Boxers duke it out between the ropes
By KEVIN BERCHOU
Sports Writer
It may all be for a good cause, but the boxers that will duke it out in the quarterfinals of the 71st annual Bengal Bouts tonight will harbor cruel intentions once they step between the ropes.
Friends outside the ring are arch enemies once inside with a title the motivation to fight. One fighter will taste the sweets of victory, while his opponent will taste nothing but the leather of his gloves.
165 lbs.
Senior co-captain and top seed Brian Hobbins begins his search for that elusive Bengal Bouts crown tonight, after receiving a first round bye, as he battles Morrissey Manor freshman Patrick Dillon. Hobbins, a returning finalist, brings a wealth of experience to the bout, but is careful not to be overconfident against first-year boxer Dillon.
"Sure, my experience helps," Hobbins said. "But boxing can come down to one punch, so I don't want to underestimate him."
Dillon is not one that should be taken lightly. He was most impressive in securing a unanimous decision in the preliminaries, using his reach to the best of his advantage.
"I was really impressed with him [Dillon]," Hobbins said. "He really came out and got after him. I'm not going to look ahead. I just want to come out tonight and do my best."
Though Hobbins' 2001 debut is perhaps the weight class's most anticipated, its best fight could very well be between sophomore Clay Cosse and Thomas Macias. With neither brawler likely to give up easily, this one is likely to go the distance.
Cosse, who scored a unanimous decision in round one, counts his toughness as his strongest suit.
"He has a head like a coconut," Hobbins said. "He never gives up."
Macias, however, promises to work just as hard.
"Tom just keeps going," Hobbins said. "I think this bout is going to be like two rams butting heads."
In a clash of opposites, Christopher Kitalong will go toe to toe with Billy McMurtrie, a third year law student. While McMurtrie will try to throw the book at Kitalong with his superior height and reach, Kitalong will try to get along with a contrasting inside style that could will give his taller opponent problems.
It's McMurtrie's last chance to lay down the law and win a title, and Hobbins thinks that might work in the law student's favor.
"It's his last shot, so it should be no holds barred," Hobbins said.
For McMurtrie, the whole premise is familiar. His task will, as always, be to impress the judges.
In other 165-pounder action, Justin Myers will slug it out with Brian Berg.
Berg, a freshman, made it to the quarterfinals with a split decision on Stephen Owens, while Justin "The ResLife Regular" Myers defeated Tim "Maximus McCurdy.
175 lbs.
Rob Joyce knows exactly what he wants. He's been the best, and now he wants to fight the best, so he can be the best again.
Got all that? In perhaps the most competitive weight class, Joyce, the top-seed and defending champion, would like nothing more than to take on junior captain Mark Criniti, the defending champion in the 185- lb. division, in a title match. The fact that Criniti shed a few pounds makes such a duel possible, and such a rare clash of defending kings could be the Bouts' most enticing.
But Joyce's path to the title and the potential glory that lies therein is by no means paved with gold. Rather, Joyce will have his hands full tonight with the likes of sophomore Matt Padilla, his neighbor from Seigfried Hall.
"We're in the same section," Joyce said. "So there's always a bigger incentive to win there."
Though Joyce is the top seed and a clear favorite, he thinks Padilla will be a test.
"He's a little bigger than I am and he has a longer reach," Joyce noted. "It will be a good fight."
After Joyce finishes his encounter with Padilla, he'll be able to watch his best friend, Criniti, try to hold up his end of the bargain. The junior from Keough Hall is listed as the No. 2 seed, but could well be designated seed 1A, since both he and Joyce are likely equals.
Joyce's southpaw often poses difficulties for opponents unfamiliar with fighting lefties, but Bryan Colville will have a go at it, earning the right to do so thanks to an easy unanimous decision over Brent Barish.
In perhaps a duel of dark horses, senior Dan Schaeffer will tango with sophomore John Lynk. Schaeffer, a superior tactician, will be on the move the entire fight, hoping to steer clear of the powerful Lynk, who dispatched his first round opponent in a mere 34 seconds.
"It's a real contrast in style," Joyce said. "Dan's real technical and John's a ball of muscle."
To win, Schaeffer will have to pick his spots and avoid Lynk's devastating right hand.
"Anyone that tries to stay in against Lynk has no chance," Joyce said. "He tries to knock you out."
Rounding out the bracket are Nathan Scheid and Keith Arnold. Arnold is a slugger in the classic mold, who, if given the opportunity to throw just one punch, can end a fight quickly.
"Arnold's a one punch kind of guy," Joyce said. "He's very powerful."
All Sports Stories for Monday, February 26, 2001
