Jermaine Franklin decisions Rydell Booker to remain undefeated.
In the co-feature to Claressa Shields vs Christina Hammer, Jermaine Franklin (18-0, 13KOs) and Rydell Booker (25-2, 12KOs) treated the Atlantic City crowd to an exciting fight.
Booker, a once highly touted cruiserweight, had one loss coming into this fight. That was at the hands of multi-weight champion and future Hall Of Famer James Toney. After that loss, he would be arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute 1000 grams. He was sentenced to 12 to 30 years.
Franklin, age 25, came out guns blazing, looking to set the tone early against his older counterpart. However, the fight early on proved to be more difficult than he anticipated.
As both men traded big punches, Booker seemed to land the more effective shots. However, as the second half of the fight started, the younger fighter would start to pull away and outwork Booker.
Franklin would win via unanimous decision, the scores reading 99-91, 98-92 (x2).
It’s clear that Franklin needs more time to grow as a fighter in a blossoming heavyweight division.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
