WIBA welterweight champion Tori “Sho Nuff” Nelson overcame adversity and a tough opponent en route to a hard-fought ten round split decision over ultra-tough former titlist Arlene Blencowe Saturday evening at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA.
Nelson, who hails from nearby Ashburn, VA and is regarded as a top pound for pound fighter, came into the bout with a lot of confidence due to excellent performances of late. Blencowe however didn’t come all the way from Australia to not put up a serious fight.
In the opening round, Blencowe silenced the pro-Nelson by coming out strong and hurting Nelson early on. The 37-year-old Nelson remained calm and recovered to outbox the rugged Blencowe.
Scores were 96-94 twice for Nelson and 97-93 Blencowe.
“She really came to fight and I knew she was going to be tough because of the opposition she’s fought and her background in MMA” said Nelson, who improved to 11-0-3 with 1 win by knockout. “It was a good fight and I’m the first to admit this wasn’t my best performance but I definitely outboxed her and did enough to keep my title.”
Nelson also dismissed the notion that she may have received a hometown decision.
“I was making her miss later on and countering her well in the second half of the fight. Both my corner and I were confident that after the first few rounds, I was in control and took over down the stretch. Keeping my title is harder than winning it was and I always have to stay two steps ahead of the competition. I’m going back to the gym tomorrow to prepare for my next fight!”
Nelson returns Saturday, November 15 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax , VA to defend her title against an opponent to be named.
In the co-feature, Tyrieshia “Lady Tyga” Douglas captured the USBU flyweight title after blowing out Whitney Gunter in eighty two seconds. Douglas, a Washington DC native who lives and trains in Baltimore, dropped Gunter twice before referee Alisha Daniels stopped the bout.
Douglas, one of the most talented young female fighters in the world of boxing, is now 6-0 with two wins by knockout.
In undercard action, surging cruiserweight Travis “Seever” Reeves stopped Ariel Espinal in the third round, unbeaten junior welterweight Seth “Killer B” Billups overcame a knockdown to score a second round stoppage over Ty Felton, featherweight Alexandru Marin stopped Rasool Shakur in the third, light heavyweight Larry Pryor demolished Santos Martinez in the first round and junior welterweight Henry Goss drew with Anthony Dave.
Dubbed as “World Championship Boxing”, the card was promoted by Ponytail Promotions.
Founded in 2014 by respected Baltimore-based boxing businessman James Hogan, Ponytail Promotions envisions becoming one of the top promotional firms in the United States . With a keen interest in both male and female fighters, Ponytail Promotions will run a total of 10-12 shows per year in Maryland , Virginia , Washington DC and North Carolina .