By Jeff Zimmerman
Photos: Robert Hughes

By Fightnews.com

A packed house at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas Friday night was setup for Top Rank’s super welterweight prospect Joey Alday to build on his fanbase as he was scheduled as the main event in only his fourth professional fight that included some of the top local talent in Dallas Fort Worth. But when Alday, who is guided by Montoya-Ruibal Boxing Management, was unable to secure a suitable opponent by a commission mandated cutoff time of noon of fight night, he was off the card. Alday, sitting ringside, told Fightnews he was disappointed he could not fight and can’t wait to get back in the ring.

That left the door wide open for the charismatic light heavyweight southpaw Samuel “The Main Event” Clarkson (19-3, 12 KOs), already scheduled on the card, to take over as the main event against Larry Pryor (10-15, 5 KOs).

As his nickname suggests, this is where Clarkson likes to be, in the spotlight. He has been a local crowd pleaser in DFW for the last few years with his big knockouts and fast tongue and tonight was no different. He took the fight to the taller Pryor landing hard shots to the head and body of Pryor. A right hook to the body dropped Pryor midway through the first round and with his fans chanting his name, Clarkson unleashed a flurry later in the round that saw Pryor hit the canvas again and the fight was over. The official time of the stoppage was 2:59 of the 1st round.

This was Clarkson’s ninth win in a row which included a couple of big upsets on the popular ShoBox: The New Generation series for up and coming prospects. Clarkson has proven when he is focused, he’s a force in the ring especially with his heavy hands. He promptly called out any one in the top five after making quick work of the outgunned Pryor.

Mohamed Rodriguez vs. Alexis Del Bosque
Lightweight Mohamed Rodriguez (9-3, 3 KOs) dropped Alexis Del Bosque in the 1st and 3rd round of the co-main event and scored a majority decision. Rodriguez continually caught Del Bosque coming in with big shots to the head. Rodriguez almost ended the fight in the first round when he wobbled Del Bosque and sent him to the canvas with a left hook. Del Bosque followed Rodriguez around the ring most of the fight and was trying to land a big punch of his own and score the knockout, but could not do so. Del Bosque also survived a second knockdown in the 3rd round. The scores read 58-54, 57-55 and 56-56 for Rodriguez.

DeAnthony Jones vs. Antonio Solarzano
Lightweight DeAnthony Jones (11-2-1, 3 KOs) took charge from the opening bell and dropped bombs on Antonio Solarzano (1-8). Solarzano was competitive and tried to counter the aggressive Jones, but he was taking too many hard shots to the head and body. Referee Robert Chapa had seen enough and called a halt to the contest at 2:30 of the 3rd round.

Amon Rashidi vs Jon Bullock
In a battle of Dallas-Fort Worth welterweights, Dallas’ Amon Rashidi (4-0, 2 KOs) and Fort Worth’s Jon Bullock (6-4, 2 KO) scrapped over six spirited rounds. The fight got chippy at times as both fighters tried to get inside and gain control. Rashidi landed a huge left hook midway through the 3rd round that staggered Bullock but somehow he stayed on his feet. After the unsuccessful barrage to end the fight, Rashidi appeared to tire as Bullock closed the round with a few flurries of his own. In the end, Rashidi ring generalship and overall boxing on the outside proved to be the difference. The three judges scored it a unanimous decision, 60-54, for Rashidi but it was a very competitive fight.

Raymond Chacon vs Ray Ximenez
Sporting bright red hair and trunks that were made for Santa Claus, featherweight Ray Ximenez (15-1, 4 KOs) stalked Raymond Chacon (6-22) around the ring displaying his lightning fast hands. The southpaw Ximenez landed combinations to the head and body of Chacon over four rounds but couldn’t put away the game Chacon. Chacon traded with Ximenez on occasion and landed at times but not enough to do any damage. Ximenez earned his 15th victory with 40-35 on all scorecards as Chacon was deducted a point by referee Laurence Cole in the 4th round for holding.

Chris Jones vs Even Torres
Light heavyweight Even Torres (5-2, 5 KOs) from El Paso came into Dallas’ Chris Jones (5-2, 4 KOs) backyard and unloaded a myriad of shots to the body and head including upper cuts and big right hands that took a toll on Jones. Torres constantly beat Jones to the punch and by the third round Jones was out of gas. A late rally at the end of the 3rd kept Jones in the fight, who was hoping to catch Torres with one big punch, but after he didn’t come out for the 4th round the fight was stopped. The official time was 10 seconds of the 4th round as Torres earned his 5th victory with the TKO.

Thomas Smith vs David Montes
Dallas’ super featherweight Thomas Smith (3-2, 3 KOs) dropped David Montes (0-5) at the end of the 1st round and again at the beginning of the 2nd round before Referee Laurence Cole waived it off. Smith scored the TKO at 59 seconds of the 2nd round.

Gabriel Rodriguez vs. Javier Cepeda
Lightweight Gabriel Rodriguez (2-0) out of El Paso switched stances throughout the fight to confuse the competitive Javier Cepeda (0-4) and scored the unanimous decision. The scores read 39-37 on all three judge’s scorecard.

Alfredo Mojica vs. Adrian Guerra
In the opening bout at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas, super flyweights Alfredo Mojica (1-1, 1 KO) and Adrian Guerra (1-0) squared off in a spirited battle over four rounds. Guerra found a home for his left hook to the head while Mojica used a consistent jab and combinations. The bigger shots by Guerra proved to be the difference winning 40-36 twice and 38-38 for a majority decision.