The Fighting News
January 23rd, 2021
Since retiring from professional boxing, former Light Heavyweight Champion Glen Johnson has reinvented himself as a trainer, and now as a promoter. And South Florida boxing fans are happy.
Road Warrior Promotions inaugural event took place at the Miramar Amphitheater at Regional Park in Miramar, Florida. With a large VIP section, two bars and a “Big Top” pavilion, guests were treated to an exciting, outdoor boxing experience.
The card featured several fighters from Johnson’s stable, including super-featherweight Malik Lewis (3-0, 2 KOs), the 27 year-old who convinced Johnson to get into the training game several years ago, and Heavyweight Raphael Akjepiori (9-0, 9KOs), a native of Nigeria who first came to the United States on an athletic scholarship and landed on the University of Miami‘s basketball and football teams. At 6’8″ tall, with such obvious athletic abilities, it is not surprising that Akjepiori has become proficient at landing devastating punches that has so far knocked out all of his opponents.
The card also featured middleweight Marlon Kelly (2-0, 2 KOs), who turned pro last year after getting stopped in the semi-finals of the US Olympic Trials. Kelly trains under Mike Robles and Reniel “Chino” Aponte at KOFitness in Hialeah, FL. Don’t let the gym name fool you though, last year, KOFitness sent two of their fighters to the Olympic trials, Marlon and Reniel’s son, Aaron “Alien King” Aponte, who was ranked #1 in this weight class as an amateur. (Aaron will be featured on the undercard of Canelo vs. Yildirim on February 27th).
Super welterweight Ermal Hadribeaj (7-0-1, 3KOs) was also featured on the card, and was clearly a fan favorite. Hadribeaj stopped his opponent, journeyman Larry Smith, in the third round, earning a TKO and celebrating with an impressive backflip in the ring.
In another heavyweight bout, Miami’s Alvin Davie (4-2, 3 KOs) decisioned Aaron John Valentine in an exciting six rounder. Leading off the show was bantamweight Delvin McKinley (4-1-0) fought Irvin Perez to a draw in a competitive fight that set the stage for the rest of the evening.
Full results are as follows:
Delvin McKinley vs. Irvin Perez (Draw)
Marlon Kelley (1st round TKO) defeats Zachariah Kelley
Malik Lewis (UD) defeats Trey Anderson
Raphael Akjepiori (KO round 1) defeats Joshua Truani
Alvin Davie (UD) defeats Aaron Valentine
Ermal Hadribeaj (TKO rd. 3) defeats Larry Smith
by Matt Benoliel
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