“PLEASE, CALL ME ANGIE”

By Sean Reed

Legendary trainer Angelo Dundee was recently in Dallas, Texas, as the guest of honor for the Dallas Petroleum Club’s fight card at Gilley’s. Dundee, who trained prizefighting greats such as “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Carmen Basilio, Jose Napoles and Muhammad Ali (and even trained Russell Crowe for his characterization of James J. Braddock in the movie “Cinderella Man”), couldn’t have been friendlier or more engaging, shaking hands and posing for pictures with just about everybody in the house. Whenever he was told, ”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dundee,” he would reply, “no, it’s my pleasure to meet you, and please call me Angie.” It’s rare that you meet a celebrity who’s even nicer in person than he appears to be on stage. Such was the case with the almost cuddly Mr. Dundee.

The card itself was a showcase for Dallas area talent and the combatants responded with a night of fireworks. In the main event, Domonic Jenkins (10-6-1, 4 KO’s), representing Dark Horse Boxing, registered a vicious forth round KO over previously unbeaten Carlos Barnett (9-1, 8 KO’s), in a heavyweight affair. The fighters waged war from close quarters with Jenkins landing the more hurtful shots and Barnett connecting with a higher volume of blows. In the forth, a big left hook made Barnett do an impromptu Fat Joe impersonation as he leaned back (way back), with only the ropes keeping him upright.

The referee issued a standing eight-count, but then Jenkins went for the kill, landing his “One Hitter Quitter”; an explosive right hand that rendered Barnett unconscious, flat on his back, draped over the bottom rope for several minutes.

Like Emmanuel Augustus or Grady Brewer, Domonic Jenkins has a deceiving record littered with quality wins and questionable losses. He’s upset the likes of Malcolm Tann, Victor Bisbal, but lost to Chris Arreola and Eddie Chambers in disputed fashion.

In a super lightweight bout, James “Grasshoppa” Grant (1-0, 1 KO), from Home of Champions Boxing Gym (and trained by former welterweight champion Curtis Cokes), made a successful pro debut KOing Joshua Lyons (0-4) in the first round. “Grasshoppa” was patiently aggressive for the early portion of the round, then put the tentative Lyons out of his misery with a sharp right.

Someone’s “O” had to go when Josh Turland, another Dark Horse Boxing prospect, met Richard Thomas in a lightweight pro debut battle. Though inexperienced, these two went at each other with ferocity. Turland was more aggressive and Thomas more tactical. Thomas landed some crisp counter left hooks, and eventually cut Turland which led to swelling. Just 17, Turland exhibited grit and determination beyond his years and gamely continued to take the fight to Thomas. He staggered Thomas badly enough to warrant an 8-count in the second round and gutted out a four-round split decision.

In the evening’s only other bout, super featherweight Benjamin Flores (13-2, 7 KO’s) won a unanimous six-round decision over Ray Trejo (3-8-1, 3 KO’s).

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