Boxing returned to the Viking Hotel & Conference Center last Thursday courtesy of Rumble Time Promotions and fight fans were treated to both amateur and professional contests.
The show marked the debut of Rumble Time’s newest signing Rob Calloway, but it was a pair of journeymen heavyweights who stole the show with a breathless, blood-tinged bout.
When the timekeeper’s metal mallet struck the bell to begin the battle between St. Charles’ durable Joe Stofle and St. Joseph, Mo.’s Clinton Boldridge, the local big man charged across the ring and looked to end the affair quickly.
But Boldridge weathered the early onslaught. When Stofle moved in behind a jab, Boldridge took a half step back out of range and returned a straight right hand that sent his counterpart south.
The opening round would see Stofle down once more, but he would rise and the pair would spend the rest of the three-minute frame swinging for the fences.
The action pitched back and forth as the duo refused to give up ground and the crowd continued to exhort their local man to stay on the attack. It was clear that Stofle was looking for an opening, a hanging breaking ball that he could jump on, and he found it in round five.
It takes two tough customers to stage such compelling theater, and the audience was rewarded with a dramatic KO at 1:35 as Stofle got back in the “win” column when the curtain closed on a “Fight of the Year” candidate.
If you’re in the market for natural punching pop, look no further than Berkeley’s Walter Foster, a former cruiserweight who upped his ledger to 3-0 with a quick dismantling of Lester McKinley.
A flush hook to the head provided a chilling finish at 2:15 and suggested big things this year for Foster, who dropped from 177 in his last test to sneak under the light heavy limit.
There would be no early showers for the principles up next as Isaiah “The Prophet” Henderson and St. Charles’ Shawn “The Hit” Hammack treaded out into the deep waters and made the judges earn their paychecks.
Hammack was the aggressor throughout, while the lankier Henderson used his stick and his wheels in an attempt to keep his enemy at bay. As both closed strong at the final bell after a half dozen, Henderson exhorted the fans to give it up for the strong performance by both.
Hammack would prevail on the scorecards with a split verdict and send “The Prophet” back to Lee’s Summit with another blemish on his record.
The local showcase of cruiser Rob Calloway lasted nearly a pair of rounds, as the seasoned pro from St. Joseph, Mo. used a patient jab to get inside and pin harmful power shots on Oklahoma City’s David Robinson.
A balanced head and body beating that must have resonated out into the lobby and up into the guest rooms led to a knockout victory for Calloway at 2:45.
Next up for the well-traveled 70-7-1 Calloway is a run at cruiserweight class domination and he greeted fans as they excited the venue after a full night of thrills.
Ozark Amateur Tournament
The “Ozark Midwest Tournament of Champions” will be Friday, June 6 (7:30 pm) and Saturday, June 7 (2:00 pm) at Jack’s Iron Horse Bar & Grill, located in Bridgeton at 12950 St. Charles Rock Road.
Tickets are priced at $10 for daily general admission, with VIP seating in the first three rows for $15. VIP table seating is $35 and includes appetizers. More information is available by calling Julie at (314) 732-2694.
