Rosado And Jennings Deliver On NBC’s Fight Night

By Jason Pribila: The questions that Main Events promoter, Kathy Duva and Hall of Fame matchmaker, Russell Peltz asked of the fight cards they signed on to provide for inaugural NBC SportsNet “Fight Night” series were: (1) Do the styles mend? (2) Is the fight important and is it going to lead anywhere? (3) Would I buy a ticket to watch the fight?

That mission statement was put to the test when Heavyweight Eddie Chambers dropped out of the scheduled main event against Sergei Liakhovich eight days before the fight. When a suitable replacement was not presented, they stayed true to the course, and went ahead with a match-up of relatively unknown heavyweights Bryant Jennings and Maurice Byarm in their main event.

Mission accomplished.

When the cameras began to roll, America was re-introduced to Philadelphia’s best kept secret, The Asylum Arena. An otherwise empty warehouse that is filled wall to wall with rabid fight fans, that surround the squared circle from the opening bout of the evening until the final bell rings.

On this evening they were treated to a main event that pitted an all-around athlete-turned boxer in Jennings who was facing off against a second generation brawler in Byarm. The only thing about the outcome that was pre-determined was that someone’s O was about to go.

From the opening bell Jennings moved away from Byarm’s dangerous left hand. Byarm tried but failed to cut off the ring and force Jennings to the ropes. When Jennings ran out of real estate he would burst forward with fast flurries that seemed to surprise his opponent.

Jennings gained momentum and confidence by sweeping the first three rounds. He would blind Byarm with his jab and then tee off with fast combinations that would force the larger man to continually reset his attack.

Byarm remained calm and soon began to target Jennings’ mid-section. Thudding shots continued to land on the belt-line sapping the air and energy from Jennings.

As each fighter found themselves in the seventh round for the first time in their careers, the fight was up for grabs. Byarm continued to come forward and land body shots. Jennings would land some punches upstairs, but it seemed as if it was becoming more difficult for him to overcome the 24 lb. weight disadvantage.

Jennings regained control of the fight when he landed a big right hand that seemed to hurt Byarm. Jennings continued to land 1-2s before a flurry against the ropes put an exclamation point on the round.

When Byarm landed a big right hand in round nine, his window for winning seemed to shut as Jennings shook his head no.  Jennings instead came forward and again got the better of the two when they traded in close.

Jennings withstood Byarm’s last charge when the final round began.  He caught is breath, but chose not to take a breather.  Instead, “Bye-Bye” stepped on the gas and ended the fight as he started it; in control.

The judges were unanimous in support of Jennings by scores of 97-93, and 96-94 twice.  With the win Jennings improves to (12-0, 5 KO), while Byarm fell to (13-1-1, 9 KO).  Each fighter will continue their journey as prospects until the possibly become contenders, and perhaps meet again.

In the opening bout of the evening Philadelphia’s own Gabriel Rosado (19-5, 11 KO) took on perennial pressure fighter Jesus Soto-Karass  (24-7-3, 16 KO), who was moving up to junior middleweight.  Rosado had a pretty good scouting report as his opponent’s last two fights came against his stable mate, welterweight Mike Jones.  Rosado took what he learned in the classroom and aced his exam.

Soto-Karass, a notorious slow starter, likes to gain momentum and overwhelm his opponents in the latter half of his fights.  Rosado, a slow starter as well, vowed to jump on Soto-Karass early, and keep the Mexican’s engine in neutral. 

The amped-up crowd erupted when Rosado began the bout by landing a flush overhand right.  Rosado used the rest of the opening frame to show that it was his weight class.  He clearly had the faster hands, bigger frame, and soon became the volume puncher.

Soto-Karass got off to good starts in the second and third frames by committing to the body, but in each round Rosado turned the tide by landing hooks and uppercuts upstairs.  An accidental clash of heads in the third frame opened a cut over Soto-Karass’ left eye, but any of the dozens of clean punches could have done the damage.

Rosado took whatever Soto-Karass had left in the fourth by landing 59 of 102 power punches.  A huge left hook followed by a push that would have impressed Amir Khan illustrated that Soto-Karass’ legs had left the building.  Rosado landed at will as Soto-Karass was unable to escape from the ropes. 

Rosado was not about to leave anything to chance, and he began the fifth round by digging body shots.  A minute into the round Rosado was landing and admiring his shots.  A final flurry against the ropes forced the stoppage.  Nothing says domination like forcing Steve Smoger wave off a fight.

The end of the bout came at the 2:05 mark of round five.  Rosado has now won five straight fights, but this was clearly his most important and most impressive victory.  Before tonight Rosado was known as a “Philly” fighter.  He is tough, willing to challenge himself, and unafraid to get into a fight.  On this evening he also became a fighter who belongs on television.

Soto-Karass had the look of a fighter whose odometer has flipped.  The ring and gym wars may have caught up with him.  He wanted a fresh start in a new weight class, but that decision proved to be misstep.  He may be reduced to being an opponent. 

In the televised swing bout the latest Cuban fighter to invade American airwaves, Sullivan Barrera (9-0, 4 KO) handed Damar Singleton (7-1, 3KO) his first professional defeat.  Barrera, like most Cubans, entered the pro ranks with an extensive amateur career of over 300 fights.  Unlike most of his countrymen, Barrera is an offensive-minded fighter who comes forward behind a jab and straight hand.  This was pretty much all that Barrera showed and fortunately for him that was all he needed.  Singleton seemed to have a little stage fright, and was never able to establish any offense. 

Jason Pribila is a full member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He could be reached for questions or comments at pribs2000@yahoo.com and followed on Twitter @PribsBoxing