Hammer time!
Lundy highlights “Braggin’ Rights” with another KO

By MICHAEL PARENTE
Photos By: Emily Harney

LINCOLN, R.I. -- As Hank Lundy promised, “Bam Bam” went “bye bye” Friday night at the Twin River Event Center, and the self-proclaimed “smokin’” prospect from Philadelphia continued his impressive climb to the top of the welterweight division.

Headlining Classic Entertainment & Sports’ pro-am “Braggin’ Rights” show, Lundy improved to 13-0-1 with a fifth-round knockout over Josh Beeman, capping a tense week in which the two welterweights exchanged harsh words at the pre-fight weigh-in 24 hours earlier.

“When he was talking trash at the press conference, I knew he was scared and I already had him beat,” Lundy said. “All I had to do was finish it in the ring.”

The pro portion of “Braggin’ Rights” ended the same way it began –- with a vicious knockout. Providence cruiserweight
Jay Holland (3-0, 2 KOs) kicked off the show by silencing Youngstown, Ohio, native Billy Greenawalt in 53 seconds for his third consecutive victory and Lundy wrapped up the night with his second knockout in as many fights in front of a predominantly pro-Beeman crowd.

In between, CES newcomer Vladine Biosse (2-0, 2 KOs) -- a former University of Rhode Island football –- dazzled his Cape Verdean fan base with a first-round knockout over Frankie  Reed while Pawtucket’s Eddie Soto (12-0, 4 KOs) and Providence native Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs) each won unanimous decisions to remain undefeated.

“Braggin’ Rights” offered six amateur fights in addition to five professional bouts and Lundy clearly stole the show with another dominant performance -- similar to the beating he gave previously-undefeated Jason Cintron in April.

With time running out in their scheduled six-round fight, Lundy finally delivered on his promise to knock Beeman (4-4-1) out midway through the fifth, sending “Bam Bam” face-first through the ropes with a double left hook. The body blow softened him up and the subsequent left to the side of the head buckled Beeman’s knees. Beeman backed off slowly, spun toward the corner and then crumpled to the canvas. He beat the 10 count, but the referee stopped the fight before Lundy had a chance to inflict more damage.

“When you’re punching like I’m punching and you go to that body, they tell you a body shot is a vicious shot,” Lundy said.

“Like when [Oscar] De La Hoya fought Bernard [Hopkins in 2004]. Bernard hit him with that shot and it was a delayed reaction.

“When you hit him good, it don’t register at first, and it didn’t, but it sneaks up on him. That’s when you know you’re putting a good beating on him. With the body beating I was giving him, I knew he couldn’t take too many more body shots.”

Lundy worked the body all night, and even though he absorbed a handful of clean shots from Beeman toward the end of the third and fourth rounds, it become quite obvious Beeman’s time was running out as the fight crept closer to the finish.

“I wore him down to the body,” Lundy said. “They don’t call me ‘Hammerin’’ for nothing! The name speaks for itself –- ‘Hammerin’’ Hank Lundy!”

“That’s what Philadelphia fighters do -- we go to the body.”

A day earlier, Lundy asked rhetorically, “What fighter out there wouldn’t want to be me right now?

“I’m smokin’! I’m hot right now. I’m about to take over Providence, Rhode Island -- the native son!”

After watching him tear apart Beeman for his fourth consecutive win, it’s hard to argue with Lundy’s logic. The Philadelphia native entered Friday’s fight ranked No. 14 in the North American Boxing Federation among lightweights (135 pounds) and is looking to get back in the ring sometime in August.

“My team and my camp, we’re stronger than ever. We’re going to shake the world up,” Lundy said. “I’m what TV wants. I’m must-see TV. If you ain’t seen ‘Hammerin’’ Hank fight, after you see me fight you’ll come back. You’ll be a fan.

“We’re about to shock the world.”

Asked when he’ll be ready for a title shot, Lundy said, “Within a year -- not even.

“I’m ready. It’s just that these guys up in the top 10 have got to get the heart and fight me. You can’t run in this game. A lot of these guys want to pick and choose, but there’s no picking and choosing when the Hammer comes for you.”
Unlike Lundy, Biosse didn’t need as much time to break down his opponent. Escorted to the ring by Rhody The Ram, the official mascot of his alma mater, Biosse dove head-first into an all-out slugfest against Reed and didn’t stop swinging until he floored his challenger at the 1:52 mark of the opening round. Reed made it to his feet, but the referee stopped the fight before it got out of hand, pushing Biosse’s record to 2-0 since turning pro in March.
“He was fighting so far away, so I was trying to draw him in,” said Biosse, who took two big right hands to the face during the brawl, but never buckled. “I came into the corner and let him punch a little bit to gain his confidence so he’d want to come out and fight, but he didn’t want to fight.

