Sellers destroys Craven!

Ringside by Damien St. Pierre
Photos by Scott Foster
- FightWireImages.com

Cruiserweight Ezra Sellers (29-7, 26 KOs) scored a third round TKO over local toughman Kenny "The Raven" Craven (28-20) in the main event of “Rumble at the Rock” on Friday night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Sellers controlled the bout from the opening bell.  Sellers, the former IBO cruiserweight champion, simply outboxed, outpunched and outclassed the journeyman Craven.

Sellers established his jab early in the first round and was able to walk Craven down behind his jab.

In the second round, Sellers continued moving forward behind his jab to land punches at will on the clues Craven.  At the end of the round, Sellers hurt Craven with a big hook to the body, but the bell rang before Sellers was able to capitalize on his advantage.

Sellers wasted no time in third round as he jumped on Craven and finished him off with a barrage of punches. Referee Keith Hughes was forced to call a halt to the bout just  :26 into the round.

Lee dominates veteran Papillion

Former IBA Intercontinental jr middleweight champion Willie Lee (15-5) scored an impressive sixth round stoppage of former NABF jr middleweight champion Jason Papillion (39-13-1). The younger Lee set the quick pace for the bout and Papillion never seemed to catch up. Lee pressed the action for most of the bout. Papillion was able to land some big right hands off the ropes that seemed to hurt Lee on a few occasions.

Lee confidently pressed the action throughout the contest, using his speed and power to neutralize the veteran Papillion.

In the sixth round, Lee trapped Papillion in the corner and unleashed a barrage of punches.  Papillion tried his best to fight back, but Lee landed a hard right hook that shook Papillion hard.  Papillion was standing but visibly hurt as the referee stopped the action at 2:49 of the round.

Lyons wins rematch over Brown

In a very fiercely contested six-round heavyweight rematch Gulfport, Mississippi's Aaron Lyons (8-2) won a close split decision over Pensacola, Florida native "Big G" Gabe Brown (18-8-3).

Scores were 58-57, 58-56 for Lyons and 58-56 for Brown. Neither fighter was down but both were hurt numerous times in the slugfest.  Lyon has won both fights against Brown. A third bout is rumored.

Smith edges Verdin

Joseph Smith (4-2-1) of Mobile, Alabama had a successful step up to six-round bouts as he won a very unpopular decision over tough veteran Martin Verdin (14-12-1) of Dulac, Louisiana. Verdin seemed to control the bout with his jab as Smith was content to try to counter with big hooks.  The sixth round was the best round for Verdin as he scored with some big shots that had Smith out on his feet for most of the round. All three judges scored it 58-56 for Smith

More undercard bouts

Roy Jones, Sr. trained heavyweight Kelvin Price (3-0) stayed unbeaten with an easy first round TKO over 300-pound Willie "The Tank" Turner.

Light heavyweights Gevonte Davis (0-1-1) and Richmond Dalhpone (0-1-2) are still searching for the first win as professionals. All three judges scored the bout an unpopular 38-38 across the board.

. . . . .

"Rumble at the Rock" was presented by promoter Roy Jones, Jr of Square Ring and Down South Entertainment at the Hard Rock Live Arena inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Jones was ringside with his two sons.  This was the second event that Jones has promoted in Biloxi since Hurricane Katrina devastated the coastline in August 2005.  Jones, who fought over a dozen fights as an amateur in Biloxi, hopes to bring boxing back to the area.