The IBA light heavyweight tournament got underway outdoors Thursday night at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. In first round action, local favorite Danny Santiago (29-2-1, 19 KOs) hammered out an eight round unanimous decision over Marlon Hayes (22-5, 11 KOs) by scores of 77-74, 78-73, 76-75. Also, in a wild one, Barry Butler (22-12, 18 KOs) survived a knockdown in round one and Sam Reese (22-16-2, 8 KOs) survived two knockdowns in the second, and both surprisingly managed to make it to the final bell. Butler prevailed 78-70, 78-71, 77-72.
More first round action is slated for February 2 at the same venue with Rodney Toney (29-4-4, 17 KOs) vs Aneudi Santos (12-5, 9 KOs) and Freddie Moore (30-6, 27 KOs) vs Jim Strohl (27-4, 21 KOs). The finals are slated for May with the eventual winner earning the IBA title and a $25,000 purse.
* * *
In other action Thursday night, featherweight Stacey Reille (7-0) outpointed Delia Hoppe (4-3-1) by scores of 59-55, 59-55, 58-56.
Junior middleweight Ed Paredes (10-1, 6 KOs) carded the only KO of the evening with a third round stoppage og Cornell Shinholster (13-11-1, 6 KOs).
Lightweight Carlos Vinan (6-3) dealt previously unbeaten Orlando Gonzalez (4-1-1) his first loss by majority decision 38-38, 39-37, 39-37.
Heavyweight Richard Brown (4-0, 2 KOs) outlasted Brad Bowers (5-6, 5 KOs) to win a 39-37, 39-37, 40-36 nod.
Featherweight Daniel Lorenzanq moved to 1-0 when Trevor Latulas was DQ'd for holding at 1:55 of round four.