Steve Chambers, LaJuan Simon & Ran Nakash win, Blackwell gets KO'd @ The Blue Horizon

Photo by Anthony Gargano / www.pixgargano.com & Write-up by Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer.

On Friday December 5, 2008 at The Legendary Blue Horizon in Philly, promoter Vernoca Michael and matchmaker Don Elbaum put together their annual boxing holiday show. Over the past two years, the December card at The Blue had its share of surprising upsets and tradition held up for a third straight year. It wasn't in the main event though as Philly Jr. Welterweight "Showtime" Steve Chambers improves to 19 - 1 (5ko's) with an 8 round unanimous decision win over Ghana's Ben Ankrah. This was a good test for the young Chambers as Ankrah as taken on a list of top prospects in the 140 lb division, most recently losing to the world rated Mike Arnoutis on points.

In the co-feature, USBA Middleweight champion LaJuan Simon had no problem blowing away Jose Spearman, scoring an early knockout in what amounts to a warm up fight to bigger and better paydays.

In other action, Israeli hand to hand combat instructor Ran Nakash once again showed off his dangerous hands, this time knocking out opponent Harvey Jolley in the 7th.

In a stunner, well regarded featherweight Jules Blackwell was stopped by Darrell Martin in their scheduled 6 rounder.

Julias Edmunds won a unanimous decision over Mike Weaver.

Lenny DiVictoria was presented the 1st ever "Briscoe Award" for participating in the Philly 2007 Fight of the Year. He also fought on this night in a rematch against Ricardo Medina in a fight that ended up as a draw.

The round by round recap by former IBF champion Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer along with photos by Anthony Gargano

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com

Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

Teon Kennedy interview

Fight Night at The Alhambra, March 7th

By Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer

On March 7, 2008 fights fans will be treated to an entertaining evening of boxing. Headlining this fight card is “Guts-and Glory” style fighter and hometown favorite, Rogers Mtagwa (24-12-17ko’s-2draws) who will be defending his NABF Featherweight Title against late-sub, David Martinez (18-3-2ko’s-1draw). In the semi-windup, will be former amateur standout, Teon “The Technician” Kennedy. I had the opportunity to talk with Teon about his upcoming fight.
CB: Teon, I realize you are young in your PRO career (7 -0), but what was some of your amateur accomplishments?

TK: I was the 2004: Golden Glove National Champion, The “under 19” Champion, where I acquired the championship in Korea and the ABC Classic Champion.


CB: How would you describe your style?
TK: I’m what you call a “boxer-brawler”. I could outbox an opponent or if I’m faced with an opponent that has an aggressive style, I can brawl with him, to get the job done.

CB: How do you prepare for opponents both mentally and physically?
TK: Well first, I listen to my trainer, train very hard, and condition myself very well. I have a lot of family support. I have an additional motivational factor in my fights, my 2 year old daughter, Kayla.

CB: What are your short-term and long-term goals?
TK: Well first, I’d like to remain undefeated, then go from being the “co-main event”, to the “main event”, fighting on bigger networks like HBO, SHOWTIME, and PPV and lastly, becoming a WORLD CHAMPION.

CB: Thanks for the interview and good luck on your fight.
TK: No problem, Thanks



If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com

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LaJuan Simon Interview

U.S.B.A. MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION - Lajuan Simon

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By: Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer

In a weight class, that has been defined by most as one of the “Toughest”, the middleweight division, over the years, has had its share of standouts. Philadelphia middleweights, at one particular time, could have been considered the “ambassadors” of BAD-ASSES. Sure the days of Watts, Hart, Hayward, Monroe & Briscoe are now cemented in the city’s pugilistic history, only to be replaced, by modern day standouts such as, Brewer & Hopkins, just to name a few. Another warrior looking to one day be included in this city’s rich boxing history is USBA Champion, Lajuan Simon (17-0-9ko’s).
I had the opportunity to speak with Lujuan about his upcoming title defense:

Hatchet: WHAT AGE DID YOU BEGIN BOXING
LS: I began at the age of 16 but wasn’t serious about it. It wasn’t until the age of 19 that I really began to dedicate myself to boxing and started taking boxing serious.

Hatchet: WAS THERE ANYTHING OR ANYONE, THAT GOT YOU INVOLVED IN BOXING
LS: I was watching the Hagler – Mugabi fight and after seeing how the difficult that fight was for Hagler, and seeing him rally back to ko Mugabi, I thought to myself, “I can do this” that fight, motivated me to become serious about a boxing career.

