BOXING Whitaker wins split decision for light heavyweight crown
Two of the three judges favored Warren's Whitaker over Greg Wright.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Approximately 800 people were in attendance Friday night at the Maronite Center for the "Season's Beatings" boxing card co-promoted by Pat Nelson and Lou Schiavoni.
The main event for the International Boxing Council light heavyweight championship, a battle between Greg Wright and Warren's Etianne E.T. Whitaker, had 12 rounds of action and was a crowd pleaser.
Floored early: Whitaker, who was floored by a straight right in round three, survived that round and apparently turned the fight around to gain a split decision and the IBC belt, which was presented to him by Senator Harry Meshel and David Gennaro, top officials from that boxing body.
Judge Tom Miller voted 115-112 for Whitaker; judge Phil Rogers 116-113 for Wright; and judge John Kikta 114-113 for Whitaker.
After the decision was announced, the articulate Wright (18-7-2) took the ring microphone, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and saying, "Especially to you Whitaker, since the holiday came early for you with this gift."
Step to the future: Whitaker (25-5-2) shook off Wright's words, saying, "He is a vet who was trying to survive and get the win, but he stayed on his bike and I stayed on him. Now this is a dream come true for me and a stepping stone to the future with much more to come."
Wright had former Kronk world champion Milt McCrory working his corner.
"I took this fight on short notice with less than a week in the gym and I thought I would come here and get a fair decision," Wright said. "All I wanted was the opportunity to win the fight, and that didn't happen."
Wright was clamoring for an immediate return match.
"You can tell Whitaker to mail my belt to me or I'm going to come and get it," Wright said.
Nelson said, "I thought Whitaker came back with the heart of a champion and just outworked Wright to get the win, and if a return match can be worked out I am definitely for it because this was a great fight."
The undercard: Earlier, a heavyweight decision went to Cincinnati's Zack Graham over Cleveland's Joe "The Polish Giant" Lenart in a four rounder.
There was a pair of one round knockouts, with Rico Hoye from Detroit stopping Videl Middlebrook from Cincinnati with a barrage of left hooks, and New Jersey lightweight Jadashi Green stopping Maro Senquiz from Detroit with a body shot.
The best of the undercard was a four rounder between middleweight ladies, who never stopped trading punches as Leanna Owens from Covington, Ky., won a close decision over Bonnie Wherry from Cleveland.