Experience
Triumphs Unusual Night of Amateur Boxing The latest offering from promoter and trainer Joe Bermudez’s Boundless Promotions took place Saturday evening with an entertaining mix of amateur and professional boxing in Lansing.
Three amateur bouts – the headliner being Bermudez’s son, Joe Jr. – and four pro fights were on the card at the Lansing Center. Gallo’s Joe Bermudez, Jr. won a close unanimous decision victory over less-experienced but arguably more aggressive Josh Ivezaj of Westland’s Dynamic Boxing Club in a 125-lb. showdown. The win was not an easy one for Bermudez, who was knocked down in round one. Much of the three rounds were spent toe-to-toe in an all-out slugfest that could have gone either way. Judges scorecards: 29-28, 29-24 & 34-28. River Rouge Boxing’s Mike Rofne was stopped in the third round by Dynamic’s Juan Goode in the sole heavyweight bout of the night. A heavy-handed glove of Goode sent Rofne to the canvas – and his headgear flying – in a dramatic first round knockdown. A second trip to the canvas two rounds later ended the fight, as the outclassed River Rouge boxer remained seated on the canvas against the ropes well beyond the count. Monroe’s ALCC super middleweight Mickey Ford-Walk took a break from his Enrico Fermi job to compete against River Rouge’s Richie Varrious, who like his teammate Rofne, received an 8-ct in both the first and third rounds. Varrious went to the judges, however, losing by decision. In a highly unusual night for amateur boxing, the ring announcer verbalized the boxers’ records to the crowds and announced championship titles of Bermudez, Jr. as he walked from the dressing rooms to the ring, music blaring from speakers, led by an entourage ala the pros. During
intermission, a photo slideshow was presented in tribute to injured
12-year old boxer Juan Contreras. The youngster has been in a coma
since collapsing during a show fight in March. Donations and proceeds
from a 50-50 raffle will benefit the family. |
