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As you might remember, to qualify for this list you don't have to be born in Philly but you must do the majority of your fighting here with a minimum of 5 career fights. This means guys who spend the majority of their time fighting at venues like The Blue Horizon, The New Alhambra and the National Guard Armory. The fighters that the ticket paying fans get to see live and in person on a Friday night after a long week on the job. Since March, we have had almost non stop action in all parts of the city which gave the fans some surprising upsets, big knockouts, brought a few familiar faces back home like LaJuan Simon and Derrick Ennis and also brought in some outsiders like Daniel Hicks and Joshua Onyango who earned our attention. There were also a few fighters who made some impressive debuts but haven't hit the 5 fight minimum just yet. If we see more of Simon O'Donnell, Jules Blackwell & Teon Kennedy, I am willing to wager that they be cracking the top 10 in the near future. For those of you who want to beef about not having guys like Bernard Hopkins on the list, I have that covered too with the top 10 Philly born national pound for pound list. As usual, there has been a good amount of shuffling from the last list which was made in December. A few of the younger guys shot up the ranks, there are a couple of new faces and a few old faces have disappeared. Some fighters who were on previous local pound for pound lists on the local list have gone on to bigger and better things and I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few from this group follow in their footsteps. A slot on this list usually leads to big things in the future. Former number 1 "Fast" Eddie Chambers has graduated from Blue Horizon poster boy to rising Heavyweight contender. Terrance Cauthan will at minimum be the mandatory for the IBF jr. middleweight title with a win in his next fight against Roman Karmazan. Sonny Bono just won the minor league version of the WBC jr. middleweight belt. In Philly boxing it is here today, gone tomorrow so I will once again pay tribute to the fighters who give the fans their money's worth every time out.
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| 1. |
 Harry Joe Yorgey jr. Middleweight 18 - 0 - 1 (9ko’s) |
In March, Yorgey returned to the ring after a stellar 2006 campaign and retained his #1 slot when he absolutely starched his opponent James Wayka (14 - 5) in one round. Yorgey was firing on all cylinders and dropped the Minnesota roughneck three times en route to this victory. About 10 whole seconds passed after that fight before the Yorgey camp laid out the challenge to Mike "No Joke" Stewart. Weights and prior commitments seem to be the hang up on that deal right now, but if it does happen expect a full house and an action packed fight! Right now there are some whispers of a big fight for Harry Joe at the Blue in June. Last Month Ranking #1 |
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| 2. |
 Chazz Witherspoon Heavyweight 17 - 0 (11ko’s) |
The Gentleman has been far from chivalrous during his two fights in 2007, both ending by way of big knockouts. At the Klein JCC in February, Chazz demolished a very outgunned Patrick Smith, scoring the knockout early in the second. He returned to the Blue in April and stopped a very tough Charles Davis, a tough southpaw who taken on high caliber opponents and was gone the distance with all of them. Chazz was money on this night, picking Davis apart early then laying the wood on him soon after. Davis has his bell rung in the 6th and when he came out for the 7th, he was still on wobbly legs. The fight was immediately called. Nothing has been scheduled for Chazz just yet but it is my feeling that his time in the area is limited, on his way to pursue his championship dreams. Last Month Ranking - #2 |
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| 3. |
 Joey Abell Heavyweight 13 - 1 (13ko's) |
Boxing is a rough sport, you lose once and people say that you a fraud. Joey could have gone the route many others have by complaining and making excuses. Instead, he manned up, came back to the Blue and knocked his guy completely out of the ring not once but twice, causing one of the of wildest scenes in Philly fight history. Now that's what people pay to see! Sad to say, Minnesota Ice's days might be limited here in Philly. His hometown of Minnesota seems to be getting back on the right track with boxing, holding cards on a somewhat regular basis where he is becoming a regular. He has already had 4 fights this year, winning all by knockout. If you leave us Joey, leave in style by whipping Aaron Lyons ass at The Blue! Last Month Ranking #5 |
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| 4. |
 Mike Jones Welterweight 7 - 0 (7ko's) |
We now know just who Mike Jones is and the headline reads: this dude is bad news! "Machine Gun" has bucked down everyone they put in front of him and his fights are becoming the most anticipated around town. Jones last "contest" was a two round shellacking over boxing nomad Francisco Maldonado at the New Alhambra. Jones has also tested the outside waters early in his career, recently traveling to Tacoma where he starched boxing fossil Donnie Fosmire. If there is one knock so far, it is the level of opposition but you just can't argue the knockout ratio. Number 4 might be a bit high at this point but he may not stay in Philly long enough to see number one. Promoter J. Russell Peltz has a gem on his hands here and will send his heavy piece of artillery to Vegas on May 4th
