Brick City Boxing

By: Moses Vered

On Tuesday night Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing presented their first installment of “VIP Boxing.” The elegant Russo’s on the Bay Catering Hall located in Howard Beach, Queens hosted the event. All guests received the first-class treatment, which included a cocktail hour, a delicious 4-course dinner, and an all- night open bar.

Headlining the event was fan favorite and Queens native Vinny Maddalone. Maddalone, who was coming off of a tough decision loss to Denis Boystov in his last bout, faced a very game Benji Baker (18-6, 9 KOs). From the onset Maddalone pressed the action landing chopping right hands, dropping him with a big right at the end of the first round. Maddalone kept the pressure on Baker all night and although he boxed well in the second round Baker eventually succumbed to Maddalone’s constant assault. After being dropped two more times in the third and fourth rounds, Baker retired on his stool before the start of the fifth. With the victory Maddalone upped his record to 32-5, 23 KOs.

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In the co-feature hard-punching Curtis “Showtime” Stevens outworked an upset-minded Don Mouton over 8 hard fought rounds earning a unanimous decision victory. Stevens, (20-2, 14 KOs) started out fast as he pinned Mouton against the ropes and unloaded big bombs for much of the first round. In the second, the pace slowed a bit as Mouton used his jab and tried to back up his opponent, but Stevens answered every shot that Mouton threw with quick combinations to the head and body. Mouton, who had upset Waild Smichet and Jerson Ravelo in his two previous bouts, could not get in any kind of rhythm as Stevens outworked him throughout the bout. The two fighters engaged in a furious exchange in the 8th and final round that brought the crowd to its feet. Score cards read 77-5 and 78-74 (twice) for the Brownsville native who improved to a perfect 3-0 under the Star Boxing banner. When questioned on which fights he is looking for next, Stevens expressed his desire to stay active, no matter who the opponent is.

“I just want to fight” said Stevens, “I can’t keep having these long layoffs.”
Other Results:

Anthony Irons W4 Rashad Bogar
Dominick DeSanto NC (cut caused by accidental head-butt) Ashanti Hendrickson
Jacques Louis W4 Vernon Jenkins