Godfrey Cruises Past Brown!
August 10, 2007
Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, RI
Report: Alex Dombroff
Photos: Emily Harney
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Matt Godfrey chastised the ringside media for calling Friday night's fight with Derrick Brown a "stay-busy fight."
Maybe that's because neither fighter was busy all night, as Godfrey waltzed to a 10-round unanimous decision, retaining his NABF Cruiserweight title.
The bout started innocently enough, both men dancing around the ring, seemingly trying to find their range. But unless they failed at establishing range for the entire fight, what they were really doing was giving fans a preview for the rest of night's action, which included only sporadic periods where punches were thrown, and even rarer moments where those punches landed.
According to Godfrey, it was all part of his strategy.
"I was trying to lure him in," said Godfrey, who improved to 16-0, with 9 KOs. "He didn't want to engage. He only threw punches when I let him."
Brown, trained by legendary women's fighter Christy Martin, fell to 13-3-2, 11 KOs.
For his part, Brown did produce the most exciting part of the fight. In the tenth round, behind on the scorecards, he backed Godfrey up with a left hook, and then followed up with a counter left, and a looping right hand, both of which landed.
Godfrey appeared momentarily wobbled, but claimed he never lost his composure. He hung on to win a 96-94, 96-94, 97-93 unanimous decision.
Despite the close cards, Godfrey said going to distance was exactly what he needed.
"This was only the third time I've gone ten (rounds) or more," said Godfrey currently ranked as high as two by the various sanctioning bodies. "I haven't gone more than two rounds in the last year. I knew it was going to be tough."
Godfrey vs Brown Photos
Williams Destroys Brownfield!
Cruiserweight Aaron Williams was another fighter that was supposed to be staying busy Friday night, on the road to a future title opportunity. But, considering how much time Williams actually spent in the ring, he probably had a lot of spare time on his hands.
Williams dispatched opponent Jeff Brownfield in just under 80 seconds.
Truthfully, the fight could've been stopped earlier, as Williams began pushing Brownfield back with a series of straight punches about 30 seconds in.
Finally, with Brownfield in range and helpless, Williams (14-0-1, 10 KOs) unleashed a left hook that started a barrage, finally putting Brownfield down. The bout was stopped officially at 1:15 of round one.
To Williams's credit, he put his win over the hapless Brownfield (9-7, 4 KOs) in perspective.
"This was just a stepping stone," said Williams. "The sky is the limit for Aaron Williams."
Williams vs Brownfield Photos
Lopes Dominates Bowen!
Manuel Antonio Lopes took advantage of Aaron Williams' quick work, earning a spot on the televised portion of the show. He delivered; systematically beating down Lonnie Bowen. Lopes pinned Bowen, who was making his professional debut, against the ropes halfway through round one, prompting the first of two standing eight counts in the fight.
In the fight's waning moments, Lopes landed a series of punches which dropped Bowen. Bowen recovered in time to last the distance, losing widely on all three scorecards: 40-34, 40-34, and 40-33. Lopes, who resides in nearby Brockton, Mass. and had legendary Goody Petronelli working his corner, improved to 3-0, 1 KO.
Lopes vs Bowen Photos
Nevsky Halts Carter!
Andrey Nevsky, a Russian-born fighter now living in Worcester, Mass. had the flashiest knockout of the night, stopping Rakeen Carter, after a barrage of punches in the middle of round two, sent Carter down and through the ropes.
Carter fell out of the ring, and although he seemed to be coherent, was counted out before he could reenter. Nevsky improved the 3-0, 3 KOs. Carter, in his third pro fight, finally had his first definitive result. He fell to 0-1-2.
Nevsky vs Carter Photos
Gingras Drops Holsinger!
In the opening fight, cruiserweight Rich Gingras, an accomplished amateur fighter, defeated Ohioan Derrick Holsinger, when a left hook to the body dropped Holsinger at the start of round two, and for the second time in the fight.
No count was administered.
Gingras upped his record to 3-0, 3 KOs, while Holsinger fell to 3-9-2, with no knockouts to his credit.
Gringas vs Holsinger Photos
Upshaw Blanks Doe!
Marcus Upshaw, an unbeaten prospect from Jacksonville, Florida, had a relatively easy time outworking, and out-boxing Earl Doe. Both men did their best to get off punches, but Upshaw was clearly the more effective, more polished fighter. All three judges scored the fight 60-54 for Upshaw (7-0, 2 KOs). Doe fell to 2-2, with both wins coming by knockout.
Upshaw vs Doe Photos
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