Javontae Starks vs Antonio Gamez
The early stoppage in the main event allows us to take a look at Minneapolis welterweight prospect Javontae Starks (4-0, 4 KOs) against Antonio Gamez (6-3-1, 1 KO) in a four-round swing bout. Starks was formerly a top-ranked amateur before he was shot in August 2008. Round-by-round updates after the jump:
Round 1: Starks is very tall for a welterweight at almost six feet. He smartly stays on the outside and uses the jab well against the shorter man. I could learn a lot personally from the way he fights. Gamez would do well to attack his skinny body.
Everything Starks does comes from behind the jab and he’s always on balance when throwing or avoiding a punch. He’s clearly technically superior to Gamez and fighting intelligently thus far. But some fireworks would be nice. 10-9 Starks.
Round 2: Starks is opening up with lead left hooks to start this round to stop Gamez from advancing. Starks is landing those long shots from the outside but Gamez is starting to get inside a bit more and landing shots of his own. Gamez is making this a fight but he needs to stop standing right in front of his opponent.
Starks appears cool and collected, he keeps moving his head when he gets caught inside. He’s taking more shots and probably losing this round but he doesn’t appear to be hurt by these punches. Fight is even after two.
Round 3: Starks comes out scoring with jabs and lead left hooks but Gamez will not be deterred. He wants to get inside and make this a brawl and he is succeeding at times. Starks swings wildly with two punches and slips. Starks is showing a good chin but he’s getting hit far too much on the inside, where he is at a disadvantage with those long arms.
Starks is gamely trying to match Gamez shot-for-shot on the inside but he needs to get out of there and use his height and reach on the outside. Gamez has no chance in a boxing match against the fighter with the more extensive amateur background but he is doing a great job of controlling the action to this point. 29-28 Gamez.
Round 4: Final round. Starks needs to turn it up if he wants to preserver that unbeaten record. Gamez smells opportunity and is coming out swinging to start the 4th. Teddy’s scorecard reads the same as mine right now so Starks better pick it up quickly. He’s still getting caught on the inside where Gamez is landing at will.
Now Starks landing some good right hands but Gamez dives inside once again. Starks needs to catch him when he jumps in like that. Some big shots from the outside, hooks and uppercuts are taking their toll on Gamez but he is still landing. Crowd is on their feet at the final bell. We give Starks the final round by a hair and score the fight a draw, 38-38. Surprisingly entertaining swing bout.
Judges score it 39-37 Gamez, 40-36 Starks, 39-37 Starks. Wow. Judge Harry Hillen (sp?) may earn a spot in our scorecard Hall of Shame for not giving Gamez a round. Good for Teddy for calling him out. Gamez is celebrating as if he won and the crowd is cheering him on. If someone won tonight, it was probably him.
But this is hardly the first time a prospect has been gifted a close decision and it likely won’t be the last time Gamez is screwed by the scorecards, sad as that is to admit. Starks may not have gotten the best of it tonight but he showed the kind of skills, smarts and talent needed to thrive as a lanky welterweight. We’d like to see more of him in the near future.