Last night Polar Park, home to the Worcester Red Sox (WooSox) Triple-A team, hosted its inaugural boxing event – “Punch-Out at Polar Park”. The venue, renowned for its award-winning baseball legacy, saw stars of another kind, as fighters exchanged blows under the starlit sky.
In the main event, local hero Kendrick Ball, Jr. exhibited a boxing masterclass against Oscar Riojas, with unanimous scores of 80-72 across the board. Demonstrating his talent, Ball methodically outboxed Riojas, breaking down the seasoned southpaw, particularly in the last two rounds.
Sean Bey, in the co-main event, maintained his unbeaten record against Quintin Sumpter. However, the decision was clouded in controversy. Sumpter showcased his skills by flooring Bey with a devastating combo in the fourth round. The decision, a majority verdict in Bey’s favor, didn’t sit well with a majority of the audience.
Kevin Walsh and Philip Davis provided a nail-biting contest. Despite the tension-filled atmosphere and opportunities for knockouts, neither fighter hit the canvas. Their fierce battle had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Melanie Costa, a police officer, and former National Golden Gloves champion, stole the spotlight with her relentless energy against the Brazilian MMA fighter, Kalindra Walkiria De Carvalho Faria. Despite the height difference, Costa’s continuous assault proved too much for Faria.
Undercard Action
- Josniel “TG” Castro bouncing back with a TKO win over Jorge “Tomatito” Martin.
- Worcester’s own officer, Neal Sullivan, delivering a knockout punch against Michael Medeiros.
- Tevin “The Hitman” Regis marking his pro debut with a TKO over Joshua Zimmerman.
- James Maner retaining his unbeaten record against Saul Almeida.
The event also served as an homage to “The Godfather of Worcester Boxing”, Carlos Garcia. With 40 years dedicated to nurturing young talents at the Worcester Boys and Girls Club, Garcia’s influence in the boxing community was celebrated with the inaugural Carlos Garcia Amateur Tournament.