Photos: Ruiz powers through Gormley

By Dwjuan Frazier at ringside
Photos: Bob Ryder

Andy Ruiz can punch. WBO #5, IBF #5, WBC #7-rated and current NABF heavyweight champion Ruiz (28-0, 19 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico, remained undefeated with a three round destruction of Josh Gormley, Miami, Florida, in the main event of Dmitry Salita/Salita Promotions’ show “Detroit Brawl” on Saturday night at the Masonic Temple in downtown Detroit. Dennis Turner served as matchmaker for the card. On paper, one would think that they would be in for a competitive fight, with Gormley coming in with a record of 22-4, 21 KOs. It was just the opposite. Ruiz dominated the 41-year-old Gormley from the start with a combination of adept footwork, speed and thunderous strikes to the body and head. While Ruiz was making a punching bag out of Gormley, reportedly the grandson of ring legend Jack Dempsey, Gormley didn’t throw one power punch. Ruiz scored several knockdowns before the referee decided to stop the match at 1:42 of the third round.

In attendance was Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, 17-0-1, 15 KOs, Brooklyn, New York, who made it clear that he wanted to be Ruiz’s next opponent. The two engaged in a face off following Ruiz’s victory. Miller did most of the talking, saying that he was unimpressed with the fight Ruiz had just had and that he would knock him out. Hopefully their camps can work with each other to make it happen. Miller’s next fight will be August 19th on ShoBox against Fred Kassi.

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From the start it looked like there would be a good fight coming from the super lightweight matchup between Eric Hall (8-10-1, 4 KOs) of Durand, Michigan, and Girorgi Gelashvili (5-0, 3 KOs) Kutasisi, Georgia. Hall came out in attack mode and scored a knockdown on Gelashvili, easily giving him the first round. Gelashvili responded impressively in the second round by unloading a barrage of punches to the body of Hall. Hall looked helpless from then on and decided against fighting the fifth round, giving Gelashvili a TKO4 victory.

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In the cruiserweight matchup, Demetrius Banks (8-0, 4 KOs) Detroit, Michigan, matched up against Eric George (4-12, o KOs) Niagra Falls, NY. Banks came out with an imposing first round, sending George through the ropes, thus scoring a knockdown. After that, Banks showed signs of fatigue and that’s what kept George in it. Banks would start the round off well, but as time went on his effort declined. Banks ended up coming out on top by unanimous six round decision but it was clear that he wasn’t in shape.

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In other bouts: The Super bantamweight matchup saw fan favorite Zach Shamoun, 4-0-1, 3 KOs, Royal Oak, win by unanimous decision over Jose Elizondo, 1-1, 0 KOs, San Antonio, Texas. Welterweight Sedar Hudayberdiyev, Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, moved to 3-0, 2 KOs, as he bested Steven Andrade, 3-1, 2 KOs, Atlanta Georgia. In the bantamweight matchup Jarico O’Quinn, Detroit, won by TKO3 over Sergio Aguliar, Miami Beach, Florida, 0-4, who didn’t put up much of a fight. O’Quinn, who was just signed by Salita promotions improves to 2-0, 2 KOs. The other welterweight matchup featured southpaw Gheith Karim, Dearborn, Michigan, making his debut against Dean Walsh, Jr., Monroe Michigan, 0-3. Walsh never gave the impression that he was ready for the fight, as he tripped up the stairs to the ring and stumbled clumsily upon entering. He spent most of his time against Karim with his head down, swinging at the air. Karim would put him away in the first round winning by TKO. He now sits at 1-0 to start his pro career.