Mashantucket, CT (BoxingGurus.com) - In an exciting ESPN2 Friday Night Fights card at Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Junior Welterweight "Irish" Mickey Ward (36-10, 27 KO) knocked out Steve "The Mongoose" Quinonez (23-6-1, 9 KO) with a single body shot at 3:03 of the 1st round. In the state of Connecticut, a fighter cannot be saved by the bell; therefore, the stoppage occurred even though the round was over.
Ward landed a devastating left hook to the body with only a few seconds remaining in the first round and Quinonez, who was in serious pain, did not even attempt to get up. "He (Quinonez) dropped like he was shot. It was a classic shot to the solarplexes," said referee Steve Smoger. "He (Quinonez) was absolutely paralyzed." It took several minutes for Quinonez to get up off the canvas as doctors checked him for a more serious internal injury.
Ward, 35, took some time off after his last fight; a 10-round decision loss to Antonio Diaz, to rethink his desire to fight and after tonight, it appears he made a good decision to come back to the ring. "I need to fight a little more," said a rejuvenated Ward. "Forget these 9-month layoffs at my age."
Ward is scheduled to fight next at Hampton Beach on July 13 against a yet to be named opponent. "I'm looking for one more big fight," said Ward after the fight. "Once I feel I can't fight like I want to fight, I will be done." Ward also mentioned that he would be willing to move up to 147 and challenge for a title if the money was right.
Ward has already been involved in two world championship fights with Harold Brazier in 1990 (L 12) and Vincent Phillips (L TKO 3) both for the IBF Junior Welterweight Title.
TELEVISED UNDERCARD
Light Heavyweight Prince Badi Ajamu (4-0, 2 KO) scored an impressive KO at 1:09 of the 4th round over a game Chet Scott (4-2, 1 KO). Ajamu just over powered Scott and was in control from the outset. Scott was knocked down in the 4th round with a clean left hook to the top of the head and did beat the count. Ajamu then jumped all over Scott with a 7-8 punch combo again putting Scott down. This time Scott did not get up, as Scott could not beat the ten count.
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In a Middleweight contest, Tokunbo Olajide (11-0, 9 KO) scored a quick TKO at 1:08 of the 3rd round over Leo "The Lion" Edwards (11-8-2, 5 KO). Olajide showcased his blazing hand speed and vicious left hook dropping Edwards toward the end of the 2nd round. Ojajide didn't waste much time in the 3rd going right after the still stunned Edwards. The referee finally stopped the fight after many unanswered punches by Olajide and the urging of Edwards corner.
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Welterweight Curtis "All Business" Barker (21-0-2, 12 KO) worked overtime throwing 1,034 punches in winning a10-round unanimous decision over Patrick Thorns (23-9-1, 15 KO). Barker worked the body early in an effort to wear down Thorns, but Thorns came on strong late to make it a closer contest. Barker had a point deducted in the 6th round for going low after being warned on two different occasions. The judges at ringside scored the fight 95-94, 97-92 and 97-92 for Barker. BoxingGurus.com, also at ringside, had the fight scored 97-92 for Barker.
UNTELEVISED UNDERCARD:
Hot Philadelphia prospect Light Heavyweight Randy Griffin (7-0, 7 KO) showed some good power and finished off journeyman Dan Sheehan (8-11, 3 KO) by TKO at 1:36 of the 4th round. Griffin was throwing bombs from the opening bell and Sheehan showed he has a great chin, but took too much punishment and the referee stepped in at stopped the fight.
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Another Philadelphia prospect, Junior Welterweight Anthony Washington (12-0-1, 3 KO) won a unanimous 4-round decision over journeyman Andre Baker (4-11-1, 2 KO). Washington showed some solid skills cruising to an easy victory winning 40-36, 39-37 and 39-37 on the judge's scorecards.
