Orlando, FL (October 15, 2022). On the eve of his eighteenth birthday, undefeated heavyweight prospect Lorenzo “The Giant Killer” Medina (2-0, 2 KOs) of Miami, FL improved his record to 3-0, defeating debutante Michael “Smooth Like Butter” Shaw of Atlanta, GA. Medina began boxing at age 7, and has won several national titles as an amateur. Before turning pro earlier this year, Lorenzo was the #1 ranked super heavyweight in the country. The bout only lasted one round. At the opening, both fighters landed some hard shots, but Medina was quickly able to find his rhythm and landed some body shots and a right to the side of the head that rocked Shaw. Shaw told the ref that he could not continue at 2:59, earning the TKO for Medina.
The opening fight was a four round super bantamweight contest between Steven “The Finishing Touch” Ray, Jr. (1-0) of Lauderhill, FL and Dakota “The Joker” Laster (3-14-2, 3 KOs) of Hannibal, MO. Laster was a game opponent with an unorthodox style, switching stances and throwing from angles, but Ray, Jr. was able to control the action. Ray, Jr. came out swinging in round two, connecting at will. Laster hung in there for the punishment. Following a mid round knockdown, Ray, Jr. was able to stop Laster at 2:41.
Jay Dabelus, also of Lauderhill, FL, and training out of Contender’s Gym, made his pro debut against Frankie Solomon (0-2-1) in a four round light heavyweight contest. After a lackluster start, this fight took on a new life in round three. Dabelus’ corner was urging their fighter to pick up the action, and Solomon responded throughout the round. In round four, Dabelus was more the agressor, but the southpaw Solomon scored consistently and turned it on the final ten seconds, landing a hard left at the final bell. Judges scored a majority decision for Frankie Solomon, earning his first professional win.
Jamar “J-Money” Pemberton (1-0, 1 KO) of Missouri, who enjoyed a decorated amateur career TKO’d Brad Ragan (1-1) in a scheduled four-rounder in the middleweight division. Pemberton controlled the action from the onset. Ragan suffered a shoulder injury in the first round that he was unable to overcome. J-Money showed superior skill throughout, landing hard straight lefts out of a southpaw stance. Ragan was unable to come out for the third round due to the shoulder injury.
Orlando’s own welterweight, eighteen year-old Darrius “Hawk” Jackson (3-0, 3 KOs) knocked down and then TKO’d the more experienced John Brewer (3-5-1) in just forty nine brutal seconds.
By Matt Benoliel
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