On April 27, 2012 in Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk Hall, on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson II there was a light heavyweight fight that stole the show for some. It wasn’t a publicized fight, there weren’t too many people in the arena that knew who the two fighters were, as there usually aren’t when it comes to the undercard of a big-name fight. It was scheduled to be a four round fight between Youngstown, Ohio’s Anthony Pietrantonio and Atlantic City’s own Lavarn Harvell. But Harvell had other plans.
The fight ended in the third round with a devastating knockout. Harvell controlled the first two rounds with a jab, and taking the opportunities to land punches when he could. About thirty seconds into the third round Harvell landed a devastating straight right that ended the night for Pietrantonio, who had only taken the fight on a weeks notice.
The Boxing Voice caught up with Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell on June 13 at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ, after he scored another phenomenal knockout over Brian Donahue of Philadelphia, PA, this time in the first round. When we got the chance to speak, I asked him if his power was something he always had or if he had to learn it. “It’s a work in progress,” he said, explaining that for his first few fights he did not score any knockouts, and it wasn’t until he set forth to work on it in the gym, that his power became a factor in his fights.
Harvell next faces Mojeed Okedara of Lagos, Nigeria this Saturday, July 7. While the opponents Harvell have faced do not have exceedingly impressive records, Okedara stepping in with a record of 9-5 and fighting for the first time in the United States, I have no doubt that when the challenge presents itself Harvell will step up.
With his power, skill, and a good corner behind him, the possibilities in the 175 lb division he campaigns at are seemingly endless. His corner includes his trainer Abdur Rahim Muhammad and Bill Johnson, father of the late champion Levander Johnson. Looking ahead to Saturday night, I am predicting another “Baby Bowe” moment, The Diva’s official prediction; Harvell KO 2