Light rain briefly fell during Turf Wars II on Saturday at Highmark Stadium, but there were no light punches in the forecast for the seven fights on the card. Four of the bouts ended via TKO.
The main event of the evening featured the event’s promoter, Bill “Hutch” Hutchinson (21-3-4, 10 KO) vs. Roman Duarte Marquez (5-6, 5 KO) in an eight-round bout for the UBF Welterweight Championship.
Marquez, a late replacement opponent, was no doubt a formidable challenger, but there was too much skill and pace from Hutchinson.
“We studied this whole camp for a southpaw,” said Hutchinson. “I wanted to feel out his speed and timing, then in the second round, get him out of there.”
He pressured Marquez from the outset, and Marquez was able to battle and get out of the first round. Marquez had a burst of aggression quelled by Hutchinson, who continued to tee off Marquez in the corners.
Finally, a right jab to the body then a hook floored his opponent, and Hutchinson earned the TKO victory at 2:55 of Round 2, ending a spectacular night of boxing.
“I don’t want to go out there and have a point contest,” said Hutchinson. “So when (fans) come to my fights, they can expect that.”
Shane “The Savage Gentleman” Chojnacki and Martin Udavcak squared off in a special three-round exhibition to open the night. One-minute rounds gave the fight good energy, and both had a solid showcase.
Chojnacki, looking to follow up a knockout win in Turf Wars I in March, went for the finish in Round 3, but Udavcak, out of Boyce Boxing Gym, battled back.
The main card opened when Jerome Baxter (5-0, 2 KO) of Penn Hills kept his undefeated streak going with a first-round TKO victory at 1:10 over Keenan Raymond (5-12-4, 2 KO).
Raymond went 3-0-1 in his last four fights, looking to be a formidable opponent for Baxter early on. However, a body blow caught him and he fell between the ropes. As he got up, he appeared to hurt his knee and could not answer the 10 count.
The knockout of the night went to Aliquippa’s Paul Palombo (7-0, 1 KO), who faced Justin Howard (2-3) of Alabama in a six-round middleweight matchup.
Howard won two of his last three fights coming into the matchup, and Palumbo was also rolling, unbeaten in his pro career.
It was a dominant performance by Palombo, who credited his camp with trainer Tom Yankello for his success. Howard tried to make waves early, but when Palombo got going, it was only a matter of time.
“We worked hard in this camp,” Palombo said. “I was due for a knockout.”
Palombo’s jab set up a big right hook to floor Howard, who got up from the first knockdown. He tried to make it out of the first round but couldn’t survive another right hook by Palumbo deep in the blue corner to end the contest at 2:28 via TKO.
Tommy “Boom Boom” Parker (2-1, 2 KO) had a raucous crowd in his corner, taking on John Brewer (4-14-1) in a middleweight fight. It sounded like the entire North Side had come down to the stadium to see him fight.
“It means the world to me; if I didn’t have the support, I wouldn’t be who I am,” said Parker. “They make it all worth it.”
He went the complete four rounds in the fight, with Brewer taking some big combos, including two in the final round. He earned the victory via unanimous decision, showcasing his skill and confidence.
“(Brewer) brought his A game and he’s tough as nails,” said Parker. “Most of the shots, if I hit others with that, they are going to sleep.”
Performance of the night honors went to Salvatore “Triple Dog” DeSimone (3-0, 1 KO), who faced Raymond Goodine (0-1) in a super featherweight bout. DeSimone, a Montour grad like Hutchinson, looked to stay undefeated.
DeSimone was aggressive and never relented, putting on a master class of combos and defense against his opponent.
DeSimone never seemed to let Goodine ever get a clean combo through and picked up a unanimous decision victory.
“We planned to be patient, use the jab and feel out the range,” said DeSimone. “I wish I got the finish.”
After the intermission, Ed Latimore (13-1-1) picked up a TKO victory in a heavyweight matchup over Jorge Armando Martinez (4-11).
Latimore, after recently publishing his newest book “Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business,” quickly led his opponent to that hurt business with attacks to the body that had Martinez wincing early on.
He got his opponent into the corner and continued to unload with the referee calling the bout at 2:38 of the first round.
Hutchinson said the first outdoor show in the series of events was everything he ever dreamed, with another show planned for the fall.
“We’re gonna get right back on the horse,” Hutchinson said. “We’ll be back in the gym and finalize something in November.”
The Pitt marching band drumline and Steelers pregame DJ, Galiffa, supplied the energy of the entire night. Pittsburgh rapper Big Jus also performed before the main card.