1/28/06 - article by Mike Indri
Virgil Hill.a champion once again.
Experience, commitment and "heart" pave way to WBA belt!
By Mike Indri (THE WRITING POLICEMAN)
Retired Boxers Foundation
January 28, 2006
"I was shocked at how well he (Hill) moved for a forty-two year
old guy," stated beaten and previously undefeated Russian cruiserweight Valery Brudov.
Brudov (now 30-1, with 23 KO's) was not alone.
Former two-time world champion Virgil Hill captivated and amazed all those in attendance
friday night at Atlantic City's Tropicana Hotel & Casino with his twelve round unanimous
decision victory over the much younger, and stronger, Brudov. The biggest, and most
surprising, factor was Hill's ability to stick and move; as well as out hustle and outwork
the aggressive Broduv.for the entire twelve rounds!
Fighting in the main event of Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing, in association with Silverhawk
and Guilty Boxing, promoted pay-per-view fight card, the former two-time world champion
Hill controlled most of the action with a good jab and constant motion which bewildered
Broduv, and exposed the limited fighter (ranked as the # 1 challenger by the WBA);
nullifying his potent right hand.
From the fight's opening bell Hill peppered his foe with combinations, kept working
an effective jab and was able to easily out-maneuver Brudov's straight forward approach.
Hill was content to pile up the early rounds and was cruising until round five; when
Broduv was able to land his right hand, which forced a concerned Hill to hold on.
Brudov continued his assault in round six and appeared to be gaining the momentum
as his barrage cut open Hill's left eye and the former Olympic champion (1984 Silver
medallist) looked the worse for wear at the fight's midpoint.
Strangely, Hill was able to keep his distance and wisely used his proficient jab and vast
ring experience to escape any further threat. Broduv, fighting for the first time on
American soil and never facing an opponent anywhere near the talent level of Hill,
apparently had no idea of how to properly "cut off the ring" and allowed Hill to dictate the fight.
This was never more evident then in the later rounds as Hill was fighting better backing away
then Brudov was while coming forward.
With the resounding chants of "Virgil-Virgil-Virgil" echoing throughout the arena,
a re-invigorated Hill never looked back and assumed complete control of the fight;
even confidently showcasing his version of the "Ali shuffle" towards the end of
round nine. Bruised under both eyes and bleeding from a cut that would later
require thirty stitches over his left eye, Hill displayed all the virtues that
has made him a world champion and future hall of famer: skilled experience, tenacity,
and a strong will; as well as a ton of heart and a "no quit" attitude.
Brudov could only manage a few hard shots which did hurt Hill, sending the stunned fighter
staggering into the ropes, but too little too late, as the bell sounds ending the twelfth
and final round!
All three judges agreed, scoring it 118-110 for Virgil Hill; a one-time Atlantic City
resident who achieved a long time goal with picking up this vacant WBA crusierweight
championship belt. "My dream fight was to come back to Atlantic City to fight, and win,
a title again," stated a gracious Hill afterwards. "I won my first title here nineteen years ago!"
While Hill may have been alone in the ring, he did realize the victory was a team effort.
"Mike Hall (trainer and cut man) won this fight for me - he kept me in this fight,"
acknowledged the classy North Dakota resident, adding "I want one more fight - a big
one; then I'll retire on my own terms."
There was also plenty of action on the "Collision Course - a night of Champions" fight card.
The co-feature bout featured former two-time lightweight world champion Stevie "Lil but Bad"
Johnston taking on the formidable Steve Quinonez (31-10-1, 10 KO's) for the vacant IBO light
welterweight title. The thirty three year old Johnston put on a boxing clinic en route to
a twelve round unanimous decision win.
Johnston (now 38-3-1, 17 KO's) had Quinonez bleeding from his nose and both eyes midway through
the bout; which turned the white waistband of the game fighter's Everlast trunks a deep red.
Johnson's performance will lead to bigger and better things, possibly another opportunity to
challenge for another world title.
Lightweight contender Nate Campbell (28-4-1, 24 KO's) improved his stock with a dominating
performance against rugged Francisco Olvera, who dropped to 15-3 (13 KO's). Campbell used
his superior boxing skills and hand speed to render Olvera unable to continue after round
six of their scheduled ten round contest.
Camden, NJ native Prince Badi Ajamu, now fighting out of Florida, improved his stellar
professional record to 25-2-1 (14 KO's), and picked up the WBC Intercontinental light
heavyweight title in the process, with a one-sided victory over Galen Brown, 22-4-1.
Traveling from St. Joseph, MO., Brown was hurt often by Ajamu's solid body shots
and made five trips to the canvas before the lopsided fight was halted at :47 of the
tenth round; with Ajamu getting the technical knockout win.
Highly regarded light welterweight prospect thrilled his hometown crowd with an overpowering
first round TKO victory over the previously undefeated Mark Thompson (14-1, 12 KO's).
"Mighty Mike" dropped Thompson three times before referee Benji Esteves stopped the anniliation.
The proud Greek fighter remained undefeated at 16-0-2, with 8 KO's.
Crowd favorite Chuck Mussachio, from nearby Wildwood, NJ, improved to 5-0 (3 KO's) with
an entertaining four round unanimous decision win over Derrick Sierra, whose record fell
to 1-4-2 (1 KO).
In the fight card's "walk out" bout, local Asbury Park heavyweight Kevin Johnson (8-0-1,
5 KO's) blew out Robert Kooser with a quick and easy first round technical knockout win.
The tough, yet overmatched, Texas native was sent crashing to the canvas twice before
the bout was wisely stopped.
The "Collision Course - a night of champions" pay per view fight card delighted
the near capacity Tropicana Hotel & Casino crowd with a night full of good, hard
fought boxing action.
The highlight of the evening being the resurrection of Virgil "Quicksilver" Hill;
one of the nicer guys within boxing. The champ surprised us all with his ability
to box and move superbly for the duration of his twelve round title bout; so aptly
noted by legendary boxing broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan, who provided live radio
coverage of the bout.
"I continually remarked how impressive it was for the forty two year old Hill to be
fighting and moving as well as he was - until I had to correct myself and say how
impressive it was for any fighter to be able to fight as Virgil Hill just had."
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