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PRO BOXING: Lippe-Morrison remains unbeaten, keeps promise to be better

 

CATOOSA, Okla. — In the days leading up to his return to the ring, and still displeased with his last performance, Trey Lippe-Morrison vowed to be better this time around. 

The undefeated heavyweight knockout artist kept his promise. 

A local fan favorite in Southwest Missouri and Northeastern Oklahoma, Lippe-Morrison stayed undefeated by earning a unanimous decision over the heavier and more experienced Don Haynesworth on Top Rank Boxing’s Saturday night event at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. 

After six rounds, judges Henry Ellick, Jason Greenwalt and Don Griffin scored it 60-54 in favor of the son of the late Tommy Morrison. 

Trey Lippe-Morrison (left) and Don Haynesworth exchange punches during their fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on August 14, 2021 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Lippe-Morrison improved his professional record to 18-0. Although his knockout streak ended at 17, the 31-year-old and 229-pound Lippe-Morrison was content with his performance.

“This one feels good,” Lippe-Morrison said moments after going the distance for the first time. “You can always be a little better and sharper. But it felt good to go the distance for the first time and against a fighter like him. I give him props. I hit him with some good body shots and he took them. I feel like I got my boxing back as far as movement, my timing and putting some combinations together.”

Haynesworth, 288 pounds and 38-years-old, saw his record fall to 16-7-1. 

Fighting out of Greensboro, North Carolina, Haynesworth had a clear advantage in experience, as he entered the night with 69 rounds on his resume. On the other hand, Lippe-Morrison had just 34 rounds in nearly the same time period. 

Of course, Lippe-Morrison was highly-motivated for this one. He last fought on April 10, earning a TKO win over Jason Bergman when his opponent could not continue after suffering an ankle injury. 

Lippe-Morrison was clearly unhappy with that fight’s outcome, as he was knocked down early in the bout and unable to deliver a knockout blow.

“I wasn’t pleased with my last fight, but it wasn’t because I did horrible,” Trey said. “It was because I got knocked down and the way it ended. I didn’t get him back and then he got hurt.” 

The 27th-ranked American heavyweight, Lippe-Morrison would have a much different feeling after Saturday’s fight that was streamed on ESPN+.

Out-working his opponent throughout the six-rounder, Lippe-Morrison had success by going to the body often, including a thunderous shot in the second round.

Lippe-Morrison, who did absorb some solid punches, rocked Haynesworth with a right hand early in the fourth round. 

The two exchanged big shots in the final round before Lippe-Morrison was declared the victor. 

Both Lippe-Morrison and his promoter Tony Holden credited new trainer Kevin Lightburn of Springdale, Arkansas, with getting the former star of the Four State Franchise ready to not only win Saturday’s bout, but also to take the next step in his career. 

“I knew he was confident before the fight,” Holden said. “He had a great trainer. Kevin is amazing. I think he’s one of the best trainers in the country. Trey looked like crap his last fight and he looked his best ever in this fight. He looked so much better tonight. That’s because of Kevin Lightburn. I’ve never seen Trey that patient. He looked confident and he’s on the right path.” 

Lightburn said a focus in training for Lippe-Morrison was to keep things simple and get back to the basics.

“To be a well-rounded fighter, you have to take what is given to you,” Lightburn said. “You have to take what he gives you. That might be a body punch if it’s there. One of the biggest goals in this fight was to take away Don’s jab and make him come to us and make some bad decisions. Trey did a good job of that. Trey has a lot of talent. We want to allow him to find out what he’s capable of.” 

So what’s next? Holden said he’s working to get Lippe-Morrison in a “major” fight soon. 

“We’ve got big money fights now,” Holden said. “Trey’s 18-0, so there’s big money for him. I’m not going to throw him to the wolves yet, but Trey’s now on another level. We’ll see what happens.” 

 

ESPN’S MAIN CARD

In a highly-anticipated main event, Joshua Franco (18-1-2) retained his WBA super flyweight championship by earning a unanimous decision over former world champion Andrew Moloney (21-2).

