FRANK BARTOLINI RINGSIDE
Brooklyn, NY: No other region on this earth is as ethnically diverse as the five boroughs that encompass New York City. The population of Brooklyn reprensents that fact. That was truly the case on the evening of July 30 at The Barclay when Danny “Swift” Garcia, a Philadelphian who is proud of his Peurto Rican heritage, faced Mexican American Jose Benavidez Jr in the twelve round super middleweight main event. The semi windup pitted heavyweights Polish native Adam Kownaci against Turk Ali Eren Demirezen, who trains in Germany. Cuban junior welterweight Rances Barthelemya and Ukrainian Middleweight Sergy Derevyanchenko competed in separate contests on the undercard. All these combatants were represented in the audience with National flags or shirts displaying national colors.
Danny Garcia, Philadelphia, PA, returned to his home away from home The Barclay Center to face contender Jesse Benevidez, Phoenix, AZ., . This was the former two weight division world champion Garcia,152 3⁄4 lbs., first venture into the junior middleweight ranks. Many questions were being asked about Garcia who was coming off a nineteen month layoff, after losing his welterweight world title challenge against Errol Spence, going into the contest. Has Garcia’s skills faded? Can Garcia pack a punch at a higher weight class? Will Garcia shake off the rust that accumulated from being out of action for nineteen months.
This was Garcia’s ninth time fighting in The Barclay Center and the crowd of approximately nine thousand five hundred fans exhibited its appreciation by roaring upon his entry into the arena. From the onset Garcia started fast and maintained a good pace throughout. Benavidez,153 3⁄4 lbs., could not match Garcia’s punch rate. During the second round Garcia darted in and out as Benevidez became more aggressive trying to stunt his offense.
Beyond that point it was all Garcia as he moved well to avoid getting hit while scoring counter right hands. Garcia took full control of the action and began landing combinations to both the head and body as the house began cheering “DANNY DANNY DANNY” in round five. Trying to change the momentum, Benevidez pressed the action during the ninth stanza and it was the only session he clearly won. Closing out the fight, Garcia looked sensational the final three minutes throwing beautiful, fast flurries. At the end, everyone in the building believed without a doubt that Danny won.. Everyone except for the judges that is. Garcia, who is now 37-3 21 Ko’s won a majority decision by scores of 114-114 Valeska Roldan. 116-112 Glen Feldman 117-111 Tony Paolillo. This writer had it 119-110 for Garcia 10 rounds to one and one even. Benevidez is now 27-2-1 18 Ko’s.
This grand performance by Garcia not only extended his career, it catapulted him into the junior middleweight rankings. In the days following the romp, Kieth Thurman went on social media calling for Garcia to face him in a rematch. Garcia lost a close twelve round nod to Thurman in March of 2017 in a World Welterweight unification tilt staged at The Barclay Center. Matchroom promoter said he finds Garcia vs Connor Benn an intriguing matchup and would like to promote it. Whispers of Garcia challenging WBA World Middleweight Champion Erislandy Lara at a catchweight are circulating. Others have said Garcia is in line to meet physical anomaly 6’ 5 1⁄2 “ Sebastian Fundora . With all these options Garcia would be wise to enter the ring by year’s end while he is still a hot commodity.

It was not long ago that Polish-born heavyweight Adam Kownacki, Brooklyn, NY, was a world rated contender in line for a chance to battle for the World Heavyweight Championship. After losing his third straight in the lead up to the main event against Ali Erem Demirezen Hamburg, Germany , Kownacki’s days as a world ranked fighter seem to be over.
Nearly half of Kownacki’s,251.1⁄4 lbs, professional boxing career has taken place at The Barclay Center. Polish fans come in droves. Kownacki admirers had plenty to root for following the first two. Kownacki slowed down in the third and Demirezan got the better of the action from this point forward. Both boxers threw plenty of punches and combined unleashed almost eighteen hundred blows over ten rounds. A humongous tally for heavyweights.
By throwing and scoring more power shots Demirezen had the left side of Kownacki’s face looking horrible. Demirezen,272 3⁄4 lbs,was getting off first and a straight right opened a gash over Kownacki’s left eye. Brawling and rough housing kept Kownacki in the fight and many felt the fan favorite may receive a hometown nod.
Judges Steve Wiesfeld and Martha Tremblay 97-93 and Mark Consentino 96-94 all in favor of Demirezen. Demirzen is now 17-1 12 Ko’s. Kownacki has to re-evaluate how he has handled himself thus far and falls to 20-3 15 Ko’s. It is a long road back for Kownacki
Competing for the first time in his life without his father Gary Antuanne Russell, Capitol Heights, MD, preparing him. Russell,137 3⁄4 Lbs., kept his knockout streak alive with a controversial stoppage of Cuban native Frances Barthelemy, Las Vegas, NV. Gary Russell Sr passed away suddenly this past May and his son, former WBC World Featherweight King Gary Russell Jr took over his duties training and working in his younger brother’s corner.
An even battle until round six , southpaw Russell setup right hook to Barthelmy, 139 1⁄2 lbs., jaw by dipping low before unleashing the bomb. Barthelemy fell to the deck and rose quickly, walking himself to a neutral corner. For reasons unknown to anyone, referee Shada Murtaugh called off the match. A cognitive and stable Barthelemy looked perfectly fine to continue, The Scheduled ten rounder was halted at :50 seconds of round six. Russell’s record remains unblemished at 16-0 16 Ko’s. Barthelemy rebuilds with a slate of 29-2-1 15 Ko’s.
On the undercard Ukrainian Sergy Derevyancheck. 159 1⁄2 lbs, obtained his first victory in three years. Derevyancheck out punched journeyman Joshua Conley, San Bernardino, Calif. over ten rounds. Conley, 160, lbs gave a game effort and fell to 17-4-1 11 Ko’s. All three judges gave it to Derevyanchenko,14-4 10 Ko’s, by wide margins. Judges scores Allen Nace and Don Trella 99-91. Judge John Basile 98-92