By Larry Tornambe at ringside

Philadelphia’s Legendary Blue Horizon hosted a Joe Hand Boxing/Peltz Boxing card on Friday that featured a 10-round Main Event pitting Ricardo Medina vs. Rogers Mtagwa.  Neither is a puppy in the boxing game: Mtagwa has 39 fights under his belt and Medina had 69 bouts coming into the ring.  Mtagwa once held the USBA Featherweight crown, while Medina always comes to fight and is known as a rough customer and never an easy foe, despite his 31-33-5 record.  Add another loss to that score from tonight’s bout but it was a rough night for Rogers Mtagwa (26-12-2).

Ricardo bared his teeth at the opening bell and put pressure on Mtgawa early.  Rogers usually doesn’t get into fighting until he gets hurt, so Medina was trying to stay close, rough up Rogers and earn the early rounds on the cards.  Medina looked a bit out of sorts and off balance in the 2nd stanza and caught a sharp right at the end of 2 and Mtagwa evened the BoxingScene.com scorecard.   Medina pushed his way inside during the 3rd and, although it was a one-punch at a time offense, it seemed to be more effective with the harder punches landed until he was cut and stunned by a head clash in the round.

Hereinafter, if Mtagwa was able to keep Medina at arms length he won the exchanges and the rounds.  Medina found his way inside several times, but the final two rounds saw Mtagawa as the stronger, busier and more effective boxer.    The BoxingScene.com scorecard tallied an even 95-95 count.  The three official judges scored it for Mtagwa by wide margins; 98-92 twice and 97-93. 

This fight for Mtagwa was his first after his superhuman super bantamweight KO10 win over Tom Villa in November.  That bout saw Mtagwa crash to the canvas at the end of the 9th and later score 3 knockdowns and a knockout win in the 10th.  Mtagwa is ranked at 122 lbs, but his management is leaning toward staying at 126 lbs.  Medina was no pushover and Rogers had to alter his style and approach in this bout.  Medina brought was he usually does to the ring; a close offense, rough style and spoiler mind-set.   I apparently saw much more inside work being effective for Medina than the judges observed.  The outside game was obviously best for Mtagwa but it wasn’t always there for him.

Light Heavyweights Tony “Boom Boom” Ferrante accepted the challenge of Anthony Pietrantonio in a scheduled 6 rounder.  The men shared a similar build, but Ferrante has a bit of power, while Pietrantonio has virtually no snap on his punches.  Ferrante (7-0; 4KO’s) seemed hesitant to let his hands go after sharp counterpunches from Pietrantonio (6-2-1; 5KO’s) in the opening heat.   The corner’s advice sunk into Ferrante by the 5th round when he was able to score with several overhand rights and earn a TKO victory 45 seconds into the 5th round.

Speaking of not letting your hands go, Jamaal Davis just couldn’t throw down in his 8-round fight with Jerome Ellis.   The Junior Middleweight match up saw Ellis come from Irvington, NJ and outhustle Davis during the first four rounds.  Davis (9-5) seemed to get the ball rolling in the 5th but Ellis bounced back with jab-right hands and take it to the final bell.  Shocking scores were announced at 79-73 for Davis, 80-72 for Ellis and 77-75 for Ellis.   Ellis (12-9-2; 10KO’s) clearly earned the victory on the BoxingScene scorecard.

Undercard:

Jr. Welterweights: Victor Vasquez and Linwood Hurd put on the Most Exciting Fight of the Night.  Vasquez (9-3) won a 6 round unanimous decision.  Hurd was knocked down in the 5th after showing sturdy whiskers and is now 2-2-3.

Jr. Lightweights:  Frankie Trader Maj Decision 4 Lius Esquilin

Jr. Lightweights: Anthony Flores KO 1 2:54 Carlos Diaz

Welterweights: Kaseem Wilson KO1 1:06 Louie Leija

Welterweights: Ardrick Butler Maj Decision Dontre King

Peltz Boxing and Hand Boxing Promotions set up shop in Atlantic City on June 6th for their next card.   It showcases #10-ranked Welterweight, Mike Jones, on a 3-fight knockout streak, against Larry Mosely.   See PeltzBoxing.com for more information and ticket details.