Bengal Bouts: 155-pounds — 160-pounds: Heckmann advances to final round with TKO
By: PAUL CAMARATA
Sports Writer
Senior captain Brock Heckmann advanced to the finals when the referee stopped his contest with senior Chris Pettit one minute and 25 seconds into the third round.
Forced to modify the aggressive style that had worked in two previous victories, Pettit was never able to go on the attack in the semifinals. The methodical Heckmann followed his usual script of fighting with strength and at sharp angles from the center of the ring. His strong right hand found its mark early, as Heckmann attacked both the body and head.
Despite his left-handed technique, Pettit could not divert Heckmann's straight pursuit or land enough punches to wear on his opponent's stamina. Heckmann appeared calm and light on his feet even near the end of the match.
While Pettit attacked in the third round with all the energy he had left, Heckmann was able to pin the action against up the ropes and in the corners, where the fight finally ended.
Heckmann's quest for a second consecutive Bengal Bouts title will end one way or another against sophomore John Nowak, a lefty whose unyielding attack earned him a split decision over junior Mike Melby Wednesday night.
The taller of the two contestants, Melby used his reach advantage well in the first round but never enough to stop Nowak's strong left hands. Often working without a jab, Nowak flustered his opponent with repeated shots to the head, particularly in the second round when he added a winding right hook.
Nowak's punches landed with greater frequency as the fight went on, and in the third round, he sealed the victory with a flurry that seemed to attack Melby from all directions and sides.
Nowak strategically attacked Melby and clinched with him in order to avoid being hit. The effort was enough to impress the judges and give Nowak a shot at Heckmann on Friday night.
160-pounds
The opening match in the 160-pound division was arguably the most rousing of the night, as top-seeded Christ Kitalong outlasted the spirited John Murphy in a split decision victory.
A boxer who combines strength and speed with fluid movement, Kitalong dominated the first round by snapping his punches out quickly to fend off Murphy's incessant offensive. Murphy continually tried to drive Kitalong to the ropes where he could neutralize the taller boxer's reach. Kitalong adjusted, dipping his punches into Murphy's body to widen the distance between the two fighters.
By the middle of the second round, Kitalong was still unable to fight in his own style and resorted to brawling with Murphy in every portion of the ring. Murphy's ability to dictate the nature of the fighting made the remainder of the fight close.
When Kitalong wanted to use combinations and angles, Murphy lowered his own head and made the other fighter slug it out.
Kitalong made a second adjustment in the third round that may have ensured his victory, when he began ducking around Murphy's charge and clinching to slow the pace of the action.
Freshman Mark DeSplinter will be Kitalong's reward in the finals on Friday, after winning a split decision over sophomore Pat Dillon, the second seed in the 160-pound weight class. Equal in height and using similar styles, DeSplinter and Dillon fought evenly throughout the first two rounds. DeSplinter continued to use his long jab, while Dillon relied on a jab that set up his two-handed combinations.
While Dillon did not seem phased by the combinations that DeSplinter continued to throw in the final round, neither was he unable to stop them. DeSplinter will fight for the championship on Friday after outscoring his opponent with aggressiveness and power. A resident of Alumni Hall, DeSplinter is the only freshman to advance to the Bengal Bouts finals.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, February 28, 2002