“I had to switch it up on him,” Franco said. “He thought I was going to put pressure on him the whole time. That wasn’t working, so I had to switch it up and go to my boxing skills. I had fun with my rhythm, with my jab, my feet. I’m comfortable in there, and that’s what I did. He’s a strong fighter. Nothing but respect to him. I wish him the best in his career.”  

Making his anticipated professional debut, Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, recorded a quick first-round TKO over Jordan Weeks (4-2) in a middleweight clash. 

“This lived up completely to my expectations,” Ali Walsh said. “It’s been an emotional journey, this whole ride, these last couple of months. Obviously, my grandfather, I’m thinking about him so much. I miss him.”

A Chicago native now fighting out of Las Vegas, Ali Walsh wore a pair of his grandfather’s trunks from the 1960s. During the short fight, the crowd chanted, “Ali, Ali, Ali.”

“Honestly, it seems like a lot of pressure, but to me, it’s just my grandfather,” Ali Walsh said. “To everyone else, to you guys and the crowd, he’s the greatest fighter who ever lived, maybe the greatest person. But to me, he’s the greatest grandfather. To hear those Ali chants was something that I’ll never forget. I didn’t expect that, to be honest, but it was special.”

In a co-feature that opened the live ESPN telecast, undefeated WBO International junior welterweight champion Arnold Barboza Jr. (26-0) earned a unanimous decision over Antonio Moran (26-5-1) in an entertaining 10-round scrap.

“Moran is a true Mexican warrior,” Barboza said. “I thought I’d get the knockout, but he ate a lot of punches. My goal is to get that world title shot, and I am going to keep going until I make that a reality. I want any of the big names at 140 pounds.”

 

OTHER UNDERCARD BOUTS

In the final bout on the undercard, Jason Moloney (22-2), Andrew’s twin brother, secured the WBC silver bantam title with a unanimous decision over Joshua Greer (22-3-2). 

The undercard also featured three junior lightweight bouts. Karlos Balderas (10-1) earned an impressive second-round stoppage against Fidel Cervantes (9-2-1), Andres Cortes (15-0) recorded a first-round knockout against Genesis Servania (34-3) and Albert Bell (19-0) earned a unanimous decision over Julio Cortez (15-3). 

In featherweight action, Abraham Nova (20-0) earned a unanimous decision over Richard Pumicpic (22-12-2). 

The event was promoted by Top Rank Boxing, in association with Holden Productions and Golden Boy Productions.  

 

Don Haynesworth and Trey Lippe-Morrison exchange punches during their fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on August 14, 2021 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

RUMBLE IN NEOSHO: Oliveira stops Ridgway in main event; Bollin, Fry win amateur bouts

NEOSHO, Mo. — Marcus Oliveira hadn’t fought in two years, so it’s safe to say the veteran pugilist needed a little time to shake off the ring rust. 

And while Oliveira may have gotten off to a slow start, he definitely finished strong. 

In control from the start, Oliveira (27-5-1, 22 KOs) recorded a fifth-round technical knockout against Justin Ridgway (9-3) in the cruiserweight main event at “Rumble in the Heartland” on Saturday night inside a packed Neosho Civic Center. 

“I hadn’t fought in awhile, but I felt good,” said Oliveira, who has fought professionally since 2006. “I knew it might take a few rounds for my skills to show, but it was exciting.”

The action-packed event, held by Skip Stewart Promotions, featured professional and amateur boxing matches, along with a few mixed martial arts bouts. 

Oliveira, a Native American who fights out of Mayetta, Kansas, is an ex-world title challenger. Oliveira fought for the WBA light heavyweight championship in 2013, suffering a loss by decision. 

Marcus Oliveira defeated Justin Ridgway in the main event of “Rumble in the Heartland” on Saturday night at the Neosho Civic Center.

Ridgway, a local fan favorite who fights out of Springfield, entered the night having won five straight fights. It was also Ridgway’s first bout in nearly two years. 

