Photo by David Caselli
Davis squeaks by Hernandez
Ringside by Jose E. Santiago (3/4/2012)

Last night at the Buckhead Theater in Atlanta, GA, Antonio "T-Rex" Davis (29-7, 13 KOs) and Jose Hernandez (11-9-1, 5 KOs) battled in front of a frenzied crowd. With his local Lightweight GBC (Georgia Boxing Championship) title on the line Davis squeaked by with a close six round split decision victory.

Jumping right into the fray at the sound of the opening bell, both fighters came out amped and began to land hard shots. It was however the south-paw Hernandez that looked to have wobbled Davis with a few hard shots. In a bit of desperation and surprise Davis let off a hard right that dropped Hernandez. The flash knockdown did not serious hurt Hernandez. He immediately got to his feet and waited for referee George Chip's eight count.

The back and forth action continued in the second round, as Davis attempted to bulldoze forward and do damage. Although Davis successfully landed shots, Hernandez used angles and counter shots to land punches of his own. With 15 seconds left in the round Hernandez switched the momentum and pinned Davis against the ropes and landed a barrage of unrelenting punches.

In the third Hernandez was starting to time his right hook and landed it multiple times as Davis continued to bully forward and press the fight. Things slowed down a bit as both fighters struggled with attempts to take control. Returning the favor from the previous round, Davis ended the round by pressing Hernandez on the ropes and landing his own onslaught.

In what appeared to be a slight momentum swing in the fourth for Davis, his unrelenting style finally had Hernandez moving backwards instead of turning and using angles. Davis pressed the action throughout the round. For the first time in the fight Hernandez looked a bit frustrated that Davis would not stop coming forward. Even though it was competitive, the fourth was easily scored for Davis.

After receiving encouragement from his corner Hernandez came out a little more focused in the fifth, but much to his chagrin so did Davis. Knowing that the fight was possibly teetering either way on the scorecards, neither fighter wanted to allow the other to take advantage. Simply put, they went back and forth. Davis with his head lowered looking to get on the inside, and Hernandez looking to catch him coming in. The fifth was yet another close round.

As one would expect with two hardnosed warriors, the sixth and final round was back and forth. But unlike the previous rounds the punches thrown by both fighters had more vicious intentions. They continued throughout the round and at the ten second warning that the round was ending they let loose with Davis comfortably against the ropes and Hernandez pressing him there. The crowd rose to their feet as the combatants left it all in the ring ending it at a blistering pace.

At the end it was Davis who would keep his Lightweight GBC belt by squeaking by with a split decision. Two judges scored it 58-56 for Davis, while one judge had it 58-56 for Hernandez.

Tavera vs. Jones

The co-main event of the evening had the potential of being a very entertaining match-up as Jesus "La Sombra" Tavera (4-1 1KO) and Darrell "Prince of Perfection" Jones (2-9-1 1KO) met for a second time. The two fought last August in a very entertaining matchup which included knockdowns, cuts and momentum shifts. Tavera won the first bout, but Jones was looking to avenge the loss. Unfortunately, controversy and unsportsmanlike conduct stole the show.

In the first round Jones looked like he may have learned from his mistakes in the first fight against Tavera and used his height and reach advantage to keep Tavera's aggressiveness at bay with long straight jabs. Undeterred by the reach advantage, Tavera was willing to take a jab just to work his way inside and pepper Jones with looping shots to the head.

Much like the first round, Jones looked to keep the fight on the outside. Unlike the first however, Tavera appeared to have a little trouble getting inside and landing shots. As the round progressed the boxers would engage in some heated exchanges. All in all this fight looked to be on the way to being yet another epic battle against the two rivals.

But, then the third round happened.

At the sound of the bell the action continued as one would expect. Tavera was looking to land hard looping shots, while Jones used his reach to land on the outside. About a minute in, while in a slight clinch, Jones reared back and connects with an obviously intentional head-butt. Referee Jim Korb jumped in immediately. Korb initially deducted one point from Jones, but after evaluating the damage done by the head-butt with ringside physician Dr. Harkrider, Korb made it a two point deduction after noticing a deep gash over Tavera's right eye. Once the bout was allowed to continue Jones intentionally head-butted Tavera again. Korb immediately called a halt to the fight and disqualified Jones. As Jones was headed to his corner anear melee ensued as Tavera went after him in outraged anger. Both corners and entourages jumped in the ring as a sure brawl was on the minds of many. Much credit must be given to the Georgia State Athletic Commission as officials immediately jumped in the ring and defused the situation before it got out of hand. Official time was 1:27 of round three. Winner, Jesus Tavera by DQ.

One of the highlights of the evening was Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns. Brought in as a special guest by promoters Greg Barckhoff and Shea Bailey, the "Motor City Cobra" was introduced to the crowd and presented with gifts. After a few questions were answered in the ring during a brief interview, Hearns would graciously pose for pictures and sign autographs for his beloved fans.

In other action:

After scoring draws in his first two pro fights, cruiserweight Tracey "The Titan" Johnson (1-0-2) finally got his first victory over Joe Mullens (1-3) via a four round unanimous decision. Scores read: 40-36 twice and 39-37.

In an action packed four round light welterweight matchup, Greg Faust (1-1) and "Furious" George Hayes (1-1 1KO) thrilled the crowd with an awesome fight. At the end Faust was declared the unanimous winner with scores of 39-37 twice and 40-36.

Flamboyant Lekan "Lucky Loverboy" Byfield (2-1) scored a unanimous four round decision over D'Quan Morgan (1-1-1 1KO). Scores: 39-37 twice, 40-36

Tobias "Hit Like a Pit" Rice (4-5 2KO) won a close majority decision over DJuan Hughey (1-3-2KO). Scores read 38-38 and 39-37 twice.

Hot Atlanta prospect Quatavious Cash "Money" (1-0 1KO) had a successful pro debut by scoring a second round TKO over Joseph "Spiderman" Benjamin (3-20-2 3KO). Official time was 1:04 of round number 2. With an impressive amateur background Cash is someone to keep a close eye on with high expectations already building in Atlanta.