Fans packed Norfolk’s Scope Arena on Saturday night for a home-state showcase, eager to see lightweight phenom Abdullah Mason in his toughest test to date, unbeaten prospects trying to stay perfect, and a crossroads bout pitting a slick southpaw against a gritty puncher.
In the main event, Abdullah Mason took control after a steady opening, turning up the pace in round 3 with sharp counters and rocking Jeremiah Nakathila late in round 4 with a left to the chin. Early in round 5 the swelling around Nakathila’s eye was too severe for the ringside doctor’s liking, and referee Harvey Dock waved it off 45 seconds in, keeping Mason unbeaten at 19-0.
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Nahir Albright out-hustled southpaw Kelvin Davis to hand the local favorite a majority-decision loss. Rights over the top and constant clinch-breaking offense earned Albright cards of 97-93 and 96-94, over-ruling one 95-95 tally despite point deductions and warnings for excessive holding.
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Southpaw middleweight Euri Cedeno stalked Abel Mina, floored him with a right hand in round 5 and forced a corner retirement at the bell, improving to 12-0-1 with 11 stoppages.
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Delante “Tiger” Johnson edged Janelson Bocachica over ten tough welterweight rounds, boxing behind a jab early and finishing strong to notch scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93.
Olympian Troy Isley banked early body-attack rounds, then survived a late surge from Etoundi William to stay perfect by 98-92 and twin 96-94 tallies.
Lightweight puncher Deric Davis blasted a body shot that left Naheem Parker unable to continue at the end of round 2, while welter Keon Davis flattened Michael Velez-Garcia with a right-left to the ribs at 2:22 of round 2.
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Cruiserweight debutant Patrick O’Connor earned a standing eight, then poured on unanswered shots to stop Marcus Smith at 2:03 of round 2 and close a lively Norfolk card.
Image Credit: Top Rank