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by:

Joshuwa
"Ashyknuckles"
Jernigan

TKO Boxing Promotions promotes another solid fight card at the Arena Theater in Houston

The Dat "Be Dat" Nguyen (16 - 1, 6KOs) vs Andres Ledesma (15 - 14 - 1, 10KOs) fight began as Nguyen was escorted to the ring by the Asian Dragon Dancers. In the Asian culture, dragons are believed to bring good luck to people, which is reflected in their qualities that include great power, dignity, fertility, wisdom and auspiciousness. The dancers delighted the crowd as they marched from all sides of the theater, collectively, getting the pro Nguyen crowd in an uproar to see their fighter. After the lights, sights, and sounds of the marching dancers lifted the roof of the theater, Dat came jogging to the ring motivated to put on a show in front of a heavily Vietnamese crowd.

The bell would sound as both guys came out fairly aggressive, but Nguyen definitely looked to press the action early. Nguyen moved his head really well, and began to cut off the ring. Dat had no problem closing the distance on his opponent and began landing rapid-fire combinations upstairs and downstairs. Out of nowhere, a quick combination dropped Ledesma hard to the canvas, but the veteran would bravely get up to beat the count. As the fight went on, Nguyen continued to rip Leadsma’s body with lead hooks and right crosses. It was obvious that Dat was trying to bring Andres to a stand still. Dat would hurt Ledesma several times early in the fight, which gave Nguyen the confidence to go for the kill. Dat would get a little too aggressive looking to stop his opponent, which ultimately allowed Andres to use his mobility to escape the onslaught.

As the rounds went on Dat would get back under control, boxing beautifully by setting up power shots behind a stiff jab. Both guys began having success in landing flush shots that the fight turned into an all out brawl. Lesdesma and Nguyen began to fight toe to toe which brought the crowd to their feet in cheers for their Vietnamese warrior. Both guys showed toughness, grit, and determination as they, respectively, tried to take over the fight. In the eighth and final round, both guys began trading in the center of the ring, but clearly Nguyen was getting the better of the exchanges. Andres was in no way out of this fight as he brought the fight directly to Dat, which was an entirely different gameplan than he began the fight with.

In what started out as a classic one-sided boxing match, turned into an action packed, back and forth brawl that pleased every fight fan in the audience. Dat is a good upcoming fighter, but a little controlled aggression is needed for him to compete at the next level. He definitely showed flashes of brilliance, but he loses control once he has an opponent hurt. The good thing about it is Dat has a lot of time to correct his mistakes, continue to sharpen his tools, and look forward to displaying his skill in his next outing.

When speaking to Nguyen at the press conference, Thursday, he expressed how peeved he's been from the criticism levied at him in the past. He also expressed an interest to put on a great performance and make enough of a statement to silence the critics for good. Silencing the critics may never happen, but Dat definitely put on a great performance for the boxing fans in attendance. Scores were 79-72, 78-73, and 80-71 for a unanimous decision victory and "dat be dat." The victory brings Nguyen to (17 - 1, 6KOs).

"I want to thank everyone who came out tonight. I want to thank my opponent who put on a great fight. Thank you to the Houston fans. I feel at home when fighting in Houston. Thanks to TKO for putting on this event. I look forward to seeing you guys in the next fight," said a victorious Dat Nguyen.

Overall, Chet Koerner and TKO Boxing promotions put on a solid card in Houston, which resulted in a great night of boxing. On the undercard:


Eugene Hill (17 - 1, 14KOs) vs Joshua Harris (10 - 8)

Mean Gene showed up to the fight grossly out of shape. His southpaw opponent opened the fight up boxing behind the jab. Hill, obviously in no shape to box on the move, closed the distance and brought the fight to the inside. Hill began ramming big damaging shots the body of his opponent. He may look a bit robust, but this big guy has some skill. Every round was a continuation of the same, a close inside encounter with Hill winning mostly all of the exchanges. The end of the fight came at 1:23 of the fourth round, as Harris' corner threw in the towel. The win brings "Mean Gene" to (18 - 1, 15KOs).


Rayonta Whitfield (22 - 1, 11KOs) vs Evaristo Primera (14 - 12 - 1, 7KOs) Flyweights


In a flyweight rematch, Rayonta Whitfield and Evaristo Primera would square off in the center of the ring. Willing to exchange, Primera tried to bring the fight to Whitfield, but Rayonta remained patient, covering up from the onslaught and looking for openings to land his lead right hand. As the fight continued on, Rayonta seemed to be the aggressor in the fight as he walked down his opponent behind a good solid jab. He would also find success with the uppercut on the inside. Virtually outmatched, Primera tried to utilize every gameplan in the book to mount an attack on Whitfield. He tried to slug, he tried leading with lunging bombs, and he also switched to the southpaw stance in efforts to confuse Whitfield. But Ronnie Shields, obviously deciphering the gameplan of the Team Primera, gave Whitfield the instructions to go out and execute the gameplan of boxing behind the jab and setting up power shots. All of a sudden, Whitfield hit Primera with a right hand from the rafters that put Primera down. Primera would beat the count but held on and moved for the duration of the round. Primera threw several low blows, as it seemed he was looking for a way out of the fight. In the end, Whitfield outfought, outgunned, and outhustled his opponent to secure the victory. Scores were 80-71, 80-72, 78-74 all for the winner from Augusta, Georgia.


