Happy returns
Comebacking Kelley earns his 60th win at comebacking Hilton

Ringside report by Andreas Hale
Photos by Mary Ann Owen, Boxing in Las Vegas

The "Flushing Flash" may not be is quick on the draw as he was a decade ago, but was still cunning enough to get the job done. Kevin Kelley proved that the old dog still had a few tricks in him as he pounded his way to a 10-round unanimous decision over Jaime Palma at the Las Vegas Hilton.

The Hilton – which hasn’t housed a fight since February of 2002 – was mostly filled with Kelley supporters who tried to urge Kelley back to his old form. Kelly, who calls Las Vegas his home, outclassed his opponent but just couldn’t seem to pull off the knockout to please his fans. Regardless, Kelley was crafty enough to utilize a stiff jab and split Palma’s defense to claim the victory.

Palma, who had won six of his last seven coming into this fight, proved to be no tomato can as he continuously put pressure on his 41-year-old opponent with his awkward style. From the outset, it was apparent that Palma’s game plan was to wear down the fighter ten years his senior. But each time he lurched forward he was either stuffed with a straight left and or getting popped with Kelly’s flickering jab.

Kelley improved to 60-8-2 (39 KOs) with a solid performance but was visibly frustrated each time he was too slow to pull the trigger on the numerous openings Palma presented him.

“I was trying to get him out of here,” Kelly said after the fight. “I was seeing he was hittable but it was frustrating that I couldn’t get my shots in.”

Although Palma, who falls to 13-11-1 (3 KOs), may have lost on the judges’ scorecards that reflected a 99-91, 97-93 and 98-92 blowout, “The Punisher” did win over a few fans for continuously bringing the fight to Kelly. Neither fighter was in serious trouble but Palma did paint Kelley with wild lefts and rights in, both, the 7^th and 10^th rounds that got a rise out of the crowd. But it was Kelley and his veteran ways that scored just enough to ensure his 60^th victory.

Rodriguez loses decision

Former UFC heavyweight champion, Ricco Rodriguez, lost a split decision victory over the gun shy Chad Davis. A hefty Rodriguez (1-1 w/ 1 KO) plodded his 270 pound frame around the ring but could never get anything going against a fighter who had an inordinate amount of opportunities to score, but chose to pluck tediously away at the former MMA champ.

Even Mike Tyson was heard jesting from ringside saying “Are you guys going to throw some punches or what?” as the two slow danced through the four round heavyweight fight. Davis, who improves to 1-1, fought a dreadfully reluctant fight but apparently did just enough to earn the split decision.

Kambala defeats Weaver

6’9” Former UNLV Runnin’ Rebel, Kaspars Kambala, defeated Ron Weaver via TKO in his fourth career fight. The ex-UNLV center easily swept away Weaver, who appeared to be more concerned with making it home for dinner rather than making a fight.

Kambala (4-0-1 2 KOs) knocked down Weaver (0-2) twice before stopping him at 2:08 in the opening frame. The first knockdown would come in the form of a thudding right hand while the second was more of a glancing blow to the side of the head that seemed to be more about Weaver’s absent heart rather than Kambala’s power. Nonetheless, the local guy kept his friends and family happy with the victory.

Finley blows out Burton

Chris Finley earned his first boxing victory (1-1, 1KO) via TKO by blowing out Lynel Burton in half a minute to spoil the son of former WBC super lightweight champion Lonnie Smith’s professional debut. It didn’t take long for a right hook would make its way to Burton’s head and leave him laying on his back. Burton barely rose at the count of nine before the fight was waved off. 

Daniel Craig’s anticipated matchup with the Floyd Mayweather Sr trained Dyah Davis was scratched at the last minute. Craig, who represented the United States at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, apparently sprained his ankle the day of the fight and could not compete.

Bonus photos