“Once I turned him, he started running again. I felt like he didn’t want to fight. I caught him with two shots to the abs and he smiled a bit. You could see he folded back a little. That’s when he started running.”
Biosse wanted to keep fighting, but the referee waved it off after Reed (0-2) wobbled toward the ropes while climbing to his feet.

“I wanted to leave him on the ground,” Biosse said. “I wanted him lying down. The fight finished with him standing up. That’s not fair.”

Nonetheless, Biosse drained the rest of his unused energy greeting his vocal cheering section one-by-one after the fight while Rhody followed his every move throughout the arena.

“I got greeted by all my family right from the bat. My family was there and the URI students came out,” he said. “A lot of family and friends came out, so my energy was through the roof because I got a chance to debut my talent in front of them. I’m excited to show that, because some of them don’t get to see all that hard work. That’s what raised my energy. I knew I’d go in there and do what I had to do. It was only a matter of time.”

Also on the undercard, Holland knocked out Greenawalt (1-6) in just under a minute while Soto and Pereira remained unbeaten. Soto dominated welterweight Darrell Martin (4-10) to earn the 60-53, 60-53, 60-53 decision while Pereira held off a strong surge against welterweight prospect Ramon Ellis (0-3) in a 39-36, 38-37, 38-37 victory. Amateurs Mario Morales (171 pounds), Adam Medeiros (154), Nick Dalumba (152), Tommy Duquette (141), Stephanie Steeves (132) and Anthony Marsella (125) also won their respective matches.

Lundy hammers Beeman
in Five

PROVIDENCE (July 17, 2009) – Unbeaten Philadelphia light welterweight “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy firmly established himself as one of the top prospects on the East Coast in the main event on tonight’s “Braggin’ Rights” Pro-Am card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Twin River Casino, last night at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I.

Lundy (14-0-1, 8 KOs) methodically broke down
hometown favorite Josh “Bam Bam” Beeman (4-4-3, 2 KOs), an outstanding amateur who captured a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Trials, en route to an impressive victory by fifth-round knockout.

“I put him away with a left hook to the chest, followed by a left hook to the head,” Lundy explained about the ending. “I’m ready to fight for a title with any of the big boys who want to deal with ‘Hammerin’” Hank. My opponents are scared when they fight me. When he was talking trash at the press conference, I knew he was scared and I already had him beat. All I had to do was finish it in the ring.”

EBA New England light weight champion Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto, fighting out of Pawtucket (R.I.), extended his perfect record to 12-0 (4 KOs) by way of a 6-round unanimous decision versus veteran Darrell “Tupac” Martin in a non-title match.

Former University of Rhode Island football player Vladine Biosse (2-0, 2 KOs), in his CES debit, stopped Frankie Reid in the first round. Led into the ring by the URI Rams mascot, the Cape Verdean super middleweight displayed his athleticism from the opening bell, shooting powerful punches from his southpaw stance until he dropped his overwhelmed opponent for the ending at 1:52 of the first round.

Pawtucket light welterweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs) and Ramon Ellis (0-3) engaged in a give-and-take 4-round battle won by undefeated Pereira via unanimous decision.

Providence cruiserweight Jay Holland (3-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten thanks to a perfectly placed left-hook that put Billy Greenawalt down and out in the opening round.

Soto vs Matin

Biosse vs Reed

Pereira vs Ellis

Holland vs Greenwall

Six amateur matches were also held. Full results are listed below.

RESULTS FROM RHODE ISLAND

Lincoln, Rhode Island

July 17, 2009 – “Braggin’ Rights”

PROFESSIONALS

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Jay Holland (3-0, 2 KOs), Providence, RI WTKO1 (0:57) Billy Greenwalt (1-6, 1 KO), Youngstown, OH

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Vladine Biosse (2-0, 2 KOs), Providence, RI WTKO1 (1:53) Frankie Reed (0-2), Williston, SC

LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS

Hank Lundy (14-0-1, 8 KOs), Philadelphia, PA Josh Beeman (4-4-3, 2 KOs), Providence

Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs), Pawtucket, RI (3-0, 2 KOs) WDEC4 (39-36, 38-37, 38-37) Ramon Ellis (0-3), Philadelphia, PA

LIGHTS WEIGHTS

Eddie Soto (12-0, 4 KOs), Pawtucket, RI WDEC 6 (60-53, 60-53, 60-53) Darrell Martin (4-10, 1 KO), Baltimore, MD