Julio Perez (6 - 14 - 2, 4KOs) vs KJ Noons (10 - 2, 8KOs) Middleweights

The MMA champion and boxing prospect KJ Noons fought a tough rugged fight against Julio Perez. In what was supposed to be a showcase fight turned into a somewhat entertaining, but lackluster performance from the MMA champion. Perez and Noons engaged in a back and forth action packed fight, which drew applause as Noons, is a hometown favorite. At several points in the fight, it seemed like Noons was on the verge of knocking out his opponent, but Perez would endure the punishment and continue fighting and giving all that he had. Noons at times looked puzzled as what was holding Perez up due the big shots was taking. Undetered, Noons continued to chop away at his opponent round after round. The fight went the distance with Noons winning a unanimous decision. After the fight, Noons mentioned a possible MMA showdown against former two-time world champion Ricardo Mayorga.


Julio Perez (6 - 14 - 2, 4KOs) vs KJ Noons (10 - 2, 8KOs) Middleweights

The MMA champion and boxing prospect KJ Noons fought a tough, rugged fight against Julio Perez. In what was supposed to be a showcase fight turned into a somewhat entertaining, but lackluster performance from the MMA champion. Perez and Noons engaged in a back and forth action packed fight, which drew applause as Noons, is a hometown favorite. At several points in the fight, it seemed like Noons was on the verge of knocking out his opponent, but Perez would endure the punishment and continue fighting, giving all that he had. Noons at times looked puzzled, thinking what was holding Perez up due the big shots he was taking. Undetered, Noons continued to chop away at his opponent round after round. The fight went the distance with Noons winning a unanimous decision. After the fight, Noons mentioned a possible MMA showdown against former two-time world champion Ricardo Mayorga.


Gerardo Ibarra (4 - 0, 3KOs) vs Gustavo Mejia (3 - 7 - 1, 3KOs) welterweights

Ibarra came out with his hands held high, boxing on his toes. He moved around the ring very well as he evaded incoming shots and picked his shots in return. Ibarra found some early success with the counter left hooks. Seeing that Gustavo struggled to see that particular punch, a left hook from nowhere placed Mejia flat on his back. Ibarra stopped Mejia in the first round which brings his record to (5 - 0, 4kOs).


Mickey Bey Jr. (13 - 0, 7KOs) vs Michaelangelo Lynks (7 - 11 - 2 (2KOs) lightweights

The fight began as a very calculated fight with both guys feeling each other out for weaknesses. Bey had success early with lead left hooks to the head, with one wobbling his opponent early. Focused on making his presence felt, Lynks kept trying to bring the fight to Bey. The second round saw Bey looked to put his skills on display as he mixed his attack with lead and counter hooks upstairs and downstairs. He often digged to the ripped body of Lynks in effort to get Lynks to drop his hands. Out of nowhere, a lead left hook dropped Lynks flat on his back, which drew a series of "Woos" from the partially empty arena. Feeling that he could end the fight at any time, Bey relied heavy on one punch power as he began loading up, throwing one punch at a time. Under heavy fire, Lynks endured the punishment and survived to the final bell of the sixth round. With the win, Bey improves to (14 - 0, 7KOs). Scores were 60 - 53 unanimously across the board.


Francisco Contreras (10 - 0, 10KOs) vs Ronald Boyd (6 - 8, 2KOs) jr. welterweights

Contreras began the fight looking to establish a jab and right hand follow up. Boyd was determined to mix it up by engaging Contreras only to be met with a series of counter hooks and right hands. Contreras caught Boyd with a huge left hook that place him firmly on the canvas, but his opponent would beat the count. Like a predator chasing a wounded animal, Contreras mixed up his attack beautifully, which dropped Boyd down to the canvas for the second time in the fight. Boyd, obviously hurt, would not be able to continue as the referee stopped the encounter at 2:10 of round 1. Contreras extends his knockout streak to (11 - 0, 11KOs).

David "El Gordo" Garcia (Pro Debut) vs Artis Walton welterweights

David Garcia, son of former IBF Roberto Garcia, came out looking to take the action to his opponent. Walton tried to use the whole ring by boxing behind a beautiful jab. Garcia wasted no time feeling out his opponent as he cut off the ring and timed his opponent with counter left hooks. His opponent obviously couldn't see it as he was rocked badly and dropped at midway of the first round. Walton would beat the count and survive the round. Round two saw Garcia sticking to the gameplan, he feinted and followed with a straight right hand that ultimately stopped Walton at :37 seconds of the second round. The win represents the first successful victory (1-0, 1KO) of David Garcia's career.