against an opponent TBA Last Month Rank - #9 |
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| 5. |
 Max Alexander lt. Heavyweight 14 - 0 (2ko's) |
Max started off the year just as he promised by delivering a good, old fashioned ass kicking to a very tough Marty "The Wolfman"
Lindquist at The Blue. Unfortunately for Max, he broke his left hand in
that fight. Fast forward two months, Max returns to the ring against
late sub Dominick Jenkins, re-injured his hand and jabbed his way to a
win. Some didn't like it, others applaud the versatility. See it as you
may, the name is out there and now is drawing the attention of other
light heavy's. It may be a little while until he returns as he lets the
hand heal so expect a return around mid summer. Could be just in time to
fight Chucky Cavallo on
www.fightingcity.net 's 1st PPV! Last Month Ranking #3
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| 6. |
 Chucky Cavallo lt. Heavyweight 14 – 0 (5ko’s) |
The "Italian Assassin" has made major strides over the past 6 months. Man does he have a nice set of hands on him, he seems like he will throw punches for days. Cavallo is quickly becoming the man who beat the man. He bludgeoned Mike Word at The Blue in April. Word as you might know spoiled the proposed showdown of Cavallo vs. The Wolfman when Word kayoed Lindquist in what was thought to be a "tuneup". Prior to that, he pulled himself off the canvas to knockout Andre Hemphill who has a win against Simon Carr and lost a razor thin decision to Chucky Mussachio. Some argue that Chucky fights like he is 5'2" instead of putting his 6'3" frame to use. I like what I see. After sitting through some of his early in the career stinkers, Cavallo is now a top guy who is worthy of headline status. Last Month Ranking # 8 |
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| 7. |
 Steve Upshur Chambers jr. Welterweight 14 - 1 - 1 (4ko's) |
Showtime Steve has been inactive so far in '07 but he recently told us he is eyeing up a shot at Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. While that probably won't happen right away, you probably can expect to see Steve return to the Blue on the June 1st card. His last fight was in December '06 when he took a hard fought decision over the tough Lenny DiVictoria. If you like guys who prefer to box then you would like Steve Upshur Chambers. Last Month Ranking #6 |
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| 8. |
 Kaseem Wilson jr. Middleweight 7 - 0 - 1 (3ko's) |
"The Nightmare" kept his undefeated streak alive at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, earning a unanimous decision over the pre historic Hollister Elliott. Needless to say, it most likely served as a good learning experience to get out on the road and fight where no one knows your name. Before that he needed only 2 rounds to stop the usually durable Damone Antoine at the New Alhambra. The Philly native is still learning on the job and if he keeps up his current production, his boss Russell Peltz will have no choice but to give him a promotions and a raise. Last Month Ranking # 10 |
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| 9. |
 Elad Schmouel Jr. Welterweight 17 - 1 (8ko's) |
Don Elbaum will tell you with a straight face that this kid is a sure shot title contender in a few years. I'd like to see him fight a guy with more than 3 wins for once before that statement gets my stamp of approval. With that being said, "The Kosher Pitbull" can rumble and usually gives the crowd reason to cheer and boo. On of the best fights of the year so far was Elad vs. Ryan Belasco at the Blue where early got dropped early and was on his way to starchville. He shook it off and convincingly won the next three rounds. The place went nuts and he was carried off in his teams shoulders. Next time out facing a solid journeyman Jason Jordan, he decides to become a showboat. My second best memory of the Blue Horizon is of Elad Schmouel's mouth piece getting knocked into the 3rd row while clowning around. He won the fight over a good opponent but the crowd booed mercilessly. The Israeli soldier has two handed knockout power but also tends to tire near the end. You can probably count on him fighting at the Blue in June, hopefully against someone who can test that 17 win record. Last Month Ranking # unranked |
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| 10. |
 Isaac Suarez Featherweight 5 - 0 (2ko's) |
The Lancaster, PA based featherweight hits the 5 fight mark and earns a slot on the pound for pound list on the strength of two strong performances this year. Suarez is a fast paced fighter who is always initiating a rumble. There is some exciting talent coming through the ranks in this division, namely Jules Blackwell and Teon Kennedy. For now, they are all taking their turn beating up Ernest Scott. Hopefully down the line, these guys will face each other in contests that would be worthy of headline status. Suarez is set to return on May 12th in Lancaster against an opponent TBA. Last Month Ranking # unranked |
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Honorable mentions – Gee Culmer, Jamaal “Da Truth” Davis, Latif Mundy, Simon “One Punch” Carr, LaJuan Simon, Jules Blackwell, Gabe Rosado, Simon O'Donnell, Levon Warner, Doel Carrasquillo. Oaktree Brown. |
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Copyright © 2004 Philly Keith Sports
