In a battle of unbeaten Jr. Middleweight prospects Charles Conwell scored a ninth round knockout over previously undefeated Wendy Toussaint on Wednesday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. In what was the main event of the first card of Showtime Sports’ popular ShoBox:The New Generation series since March prior to the sports world shutting down due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Conwell applied a consistent strategy of walking forward behind a high defensive guard and getting on the inside of Toussaint. This fight was largely based on Conwell’s ability to get on the inside and Toussaint’s inability to maintain distance and keep Conwell on the outside.
Once on the inside of his opponent, Conwell implemented an effective body attack on Toussaint and mixed in uppercuts and hooks to the head as well. The fight seemed to follow this pattern from start to finish as the methodical approach of Conwell became the story of the bout. Although Conwell appeared to be on his way to winning a convincing unanimous decision victory in the scheduled ten round bout, he would instead end the fight in round nine by landing a flush right uppercut up the middle of Toussaint’s guard and forcing the previously unbeaten prospect to take a knee in his own corner. Toussaint clearly hurt and compromised by what was immediately revealed to be a broken nose was unable to beat the count of Referee Johnny Callas. Official time of the stoppage was 2:42 of round nine. Charles Conwell advances to 13-0, with 10 Knockouts. Wendy Toussaint falls to 12-1, with 5 Knockouts.
Also on this card:
In the first of two Welterweight fights on the card, undefeated prospect Brandun Lee scored a first round knockout of veteran Jimmy Williams. Lee staggered Williams with a wide left hook early in round one that had Williams hurt against the ropes. A barrage of punches resulted in a knockdown being ruled as Referee Danny Schiavone ruled that the ropes prevented Williams from going down. The fight continued and Lee scored a second knockdown of Williams with a looping right hand. Although Williams was able to get up after being dropped a second time, it became clear that it was only a matter of time before the bout would be over. Seconds later, Lee dropped Williams for a third and final time with a flush right hand sending Williams down in brutal fashion to bring the one-sided fight to its conclusion. Williams was down on the canvas for several minutes, but was able to leave the ring under his own power. Official time of the stoppage was 1:34 of round one. Brandun Lee advances to 20-0, with 18 Knockouts. Jimmy Williams falls to 16-4-2, with 5 Knockouts.
This was followed by undefeated Welterweight prospect Janelson Figueroa Bocachica who scored a first round knockout of his own of Nicklaus Flaz. A flush counter left hook to the head dropped Flaz flat on his back on the canvas. Flaz chose to try and exchange with Figueroa Bocachica, but it proved to be costly as he was sent down for a second time with another left hook to the jaw that sent him down heavily on the canvas in a neutral corner of the ring. Flaz was able to get up on very unsteady legs and the fight continued. A follow up barrage of offense from Figueroa Bocachica brought an end to the bout as Flaz was sent down for a third time resulting in the fight being stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 2:43 of round one. Janelson Figueroa Bocachica advances to 16-0, with 11 Knockouts. Nicklaus Flaz falls to 9-2, with 7 Knockouts.
Debuting Featherweight David Navarro scored a first round knockout to begin his career by knocking down Nathan Benichou down twice to earn a stoppage in an off-air preliminary bout. David Navarro advances to 1-0, with 1 Knockout. Nathan Benichou falls to 2-2, with 2 Knockouts.
It is rare to see every fight scheduled on any combat sports card end in knockouts, but that is what happened here in the return of ShoBox to the Boxing airways. For Charles Conwell, his victory over Wendy Toussaint earned him the United States Boxing Association (USBA) Jr. Middleweight championship and should find himself in the world rankings off of this win as the regional governing body is affiliated with the International Boxing Federation (IBF). More importantly for Conwell, this fight was his second fight and victory since his bout with Patrick Day in October of last year. A hard fought victory for Conwell that unfortunately led to Day’s death four days after the bout as a result of injuries he suffered during the fight.
Although the circumstances of Day’s passing are tragic, what is an unfortunate danger of all combat sports and could happen to any fighter each time they compete, which is one reason among many why all fighters deserve the utmost respect for what they risk each time they enter the ring to compete, what also can be overlooked is the effect a tragedy like that can have on the other fighter involved. While Charles Conwell has been able to continue his career in what has to be difficult and emotional circumstances, it should not be ignored that he wore a patch that read “Pat Day All Day” on his trunks in his fight in tribute to his former opponent.
All too often, Boxing leaves itself open to its flaws both in and out of the ring, but even though such flaws and animosity between fighters will always get more attention than the good the sport has to offer and the “Respect” and “Class” fighters do show the sport and each other, all involved in the sport from fans, to broadcasters, to those who cover the sport like yours truly, to those who enter the ring to do battle should from time to time show and discuss the good Boxing has to offer. Something that at times you don’t even need to see a punch thrown to do.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
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