Whitley Wins by Split Decision. Results from Worcester
December 10, 2023 - Live boxing returned to Worcester, Massachusetts on December 9, 2023. The event, “Pandemonium at The Palladium 2,” was promoted by Granite Chin Promotions and streamed live on BXNGTV.com. There was a total of 11 bouts.
The Main event fighting for the vacant Junior North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Welterweight Championship, was previously scheduled and finally taking place, Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley of Holyoke, Massachusetts who is the reigning Massachusetts and United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Atlantic welterweight champion had an exciting 10 round bout against Kenny “Lionheart” Larson of Salem, Massachusetts. The bout went the distance with no knockdowns with Larson getting a point deducted due to his mouth piece coming out for a total of 5 times in the 9th round. Whitley’s mouth piece came out once. Larson started every round coming out like a football player and going to the head body, while Whitley was waiting on the counter and composed in the ring. Most of the bout was in the center of the ring, both fighters couldn’t keep each other on the ropes. By the 7th round, Whitley wore down Larson and towards the end rounds Whitley was breathing heavy in between rounds. The judges scored the bout 97-92 for Whitley; 97-92 for Larson and 99-90 for Whitley, winner by split decision and Whitley keeps his perfect record and increased to 13-0, 7 KOs and Larson is now 7-1-1, 5 KOs,
Co-Main event: Light Heavyweight – 8 Rounds – Local favorite Kendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr. from Worcester, Massachusetts, a former N.E. Middleweight and World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver super middleweight champ and a quick bout against Heber Rondon of Venezuela who is a former World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin super welterweight champion. The vacant USBF Light Heavyweight Championship title was on the line. During the end of round 1, Ball let his hands go on Rondon and Rondon ended up sitting on the canvas at 2:59 of round 1 and Ball gets the KO victory and increased to 22-1-3, 13 Kos and Rondon suffered another loss 20-6, 13 Kos.
Welterweights – 4 Rounds: Marshfield, Massachusetts Joe Bush made a stunning pro debut against Jemorean Smith of Wilson, NC. Before the start of the match, the Smith’s [blue] corner had red tape on the gloves. Bush seems to of had the most fans present. Bush is posed for his 1st fight and gets in a body shot and Miles gets the count at .58 seconds of round 1 for the TKO victory. Congrats to Bush on his pro debut and his 1st win with a record of 1-0, 1 Ko and Smith 0-2.
Junior Middleweights – 4 Rounds: Robert Degaetano of Douglas, Massachusetts had a fast bout against Devon Grant of Harlem, NY. Grant’s corner had the incorrect tape (red tape) and had to be changed before the bout. As round 1 started, Grant went down three times and after the 3rd count, the referee called off the bout at 1:02 of round 1 for the TKO victory. It probably was due to all those body shots. Degaetano increased to 2-0, 2 KO and Grant 0-7.
Junior Middleweights - 6 rounds: Another local fan favorite who’s been missed in the boxing ring by me is Worcester’s own junior middleweight Khiary “Too Sharp” Gray when he met up against Jimmy “The Quiet Storm” Williams of New Haven, Connecticut. Williams is a former WBC USA Welterweight and American Boxing Federation (ABF) USA and Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) International super welterweight titlist Round 1 both fighters were feeling each other out but the end of round 2 as the pace picked up with Gray having a bloody nose as Williams’ being sprung against the ropes but Gray couldn’t get the KO. During round 4, Williams lands a left hook on Gray and he gets a standing count. Williams looks more confident now but Gray turned the tables and let his hands go. By 6th round, they were both tired. This was an evenly match bout. Both give it their all and it came down to who wanted it more. After the 6 rounds all the judges scored the bout 58-56 in favor of Gray by UD and the crowd went wild. Gray increased to 18-6, 13 Kos Williams 18-14-2, 6 KOs
Lightweights - 4 Rounds - Carlos “El Gallo” Gonzalez of Springfield wasn’t fazed by Nathan Benichou Round 1, Gonzalez holding his guard up well while backing up Benichou while Gonzalez landed a left right and Benichou went to one knee for the count. Gonzalez landed a great straight right. During round 2, Benichou went to the canvas after a left and right. The referee stopped the bout at 1:20 and Gonzalez increased to 9-0, 8 Kos and Benichou decreased to 2-19-1, 2 Kos.
Heavyweights – 4 Rounds: Kevin “Big Gulp” Nagle of Scituate, Massachusetts went up against Tadeu Costa of Boston, Massachusetts. Costa 262 weighed in who made his pro debut was struggling against Nagle who weighed in at 293. In the beginning it appeared that Costa was holding his breath and hitting behind the head. Nagle keeps landing on all the body parts and Costa is holding on for his life. During round 3, Nagle at 3:00 minutes gets the TKO victor and increased to 5-0, 5 Kos and Costa suffered his 1st loss and is now 0-1.
Junior Welterweights – 4 Rounds: Veteran and crafty Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey of New Jersey had a back and forth match up against Carlos Marrero III of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Marrero who always comes to fight. The 1st round was namely back and forth while Marrero defense looked good. During the 2nd round Marrero landed to the head and Luckey went to one knee. Very happy for Marrero whose fights at times ends with a draw or a loss. Marrero gets the TKO victory.
Marrero increased to 6-9-3, 1 KO and Luckey goes the other way 16-23-4, 12 Kos
Junior Welterweight – 4 Rounds: Edwine Humaine of Springfield, Massachusetts took only 19 seconds and thrown a total of 3 punches when Terrence Richardson of North Carolina went to the canvas. The referee called a halt to the bout and Humaine is now 3-0, 3 Kos and Richardson 0-1.
The following bouts did not make the card:
Steve “The Savage” Sumpter of Pittsfield, Massachusetts vs. Ronald Montes of Columbia.
Junior Middleweights – 4 Rounds: Keno Luna, of Worcester vs. Moises Rivera.
