Bengal Bouts — 170 pounds-Heavyweights: Cosse's victory earns standing ovation in quarterfinals
By HEATHER VAN HOEGARDEN
Sports Writer
In what some may deem the best fight thus far in this year's Bouts, Clay Cosse defeated Patrick McGarry in a split decision. The fight ended with both boxers tired after a battle of two competitors that warranted the first standing ovation this year.
Cosse and McGarry went punch for punch the whole way through, but it was Cosse who came out firing in the third round to pull out the split decision of a bout that could have been won by either fighter.
Knust def. Michalek
After the McGarry-Cosse fight, Matt Knust and Brian Michalek had some big shoes to fill. However, neither junior could land a punch in the beginning of the fight.
Finally, Knust connected on a huge jab that ended the second round. Building on this momentum, he went on to use a series of combinations on his way to victory by unanimous decision. He will face Cosse on Wednesday.
Voss def. Padilla
In a battle of two seniors, Jason Voss prevailed over Matt Padilla in a unanimous decision. "Criss Cross" Voss was too much to handle from the start, as his first left hook connected to leave Padilla stumbling.
By the end of the bout, both fighters were stumbling, and unable to land a punch. However, Voss had already left his mark, and it was too much for Padilla to overcome.
Joyce def. Ward
Rob Joyce's unanimous decision victory was the third of the four 170-pound fights. The senior set the tone with a huge opening jab on James Ward and he never looked back.
Ward was unable to land any huge punches, as Joyce, a senior, ducked and feinted the entire fight.
Joyce used a multitude of combinations to land his shots on Ward, a junior. On defense, he was too elusive for the slower Ward, as he moved on to face Voss.
180 pounds
Groebner def. Christoforetti
It was all Andrew Groebner in Sunday's fight. James Christoforetti could not land a punch on the way to his defeat by the off-campus senior.
Groebner was too tough for Christoforetti, as he continually cornered him using an offensive strategy to score points with the judges. His punches were dominating, as Christoforetti had no answer for the aggressive style Groebner displayed en route to an unanimous decision.
Demko def. Rocca
It was a battle of the Dawgs and the Big Red, as the Alumni-Dillon rivalry extended into the ring. Junior captain Tommy Demko of Alumni came out firing against Erik Rocca of Dillon.
Rocca was continually backed in the corner and knocked off-balance, as Demko landed just about every punch he threw. However, Rocca would not give up despite the unanimous decision, as the freshman put up a fight despite being overmatched.
Pearsall def. Sullivan
Christopher Pearsall used his outstanding jab to the face to defeat Denis Sullivan. At the end of the first round, Pearsall backed Sullivan into the corner, where he landed multiple combinations to end the round.
Sullivan, meanwhile, could not land a punch. He was forced to play defense the whole fight, leading Pearsall to the unanimous decision. Pearsall will face Demko in the semi finals.
Rooney def. Callahan
If this were basketball, one would believe that Eric Callahan would've had the advantage in the fight, as he had the obvious advantage over the shorter Larry Rooney. However, Rooney stayed low and landed punches to the body all fight, keeping Callahan off-balance.
Callahan was unable to land solid blows to the head, while Rooney scored points with the judges by consistently landing firm shots. The fight went back and forth until the end when the split decision was announced in favor of Rooney, who goes on to fight Groebner.
190 pounds
Lynk def. Escobales
Senior captain John Lynk proved to be too much for sophomore David Escobales, as the referee was forced to stop the fight 1:29 into the first round to the dismay of the crowd.
Escobales came out swinging wildly, but he could not connect. Meanwhile, Lynk repeatedly landed body punches to lower the hands of Escobales, leaving the head exposed. Taking advantage of this, Lynk dominated and forced Escobales to cover up before the TKO was called.
Gathinji def. Ronchetta
Mwangi Gathinji dominated the next fight, defeating Jose Ronchetta in an unanimous decision. Gathinji started off a little slow, but once he landed a titanic uppercut, the fight was his.
He proceeded to continually get Ronchetta against the ropes, dominating the overmatched fighter. Gathinji will be in for a fight against Lynk.
Otlewski def. Carver
In their last Bengal Bouts, John Caver and Patrick Otlewski gave each other a fight. Otlewski stood his ground the entire fight, taking hits and dishing out his share as well.
However, just when it looked like Otlewski had things under control, Caver came out aggressive in the third round and looked to pin Otlewski against the ropes. Despite these efforts, the judges were not convinced enough to change the unanimous decision.
Zizic def. Schroeder
In a battle of youth versus experience, Nathan Schroeder was overpowered by William Zizic. Although Schroeder hung in for the entire fight, he was clearly overmatched by the aggressive Zizic.
Zizic landed a massive left hook that send both fighters back to their corners, as Schroeder regrouped. Zizic's unanimous decision advances him to the semifinals where he will face Otlewski.
Heavyweight
Abeyeta def. Morrison
Carlos "The Master" Abeyeta lived up to his nickname as he dominated the competition Sunday after a slow start against Nick Morrison. Morrison held his own for most of the fight until 51 seconds into the third round, when the referee stopped the fight for the TKO.
Abeyeta's mix of jabs and hooks was too much for Morrison, as he came out strong in the second round of a fight that looked to be up for grabs after the first round. Abeyeta continually pounded Morrison as he relentlessly kept up a barrage of blows to the head and the body.
Burton def. Pezanko
Darryl Burton decided from the beginning of the fight he was going to win. From there, Timothy Pezanko was helpless, as the senior lost to the sophomore, in an unanimous decision.
Burton came out swinging under control. He forced Pezanko on the defensive end, as Pezanko could never even throw a punch. When he did, it either missed or it did not phase Burton. Burton, however, will have his hands full next when he faces Abeyeta in the semifinals.
O'Connor def. Farkas
Ben "No Name" O'Connor sure made a name for himself after Sunday's unanimous decision victory over Brian Farkas. In the battle between two Alumni residents, no one seemed to have the upper hand in the early part of the match.
However, by the end, O'Connor finally had landed more punches than Farkas, despite the fact that neither fighter dominated. Also, both were tiring quickly by the time the third round came, so Farkas was never able to make up the lost ground.
Borovina def. McFeron
Stefan Borovina made quick work of Donovan McFeron as the referee called the fight for a TKO.
McFeron could not land any punches against the dominating Borovina, who started and finished aggressively. He forced McFeron against the ropes and fired jab after jab at the senior. Borovina looks to cause more trouble in the semifinals when he faces O'Connor.
All Sports Stories for Monday, February 24, 2003