Hatchet: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A PHILLY FIGHTER
LS: it feels good, but you know what, I never looked at it that way. But with guys like yourself and Bernard Hopkins being from Philly, it feels good

Hatchet: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR STYLE
Ls: I’m a Pressure fighter, a boxer puncher

Hatchet: HOW HAS TRAINING GONE FOR THIS FIGHT
LS: It’s going good, although I’m disappointed that my original opponent. KofI Jantuah (31-3-20KO-1D), was changed to now Elco Garcia (19-6-9ko’s)

Hatchet: JANTUAH, ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO FIGHING JANTUAH NEXT
LS: definitely, a victory over Jantuah, will place me in the top 15, in the world

Hatchet: WHO’S BEEN YOUR TOUGHEST OPPONENT TO DATE AND WHY
LS: Levan Easley, because my jaw was broken in that fight, in the third round but even with injury, I was able to pull a majority decision.

Hatchet: NOW THAT YOU’VE ACQUIRED THE USBA TITLE, HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL
LS: It makes me feel good, it motivates me to acquire a world championship

Hatchet: PREDICTIONS, A KO IN THIS FIGHT OR PLAY IT SAFE AND GO FOR THE DECISION
LS: KO, I’ll stop him in the later rounds

Hatchet: GOING FORWARD, WHO DO WANT TO FIGHT
LS: Kelly Pavlk, Jermaine Taylor, and John Duddy whoever can get me to the top.

Hatchet: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO YOUR FANS
LS: Thanks for the support, I’ll be world champion soon.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com

Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

Charles Brewer Bio

Charles Brewer was born on October 15, 1969, in Philadelphia, PA. At a young age, he learned what it meant to protect yourself at all times by growing up on the rough streets of North Philly. Brewer was introduced to the sport of boxing when he was just 8 years old, but it wasn't until age 14, when he met up with former middleweight contender Bobby "Boogaloo" Watts, who holds a win over former Undisputed World Middleweight Champion, Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Charles had a fairly short amateur career having only 17 fights and finishing his amateur career with a record of 14-3. However, during that short stint in the amateur ranks, he won the Golden Gloves Championship in 1988.

On August 3, 1989, Brewer turned pro and immediately was blessed with having his first professional fight televised on national TV. From that day on, "The Hatchet" was born. Brewer would fight frequently in front of his hometown of Philadelphia at the legendary Blue Horizon and in fact, he won his first title belt (USBA Super Middleweight) there on March 12, 1996, when he defeated Frank Rhodes by unanimous decision.

The following year, Charles won the vacant IBF Super Middleweight title by knocking out Gary Ballard in the 5th round. Brewer would make three successful defenses of his IBF title. On October 24, 1999, he would travel to Leipzig, Germany to defend his title against undefeated Sven Ottke. Charles would lose a highly controversial 12 round split decision to Ottke.

After the Ottke loss, Brewer reeled off three wins all by KO in the second round. Charles would return to Germany on September 2, 2000 and once again, came up on the short end of the stick, dropping another controversial split decision to Sven Ottke.

Brewer would not remain without a belt around his waist for long and on October 5, 2001, he beat Fernando Zuniga via a 12 round unanimous decision adding the NABF Super Middleweight title to his showcase.

During his career, he also faced the likes of WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe, Mario Veit, Lolenga Mock and Antwun Echols, in one of the best fights of 2001.

Charles’ career has also a different twist to it. Charles has, throughout most of his career, been very active in the TECHNOLOGY side of things as well. Charles has been employed at some of the largest corporations in the U.S. (ATT, JP MORGAN, UNISYS, BRISTOL MYERS SQUIB) and Charles is also, Microsoft Certified (MCP,MCDST).

