Cunningham & Hloros Score 1st Round KO's
Story & photos by Bob Ryder
Posted: November 16, 2008

Darryl Cunningham removed Patrick Wesson from the realm of the undefeated with a convincing first round knockout in the main event at The Royal Oak Music Theatre on Friday night. Grand Rapids' Wesson came in with a perfect 7-0 mark. Closer examination of his opponents' records leading up to this fight revealed a combined log of only 4-5-1, suggesting that he had been built up on novices. Around ringside however, those that had seen him in action said he could fight. Maybe he can, but Cunningham did not give him the chance. Wesson looked shaky with the first serious exchange and was knocked down shortly after. Cunningham, realizing that he had way too much for his foe, proceeded to track him down and, unleashing a sustained attack, knocked him down and out along the ropes. Detroit Light heavyweight Cunningham is now 12-2 with 6 KO's.

Alexis Hloros said after the fight that a sore finger caused him to decide to start fast against fellow welterweight Cory Peterson, hoping to avoid having his injury affect his performance. Based on the outcome Hloros should decide to always enter the ring with something hurting. The echo from the first round gong literally was still in the air when Hloros landed a whistling overhand right hand that floored Peterson.
Cory got up but was still dazed. Hloros wasted no time and proceeded to knock out Peterson with a combination of punches to the head. Peterson needed medical assistance in the ring and it was several minutes before he was able to get up and congratulate his victor. Time of the KO was 24 seconds. Hloros continues to show improvement with every fight and passed what beforehand looked to be a serious test in dramatic and spectacular fashion. He is now 8-2-2 with 7 KO's. For the 39 year old Peterson this was his 5th straight defeat after starting his pro career with 7 wins and one has to ponder where he can go from here.

Keego Harbor Heavyweight Rich Power scored another early round knockout moving to 4-0 (all KO's) over John Smith of Indianapolis, IN. Smith tried but was knocked down twice in the first round and when floored again early in the second, referee Steve Daher had seen enough and waved it off without a count. Smith moves down to 1-4, all of his loses by the abbreviated route.

Windsor, Canada's Andre Gorges scored an easy first round TKO over Joshua Rodriguez of Beloit, WI in a welterweight encounter. Gorges scored a standing eight count early in the fight and when Rodriguez did not answer back during a follow up exchange on the ropes, referee Gerard White called it. Rodriguez showed more aggression in his protest to the stoppage than he had in the entire short fight as his record now evens up at 1-1. This was Gorges' fourth KO win in as many fights.

In a wild affair James Lester, Jr of Detroit won a unanimous 4 round decision over William Thomas of Beloit, WI in a lightweight match up. After a good first round dominated by Lester's excellent jab and sharp counterpunching, things got wild in the second. Following an exchange in Lester's corner, referee Daher had difficulty getting the guys to break and step back. It soon developed into an out of control brawl with Lester and Thomas wrestling and swinging madly. Daher waved it off as a double disqualification just as the ring started to fill up with corner people as well as promoters Carlos Llinas and Ron Remus joining in the efforts to restore some order. As the crowd chanted and cheered for the contest to continue, both fighters and promoters Llinas and Remus pleaded with referee Daher to reconsider his decision. After several minutes of consultation with the state commission people, Daher was told he could have the fight go on if he chose. After a stern lecture to both fighters to behave the fight was resumed. Lester almost immediately knocked down Thomas with a nice right. Thomas survived and spent most of the third round chasing a now defensive minded Lester. They reverted to some excellent exchanges in the fourth round and Thomas seemed to be coming on a bit but ran out of time. Lester improves to 7-2 (5 KO's) while Thomas who has been matched tough in his young career goes to 0-2.

Someone finally had to get a win as perennial losers (combined record going into this contest 6-38-2) Guy Packer of Battle Creek and Jamie Castellano of Lansing matched up in the evening's opening contest. Packer was penalized a point in the fourth and final round for hitting on the break but still won this match up of junior middleweights by unanimous decision. Packer broke his current 9 fight losing streak in moving to 3-20-2. Castellano keeps heading the wrong way at 4-19.

Another good crowd was on hand for the promoters and despite the early endings were loud in their approval of the results. The card was also taped for later local TV broadcast.