Philly Keith Boxing Top 10 Rankings

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Philly Top 10

November 2006

August 2006

December 2006 Pound for Pound Rankings

The first ever pound for pound list got me some ink in the Philadelphia Daily News (thanks again Bernard Fernandez!). The second one earned me a 30 minute segment on "The Philadelphia Boxing Report" on ESPN Radio 920AM (Thanks again Mike and Big Dean!) Who knows where the third one will bring me? I am guessing an an early retirement because people are sure to think I am an idiot for bumping up two guys who have been inactive. But as usual things in Philly boxing are about as steady as a drunk early in the morning.

Once again the new list has lots of changes. Losses, inactivity, fighters meeting the 5 fight requirements, other looking very unimpressive have caused a big shuffle in the rankings. Change is a good thing though and that is why we are the best in the world at what we do.

For those of you who are new to the PK pound for pound list, the rules are simple. If you fight in the City of Brotherly Love and have more than 5 pro fights, you are eligible for the list. But don't get it twisted this isn't a list of fighters BORN in Philly, this is for the guys who spill their sweat in venues like the New Alhambra, Blue Horizon or National Guard Armory and help make our local circuit the best in the world.

Now that we have that clear, November was a very active and exciting month in Philly boxing. Harry Yorgey put on a couple of unforgettable performances, Eddie Chambers was signed with Goossen Tutor and will most likely be leaving Philly for a while (go get em Eddie!) Joey Abell took a stunning loss and we saw young bucks like Jules Blackwell & The Slick Fighting Irishman Simon O'Donnell show that they have what it takes to make a long run on the top ten list.

Without further adu, here is the December 2006 Philly top 10 pound for pound list.

Harry Joe Yorgey
jr. Middleweight
17 - 0 - 1 (8ko’s)

It was definitely a November to remember for Harry Joe Yorgey fans as he turned in the two best fights of the year hands down. It started on November 9th with an IBU Junior Middleweight title fight against a tough as nails Martinus Clay in a match that oddly enough ended in a draw. It was a back and forth battle that saw both men in control at times and kept the crowd on their feet every round. Many were saying it was the fight of the year. For an encore, Yorgey goes to Valley Forge on the 30th against Jeremy Yelton who has faced against some of the best in the business. This was another barnburner which saw Yorgey covered in blood, score a knockdown, get knocked down three times, break his nose and still manage to get a win. While most of the undefeated guys on this list are taking safe, easy fights, Yorgey is banging it out against serious competition and coming out on top. His heart alone earns him my #1 slot now that Eddie Chambers has moved on. Last Month Ranking #4

Chazz Witherspoon
Heavyweight
15 - 0 (9ko’s)

The Gentleman was slated to fight in Valley Forge on the 30th but the fight fell out last minute. Although he didn't have a fight this month, with Joey Abell's surprising loss Witherspoon moves up to number 2. Nothing is scheduled just yet for Chazz but after the New Year I would like to see him take on Aaron Lyons. If not him, why not fight a local guy like the winner of the upcoming Dave Brunelli vs. Levon Warner fight instead of flying in some no hoper from parts unknown and bring some real excitement back to Philly boxing. Last Month Ranking - #3

Yusef Mack
Super Middleweight
22 - 1 - 2 (14ko’s)

With all of the surprises and fighters leaving the Philly circuit, Yusef jumps up to three without having a fight on about 6 months. I know, I know but honestly, no one besides Yorgey has stepped up recently and Yusef has the talent be number one for a long time. So by default Yusef moves up, I just hope to see him back in the ring soon because he is by far one of the most entertaining . Get him a fight Percy! Last Month Ranking - #5

Max Alexander
lt. Heavyweight
12 - 0 (2ko's)

