BY MIKE HOUSER
RENO - While he wasn't fighting in the main event in Saturday's Everlast Heavyweight Explosion card at City Center Pavilion, former contender Michael Grant had the most explosive performance.
Grant, who is in his third comeback after getting stopped in the second round of a heavyweight title fight with Lennox Lewis on April 29, 2000, scored a devastating sixth-round TKO over Charles "Buddy" Hatcher, in the eight-round co-main event, in front of an announced crowd of 1,889.
The bout, presented by Cedric Kushner Promotions, in association with Downtown Reno, was one of seven, including two exhibition contests between models for Perfect 10 Magazine.
Taurus Sykes took a 10-round unanimous decision over Jovo Pudar in the 10-round main event.
After getting off to a slow start against Hatcher, of Columbus, Ohio, the 6-foot-7 Grant, 264, of Norristown, Pa., began to get on track in the fifth round, when he was able to drive back his stubborn opponent with a long, quick jab.
Grant ended matters at 2 minutes, 4 seconds, of the fateful round when he exploded with two combinations. The first was a right-left-right, which sent Hatcher reeling. Seeing he had hurt his opponent, Grant landed a strong left followed by a crushing, fight-ending right hand that sent Hatcher catapulting off the ropes and onto his face.
"I was taking my time the first five rounds," said Grant, who made his first appearance since being knocked down four times and getting stopped by Dominick Guinn last June. "I only had eight rounds of sparring for this fight. I was a little nervous going in."
Grant parted ways with trainer and ESPN2 Friday Night Fights analyst Teddy Atlas after the Guinn fight, and recently hooked up with former two-time world champion James "Buddy" McGirt.
"Buddy worked me to death in the gym,' said the 31-year-old Grant, who improved his record to 39-3, with 30 knockouts. "I had wind, but my timing was off, with only eight rounds sparring. I'm going to have to talk to Buddy about that before I fight again."
The 6-foot-3 Hatcher nailed Grant on several occasions, and trailed 48-47 on two cards and 49-46 on the other at the time of the stoppage.
"I guess I got hit," said Hatcher, who fell to 15-6 (11). "I thought I had the fight in control. I pretty much had my way. But I made a mistake."
Grant said he would probably take on Sykes in his next fight, but not before he gets some assurances that he will get more sparring.
For his part, the 238-pound Sykes, of Brooklyn, N.Y., had little difficulty in fending off the charge of Pudar, 237, of Queens, N.Y. Pudar could not find the range and only threw single punches, while the mobile Sykes landed quick combinations and easily avoided his opponent's punches.
Judges Duane Ford (97-93), Burt Clements (98-92) and Keith Macdonald (96-94) all saw it in favor of Sykes, who upped his record to 21-1 (5). Pudar dipped to 21-2 (11).
Gilbert Martinez, 228, of Sacramento, won his third straight fight and moved to 18-6-1 (7), as he took an easy six-round decision over Sione Asipeli, 229, of Las Vegas via Tonga. The scores were 60-56, 60-55 and 60-54.
Martinez lumped up Asipeli's right eye and left bruises on his arms, face and sides as he boxed his way to the win. Martinez said he owed his victory to working two weeks with "Baby" Joe Mesi.
Asipeli lost his eighth straight fight and saw his record drop to 17-11-2 (8).
In other heavyweight action, late substitute Maurice Wheeler, 231, Philadelphia, Pa., took a six-round majority decision over David Bostice, 245, San Bernadino, Calif., and Yamplier Azcuy, 227, Las Vegas via Cuba, won an eight-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Michael Simms Jr., 199, of Sacramento.
Wheeler upped his record to 8-4-1 (1), with one no-contest and Azcuy improved to 8-0 (6). Simms fell to 12-1-1 (10), while Bostice dipped to 31-8-1 (14).
HURTADO ADVANCES
Diego Hurtado of Sparks defeated Rayonta Whitfield 18-15 in the consolation finals in the Olympic trials on Saturday in Tunica, Miss. With the win, Hurtado advanced to next weekend's Olympic Box Offs in Cleveland, Ohio for the right to compete in the Olympics.
Mike Houser is the Nevada Appeal Boxing Columnist. Contact him at editor@nevadaappeal.com.