Detroit Knockout Night » December 31, 2022

Brad Snyder

The final boxing match in Michigan for 2022 was held Friday night at Soundboard inside Detroit’s Motor City Casino by CLIP Productions and promoter Carlos Llinas. The heavyweight main event saw Vernon Webber walking to the ring dressed as the Grinch who stole Christmas. With his green, furry boxing trunks like the Grinch, Webber robbed opponent Gabriel Mota (1-3) of all the joy of Christmas. Webber scored a first-round knockout of 2:58 after dominating a short fight. Webber improves to (6-0, 4 KOs).

In the evening’s co-main event, Weaver’s Boxing Gym owner Munib Al Salmani rushed back to the ring to take on Devin Garrett (0-2). But Al Salmani said he felt rusty after the fight and was ready to ring the announcer Kara Ro next time. Normally a lightweight, Al Salmani improved to (3-0, 3 KO) with a two-round TKO win at the light heavyweight bout at the 1:11 mark. Did.

Junior welterweight Dwayne Taylor (6-0, 6 KO) defeated Stephen Brabson (2-5, 2 KO). First, Taylor landed a right that put Brabson through the ropes, rendering him unable to beat the count by the referee. It took him only 1:38 seconds in Round 1 to give Taylor his KO win.

Boxing debuts are always special. Mohammed “Sledgehammer” Awada did what it took to secure his first win. Awata fought tough Michael Hernandez (4-16, 1 KO). Awata’s first round was great. He threw his left to his head which shook the heavyweight Hernandez. Later in the round, he moved and dealt damage to his right torso. In round 3, Awata finally scored his 3rd round KO of 1:06 seconds after all the damage he inflicted on Hernandez. Secured Awata’s first victory (1-0, 1KO).

Junior middleweight Andre Byrd (10-13-2, 1 KO) posted a UD (57-56, 57-56, 58-55) victory over Darryl Cunningham. Cunningham scored a knockdown for Bird in the third round, but it wasn’t enough to help him on the scorecards as Bird won.

Welterweight Luis Quintero (3-0, 3 KO) defeated Izale Kimnle (1-3, 1 KO) in the first round with a 1:24 TKO.

Welterweight Gordy Russ (5-0, 5 KOs) defeated veteran Kevin Womack three times in the first round for a 2:45 TKO in the round. The loss drops Womack to (9-23-4, 7 KOs).

Heavyweight Dennis Vance won a split decision in a four-round contest to beat Marcus Molding (3-5, 3 KOs). The judges had it (40-36-Maulding, 39-37-Vance, 39-37-Vance). The win improved Vance to (4-7, 2 KOs).

That night, referee Frank Garza was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by local martial arts fans and the Detroit Boxing Jungle. Promoter Carlos Linas was also honored by Detroit Boxing his jungle and local fight his fans for having the best boxing/MMA promotion in Michigan.