Another ranking that is a little high but like I said before, no one is stepping up. That combined with the fact that Max is making his return to the ring in January makes it the perfect time to let the world know exactly who the best light heavyweight prospect on the east coast is. An opponent hasn't been announced just yet but Max stated he has a beef to settle with Minnesota's Marty Lindquist. Let's see if we can get that fight hooked up sometime soon. If not, how about Cavallo or Wildwood's Chucky Mussachio? Last Month Ranking #6

Joey Abell
Heavyweight
9 - 1 (9ko's)

Who was expecting this one? Fluke or no fluke Joey got ko'd by the unknown Aaron Lyons and a lot of people are not too happy about it. I still think he is one bad dude and would love to see a rematch. Abell says "I will treat him like a kid in the rematch" We will see, some people are already writing off the big lumberjack but I think he will come back strong. This is a good test for him to show us what he is really made of. He needs to win the rematch in impressive fashion in order to be taken seriously again. It is said Abell will fight in Minnesota and then Sweden over the next two months. It is unclear if he will return to Philly. Last Month Ranking #2

Steve Upshur Chambers
jr. Welterweight
14 - 1 - 1 (4ko's)

Fast Eddie’s smaller brother shows he is worthy of his top ten spot by following up an impressive knockout over Reggie Nash with a hard fought decision over fellow Philly tough guy Lenny DiVictoria. His super quick welterweight isn’t normally known for his pop but he does have a great set of boxing skills and could make a lot of noise in the near future. Our days of seeing "Showtime Steve" may be numbered as he could be tagging along with his bigger bro around the country on the Goossen Tutor roster. Last Month Ranking #8

Omar Pittman
super - Middleweight
13 - 3 (8ko's)

This rugged Super Middleweight will be apart of the fight card Jan 11th at the New Alhambra which will be televised on Versus against a tough yet limited Dhafir Smith. Pittman has been on a roll of late as he starched Puerto Rico’s William Santiago early in the first round at the New Alhambra on November 17th. His fight before that was a heavily one sided decision against a usually tough Derrick Graham and before that he was spotted on OLN (now Versus) knocking out the 9 - 2 Victor Paz. Last Month Ranking #9

Chucky Cavallo
lt. Heavyweight
13 – 0 (4ko’s)

Cavallo stole the show on December 29th in Valley Forge as he got off the canvas to score a 1st round knockout over the always dangerous Andre Hemphill. It was a big win for the Cavallo camp and the undefeated Light Heavyweight looks to ride that momentum into his next fight which is expected to take place February 10th at the Klien Jewish Community Center in Northeast Philly against an opponent yet to be named. Last Month Ranking #10

Mike Jones
Welterweight
5 - 0 (5ko's)

He finally meets the 5 fight requirement and this powerful welterweight debuts at #8 after his blowout win at the New Alhambra. He packs a serious punch but Peltz needs to get him up against someone who can hang with him. Doel Carrasquillo anyone? How about Jamie Morales? Tyric Robinson would give him a fight. Marcus Luck has been through Philly a few times and put people to the test. There are lot of good, tough, young welterweights around here in Philly so it shouldn't be too hard if these guys are willing to take a tough fight. Jones is scheduled to test the outside waters in Tacoma Washington in the end of January. Last Month Rank - unranked

10.

Kaseem Wilson
jr. Middleweight
6 - 0 (3ko's)

Another one of the Peltz crew meets the requirements and cracks the list. Wilson has a chance to be really good. The junior middleweight prospect has excellent boxing skills, good power and shown good patience in the ring. He blew away Damon Antoine who is usually a tough test at the New Alhambra. Let's go for broke here and fight Harry Yorgey! That will never happen though unfortunately. Wilson will be following stablemate Mike Jones for his next fight out in Tacoma Washington. Last Month Ranking - unranked

Honorable mentions – Gee Culmer, Jamaal “Da Truth” Davis, Latif Mundy, Simon “One Punch” Carr, Jules Blackwell, Jamie Morales, Simon O'Donnell, Dave Brunelli, Levon Warner.