Boswell too much for Greenberg

Ringside by Jose Santiago and Matt Amato

Cedric Boswell (28-1, 22 KOs) destroyed undefeated Roman Greenberg (27-1, 18 KOs) Friday night to claim the IBF North American heavyweight title at Atlanta’s Center Stage.

Russian-born Greenberg was not in Boswell’s class as the Detroit native delivered a straightforward, second-round knockout.

Referee Bill Clancy ended proceedings immediately after a punishing onslaught of unanswered thumping right-handers appeared to knock Greenberg out on his feet.

Boswell, who looked in tremendous physical shape, hopes the new belt will propel him into title reckoning.

“It should put me back into the top-10 and maybe a shot at the title,” he said.

After a static opening, highlighted by Boswell’s consistent use of the jab, the fight turned early in the second round, when his right was deployed more freely.

“I saw that he couldn’t take it,” he revealed. After forcing Greenberg against the ropes, Boswell unleashed a furious flurry: “I caught him with a left hook [forcing Greenberg’s hands down] then kept drilling him with the right.”

With the statuesque Greenberg’s head slumped forward, Clancy stepped in with just 2:05 elapsed in the round.

“I trained extremely hard expecting 12 rounds; I’m in as good shape now as when I first turned pro,” Boswell said.

In the preceding bout, Joseph Rabatte (1-0) made a fantastic and victorious heavyweight debut against Robin Lashay Lowe (3-1) with a unanimous decision. Rabatte showed more desire and composure than his opponent, who appeared subdued throughout the four rounds.

Lowe faced the count in the second and fourth rounds. Rabatte’s straight right did the damage on both occasions, as all three judges scored it 40-33 in his favor.  

In other action, female lightweight Rolanda Andrews (7-7) made easy work of Leslie McNamara (2-7). Andrews’ technique, most notably her uppercut-hook combination, overwhelmed McNamara, who pulled out with 1:43 in the second round.      

The opening bout, however, was arguably the most absorbing. Roberto Cerrone (2-0) relied on patience and cunning in the face of relentless aggression to take a split-decision over super-bantamweight debutant David Orosco (0-1).

After being floored with a sweeping hook, Orosco continued to pursue his opponent but narrowly missed out on a win, which judges gave to his opponent, 38-37, 38-37, 39-38.