On Friday, March 10th, the SugarHouse Casino hosted a boxing showcase that spotlit a myriad of pro-fighters, both up-and-coming and well-known. As the sport of boxing has always been a cornerstone of Philadelphia, it came as no surprise to find the venue packed with plenty of press and avid boxing fans alike to show support to their athletes. Events such as this truly embody the soul and unrelenting vigor of the City of Brotherly Love. Everyone was amped, everyone was having a good time.

  The pro-amateur card held eight total fights, with the longest match being the main event at a total of eight rounds.  Though presentation and announcing was thorough and spot-on, no time was wasted bringing the fighters out and getting things started. Philly legend — and boxing legend, for that matter — “Smokin’” Joe Frazier’s daughter, Jackie, made an appearance, showing love to the competitors from her ringside seat.

The card consisted of:

• Sharif Jones (Philadelphia/0-1) vs. Edwards Ortiz (Texas/3-0-1)
• Vincent “Vinny” Floyd (Philadelphia/1-2) vs. Blaine Donkor (DC/debut)
• Brandon “B-Y” Robinson (Upper Darby/1-1) vs. Lamont McClaughlin (Philadelphia/debut)
• Sam Oropeza (Philadelphia/debut) vs. Joe Parkinson (Philadelphia/debut)
• Mike Fowler (Milwaukee/5-6) vs. Victor Vasquez (Yonkers/6-2)
• Carlos Rosario (Philadelphia) vs. Rocco Espinoza (Philadelphia)
• Juan Rodriguez (Virginia/6-6-1) vs. David Gonzales (Philadelphia/8-1-2)
• Main Event: Tyrone “Youngun” Brunson (Philadelphia/23-6-2) vs. Brandon Quarles (Virginia/18-3-1)

  The first contest between Sharif Jones and Edward Ortiz had a fairly even feel to it from the start and ended in a draw. However, by the end of the night, almost half of the matches ended via KO/TKO starting with Vinny Floyd scoring a second-round KO win over Blaine Donkor.

  The third bout between “B-Y” Robinson and Lamont McClaughlin, though not a knockout, was certainly a good showing for both. Robinson showed poise and edged a decision after the four-rounder went the distance.

  The energy in the venue became increasingly contagious as the night went on. Onlookers—even the officials, openly reacted to impactful punches or an elusive dodge with a “Yeah, that’s it!” or a “Wooo, almost!” Adamant cheers were lent to both winners and losers respectively.

  In what may have been the knockout of the night, Sam Oropeza had an explosive debut against Joe Parkinson, who was also fighting his first bout. Oropeza, representing Philadelphia, is from Darby Township (right outside of Philadelphia) and is with Balance Studios Boxing Gym. The match ended with a first-round KO.

  Victor Vasquez out of Yonkers, NY added another tally to his win column with an aggressive performance versus Mike Fowler, achieving a first-round TKO. Vasquez fights out of Animal Gym.

  Carlos Rosario emerged triumphant in an impressive third-round victory. Rosario remained on the offensive for the majority of the fight, knocking Espinoza down multiple times and eventually snagging the TKO.

  In the second to last bout, Juan Rodriguez out of Haymarket, Virginia won in a split decision over David Gonzales.

  The main event with Tyrone “Young Gun” Brunson and Brandon Quarles proved to be rightfully anticipated. The fight went the distance and there were big shots landed from both sides throughout. Brunson later admitted that he had been stunned at least once. Brunson also went without a mouthpiece in the third round, but somehow fought just as effectively.

  In his post-fight interview, Brunson graded his performance a C. It was a modest though fairly honest grade, as Brunson was hit with several shots that he probably could’ve done better to avoid since he was the quicker of the two. The defensive Quarles, however, was no pushover. His strong guard and constant composure in clinches and flurries put the pressure on Brunson for all eight rounds. But “Young Gun” Brunson showed ring savvy and landed when it counted. The fight capped off what was a consistently engaging and entertaining event, showing again why Philadelphia has so much respect in the boxing world.