(MAY 25)
Ronica Jeffrey won the IWBF Super featherweight title with a
decisive ten round decision over Olivia Gerula Friday night at
the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. The bout was
Diane Lee Fishcher-Cristiano's (Dee Lee Promotions) initial foray
into the New York metropolitan area and the female bout topped a
seven bout card that heralded boxing's return to the historic
County Center after several years absence.
After Jeffrey and Gerula traded the opening two rounds, the new
champion seemed to shift into a different gear in the third
stanza. Jeffrey's fast hands got faster, her in and out movement
got quicker, and her ring speed kept her away from courageous
attempts by Gerula to slow down the new champion with
counterpunching tactics. For the next eight rounds, each two
minute stanza took on a mirror like pattern: Jeffrey constantly
moving around the ring, suddenly, quickly closing on Gerula,
landing head and body shots and just as quickly, moving out of
Gerula's punching range. Gerula, to her credit maintained a
dogged pressure on Jeffrey throughout those eight rounds, and,
at times, managed to force the new champion to the ropes or a
corner, taking the opportunity to land an overhand left hook or
right cross, but the game effort fell short.
The judges cards were as decisive as the description of those
final eight rounds: Julie Lederman and Dan Ackerman scored the
bout 99-91, while Frank Lombardi totaled 98-92, raising
Jeffrey's record to 13-0, while dropping Gerula to 13-14-2.
Bernie McCoy
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At the scales yesterday, Gerula weighed in at 125.8, and Jeffrey at
126 lbs. The fight is going to be shown on "Go Fight Live".
WBAN
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