‘Sexy Albanian’ Wins Main Event in Maryland

By Gary “Digital” Williams at ringside

Hagerstown, MD super middleweight “The Sexy Albanian” Genc Pllana won a six-round majority decision over Jason Bell of District Heights, MD during the main event of the Cynation Sports card at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD.

Although he looked wild at times, Pllana was able to land more of the cleaner blows in the contest. Pllana kept his left hand low but was able to bring it up in time to land quick jabs and hooks. In the second round, Pllana was able to keep Bell at bay with sweeping lefts and rights. Pllana also showed confidence in the round by adding some shuffling footwork during the round.Bell would make a comeback in the middle rounds as he would pressure Pllana and get him against the ropes to land shots but Pllana seemed to have an answer with his jab. Pllana closed the show in the sixth round with a great combination of hand speed and accuracy. Judge John Gradowski saw a draw at 57-57 but judges Vic DeWysocki and Steve Rados saw the bout 59-55 for Pllana, who is now 2-0, one KO. Bell loses for the first time and he is now 3-1, one KO.

Bell’s twin brother, Justin, also a super middleweight from District Heights, was successful in his bout, scoring a second-round TKO over DeAndre West of Danville, VA.

Bell walked his opponent down throughout the contest and landed brutal lefts and rights to the head and body. Repeatedly, referee DeWysocki asked West to show signs of returning fire. However, Bell was able to land a solid left-right combination to West’s head that forced DeWysocki to stop the bout at 1:19 of the second. Bell remains undefeated at 4-0, three KO’s while West’s record drops to 0-2.Also on the card, Washington, DC welterweight Shynggyskhan Tazhibay captured a six-round unanimous decision over Juan De La Cruz Rodriguez of Haymarket, VA. In his first six-rounder, Tazhibay looked comfortable as he stalked Rodriguez and used a strong jab to the head and combinations to the body. Rodriguez fired back with combinations of his own but Tazhibay was able to outland Rodriguez and win the bout. All three judges (Gradowski, Rados and Brent Bovell) saw the bout 59-55. Tazhibay remains undefeated at 8-0, two KO’s while Rodriguez drops to 8-12-1, six KO’s.

Baltimore, MD lightweight Jahmal Dyer notched a first-round TKO over “Joltin” Jesse Carradine, Jr. of Decatur, GA. After stalking Carradine around the ring for the first minute, Dyer landed a brutal overhand right that dropped Carradine to the canvas. Carradine seemed to hurt his right ankle as he fell and got up limping forcing referee Kenny Chevalier to stop the contest at 1:48 seconds. Since suffering his only pro loss in February, Dyer has scored three straight knockout victories to raise his record to 7-1, five KO’s. Carradine’s record drops to 8-6-2, four KO’s.

Frederick, MD super welterweight “The Lion King” Jonathan Burrs won a four-round unanimous decision over Bryant “The Punisher” Costello of Liberty, NY by way of Puerto Rico. Burrs used a nice inside game to win this contest as he was able to go to Costello’s body throughout the bout. All three judges (Chevalier, Gradowski and Rados) scored the bout 39-37 for Burrs, who evens his record at 1-1. Costello, whose first bout ended in a no-contest, is now 0-1, 1 NC.

In the opening contest, DC heavyweight George Harris made a successful pro debut scoring a second-round TKO over Damion Reed of Danville, VA. Harris dropped Reed once late in the first round and twice in the second before the bout was stopped at 39 seconds. Reed’s record falls to 3-19-1, one KO.

Cynation Sports is led by Cory Sanders. The matchmaker was Brian Dillon. This reporter served as ring announcer.