Demontaze Duncan and Rydell Mayes Jr Impress in Tri-Star Boxing Return
On October 23rd, Tri-Star Boxing made its highly anticipated return to Oak Grove Racing and Gaming for its second installment of its Bourbon & Boxing series. Headliners Rydell Mayes and Demontaze Duncan both scored sensational knockouts to improve to 12-1 and 5-0 respectively, sending Kentucky and Tennessee fight fans home happy.
UNDERCARD RESULTS
While the main event fighters may have had a short night at the office, the same cannot be said for the action packed undercard. The excitement started early in just the second fight of the night as journeymen Deidrick Bell and Rakim Johnson endured a brutal slugfest. The bout opened with the stronger Johnson forcing the saavy Bell to utilize a high guard as he tee’d off with multi punch combo’s.
At the end of the opening round Johnson clipped Bell and buckled his legs it was obviously the Memphis native was buzzed as he walked back to his corner. That was where the hopes of an upset died as Bell came out in round two on fire, dropping Johnson a total of 4 times. Each time Johnson beat the count, he continued to fight as if he hadn’t been on the canvas multiple times. Ultimately the ringside physician stopped the bout to save Johnson from from any further punishment.
Bell wasn’t the only Memphis fighter to find success on the card as fast rising cruiserweight Deangelo Leachman stopped the normally durable Calvin Early in the first round. The Memphis Mad Man improves to 6-0, and is one to keep and eye on at 200lbs.
In two of the more surprising results of the nigh,t road warrior Anthony Linenfelser pushed skilled veteran Luis Galarza in an all action fight. Linenfesler was knocked down, but was never out of the fight. Galarza, a Tri-Star fan favorite saw his 25 victories in 29 fights.
Also, on the undercard journeymen Tyrone Luckey proved his first round KO victory over Eduardo Aguilar was no fluke. Luckey had halted the then undefeated Aguilars momentum with a stunning first round knockout in July. While Aguilar opened up sharp with solid movement and an accurate lead hand, eventually the rugged Luckey was able to pin him on the ropes and punish him. As the fight went on Luckey, assumed total control forcing the ref to stop the fight at the end of the sixth round.
Nashville natives Kerry James and Ryan Shaw both impressed in front of their loyal supporters as well, remaining undefeated. James and Shaw appear primed to be staples of Tri-Star boxing cards moving forward especially when the Nashville based promotion returns home.
CO-MAIN & MAIN EVENT EXCITEMENT
In the co-main event, 19 year old sensation Demontaze Duncan kept his perfect KO percentage in tact as he sent MMA veteran Jarrell Murray crashing to the canvas with a first round body shot. The Louisville based prospect was fighting on the road for the first time in his young career. Yet his loyal hometown fans still made their presence felt, making the 3.5 hour trip south to support their fighter. Duncan, a highly coveted up and comer appears to be the key to a rapidly growing Kentucky boxing scene.
Just as fans in attendance began to settle down after the Duncan fight, main event fighter Rydell Mayes Jr had them right back on their feet. Taking on well traveled veteran Carlos Reyes, Mayes Jr was looking to remain perfect in his campaign at cruiserweight. After going an impressive 10-1 as an undersized heavyweight, he dropped to 200lbs and has looked faster, stronger, and sharper.
Reyes, a veteran that’s competed on every major platform was outgunned and struggled with the combination of speed and power put forth by Music City Boxing’s Mayes. The veteran was saved by the ref with one minute remaining in the second round. Mayes’ rise from local attraction to potential contender continues.
With the second installment of Tri-Star Boxing’s Bourbon & Boxing series being a major hit with not only Kentucky and Tennessee fight fans, but boxing fans world wide on Volume.com the rapidly expanding promotion had no choice but to announce the Third Bourbon & Boxing event January 29th back the beautiful Oak Grove Racing & Gaming Hotel.
