Diaz vs Kennedy Report = Undercard *Spoilers*

[WelshDevilRob]

Kennedy and Zbikowski Highlight Undercard in Atlantic City

 

By Jason Pribila, Ringside:

 

Boxing fans filled the Ballroom at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall in support of Top Rank’s “Featherweight Fury” on Saturday Night. The HBO cameras were set to roll at 9:45, but the crowd filled the arena early to witness a turf war between Philadelphia’s Teon Kennedy and New Jersey’s Jorge Diaz.

 

Kennedy had a tremendous amateur career highlighted by winning the national golden gloves flyweight title in 2004. Diaz was entering the bout with a ton of momentum after knocking out Cuban Olympian Yan Barthelemy last year in Madison Square Garden.

 

When the bout began Diaz did not seem too concerned with Kennedy’s boxing credentials, and tried to make it a brawl from the opening bell. Big right hands seemed to surprise and stun Kennedy early. Soon Kennedy began to work behind his jab, and found success landing the straighter punches inside of those of his foe.

 

A counter left hand in round three dropped Diaz with a delayed reaction and served as the turning point in the fight.

 

As the fight tightened up on my scorecard, Kennedy did his best to end the fight on his own terms. An overhand right dented Diaz’ chin, and nearly knocked him out. Diaz beat the count, but was on unsteady legs. Kennedy seized the moment and landed a flurry that snapped Diaz’ head back. Referee Steve Smoger was about to wave off the fight at the moment Diaz valiantly began to return fire. He survived the round, but Kennedy was clearly in command.

 

 

Diaz tried to mount a comeback as the fight entered the championship rounds, but at that point the steam was off his punches. When the fighters traded, Kennedy was simply too quick and accurate to be denied.

The official scores read: 115-111, 118-109, and 117-109. This reporter agreed with the 115-111 score from Ringside.

 

Kennedy improved to 17-0-1 with 7 KO, while Diaz suffered his first defeat (15-1, 9 KO). Prior to this fight, Kennedy was in consideration to face Juan Manuel Lopez in Puerto Rico. With an impressive victory in front of Top Rank and HBO, expect to see Kennedy in a big fight by the end of the year.

 

Former Notre Dame standout and current Baltimore Raven Tommy Zbikowski (3-0, 2 KO) remained undefeated by out-pointing Caleb Grummet (0-1-1) in a four round heavyweight attraction.

 

For years many have stated that the best American heavyweights were in the NFL. With a pending work stoppage, Zbikowski opted to pursue his passion of boxing and has now fought twice in the last three weeks. Zbikowski had an impressive 75-15 mark as an amateur and was trained for this fight by Emanuel Steward. He has skills, but is still a work in progress.

 

Zbikowski grabbed an early lead on the scorecards by landing several flush uppercuts thrown out of a southpaw stance. Grummet showed a good chin and did some damage of his own in the final round, when Zbikowski seemed a bit gassed.

 

Official scores were: 39-36, 39-36, and 38-37

 

Other Results:

Glen Tapia UD6 Eberto Medina, super welterweight

Miguel Cartejena (1-0) UD4 Omar Gonzales (2-6), super bantamweight

 

Source:

www.secondsout.com