PHOTOS page 6
1/28/2008
U.S. Marines rumble at Foxwoods Amateur Card-Veterans Day-Nov. 11, 2005 Photos By Brendon Pierpaoli
On Friday, November eleventh the US Marines invaded Foxwoods Resort and Casino. Their objective was two-fold but very clear: entertain and honor US Armed Service veterans with an eight bout boxing card featuring some of the Marines' best young athletes.
Super heavyweights Bernard Holmes of the Niagara Boxing Club of Buffalo, NY, and USMC Corporal Jackie Saye fought the most bruising bout of the night. Holmes used superior bodywork to slow Saye down in the middle rounds but he ran out of gas in the final fourth round and dropped the decision to Corporal Saye.
The last fight of the night was a spirited featherweight bout between USMC Lance Corporal Hugo Ramirez and Francisco Palacisca of Montalvo Boxing in Stamford, CT. Ramirez seemed to be the stronger fighter but the busier work rate of Palacisca put him ahead of Ramirez in punches landed when the judges' scores were tallied.
The US Army's Matt Pride was clearly the most polished amateur seeing action Friday night and he dominated USMC's Corporal Tomas Chavez over four rounds in the one hundred sixty-five pound division. Pride's long and lean physique coupled with clever footwork and quick-moving style make him an ideal amateur fighter.
An in-ring presentation was held at the conclusion of the bouts and an offering was given by Native American boxing coach, Stonehorse Lone Goeman of Tongwanda Band of Seneca Hawk Clan. Goeman presented the Marines with a piece of obsidian and an eagle's feather in a gesture of communion with the assembly of fighting men. Stonehorse spoke eloquently of the symbolism behind the stone and the raptor's feather and his words must have touched each man directly.
"This is a fallen warrior," Stonehorse raised the eagle feather. "Take care of this fallen warrior." And with that message the crowd cheered in honor of all the fallen warriors and for those who fight for this nation today.
www.FistThingsFirst.com is the Property of Webhead Entertainment, LLC. Copyright 2007