If you like knockouts, then The Paramount was the place to be Saturday night as Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing delivered an explosive edition of its long-running “Rockin’ Fights” series at Rockin’ Fights 53.
All four winners were making their first appearances at The Paramount and all four left with emphatic knockout victories. The show was shown live on StarBoxing.TV
In the 10-round middleweight main event, Deer Park’s Jahi Tucker faced St. Paul’s Sona Akale in a high-energy contest from the opening bell.
Both fighters were willing to exchange early, with Tucker showcasing crisp combinations and Akale firing back with looping shots. Tucker was deducted a point in the third round for low blows but continued pressing the action at a relentless pace.
In the sixth round, Tucker unleashed a sustained flurry that forced referee Arthur Mercante Jr. to step in and stop the contest at 1:18 of Round 6 as Akale was backed to the ropes. Akale protested, but the stoppage stood. With the victory, Tucker improves to 16-1-1 (7 KOs). Akale falls to 10-5 (5 KOs).
Elmont’s fighting marine veteran Peter “Voodoo” Latorre electrified the building in his Paramount debut against Jose Edgardo Perdomo in a scheduled six-round welterweight bout.
Perdomo entered the contest fresh off a knockout victory over previously undefeated Micky Scala at Rockin’ Fights 52 and was expected to test the undefeated prospect.
Latorre had other plans. Working behind a sharp jab and mixing head and body shots, Latorre trapped Perdomo in the corner and landed a textbook one-two combination that ended the bout instantly. The official time was 1:09 of Round 1. Latorre improves to 6-0 (6 KOs), while Perdomo drops to 10-10 (6 KOs).
Heavyweight action followed as Piotr Lacz squared off against Dominique “The Giant Killa” Valera in a scheduled eight-round contest.
Both men came forward at the opening bell exchanging heavy shots. Valera landed a sharp uppercut that briefly stunned the undefeated Polish fighter, but Lacz quickly regained control.
After connecting with a powerful right hand, Lacz forced Valera into the corner and unleashed a barrage. Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stepped in to stop the bout at 2:08 of Round 1. Valera protested the stoppage, but the result was official. Lacz advances to 15-0-1 (11 KOs). Valera falls to 9-2-2 (5 KOs).
Opening the evening, Ronkonkoma’s hard-hitting light heavyweight Ralph “The Great Ape” Clemente wasted no time making an impression in his Paramount debut against Thomas Turner in a scheduled four-round bout.
Turner attempted to establish his jab early, but Clemente walked him down and landed a crushing right hand that sent Turner to the canvas. After Turner beat the count, Clemente delivered a thunderous overhand right that flattened him. The referee waved off the bout at 1:07 of Round 1 as medical personnel immediately attended to Turner. Clemente improves to 3-0 (3 KOs). Turner drops to 1-2.