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JESSE HART LOOKS TO STEAL THE SHOW FROM
MAJEWSKI-FITZPATRICK |
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Although a solid main event for a regional title belt, between two quality middleweights with similar records, headlines Saturday night's Peltz Boxing card at Bally's Atlantic City, it is a four round bout that just may steal the show from the 10-round card topper. This can only be the case when a star amateur fighter begins making his way in the professional ranks through the thick of expectation and clamor by fans to get a look a future world champion. And that is exactly what we have on Saturday when Jesse Hart makes his east coast debut, and second pro start, in a not-so-little preliminary fight against Steven Chadwick of Jacksonville, FL. Hart is not a contender yet, but all eyes will be on him in Atlantic City this weekend. Fighting for attention, will be popular Polish-born Atlantic City middleweight Patrick Majewski, 18-1 (12 KO), and Cleveland's Chris Fitzpatrick, 15-1, 1 NC (6 KO), in their 10-round main event battle for the vacant NABF 160-pound championship. Fitzpatrick, known as the "Irish Ghost" enters the ring with a record that is rather similar to Majewski's, but it is the Polish "Machine" that brings the deeper experience to the fight. Majewski has defeated Antwun Echols, Jimmy Lubash, Latif Mundy, and Anthony Pietrantonio in mostly local bouts that have helped him to build a solid fan base in the area. With his grinding and relentless style, Pat should have the hometown crowd behind him against the out of towner, Fitzpatrick, who fights here for the first time in his career. Fitzpatrick, seven years younger, has fought mostly in the Carolinas (nine times in SC and three times in NC) and defeated recent Kelly Pavlik victim Scott Sigmon, 16-2, one year ago in probably his career-best win. His lone defeat came at the hands of the troublesome Jose "Stinger" Medina, a journeyman who will beat good prospects if they have an off night, or take him lightly.
Hart, 1-0 (1 KO), takes on Steven Chadwick in a four round middleweight fight. With his 0-3 pro record, Chadwick, who was stopped in his last bout seven months ago, figures to be little more than a heavy bag with limbs on Saturday night. But still the fight will generate much excitement. Hart halted his first opponent in 33 seconds last month. He may be hard-pressed end this one quicker, but should score his second KO, bringing him 17 knockouts shy of his father's initial roll of terror back in the 1970s. Hart, already under contract with Top Rank, will likely fight most of his future bouts on high profile undercards in Las Vegas. So this is a chance to catch him early in his career before he's back out on the road. Hart, a touted amateur, is big, fast, and powerful. The charismatic boxer is a star in the making, and no less than Bernard Hopkins has dubbed him "the next big thing in Philadelphia boxing." Also on the card Saturday, are four six rounders and two additional four rounders. Undefeated Lavarn "Baby Bowe" Harvell, of Atlantic City, 11-0 (6 KO), continues his rise in a six round bout with Nigerian Mojeed Okedara, 9-5 (8 KO). Harvell defeated Philly's Brian Donahue in his last fight, and has also posted wins over Anthony Pietrantonio, Khalil Farah and Randy Campbell during his four years as a pro. Philly's Naim Nelson, 6-0 (1 KO), battles Lebanon, PA's Esteban Rodriguez, 5-1-1 (1 KO), in the lead six round bout. Rodriguez ends a three year layoff against Nelson, and will fight as a junior welterweight for the first time. Nelson is coming off an April knockout win, the first of his career, and will be looking to bring home another stoppage against Rodriguez. Atlantic City lightweight Osnel Charles, 9-3 (1 KO), looks to bounce back from the defeat he suffered in April when he takes on Raphael Luna, 4-5-1 (1 KO) Saturday night in another six rounder. Philly cruiserweight Pedro Martinez collides with Dan "Bada Bing" Biddle of Hockessin, DE. Each will use this six rounder to try to rebound from losses in their last start. Biddle, 8-2 (5 KO), dropped a decision to Nick Iannuzzi, while Martinez, 6-5 (3 KO), was stopped by Garrett Wilson. So both will be looking to turn things around. Philly heavyweight Mark Rideout makes his pro debut against Randy Easton, 0-0-1, of Williamsport, PA, in a four rounder. And finally, in a battle of newbies, DeAndre Phillips, Philadelphia, and Anthony Prescott, Cherry Hill, NJ, face each other in the professional debut of both welterweights. The first bell rings at 7:30 PM, and Peltz shows always start on time. |
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This
10-rounder may very well be an entertaining match, but it
will likely be over shadowed by Jesse Hart, the son of
Philly legend Cyclone Hart. Jesse returns to the ring less
than a month after his pro debut on the Pacquiao-Bradley
undercard in Las Vegas.