Adams vs Monroe Jr set for Boxcino final

Verona, NY  (APRIL 21, 2014)--Brandon Adams and Willie Monroe Jr. each took home decision victories and punched their tickets to the finals of Boxcino 2014.

The finals will take place at the same venue as the semifinals, that being the Turning Stone Resort and Casino and is promoted by Banner Promotions and the semifinals were broadcast on ESPN 2.

The finals will take place on May 23 as will the lightweight finals that will feature Fernando Carcamo and Petr Petrov.  Both bouts are scheduled for 10 rounds.

Adams scored an exciting 8-round split decision over Raymond Gatica while Monroe boxed his way to an 8-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Vitalii Kopylenko.

Adams and Gatica put on a good show that saw them stand toe to toe all over the ring.  Adams mixed it up being the aggressor and counter-punching effectively.

The action picked up in round three with some good exchanges.  Adams rocked Gatica with a solid right in the next frame.  Later in the round, Adams landed another right hand that buckled his opponent.  In round six, Gatica tried to make a stand by landing a combination on the ropes but that was short lived as Adams successfully fired off a pair of right hands to stop that flurry.  Adams boxed well down the stretch and even put a stamp on the fight by landing a hard right at the bell.

Adams, 161 lbs of San Diego, CA won by scores of 78-74 twice and Gatica, 158 lbs of Austin, TX took a card 77-75.

Adams is now 14-0.  Gatica is now 14-3.

"He is a tough guy," said Adams.  "This is the 1st southpaw I had fought.  It is a lot tougher, but I got the job done.  He taught me a lot in the ring and it was a fun fight." 

Said Gatica, "I won the fight.  I was busier and I landed more punches."

Monroe darted in and out and boxed at a comfortable range.  He was quick with his right hooks and quick left hands.  Kopylenko looked and remained dangerous throughout the fight and landed a big right hand in round five that sent the mouthpiece of Monroe flying.  That was Kopylenko's high point of the contest as Monroe got back to effective boxing and won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74."

Monroe Jr, is now 17-1.  Kopylenko is now 23-1.

"It was hard but fair," said Monroe.  "I gave him his 1st loss.  He was coming but we fought at my range and set up feints and landed good shots."

Adams commented on the final by saying, "We are going to dance.  This is very exciting.  He is a flashy southpaw.  I am going to train for a slick southpaw.  He put on a good show tonight. 

Nate Heaven remained undefeated by scoring an explosive 1st round stoppage over Donovan Dennis in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Both guys landed heavy shots until Heaven landed a crushing right to the jaw that sent Dennis down. Dennis got to his feet but was wobbly and the fight was stopped at 3:00 of round one.

"I give all hail to god,"said Heaven. "The right hand is my weapon. I saw him on youtube and saw that he gained weight and got slower. My coach said to relax and I would get him."

Heaven, 233 lbs of Ocala, FL is now 9-0-1 with 7 knockouts. Dennis, 226 lbs of Davenport, IA is now 11-2.

Marcus Hall scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Raphael Luna in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Hall, 153 lbs of Rochester, NY and is now 7-6. Luna, 152.5 lbs of Albany, NY is now 3-8-3.

Simeon Hardy destroyed Rahman Yusubov inside of a round of their scheduled 6-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Hardy scored three knockdowns with the 1st and 3rd coming from devastating left hooks at 2:36 of round one. 

Hardy, 155 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Yusubov, 155 lbs of Dallas is now 9-15. 

Cecil McCalla remained perfect by scoring a 6-round unanimous decision over Antonio Chaves Fernandez in a Welterweight bout.

McCalla hurt Fernandes in the 4th and cruised home to the victory by scores of 60-54 on all cards. 

McCalla, 149 lbs of Randallstown, MD is now 18-0. Fernades, 150 lbs of Brockton, MA is now 4-17-2.