AMATEURS

178 Pounds:Mario Morales, Southbridge, MA, Uptown Boxing Gym WPTS3 Thomas Falowo, Pawtucket, RI; 154 Pounds: Adam Medeiros, Fall River, MA TNT Kickboxing WPTS3 George Yawo, Providence, RO, Manfredo’s Gym; 152 Pounds: Nick Dalumba, Cranston, RI, Balletto’s Gym WPTS3 Jimmy Smith, Portland, ME, Portland, ME; 141 Pounds: Tommy Duquette, Waltham, Boston Boxing Gym WPTS3 Steven Hollden, Smithfield, RI, Balletto’s Gym; 132 Pounds: Stephanie Steeves, Burlington, VT, Winsor Boxing Club WPTS3 Leonedra Lee, West Warwick, RI, The Bat

WEIGHTS FROM PROVIDENCE

Hank Lundy 141 LBS. vs Josh Beeman 141 LBS.

Vladine Biosse 168 LBS. vs Frankie Reed 165 LBS.


Eddie Soto 135 LBS. vs Darrell Martin 132 LBS.

Diego Pereira 142 LBS. vs Ramon Ellis 139 ½ LBS.


Jay Holland 197 LBS. vs Billy Greenwalt 202 LBS.

Hot Prospect “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy added to “Braggin’ Rights” Card
July 17th show at Twin River Event Center, RI

PROVIDENCE (July 6, 2009) – Unbeaten junior welterweight prospect “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy has been added to the July 17th “Braggin’ Rights” Pro-Am boxing card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln.

Philadelphia native Lundy (13-0-1) will be fighting in Rhode Island for the
fourth time as a professional. He was rated No. 5 in the world as an amateur before turning pro, capturing several regional titles, as well as winning a silver medal at the 2005 National Golden Gloves Tournament. The electrifying, young fighter knocked out previously unbeaten Jason Cintron (10-0) on the road in April. “Hammerin’” Hank has also knocked off 7-0 Esteban Almarez by 4-round decision and fought 8-0 Darnell Jiles, Jr. to a 4-round draw in an exciting bout broadcasted on national television.

Lundy faces another former amateur star, Providence’s upset-minded Josh “Bam Bam” Beeman (4-3-3, 2 KOs), in the 6-round co-main event. Lundy-Beeman replaces the scheduled cruiserweight match between Rich Gingras and Tim Flamos that was canceled due to the former being ill and hospitalized.

“Hank is one of the most exciting young fighters in the country,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “Fans really love watching him fight because he gives them what they want – thrilling action for every second of each round – and that’s why he’s quickly becoming an adopted son in Rhode Island. This kid will fight anybody, anywhere, and he’s been very successful doing just that. Josh was a tremendous amateur, too. His pro career has been filled with unfulfilled potential, which can become closer to reality with an upset of Lundy. Beeman’s well skilled and aiming to prove that he can be every bit as good as a pro as he was an amateur.”

The other co-main event is a 6-round rematch of interstate Milltown rivals, EBA New England lightweight champion Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (11-0, 4 KOs), of Pawtucket (RI), and challenger Sean Eklund (6-4, 1 KO), who is trained by his uncle, “Irish” Micky Ward.

CES’ latest signee, super middleweight Vladine Biosse (1-0, 1 KO), who played football at the University of Rhode Island and Dean College, has moved from the gridiron into the ring. He makes his CES debut in a 4-round fight against an opponent to be determined.

Also on the July 17 card are a pair of unbeaten local favorites, cruiserweight Jay Holland (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Billy Greenwalt, and exciting light welterweight Diego Pereira (3-0, 2 KOs), in 4-round bouts.

Five amateur bouts are scheduled, featuring Tommy Duquette (Boston Boxing) vs. Steve Hollden (Balletto), 141 lbs.; Anthony Marsella (Tillinghast) vs. Christobal Marrero (Tomasello), 125 lbs.; Nick DeLomba (Balletto) vs. Jimmy Smith (Portland), 152 lbs.; Mario Morales (Uptown Boxing) vs. Thomas Falowo (Manfredo’s), 178 lbs.; George Yawo (Manfredo’s) vs. Adam Medeiros (TNT Kickboxing), 152 lbs.; Leonedra Lee (Clampitt) vs. Stephanie Steeves (Winsor), 132 lbs.

All pro and amateur bouts and boxers are subject to change.

Rollback ticket prices for “Braggin’ Rights” are $25.00 SRO, $35.00, $65.00 ($10.00 redeemable free play at Twin River) and $100.00 ($25.00 redeemable free play at Twin River) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:30 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Braggin’ Rights.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)