Story and photos by Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

Boxing returned to “The Egg” within Albany, New York’s Empire State Plaza Convention Center as Pugnacious Promotions presented “Spring Fever Fight Night,” an eight bout Pro/Am card. Topping the bill was undefeated lightweight prospect Mike “Baby-Faced Beast” Faragon who pounded out a unanimous decision over Miguel Rodriguez in a scheduled eight rounder.

Lightweights Mike “The Baby-Faced Beast” Faragon and Miguel “El Gachito” Rodriguez thrilled the fans over eight scintillating rounds. Rodriguez, who was coming of a loss and two year layoff, showed little signs of rust as he moved and countered Faragon’s all-out aggression from the start. Faragon seemed intent on not letting things go the distance as he ripped combinations with bad intentions to the head and body of Rodriguez, who took them in stride. Rodriguez caught Faragon with several clean lefts off the ropes in round three to make a statement that he wasn’t going anywhere without a fight.
Round five was a breakout round and it seemed as if Faragon was going to end it with a fusillade of blows, but Rodriguez took it all and came back with his own. Fargon picked up where he left off at the beginning of the sixth, going for the kill and bringing the crowd to it’s feet. But it was not to be, as Rodriguez used all his guile and stamina to fend of his attacker. Rodriguez turned things into a track meet in the seventh, making Faragon chase him, and staying off the ropes as much as possible. If nothing else, Rodriguez frustrated Faragon and survived, but the score cards were unkind to him as Faragon posted a 79-73 (Glenn Feldman and Don Trella) and 80-72 (Matt Ruggero) unanimous win to move to 15-0, 6 KOs. Rodriguez needn’t hang his head in losing his second straight, now 7-3, 3 KOs. For his part Faragon told Fightnews afterward, “I had him going a couple times, but he hung in there. He was one of my better opponents.” On interstate rival Guillermo Sanchez of Buffalo, NY, 13-2-1 (5 KOs) and WBC Youth Lightweight champion, Faragon said, “I don’t play politics. I’ll fight anybody my team puts in front of me.” Promoter Greg Cohen said, “Mikey’s going to be world champion some day. We’ll go after the smaller belts along the way, but he’ll be in his first 10-rounder next fight. We’re looking to get him some national exposure, get him on ESPN so the rest of America can see him!”

In a dreadful affair, heavyweights Kimdo Bethel Boykin and Mujaheed Moore plodded, pawed and lumbered through three and a half monotonous rounds. Oh, there was the occasional hay maker and combination attempted, but finally, Boykin wore down Moore, much to the delight of the fans, with a series of unanswered punches, prompting Moore’s corner to ask the ringside physician to step on the ring apron to signal surrender for their man. Referee Danny Schiavone had no choice but to stop matters at 2:40 of the fourth and final round. Boykin improves to 5-1, 4 KOs while Moore slides to 4-5, 3 KOs.

Albany’s Ray Velez took on cross state rival Jemell Tyson, of Rochester in a four round light welterweight battle. It was a tactical battle from the outset, with loads of defense and well-thought-out offense. Things looked fairly even until Tyson was staggered with seconds to go in the second. Velez took a hard shot in the third, but Tyson let him off the hook. Both men went for it in the fourth as the fight seemed on the line. In the end, Glenn Feldman and Don Trella had it 39-37, while Matt Ruggero had it 40-36, all for Velez, now 2-0. Tyson slips under .500 a 1-2-1.

A four rounder between light heavies Roger Zapata and Borngod Washington opened the professional portion of the show. Zapata made his pro debut a successful one as he outworked a determined Washington who was looking for his first win as well, albeit after seven straight loses to start his career.
Judge Glenn Feldman scored it 39-37, Don Trella had it 40-36 and Matt Ruggero had it even at 38-38 for Zapata by majority decision. Washington is now 0-8.

Fighter of the night honors were shared by Ray Velez and Mike Faragon, presented by Pugnacious Promotions Lisa Elovich and legendary trainer Kevin Rooney.

Amateur bout results:
Matthew Ventry W3 Rorohrunha Kie -Featherweights

Greg Kehrer W3 Billy Harkins- Middleweights

Trevor Bryan W3 Lorenzo Davis -Super Heavyweights

Amir Imam W3 Yves Ulysse -Welterweights