‘King’ John Vernaus brought Winnipeg fight fans a well put together evening dinner and boxing on the five bout card held at the Gates on Roblin, October 29th. This was his promotions second installment of Halloween fights.
The first bout of the night was a bantamweight showdown between Minnesota’s Antwan Robertson, who came out in Halloween spirit dressed as Superman and Nestor Bolum, a Nigerian Immigrant who is now fighting out of ‘King’ Johns stable. Right from the start, Nestor was pressing forward behind the southpaw jab, taking control of the ring from that point on, also looked to be the stronger of the two. In the second round, it was much of the same for the first half of the round. Antwan threw more punches in the second half, which may have been the game plan, get him tired abit and find openings. However, Bolum had answers of his own in the third, he showed nice slips, and put together nice body then up to head combos. Antwan’s face was starting to show signs of punishment with an abrasion under his left eye. In the forth Nester was ahead, but Superman didn’t fight like he was behind on the scorecards, as Nestor pushed the pace to the final bell throwing power shots. Judges had it unanimously 40-36, Nestor Bolum.
The second fight of the night was the pro debut of long time amateur Noel Harding. His opponent in this super Middleweight fight was Juriy Zhukov, by way of Kiev, Ukraine. In the first round, Noel was attacking the body and coming back upstairs. In the second, Noel was throwing a lot of right hooks to the body and showed lots of head movement, while Juriy showed signs of fatigue. Noel turned it on at the end of the second and landed a few overhand rights which had his opponent hurt, looking stunned and confused at the end of the round. The referee and Noel were getting ready to start the third, but Juriy didn’t answer the bell. Noel Harding wins by way of 2nd round TKO.
The third bout of the night was between another of ‘King’ Johns fighter’s, Lee Laquette taking on Edmonton’s Rory Coveny. This fight raised the intensity level for things to come later in the night. In the first round, Rory had a tight defense, and was another lefty fighter pressing forward, landing body shots. In the second Rory continued to press forward, controlling the center of the ring and Lee along the ropes, Lee threw some lead rights and left hooks, but crisper punches and tighter defense were the difference. Lee started to hold, was feeling abit fatigued but still fought hard, had his moments at the end of 3rd. In the fourth round, it was the best round of the night, fast pace, both fighters pressed forward and threw combo’s. Judges on all cards scored the fight 40-36 for Rory Coveny.
The fourth fight was between Willshaun Boxley and Josh Dahl. In round one, Dahl was the taller fighter, but that didn’t discourage Boxley from keeping his left hand low, using head and upper body movement as his defense. Boxley threw power punches to the head and body and had and had Dahl in trouble twice. In round two, Dahl had a better start, until Boxley landed some overhand rights, forcing Dahl to take a knee. In round three Boxley layed on the ropes, doing his version of the rope-a-dope, which had Dahl was throwing but not landing anything significant, while Boxley even taunted him at one point. In round four, Dahl was busier but Boxley landed better shots. In round five, Boxley sent Dahl to the canvas. He beat the count to continue fighting, but Boxley smelt the blood and jumped right on Dahl with a straight right, that had him hurt again.’King’ John had seen enough and threw the towel in to save his fighter from further punishment.
The main event was a welterweight showdown between former junior Canadian amateur boxing champ, Matt Gemby, who still trains out of Crescentwood, taking on Jose Leonardo Corona, by way of Mexico. Corona is no stranger to Winnipeg fans and is remember for putting up a tough fight against Chad Brisson is his last bout. Corona had the best entrance music of the night with some Mexican salsa or something, either way the crowd was into it. The first round was a feeling out round, no damage inflicted by either fighter. In the second round, Matt was landing his jab, throwing them heavier, Jose started going to the body, round ended with both fighters on attack. Round three, both fighters looked good offensively and defensively, showing there amateur pedigree with a variety of combinations to the head and body. It was a close entertaining round. Round four was another close round, much like the third. In round five, Jose started to gain control of the fight pressing forward with Matt trying to keep him honest loading up on left hooks. Jose was on the offense at end of the round. In round six, Jose showed nice movement, pressing forward, slipping punches and shoe shining to the body and landing that overhand right. Judges had it 5 8-56, and 59-55 twice.
King John was pleased with the night and optimistic to what’s on the horizon for this crew heading into 2011. Referring to Corona, Vernaus said, “He’s a work in progress. We got Nestor signed with us and same thing with him, work in progress. Olivia is off to Sweden to defend her title. We got Mike Walchuk signed and training for a possible Commonwealth title fight in England.” ‘King” John also mentioned he was Halloween Havoc 3 already booked for next year.
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