- Mike Stewart vs. Ivan Robinson
Mike "No Joke" Stewart used a savage body attack to wear down Ivan Robinson and force the former world-title challenger to quit on his stool between the eighth and ninth rounds of their local showdown for Stewart's USBA junior welterweight title before a crowd of 3,411.
Stewart, 140 pounds, of New Castle, DE, never gave Robinson, 140, Philadelphia, a chance to operate. From the first bell, the USBA champ was "in Robinson's face," working the body with vicious left hooks and sticking to his game plan throughout the entire contest. When Robinson went on the attack early in round two, Stewart either avoided or took Robinson's best overhand rights without flinching, then fired back to the rib cage.
Robinson's best round may have been the third when Stewart's work rate dropped. But after that, it was all one-way traffic. Stewart kept pressing Robinson around the ring, working down and up, body and head. He stunned Robinson in several rounds, but couldn't put him down.
After another brutal round in the eighth, Robinson's corner decided to end matters, which could mean the end of the line for a gallant warrior who twice beat Arturo Gatti. The loss was the 32-year-old Robinson's eighth against 31 victories, two draws. He has scored 12 K0s.
For the 25-year-old Stewart, his record moves to 35-1-2, 19 K0s, and should move him closer to the "big-money fights" he dreams about. It marked the second defense of the USBA title he won March 21 by beating Chucky T. In his first defense June 27, Stewart KOd ex-IBF world champ Terronn Millett.
In other fights: Miguel Figueroa, 142.75 pounds, Camden, NJ, scored a K0 at 2.49 of the eighth round over Chucky T, 140.5, Philadelphia, PA, junior welterweights; Aslanbek Kodzoev, 155, Philadelphia, scored a K0 at 1.03 of the fifth round over Kevin Tillman, 155, Philadelphia, junior middleweights; Anthony Thompson, 152, Philadelphia, scored a K0 at 52 seconds of the sixth round over Jose Avila, 151, New York, junior middleweights; John Poore, 216, Boothwyn, PA, made it 13 K0s in 13 fights when he stopped Travis Fulton, 255, Cedar Rapids, IA, at 2.48 of the first round, heavyweights; Harry Joe Yorgey, 153.5, Bridgeport, PA, scored a four-round decision (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) over Peter Kaljevic, 152.5, New York, junior middleweights; Elvin Ayala, 160, New Haven, CT, scored a K0 at 2.40 of the first round over Darus Hunter, 162, Philadelphia, middleweights; Dave Evans, 134.5, New Castle, DE, and Eric Boide, 135.5, Newark, DE, fought to a No Decision when an accidental clash of heads in the second round left Boide claiming "double vision." They are lightweights.