Only five fights punctuated Winter Mayhem, coordinated by Gionta management last month, but there was plenty of action at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Cheswick.
The most explosive fight was the co-feature lightweight match between “Ryizeemmion “The Humble Beast” Ford (6-1 4 KO) and Charles Clark (3-8-1 1 KO). The Alliance, OH product used his lightning-quick jab early and often, then transitioned to the body of his opponent from Texas.
Clark seemed like he had an answer for that, but a salvo in the last ten seconds forced Clark’s corner to throw the towel and end the fight at the first-round bell. Ford was awarded a first-round TKO for his outstanding performance.
Milton Jorge Andrade Jeremias (2-0 1 KO) and David Borias (0-4) clashed in a four-round super-featherweight contest to open the night. Boria would start each round hot, but Jeremias would come back and string together combos that seemed to stick with the judges over the balance of the rounds.
Boria would make a more impactful third round searching for the victory by decision or knockout, but he also nets two takedowns. Jeremias would take control in the fourth round and earn a majority decision victory. The judges scored the fight 38-38, 39-37, and 39-37.
Staying in the super-featherweight division, Alexander Castellano (5-1 2KO) and Shawn Rall (1-4 1 KO) squared off next while staying in the super-featherweight division.
The first round was a measured yet entertaining start for the crowd, showcasing skill and patience. Castellano set up feints with his punches beautifully and scored a nice hook and body punch in the round.
The second had a better go for Rall, who pressured his opponent, but a Castellano caught him with a nice hook to the jaw over his guard. Overall that style of punch carried him through that round. The third and fourth rounds were more of the same, looking for a good punching lane.
Casellano was more successful but Rall had some moments that were capable for building a rally. Ultimately Castellano got the unanimous decision, with all 3 judges scoring the bout 40-36.
The third fight of the night proved how vast the heavyweight division is in the style of fighter, but the size as well. Anthony Holloway (3-2-2 3 KO) came in at 200 lbs, and his opponent Thomas Hawkins (4-9-1 1 KO)tipped the scale at 246 lbs.
Holloway was more than happy to chop the tree down, and that was the clincher for him. He could get punches off and wisely move away from Hawkins heavy-handed swings. The tide changer never came for the big guy who seemed to be looking for the moment.
Holloway’s activity and smart strategy secured him the unanimous decision, with all judges giving him 40-36.
During the intermission before the co-feature fight, Eric Lomax said a few words to the crowd during the intermission. He was scheduled to be on the card, but his fight was one of two fights to be called off. He certainly let everyone in attendance know that he’s ready for his next chance in the ring.
Also, during the intermission before the main event, Johnny Spell said hello to the crowd as well. He will be fighting on March 12th in Oakland on Integrity Fighter Management’s card.
Matt Conway(20-2 8 KO) versus Avery Sparrow (10-3 3 KO) was the main event of the evening. A 12 round scrap for the IBA Super Featherweight World Championship and the PA Super Featherweight Championship.
Conway fighting in his hometown of Pittsburgh, comes into this fight on a three-fight win streak in 2021, capturing the IBA Super Featherweight Intercontinental title in June. Sparrow, a Philadelphia native, was looking to bounceback from a two-fight losing streak.
Sparrow had some shining moments that kept it close, had this fight gone to decision as both combatants traded rounds between each other, it would have cut it close for the hometown fighter.
Round 10 opened with a sense of urgency from the two boxers. Conway started the round off hot with a good combo but Sparrow stayed in it with an answer that produced a slight wobble from him.
Conway settled down, but Sparrow led his opponent into the corner and another combo that produced another stagger and that was enough for the referee, Chris Riskus, to call an end to this bout. Sparrow was awarded the titles by TKO at 1:40 of the 10th round.
Conway was upset with himself in the immediate aftermath of the fight. Some of the hometown faithful voiced their displeasure as well.
The matchup was a classic title fight that had bth fighters in murky waters at points of the fight. Both should be proud of their efforts and Conway should be pleased with his overall effort.
As we move forward in 2022, the fights should heat up the boxing scene around Pittsburgh.