Frazier, Griffin shine in Worlds Collide battle

By Brett Okamoto

Saturday, April 18, 2009 | 11:56 p.m.

The second take of Worlds Collide, a combat sports event that combines both boxing and MMA, took part to a crowd of roughly 1,800 at the Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena Saturday night.

Although the seven-bout event featured just two fighters that train in Las Vegas, it just so happened that they fought each other in what was arguably the most entertaining fight of the night.

Unfortunately, the outcome wasn’t as exciting, as boxers Johnny Frazier (2-0-1) and Rynell Griffin (3-1-1) fought each other to a majority draw.

“It’s very disappointing, I felt like I won the fight but didn’t get the decision,” Griffin said. “But the most important thing is the fact that the fans enjoyed the fight and if they look forward to seeing me again, I’d look forward to pleasing the crowd again.”

The different style of each fighter was obvious from the first round. Frazier landed the cleanest blows of the night, using the left jab to set up wild haymaykers from his right hand. Griffin on the other hand looked most comfortable working inside, moving close in on Frazier and firing off combinations to his taller opponent’s body.

The four-round fight was such a treat to the fans that promoter Fernando Vargas awarded each player winnings in hopes they will compete in his future events. In these types of fights it’s typical for a fighter to make money only if he wins.

“They want us back because it was such a good fight, that made me feel real good,” said Frazier, who won his first two professional fights by knockout. “I’m not happy with my performance, but I’m happy that I got it out of the way and had a chance to fight a tough opponent tonight.”

Frazier was in control early, winning the first two rounds by two judge’s scorecards. The 30-year-old boxer, who fought his entire career out of Akron, Ohio, appeared tired in the later rounds though, allowing Griffin to work his way back into the fight. Two judges scored the fight even, 28-28, while one gave Frazier the edge, 29-28.

The 26-year-old Griffin has trained at Richard Steele’s Boxing Club for the past nine months. Frazier has been training at Johnny Tocco’s since August.

Both boxers should get invited to the Worlds Collide semifinals, which are scheduled for August and October of this year. If they both return, chances are good that a rematch between the two Las Vegas residents would be set.

“I was okay with the draw, he’s a great fighter,” Frazier said. “I’ll look forward to seeing him again in a rematch later this year.”

Boxing:

162 pounds - Paul Mendes (2-0) vs. Clint Colonel (0-1): Colonel's professional boxing debut was not a sparkling one. Despite spending the majority of four rounds ducking and backing away from Mendes, he still was unable to finish the fight - by one second. Colonel, fighting out of San Jose, Calif., finally ran out of room to back up in the final seconds of the fight. Mendes successfully chased him into the corner as the 10-second warning rang out and unloaded a vicious left uppercut to Colonel's body that sent him to the canvas and handed him the knockout win.

142 pounds - Ignacio Garcia (2-1-1) vs. Isauro Tapia (1-1-1): Garcia suffered a minor cut to his left cheek in the first round, but that was the only damage the fighter out of Riverside, Calif. would take, winning by unanimous decision after four rounds. Tapia cleverly ducked out of the majority of Garcia's punches, but failed even worse to connect with any of his own, losing every single round according to one judge's scorecard.

132 pounds - Manuel Delgado (1-3) vs. Arquimedez Garcia (3-0-1): Garcia didn't take long to extend his unbeaten record, needing just 72 seconds to dispose of Delgado. Garcia, fighting out of Santa Ana, Calif., caught Delgado with a strong left that sent him to the floor early. The dazed Delgado managed to make it to his feet after a six-count, but Garcia smelled blood and came back with aggressive flurries. Delgado tried to clinch but referee Jay Nady wisely stepped in and called the fight.

MMA:

180 pounds - Jamie Fletcher (8-4) vs. Walter Roberto (6-5): In one of the closest fights of the night, Fletcher escaped with the eighth win of his career in a split decision over Roberto. The fight lacked major fireworks but, minus a Roberto take down in the first round, was mostly dictated by Fletcher. Utilizing the kick and a few take downs of his own, Fletcher controlled the fight for the most part when it went to the ground, which helped earn him the decision.

155 pounds - Chad DietMeyers (6-0) vs. Leonardo Soares (3-4): DietMeyers used his striking abilities to stay undefeated against a dangerous opponent, defeating Soares by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 29-28. In a somewhat bizarre third and final round, Soares stopped fighting for what appeared to be no reason. After getting caught up in the corner, referee Kim Winslow separated the two. Following the separation, Soares rested his arms on the corner of the ring and leaned back, allowing DietMeyers to surge in and land a combination that made the decision obvious.

135 pounds - Nelson Ocampo (0-6) vs. Tommy Vargas (3-0): Tommy "the short fuse" Vargas continues to prove he has the potential to do well in MMA, quickly defeating Ocampo 2:31 into the first round by TKO due to strikes to the head. Ocampo attempted to keep Vargas at bay with a few well placed early kicks, but when Vargas made the move to take him down about a minute in, the fight was over.