7/7/07 - article by ERIC CORMIER
Two title fights on tap for upcoming 'Shootout at Coushatta' (7/7)
By ERIC CORMIER
AMERICAN PRESS
Article written 7-7-07
AmericanPress.com
There's a new promoter, but the expectations are the same as Grand Casino Coushatta will host another boxing promotion that includes two championship fights sponsored by a lower tier fight organization next week.
Instead of using the past slogan of "Knockouts At Coushatta" the production has been coined "Shootout at Coushatta" and will take place July 14 at the casino resort's arena.
The card's most notable name, Bobby "The Bayou Bomber" Aucoin has been scratched for medical reasons, but fight promoter Kerry Daigle of Lafayette thinks the crowd will find the line-up of fighters who will show impressive.
 The two title fights will be sanctioined by the National Boxing Association, which is based in Tampa, Fla.
Damian Fuller (28-4-1-13 KO) of Detroit will fight Carlos Gamez (17-5-9 KO) of Sonora, Mexico, for the NBA's lightweight championship.
 Heath "Lil Rocky" Nichols (5-0, 4 KOs) of Alexandria will fight Corey Goodwin (5-3) of South Carolina for the NBA junior lightweight championship.
The latter fight was originally scheduled for 10 rounds, but has been shortened to eight rounds. That came at the suggestion of the Louisiana Boxing Commission since Nichols has never fought more than four rounds in his short career.
The belts for both title fights are currently vacant.
Daigle is also banking on the name recognition of one fighter who is trying to do something his acclaimed father never did.
 Wilford Scypion Jr. of Port Arthur, Texas, is supposed will battle Emanuel Hutchinson in a four-round middleweight bout.
Scypion is the son of Wilford Scypion who gained a following in the 1970s and 1980s. One of senior Scypion's biggest fight moments was in the ring with Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
Hagler won the middleweight title fight.
"It's ironic that Scypion, Jr. fights in the same weight class as his father," Daigle said during Friday's press conference announcing the bouts. "He is working on winning a world title."
Scypion happens to have a cousin who's married to former McNeese State football standout Andre Perkins.
"You will see an exciting fight. I'm going to knock this guy out," Scypion said.
Even though he's only fought and won one professional fight, Scypion fought 32 amateur fights, winning 28 of those by knockout.
"He can punch and has a great style," Daigle said.
Another fighter that the promotion is throwing weight behind is Michael El Tortito De Fierro" Martinez of Snyder, Texas.
"The Iron Bull" as Martinez is known, is also a middleweight with a 3-2 record. He is scheduled to fight journeyman Benji Singleton in a six-round match.
"Hailing from the Marines with four All Marine championships and a national amateur title, Martinez is exactly like his ring name," Daigle said. "To watch Martinez fight you would think he is ready for a championship fight right now with only five fights under his belt."
Martinez will get in the ring with a fighter with far more experience. Singleton has more than 130 fights under his belt.
All of the fighters will be in Kinder next Friday.
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