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Nelson Dominates Taylor!
By: Jeff White at Ringside, Memphisboxing.com

Prize Fight Boxing kicked off 2010 at the Fitz Casino in Tunica, MS, with a five card bout before an always boisterous crowd.

The scheduled eight round main event featured middleweights Jonathan Nelson (13-0, 6 KO’s) vs Clarence Taylor (14-23-4, 7 KO’s).

The fight started with light action, with Nelson getting the slight edge. Nelson was seemingly the more polished fighter but Taylor’s experience proved valuable as he knocked down Nelson in the third and picked his spots throughout the bout. Midway through the fourth Nelson took control, landing on several good combos when he got Taylor in the ropes. However, he seemed to lack the ability to finish up and capitalize on the advantage from the combos. But despite the hesitation from Nelson, he dominated the fight and won by unanimous decision.
Result Nelson, Unanimous Decision

Nicole Woods (9-6-1, 1 KO) faced Kimberly Connors (5-1-1, 3KO’s) in a jr. middle female bout scheduled for eight rounds.

The most entertaining fight of the night. Round 1 was fairly even, with Woods being the aggressor. Things heated up in the second, with Connor being more aggressive in taking the fight to her opponent. Both landed solid shots to the head and Connor’s nose began to trickle blood late in the round. In the third, both women came out swinging and Woods starting taking advantage of her reach to keep Connor at a distance. The fourth through seventh rounds provided more of the same furious action with each fighter landing numerous productive blows. Connor’s nose bled more profusely throughout. In the eighth and final round, both fighters came out with intensity, sensing it was practically a dead heat. Connor took control midway through the eighth, dizzying Woods with repeated shots to the head. It appeared the late charge might be enough to give her the edge, but almost fittingly, the fight ended in a draw. Valiant effort from both fighters.

Result 77-75 Woods, 80-72 Connor, 76-76 tie Draw

Dedrick Bell (1-0, 1KO) squared off with Rohan Wilson (2-3-1, 1 KO) in a scheduled four round jr. welter bout.

This fight started slowly, with each fighter sizing up their opponent throughout the first round. Wilson landed a solid right to start the second and initiate the contact. Wilson fought with an opportunistic style, relying on counterpunches to help neutralize the reach advantage of Bell. Bell was the aggressor, but his reluctance to shoot the jab allowed Wilson to get inside seemingly at will against the taller Bell. Bell was knocked down twice in the third, and Wilson landed a powerful right cross in the fourth to claim the unanimous decision.
Result: Wilson, unanimous decision

Gary Russell, Jr. (7-0, 3 KO’s) faced David Orosco Cano (1-7) in a scheduled four round featherweight bout.

Russell came out like a hurricane, smothering Orosco with combinations and body blows. He dominated from the opening bell, causing two standing eights and two knockdowns in the first round, after which Orosco’s corner stopped the fight.

Result: First round TKO, Russell (2:58)

Nathan Kempa (1-1-1, 1 KO) vs. Brandon Oldham (1-4-1, 1 KO) in a four round jr. middle bout.
Fairly evenly matched fight, with Oldham starting out as the aggressor. Kempa started landing good body blows in the second and third rounds. The fight was competitive throughout with good action. Kempa was cut over the left eye early in the fourth with an impressive right cross from Oldham. This seemed to light a spark in Kempa who closed the first round with a flurry of action.
Result: Majority Draw