By Brian Gorman

Pittsburgh heavyweight Jason "Iron Man" Bergman (17-9-2, 11 KO) overcame slippery journeyman Joseph Rabotte (11-18-1, 3 KO) to earn a split decision in the six round main event on Pittsburgh's South Side.

The five bout card was promoted by active veteran Pittsburgh light heavyweight Rayco "War" Saunders, the second of a bi-monthly series; the next date has been set for November 17 at the regular venue, Carson St. Live night club.

The headliner featured strength versus athleticism, as Bergman and Rabotte continued to engage in a cat-and-mouse game, usually in the corners.  Rabotte enticed Bergman in and countered with rights when Bergman shot his left.  It made for a bit of a chess match and some sloppy action, but both had their moments.

Bergman enjoyed the most success when he committed to his jab, and his aggression probably carried the day on Dana Dipaolo's and George Kachulis' cards, at 58-56 each.  Alexis Pierce had it for Rabotte by the same score.

In the co-feature, Pittsburgh's former two time World Toughman heavyweight champ "All Lee" McGinnis (6-0, 3 KO) made his 2011 debut with a convincing four round decision over Akron's entertaining Mike Miller (6-21-2, 3 KO), by three scores of 39-37.

Miller was apparently awarded the opening stanza, since McGinnis appeared to clearly win the last three rounds, landing almost all of the significant power shots, which Miller took well.

The highlight came when McGinnis landed a stunning right hook and Miller mockingly turned sideways to the crowd, before rushing McGinnis.  At that point McGinnis probably realized that a knockout was not in the cards.  Each round, the action intensified in the last ten seconds, and on each occasion McGinnis had his best moments.

On the undercard:

St. Petersburg, Florida's Gino McClellan (5-0) looked sharp, rocking Mike Denby (3-13-4, 2 KO) several times en route to a four round decision by three scores of 40-36.

Pittsburgh's Aaron "Franco" Cardenas (1-1) earned a majority decision over Buffalo's Andrew "Drama" Jones (0-9-1), who can fight a little in spite of the goose egg in the left column.  Cardenas constantly stayed on top of Jones to wear him down and negate his counterpunching.

In the opener, West Palm Beach, Florida's Ibahiem King (8-6, 2 KO) outboxed Philadelphia's Vincent Burkhalter (0-5-1), whose right hook is too good for him to be winless in six bouts.