Ex-champ Dirrell beats Douglin by tech decision

Report/Photos: Bob Ryder

Former WBC super middleweight champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (31-1-1, 24 KOs) returned to the ring following a 10-month layoff to win by six round technical decision over Denis “Momma’s Boy” Douglin (20-6, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the Dort Federal Event Center in Dirrell’s hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Dirrell rocked Douglin in round one. Douglin showed a lot of heart, but Dirrell continued to land big shots. Referee Frank Garza deducted a point from Douglin for pushing Dirrell down in round six. Dirrell was cut over the left eye later in the round by an accidental headbutt and the bout went to the scorecards. Scores were 49-46, 48-47, 48-47.

Undefeated welterweight prospect Jamontay Clark (13-0, 7 KOs) won an eight round majority decision over Domonique Dolton (19-2-1, 10 KOs). Clark was cut over the right eye in round four but the bleeding was well managed by his corner. Scores were 76-76, 78-74, 77-75.

Welterweight Ryan “Cowboy” Karl (15-1, 9 KOs) pounded out a hard-fought eight round unanimous decision over Kareem Martin (9-2-1, 3 KOs). Scores were 78-74, 78-74, 77-75. Entertaining fight with good two-way action.

Promoters Tom Brown (TGB Promotions) and Dmitriy Salita (Salita Promotions) presented six bouts preceding the televised fights. Heading up this portion of the show was the pro debut of Flint’s own super welterweight Leon Lawson III who thrilled the hometown folks with a super quick 40 second KO of Robert Seyam of Wichita, KS. Lawson drilled Seyam (2-8, 2 KOs) twice to the canvas for the fast win.

Terrell Williams dominated the entire way over Rosemberg Gomez, systematically breaking Gomez down in scoring a KO at :32 of the sixth and final round of their super welterweight contest. Williams, Inglewood, CA ups his mark to (16-0, 13 KOs), Gomez, Managua, Nicaragua heads the other direction at (19-7-1, 15 KOs).

Lightweight Justin Pauldo of Orlando, FL took his time, waited for the opening he needed and dramatically dispatched Tampa’s Leonardo Kenon with one huge right hand shot for the KO at 2:24 of the first round. Pauldo is (10-1, 5 KOs), Kenon (3-4, 1 KO).

Keeshawn Williams impressed in his pro debut as the Washington DC lightweight knocked out Mexico’s Christian Salas at 1:55 of round two. Williams had scored a knockdown earlier in the second round over Salas who dips to (1-1).

Cruiserweight Alexey Zubov, Detroit via Russia, scored a six round split decision by scores of 58-55 x 2 and 56-57 over Saginaw’s Robert Simms. Zubov scored a first round knockdown and looked to be heading for an easy win. Simms regrouped in the second round and made Zubov stumble with a sharp counter in the third but was unable to maintain the pace as Zubov now (16-1, 9 KOs) outworked Simms the rest of the way as Robert declines to (5-2, 3 KOs).

Dallas, Texas featherweight Arnold Alejandro opened up the show with an extremely easy three knockdown TKO 1 over Hamilton, Ohio’s Joseph Szczublewsk at 1:39. Alejandro improves to (5-0, 4 KOs) while Szczublewsk falls to (0-5).

Matchmakers Tom Brown, Dennis Turner, and John Beninati unfortunately had three bouts fall off the show as opponents for Jarico O’Quinn, James Smith, and Desmond Jarman were unable to compete due to blood work tests being submitted late.