to the press that "Andre is in a do or die situation, and I feel that Andre is ready to do." Bashir was wrong.

Williams vs Purlette Photos

Spina Gets by Whittom!

In a fight that many would have thought would have been a good and successful comeback fight for "The KO Kid" Joey Spina (22-1-1, 15 KOs) instead turned into a very narrow majority decision win over game challenger David Whittom (10-6-1, 6 KOs) fighting out of Quebec, Canada. Scores of the bout were 58-56 and 57-56 for Spina and 57-56 for Whittom. Spina knocked down Whittom in the fourth but did not have enough power to put him away. This was the third fight back for Spina since his first professional defeat to "The Contender" Season One finalist Peter Manfredo Jr. (29-5, 14KOs) back in late 2006.

Whittom proved early in the first round that he did not travel all the way from Canada to be fodder for Spina in his hometown as he landed strong right hands to the skull of "The KO Kid." Spina looked confused as the right hand from Whittom was effective throughout the fight with the only impressive thing being that Spina did not get knocked down in the fight.

Both fighters continued to brawl in rounds two and three as neither had any regard to what is known as defense in boxing as they stood toe-to-toe trading hook for hook and punch for punch. The crowd showed its approval of both fighters' efforts with a standing ovation after the round had ended as both had landed devastating hooks that would have knocked any normal man into the third row of the arena.

Spina as if he were a professional baseball player landed a homerun left hook from left field on Whittom that sent him slumping to the canvas. Whittom was able to recover and rise to his feet at the count of eight and after being checked for a small cut by the ringside physician was able to continue to finish the round. The knockdown would prove to be costly for Whittom as he would later discover.

Whittom sensing the urgency that he was behind on the cards continued to be aggressive in the fifth as he connected with solid right hands to the chin of Spina that had him reeling back. He continued to fire punches at Spina that had the Providence, RI native in trouble. In the biggest highlight for "The KO Kid" in this fight was that Spina displayed a good chin as he was able to endure the punishment Whittom dealt him kept his footing as the round came to a close.

In the sixth and final round, Spina who knew he only had to survive the round to secure a close victory fired his jab and kept up punch for punch with Whittom. To his credit, Whittom showed the heart and determination of a true warrior with his never say die attitude as he fired punches hoping to drop Spina. As the final bell rang, Whittom walked back to his corner with his head held high as he knew he put up a valiant effort against Spina in his own backyard.

Had this fight occurred anywhere else outside of New England, this decision would have gone in favor of Whittom. Other than the knockdown in the fourth, Whittom had controlled the other five remaining rounds in the contest.

Spina vs Whittom Photos

Beauchamp Destroys Bell!

Flyweight Isander Beauchamp (5-0, 2 KOs) made a statement fighting under the CES banner as he did not disappoint the Twin River crowd in attendance as he dropped his opponent Rob Bell (0-1) three times en route to a second round TKO. Time of the stoppage by referee Dick Flaherty was 2:14 after a right hand from Beauchamp landed flush on the chin of Bell putting him flat on his back. The punch landed so well that you would have thought Bell had seen a ghost as he didn't even see the shot coming.

Beauchamp punished Bell with a right hand that his opponent could not figure out over two rounds. In the first, Beauchamp started fresh out of the gate firing left and right hands at Bell backing him up into the ropes. He connected with his first right hand halfway through the first round that slumped Bell down to one knee. Bell was able to get up at the count of eight and survive the round.

By round two, Beauchamp could sense that he had the fight in hand as he once again charged right at Bell. He connected with several left right combinations that had Bell retreating to the corner. Beauchamp followed right behind him and landed another right hand that had Bell slumped into the ropes. Bell again was able survive the knockdown but it was short lived as Beauchamp ended the fight with one last final right hand.

Beauchamp vs Bell Photos

Nevsky Decisions Johnson!

Undefeated super middleweight prospect Andre Nevsky (5-0, 3 KOs) scored a four round unanimous decision over journeyman Fitzgerald Johnson (1-4, 1 KO). All three judges scored the bout 40-35.

Nevsky worked his jab in the first as he was cautious early against Johnson. He would then follow up his attack with combinations that kept Johnson back on the defensive. On the scorecards the Clinton, MA native Nevsky scored a clear knockdown in the second, however he could have been credited with another as well in the round. Nevsky landed what appeared to be a left hook that put Johnson to the canvas. The only problem was that referee Joey Luppino called it a slip.

Nevsky vs Johnson Photos

Mayes Beats McCreedy!

Rugged light heavyweight Henry Mayes gave Lowell, MA native "Irish" Joe McCreedy (7-2, 5 KOs) all he could handle in their six round clash. Mayes (7-5-1, 4 KOs) walked away from the pro McCreedy crowd with the assistance of the Rhode Island State Police after winning a six round unanimous decision in their fight by scores of 57-56 twice and 58-56.

McCreedy, who is trained by the always colorful New England boxing manager and trainer Norman "Stoney" Stone, was unable to show the movement that won him seven of his first eight bouts. He landed to the body as he moved away from Mayes but was unsuccessful in out-punching his opponent.

In the end the Baltimore, MD native Mayes had the faster hands and landed the harder punches over a usually explosive McCreedy, handing him only the second loss of his professional career. Prior to the decision being read to the crowd, you could see the reaction on the face of "Stoney" that his charge had lost the fight.

The local fans that came to support McCreedy had to be held back by police after the fight as Mayes had to be escorted by police as fans shouted obscenities and tried to get at the victorious Mayes. Fortunately for everyone involved cooler heads prevailed both inside and outside of the ring on this night.

Mayes vs McCreedy Photos

Ringside News and Notes

The legendary Rocky Marciano was posthumously honored as he was inducted into the CES "Ring of Honor" with his brother Peter Marciano accepting the honor on behalf of the Marciano family.

Marciano (49-0, 43 KOs) retired back in 1955 as heavyweight champion of the world after stopping Archie Moore (185-23-11, 131 KOs) in the ninth round of their scheduled fifteen round bout.

Jimmy Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., created the CES "Ring of Honor" back in 2005 to pay respect to the inductees for their accomplishments and contributions to New England boxing.

Charter members include:

Five-time world champion Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil" Paz (50-10, 30 KOs), former world title contender, "Sucra" Ray Oliveira (47-11-2, 22 KOs), former WBA and WBC welterweight title-holder Marlon Starling (45-6-1, 27 KOs), and Lowell, MA warrior and three time "Fight of the Year" participant, "Irish" Micky Ward (38-13, 27 KOs).

Other members inducted later into the "Ring of Honor" include former three-time world champion and Worcester, MA native "El Gallo" Jose Antonio Rivera (38-6-1, 24 KOs), world light heavyweight contender "Iceman" John Scully (38-11, 21 KOs), famed Connecticut trainer Johnny Dukes, and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrious "Boo Boo" Andrade.