Oliveira landed several pulverizing body shots during the first three rounds. 

After a strong fourth round in which he picked up the pace and used a variety of punches, Oliveira ended the fight in the fifth. 

A left hook to the body sent Ridgway down, but the fight continued. Moments later though, a right hand to the head had Ridgway down on the mat again. At that point, the fight was waved off by the referee. 

Oliveira, who had lost his last four fights, said he was pleased with his performance.

“I usually go to the body early and I usually go to the body a lot,” Oliveira said. “I wasn’t getting discouraged when the ref kept saying some of them were low. I didn’t feel like they were low. I’m happy I was able to end it in the fifth.” 

Ridgway had local trainer Dallas Cook in his corner. 

“Marcus is a very tough fighter and he’s fought some big names and a lot of quality guys,” said Cook, who operates Heartland Boxing Gym in Galena, Kansas. “I think those body shots took a toll on Justin tonight.”

 

OTHER PRO BOUTS

Joe Carriker (3-1-2) suffered his first pro boxing loss, as Kevin Johnson (1-0) of Wichita, Kansas, made an impressive debut at 195 pounds. 

A southpaw, Johnson won by first-round TKO after a right hook to the body stopped Carriker, who trains with Cook at Heartland Boxing Gym. 

“Joe fought a strong guy and got caught,” Cook said. “That’s just part of the game.” 

In an entertaining super featherweight clash, David Perez (3-0) of Tulsa won by majority decision over Luis Galaviz (2-2) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, after four rounds. 

During the fight, an accidental headbutt caused a nasty cut to the head of Galaviz, originally resulting in a no-contest ruling. After some consideration, the fight instead went to the judges scorecards. 

Also, Jake Robinson (4-2-1) of Lee’s Summit earned a second-round TKO against the debuting Martino Grandelious of Springfield in a welterweight clash.

The Neosho Civic Center also hosted a boxing event in April of 2019. 

“I was really excited to see this crowd tonight,” Cook said. “Everyone was cheering and you could tell everyone was having a really good time.” 

 

Maddie Bollin was victorious on Saturday night in Neosho.

BOLLIN’S WIN HIGHLIGHTS AMATEUR BOUTS

Joplin High School graduate Maddie Bollin continues to impress inside the squared circle. 

In an amateur women’s boxing match, Bollin earned a unanimous decision over Eliana Nichols after three rounds.

Competing at 120 pounds, Bollin was in control from the start. 

“It was a good fight,” Bollin said. “She was a tough girl. It wasn’t an easy opponent. I think I can pick it up a little bit more next time. But overall, my punches were landing and I think my head movement was good. I enjoyed it.”

“I thought Maddie fought real well,” Cook said. “She hadn’t fought in a while. But she landed a lot of nice, clean shots. I was pretty happy.” 

Bollin will compete at the Kansas City Golden Gloves tourney in early July before the national Golden Gloves event is held in Tulsa in August. 

Those events are simply the next step in Bollin’s boxing journey.

“I plan on going as long as I can,” Bollin said. 

Another of Cook’s Heartland Boxing Gym fighters came out victorious during the undercard, as Neosho native Jacob Fry earned a decision over Reggie Shaw at 185 pounds. 

The back and forth clash was a crowd-pleaser. 

“I was proud of Jacob,” Cook said. “That was one of the best fights of the night. Jacob’s just a good all-around athlete. He looked strong.” 

Fry played football and wrestled at Neosho High School. 

Also, Xander Kimball defeated Marshall Potter by decision at 145 pounds. 

“Marshall fought a tough kid but he did real good,” Cook said. “I was really happy with my amateurs. All of them fought hard and did their best and that’s all I ask of them.” 

 

MMA BOUTS

Jesse Wright, Gaven Long and Heather Kimball won MMA bouts. 

Wright forced his opponent to tap out, Long won by TKO due to strikes, while Kimball won by unanimous decision. 

 

Justin Ridgway took on Marcus Oliveira in the main event of “Rumble in the Heartland” on Saturday in Neosho.