THE CLINCH REPORT

 

 

 

By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Bash Boxing and Lights Out Promotions put on one hell of a show last night at Hollywood Fight Night 8. The event took place at the Florentine Gardens on Hollywood Blvd. Keeping with the spirit of Halloween several of the gorgeous ring card girls were dawning scantily clad costumes that at times made it difficult to watch the fights. After all, with a perfect ten dressed as a she devil, attentions tend to shift and quickly! In between the madness there were some pretty entertaining fights.

Several of the fighters were making their professional debuts. Although not well known names, these fellas gave all they had in the ring. On the boxing side of the card, Urmat Ryskeldiev (9-3-1) probably had the most impressive outing. Utilizing his superior speed, Ryskeldiev finished his opponent journeyman Bernardo Guereca (17-22-1) with a liver rattling shot on a level change. Once the referee surveyed the damage, the count wasn’t continued. Also winning via corner stoppage was Stanyslav Skorokhod (8-0). Skorokhod used his range to pick apart David Lopez (4-11-3) who proved to be too tough for his own good. After absorbing some heavy punishment the corner informed the inspector to “throw in the towel”, Now undefeated after 8 bouts a step up in competition is needed.

Former title contender Avtandil Khurtsidze (29-2-2) returned to form by systematically destroying perennial thorn Eddie Hunter in their 162 lbs bout. Khurtsidze led a charge throughout the fight behind his forehead, which caused many butts throughout the fight. Hunter early on gave as well as he received but eventually his combinations fell off, and instead looked for the home run shot that never came. Khurtsidze hammered the body of Hunter relentlessly and after it became apparent their was little he could do to swing the fight in his favor, the corner threw in the towel, giving Khurtsidze the TKO win.

The MMA portion of the card featured several of Southern California’s favorite sons including Derion Chapman, Richard Leroy, Thor Skancke, Daniel Clark, Dmitry Gerasimov, Bronson Casarez, Christian Bizaretty, Adel Al Tamimi, Gabriel Lopez, and Matthew Spencer.

Christian Bizaretty withstood an early attack from Adel Al Tamimi to earn a late first round TKO. Bizaretty once on the ground controlled Al Tamimi and reined down elbows from the mount prompting the stoppage from referee John McCarthy.

The same can be said of Tapout LA’s Matthew Spencer. His opponent Gabriel Lopez was able to suplex Spencer in WWF fashion, dropping him on the back of his head. However once the slam was completed, Spencer quickly recovered a hook, and immediately took the back. Lopez fought of a few armbar attempts, and a late choke, but eventually Spencer’s forearm slipped under the chin and his only choice was to tap or to sleep, he chose the earlier.

Bronson Casarez fighting out of Diamond MMA in Upland CA, on 5 days noticed outworked a very game Dmitry Gerasimov in what we thought was the best fight of the evening. Both fighters kept a furious pace, and threw defense to the wind in a classic brawl. When the score cards were read Casarez was declared the winner, however one score card read 30-27 giving Casarez every round. If you watched the fight there is no way this is possible. The guy who won probably should have, however I scored the bout the other way.

Even Ray Charles would have saw the third frame for Gerasimov. Once again the question is raised. What fight was that judge watching? The controversy despite its ridiculous judgement cannot shadow an amazing performance from a young fighter who has a bright future ahead of him. Casarez now 5-1 as a pro is back on track after a long layoff. Gerasimov’s stock also rises. Once again his reputation of putting on entertaining fights will continue to keep him relevant. Eventually a decision has to go his way.

House of Champions Derion Chapman, and Sityodtong LA’s Richard Leroy engaged in a heated bout that had the crowd on their feet the entire time.  Early on Chapman’s speed seem to give the much larger Leroy difficulty. Utilizing his jab, Chapman peppered Leroy blackening his eye, and causing a leak early. Leroy stayed patient and started to land some nasty dirty boxing late in the first round. In the second frame the power differential became more obvious as Leroy rocked Chapman several times. Once Leroy was able to ground Chapman’s lighting attack, he was able to secure a choke late in the 3rd round to ensure the win. Chapman whose size may see him down a weight class in the future, will certainly be heard from again.

Crowd favorite Thor Skancke took on a very tough Daniel Clark in the co-main event of the evening. Normally extremely aggressive, Skancke seemed hesitant early and that opened the door for Clark, who secured it shut with some vicious punches. The win brings Clark’s record as a pro to the left side of .500 at 3-2. The impressive first round stoppage over a well known fighter will raise Clark’s stock dramatically, while Skancke will have to return to the gym to continue to refine his craft.

More photos will be added as they are uploaded!