International boxing made a spectacular debut at the Chaifetz Arena last Saturday evening as a team of fighters from across the United States joined forces and faced a talented squad from Great Britain. Although the visiting Brits took seven of the 11 bouts, local flyweight Stephon Young was one of the highlights of the night with his world-class performance.
The event began with preliminary contests that concluded with Marcus Galloway and Kenneth Usery from 12th & Park in the winner’s circle.
The stage was then set for the loyalty to extend beyond local gyms as the 112-pound Young stepped in against Britain’s Daniel Chapman to the delight of the home town crowd.
With trainers Winston Shaw and Kenny Loehr in his corner, the southpaw Young floored his foe with the first punch he fired, a laser right that sent Chapman south. After the obligatory standing eight count administered by referee Alvin Finch, Chapman recovered and pressed on, languishing for the remainder of the opening round at the end of Young’s tape measure jab.
Even though the pace slowed slightly in the second, the local product continued to play the part of field general, using his wheels and hand speed to control distance and tempo inside the ropes.
Both started the third and final round quickly, with Chapman landing a pair of hooks early and Young answering in the form of lead left hands up top. When Chapman hung a tired jab between himself and his opponent, Young took a half step back and just missed a counter left cross meant to punctuate his performance.
The four-time world champion Evander Holyfield climbed into the ring to congratulate Young after the judges’ verdict was read, and the buzz that began with the introduction of “The Real Deal” continued as the local favorite distributed high-fives to family and fans on his way up the tunnel to his dressing room.
Britain’s Khalid Yafai squared off against Adan Ortiz in another clash at 112, and I was extremely impressed with the speed and poise that Yafai brought with him. Carrying his hands low the way Roy Jones did against his fellow countryman Clinton Woods back in 2002, Yafai dictated the pace with a slick stick and a left hook that would have earned a stamp of approval from Micky Ward.
The announcement of the scores was academic after watching Yafai call the shots for the majority of the action.
Thomas Huitt-Johnson from St. Joseph, Missouri took on Andrew Selby seven pounds north of the flyweights, and the duo tested the waters early on looking for a chance to score. Johnson needed to step in with his jab as he repeatedly came up short, while Selby consistently beat him to the punch from the opening bell.
The taller Selby was effective at controlling the critical distance between the duo, although Johnson staged a rally in round two by getting inside and pinning Selby against the ropes for a brief surge.
The American and his corner conceded defeat between rounds, just as trainer Kevin Cunningham and WBC light welterweight world champion Devon Alexander entered the ring to greet the winner and were met with a huge ovation.
Even though the majority of the matches went to Great Britain, the event was a huge boost for amateur boxing as Stephon Young and some of the sports’ stars represented St. Louis well.