By Larry Tornambe

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- Junior Welterweight Mike “No Joke” Stewart faced Robert Frankel on Friday’s New Alhambra card in South Philadelphia.  The card promoted by Joe Hand Boxing and J Russell Peltz Boxing fueled the Philadelphia vs. Colorado sports war by welcoming Denver’s Frankel to Philly to battle Stewart who fought out of Philadelphia for years before recently moving his camp to Delaware.  As the Phillies battle the stronger Rockies in the baseball playoffs, action was the key to winning fights on Friday.

Frankel started outworking Stewart in the first round, repeatedly backing him against the ropes, reddening his left cheekbone and opening a scuff on the bridge of Stewart’s nose that originally started in the gym this week.  Frankel would get the edge in almost all 10 rounds of the main event by showing good defense, sharp combinations and scoring flurries. 

“Make him miss and make him pay” is what Frankel would tell BoxingScene.com about his game plan, after gaining the upset win over The Contender-Season 2 fighter.  Stewart, on the other glove, was despondent in his room afterwards noting that he “I don’t feel it any more.   I see stuff out there and can’t get to it. I was getting sick and throwing up in there.” 

Mike injured the right shoulder during his time on the Contender series and seemed unwilling to throw a meaningful right hand at Frankel.  Stewart said “the right didn’t bother me at all, I just couldn’t get the punches off” as he looked at his 7th loss against 42 wins, but “I need a rest” as Mike recanted his 11-yr pro career and difficulty in finding wins over the past year.  

Frankel, (141 lbs; 21-7-1), earns a nice win and shows the east coast he’s here to fight, be active and get the top fighters and prizes.  Frankel had no amateur fights and looks for a long road ahead, “I move my head pretty good, I don’t want to get hit” but he desires to face the best.  The final count in favor of Frankel was 99-91 twice and 98-92.

Recent Peltz Boxing signee, Mike Jones was scheduled for 8 rounds against Richard Lee Hall.  Jones sunk a left hook into Hall’s body and the end came 10 seconds later when Hall was counted out on one knee in the 1st round.  Jones is now 11-0; 11KO’s with the 1:58 night.

Latif Mundy arguably showed the most overall skill with a 2:55 KO of Roberto Florentino.  I have always seen skill and talent in Mundy, but not a finishing touch.  His single right hand felled Florentino in the 1st round and improves to 6-0 with 2 KO’s.

After Teon Kennedy dropped James Franks with a left hook in the 2nd round, Commissioner, Greg Sirb said “this kid is the top prospect in Philadelphia.” Kennedy (126 lbs) wins by TKO at 1:32 of the 2nd round and is now 6-0-4 KO’s.

Heavyweight John Poore was extended to the distance for the 1st time but wins a unanimous decision over Mike Miller.  Poore was steady in his attack, while Miller seemed to be posing for an oil painting.  Although Miller seemed to be the more talented of the two, he loses and is now 2-5-1 and Poore is 19-2 with 18 KO’s.

Omar Pittman edged Demetrius Davis in a bloody split decision over 6 in the Super Middleweight division.

Victor Vasquez pleased his very vocal supporters when defeated Markel Muhammad by 2nd round TKO.  The Lightweight improves to 5-1, while Muhammad is 2-7.

Hand and Peltz have November 9th on the books for their next Philly fight card at the Alhambra.  Friday’s bouts will be shown on the Comcast CN8 channel at various times from Maine to Maryland, so check your local listings.