There was no shortage of thrills inside the ropes on the floor of the Chaifetz Arena last Saturday at a Rumble Time Promotions’ event that included a co-feature to remember, as well as a startling knockout and a spirited female match.
Mayela Perez traveled from Mexico to face Hollie “Hot Stuff” Dunaway, and the pair spent the first round working off their jabs while looking for a window through which to strike. The tussle included several good exchanges, but Dunaway appeared to be the more seasoned vet, allowing her opponent to buzz around with nervous energy before lining her up for an assortment of hooks on the inside.
When the outcome went to the scorecards after a half-dozen rounds, it was no surprise that Dunaway’s glove was raised after dictating the action from the opening bell.
“Dangerous” Dannie Williams looked to add to his sinister resume of 11-0 against Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Reggie Sanders, and in doing so he proved to be a rude guest to his visiting foe.
Williams showed fast hands early, looking to make it a quick night with good body work to set the stage for power punches up top. They arrived as time was ticking down near the end of the second stanza in the form of a left hook, right hook combination that put Sanders to sleep and prompted the paramedics to spring into action as Williams scaled the ropes in a neutral corner and celebrated the KO with his fans.
Going into the junior middleweight title clash setting up the main event, Alex Bunema was definitely considered the favorite against his opponent, with a ledger including names such as Vince Phillips and Jermain Taylor.
But someone failed to deliver the memo to his counterpart Willie Lee, and the result was a “Fight of the Year” candidate that had the fans on their feet.
The lefty Lee looked razor sharp from the get go, stinging Bunema with a straight left, right hook to the temple that was a preview of things to come. The inside jobs by both from round two through the finish line after 10 made the tussle everything the crowd could ask far, as both clawed and slashed away up and down, looking to win each three minute battle of attrition.
The best round of the night was the sixth, and although it seemed Lee couldn’t miss the man in front of him, Bunema landed a searing right to Lee’s ribs that clearly made a statement and exacted a heavy toll.
Lee really showed how badly he wanted the NABF strap in the ninth as he dictated the tempo by popping an accurate jab but got dropped and then rose from the knockdown to win the rest of the round.
He would capture the split decision with a pair of 95-94 scores and return the championship bling to his home state of Mississippi.
The main event saw the return of Deandre “The Bull” Latimore against the well-traveled Sammy Sparkman, and it looked to be an early exit as Sparkman landed on the seat of his pants after a laser cross found it’s mark in the first.
But Sparkman regrouped and pressed on, leading his man out into deeper waters, looking to land a big blow of his own. Although it appeared the surging “Bull” was set to close the show in the first 30 seconds of the ninth, Sparkman weathered the storm and after ten it was Latimore’s hand raised in victory via the unanimous decision.
Pro/am show next month
Those who follow the local professional and amateur boxing scenes can look forward to a show on Thursday, September 24 at the Machinists Hall, located at 12365 St. Charles Rock Road. The unique event will feature St. Louis Golden Gloves stars, as well as popular paid to punch prospects including Lamar Harris, Jamaar Hampton, and the exciting hook artist Jeremiah Graziano.
There will be “Las Vegas style” table seating for 10 with a variety of pricing, including general admission tickets for $20. More information is available by contacting Steve Holley at (314) 495-0820.
