Wilson stops Judah!

September 30, 2006

By "Priceless" Steve Price and Gary "Digital" Williams at ringside
Photos: Mike Greenhill

The "Ding-A-Ling Man" Darnell Wilson, 189 lbs., was looking to get back in the win column after suffering decision losses to Andre Purlette, Felix Cora Jr., Owen Beck, and Vadim Tokarev in his last four contests, fighters with combined records of 97-4-3. Daniel Judah, 187 lbs. last fought in March of 2006, winning a decision over journeyman, Dennis McKinney.

Both fighters squared off in the center of the ring at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, Maryland on Thursday night looking to establish dominance early. Judah stood his ground and stuck the jab in the stocky Wilson's grill. Wilson, in his typical lunging fashion, touched Judah several times with flurries. Judah did manage to land a sturdy right hook to the body during one of Wilson's many lunges.

The second and third rounds became quite intense with some vicious infighting being exhibited by both combatants. Wilson's pressure seemed to be getting to Judah as he retreated to the ropes and engaged the bull- like Wilson in a display of who can absorb who's bombs better. By the end of the third round, both fighters were in much need of a rest.

Just 33 seconds into round four, a right hand from Wilson landed on the shoulder of Judah, and a cracking sound could be heard at ringside. Judah turned away writhing in pain, his shrieks could be heard throughout the ballroom. Referee Malik Waleed, like many in attendance seemed miffed by the occurrence, he then summoned the ringside physician to inspect the injured fighter. Judah shrieked as soon as his stiffened arm was touched by Doctor Douglass Frankel, M.D. According to Joel Judah, father of Daniel, Judah had surgery on that same shoulder two years ago and he believed that his son suffered a dislocation.

"I was a little anxious early, but I was warming up", said Wilson. "I wanted to show how fluid I could be in the later rounds. He kept his distance. He had good eyes. But I had him hurt in the third round before the stoppage."

With the win, Wilson hopes to get back into contender status, raising his record to 19-5-3, 16 KO's. Judah has a long road of recovery ahead depending on the severity of his arm injury and sees his record drop to 21-2-3, 10 KO's.

In the co-main event local favorite Ishmail "The Arsenal" Arvin, 155 lbs., came out of the gate looking to establish his jab against the slithery Toribio, Miami Florida via the Dominican Republic. Toribio, 156 lbs., understood the importance of a good jab himself, and proceeded to jab with Arvin, Baltimore, MD from the outset.

A right hand by Toribio high off the head of Arvin in the second round forced Arvin to retreat as he tried to get his legs under him. Both fighters exchanged well at the end of the round.

Toribio, loser of his last five fights, was looking more and more confident as the fight progressed. In the fourth stanza, he unloaded a perfectly placed left hook, dropping Arvin, causing him to do a summersault across the ring. Arvin was up immediately. Seemingly awakened from the blow, good action ensued by both fighters with Arvin gaining some confidence, landing a good right hand to the head of Toribio.

The middle rounds in many instances witnessed an off balance Arvin missing wildly with most of his shots, and Toribio showing effective awkwardness and landing some nice counters. To Toribios dismay, he was deducted a point for holding and hitting by referee Kenny Chevalier in the fifth round.

The sixth round was Arvin's best as he invested in digging to the body of Toribio, hurting him with a left hook to the liver. To Arvin's dismay he abandoned that approach for the remainder of the contest.

As the fight wore down both fighters seemed to tire out and a lot of grappling concluded the somewhat entertaining bout. Scores were as follows; 77-73, 75-75, 78-72, giving Toribio the majority decision victory.

Toribio, gets back in the win column with the win, raising his record to 13-6, 7 KO's. Arvin suffers his first defeat and sits at 14-1-2, 6 KO's.

In a Junior Lightweight bout, Tyrell Samuel, 129 lbs., eked out a 6 round split decision over Carlos Vinan, 130 lbs. Samuel, Baltimore, MD, sees his record rise to 8-0, 5 KO's while Vinan, Newark, New Jersey via Ecuador falls to 5-3, 1 KO.

Jose "Silver Boy" Rodriguez, 149 lbs., scored a unanimous decision victory over game but limited Carlos Pena, 149 lbs., in a 6 round Welterweight bout. Scores were 60-54, 59-56, 59-55. Rodriguez, New York, N.Y, climbs to 8-0, 1 KO and Pena, Arroyo, P.R dives to 2-7, 2 KO's.

In the curtain raising bout, William Gill of Toms River, N.J scored a TKO at 1:40 of the second round over John Owens, Council Bluffs, Iowa in a Light heavyweight clash. Gill, 175 lbs., improves to 4-11, 2 kO'S while Owens falls to 2-3, 1 KO.

Scott Wagner served as promoter and Chris Middendorf served as matchmaker. Boxing celebrities in attendance included former Junior and Welterweight Champion, Zab Judah, former two-time Heavyweight champion, Hasim Rahman, and hot Welterweight contender, Paul "The Punisher" Williams.