Also, Charles’ career has been televised on the following networks: ESPN,ESPN2,SHOWTIME,USA NETWORK, TELEFUTURA


Charles Brewer
(The Hatchet)
(Super-Middleweight)
(Retired)
Professional record: 50 fights; 40+ (28 KO), 10-
1996-1997: United States Super middleweight
1997-1998: I.B.F. Super middleweight
2001: North America Super middleweight
- 1989 -
+ (Aug-3-1989, Philadelphia) Jerome Johnson ko 3
+ (Sep-25-1989, Atlantic City) Robert Edmonds 4
+ (Oct-3-1989, Philadelphia) Ron Reid kot 3
+ (Nov-7-1989, Atlantic City) Eric RHINEHART kot 3
+ (Dec-19-1989, Atlantic City) John MC CLENDON 4
- 1990 -
+ (Jan-14-1990, Atlantic City) John MC CLENDON kot 4
+ (Mar-18-1990, Atlantic City) Roberto Perez kot 3
+ (Apr-29-1990, Atlantic City) Willie Douglas 8
+ (Jun-24-1990, Atlantic City) Willie Douglas 6
+ (Sep-21-1990, Atlantic City) Fred Rivera kot 4
+ (Dec-28-1990, Atlantic City) Freddy Sanchez 6
- 1991 -
+ (Mar-8-1991, Atlantic City) Eddie Evans kot 3
+ (May-16-1991, Atlantic City) Mark Buchanan 8
+ (Aug-9-1991, Atlantic City) Joaquin VELASQUEZ kot 2
- (Sep-20-1991, Philadelphia) Robert THOMAS 6
- 1992 -
- (Jan-12-1992, Atlantic City) Robert THOMAS 8
+ (Jun-25-1992, Philadelphia) Willie Harris ko 1
+ (Aug-14-1992, Atlantic City) Ernest KENNEDY ko 1
+ (Sep-11-1992, Atlantic City) Ricky STACKHOUSE kot 3
+ (Oct-13-1992, Philadelphia) Danny MITCHELL ko 3
- 1993 -
+ (Jan-26-1993, Philadelphia) Aaron Smith kot 4
+ (May-11-1993, Philadelphia) Carl Sullivan ko 6
+ (Jul-20-1993, Philadelphia) Steve Darnell kot 2
+ (Nov-23-1993, Philadelphia) Mario Munoz kot 1
- 1994 -
- (Feb-1-1994, Philadelphia) Lonnie BEASLEY kot 1
- (Jun-14-1994, Philadelphia) Rafael WILLIAMS kot 6
+ (Oct-20-1994, Ledyard) Terry SEAY ko 2
- (Nov-8-1994, Mashantucket) Rodney TONEY 10
- 1995 -
+ (Aug-1-1995, Philadelphia) Adam GARLAND kot 3
+ (Oct-17-1995, Philadelphia) Mark Buchanan ko 2
- 1996 -
+ (Mar-12-1996, Philadelphia) Frank RHODES 12 (United States, Super
middleweight)
+ (Oct-4-1996, New York) Fermin CHIRINOS 8
- 1997 -
+ (Feb-18-1997, Philadelphia) Greg WRIGHT 12 (United States, Super
middleweight)
+ (Jun-21-1997, Tampa) Gary BALLARD kot 5 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
+ (Dec-2-1997, Philadelphia) Joey DE GRANDIS 12 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
- 1998 -
+ (Mar-28-1998, Atlantic City) Herol GRAHAM kot 10 (I.B.F., Super
middleweight)
+ (Aug-22-1998, Leipzig) Antoine BYRD kot 3 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
- (Oct-24-1998, Dusseldorf) Sven OTTKE 12 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
- 1999 -
+ (May-8-1999, Dusseldorf) Carlton HOLLAND kot 2
+ (Oct-29-1999, Indianapolis) Reggie STRICKLAND kot 2
- 2000 -
+ (Mar-3-2000, Verona) Laverne CLARK ko 2
- (Sep-2-2000, Magdebourg) Sven OTTKE 12 (I.B.F., Super middleweight)
+ (Dec-8-2000, Philadelphia) Esteban CERVANTES kot 1
- 2001 -
- (May-19-2001, Uncasville) Antwun ECHOLS kot 3
+ (Oct-5-2001, Philadelphia) Fernando ZUNIGA 12 (North America, Super
>middleweight)
- 2002 -
- (Apr-20-2002, Cardiff) Joe CALZAGHE 12 (W.B.O., Super middleweight)
+ (Aug-2-2002, Ledyard) Scott PEMBERTON kot 6
- 2003 -
+ (Jan-31-2003, Atlantic City) Etienne WHITAKER 10
+ (Sep-19-2003, Toms River) Freeman BARR kot 5
- 2004 -
- (Nov-6-2004, Riesa) Mario VEIT kot 9



If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com

Go to http://www.phillykeith.com/ for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene