Scoby Stops Blanco in Philly Fight Night 7 as Gonzalez, Marrero, Penaranda & Fisher Claim Victories
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: August 7, 2026
Venue: 2300 Arena, – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Promoters: Alex Barbosa— R&B Promotions
Matchmaker: Alex Barbosa
Ring Announcer: Kyle Brown
Referees: Shawn Clark & Eric Dali
USA Boxing – Tameka Beverly, Jackie Greenlee, Robert Rubnitz and Dawud Shaw
Ring Card Ladies: Alyssa & Amyah
Doctor: Alberto Giardini
Timekeeper: Ralph Nardone
National Anthem: Nahir “Woo” Albright
Coverage: BXNGTV.COM
Commentator: Marc Abrams
Gloves: Put Up Your Dukes brand – www.kdukesboxing.com
Photos: Larry Dixon
August 28th will mark the fourth anniversary of R&B Promotions, which launched its inaugural show aboard the Battleship New Jersey in Camden in 2022. Since then, the promotional company has staged eight shows in Atlantic City — five at the Hard Rock Casino and three at the Showboat Casino — as well as one show at the Carteret Performing Arts Center in Carteret, New Jersey. Tonight marks R&B Promotions’ 17th event overall, its seventh in Philadelphia, and every Philadelphia edition has taken place at the 2300 Arena. Hence the title, “Philly Fight Night 7.” Before turning to the action in the ring, allow me a brief paragraph to pay respect and homage to promoter Alex Barbosa. After that, we will move into tonight’s five professional bouts, followed by a summary of the opening action — the four amateur bouts.
Promoter Alex Barbosa may be the best-dressed promoter in professional boxing, displaying his sartorial splendor in an exquisitely tailored coral-colored suit. More importantly, it is hard to debate his range of talent. A true Renaissance man, Barbosa has moved comfortably through several roles in the sport. A graduate of Temple University, he entered the professional ranks in 2011 and compiled a respectable record of 6 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, and 1 knockout, never failing to answer the final bell. He also manages TKO Fitness Gym in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and remains active as a ring announcer. Had the card needed another fighter, I would not have been shocked to see Barbosa lace up the gloves himself, echoing the late, great Don Elbaum, who stepped onto his own January 28, 1964, show when a bout needed filling. Elbaum met Joe Byrd, father of future World Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd, in a four-round light-heavyweight contest. Byrd won by unanimous decision, but Elbaum gave fresh meaning to the old saying: “The show must go on.”
In tonight’s main event – an eight-round welterweight contest, Kurt Scoby (19 wins – 2 losses – 0 draws – 17 kos) Springfield, Massachusetts faced Alfredo Blanco (24 wins – 16 losses – 1 draw – 11 kos) of Argentina. No surprise that Scoby did to Blanco what Spain’s National Soccer Team did to the Argentinians in the recent FIFA World Cup.
Like Spain’s right winger, Lamin Yamal, Scoby took control at the opening bell – controlling the distance jabbing his taller adversary to the head and body. I couldn’t help noticing that the taller Blanco is a doppelganger for “Kramer” the fictional, iconic character on the 1990’s television sitcom Seinfeld! It was as though he had been transported through time and into the boxing ring. Trying to decipher Scoby’s strategy, Blanco switched intermittently between stances. Scoby won the opening round on my scorecard.
Scoby dominated the second round, sending Blanco to the canvas twice with a right to the body with a minute and half remaining in the round and the second trip ten seconds later compliments of a quick left hook. On both occasions, the Argentinian was up almost immediately complaining to referee Clark. Clark rightfully dismissed his complaints that were rooted in pain and not in facts. Blanco made it out of the round despite losing it 10-7.
In the third round, Scoby continued his steady advance as Blanco bent forward and shifted sporadically between stances. The changes did little to slow Scoby, whose speed and power proved too much for the Argentine fighter. He punished Blanco to both the head and body, yet Blanco continued to answer courageously despite being badly outgunned. The fourth round followed the same pattern: Scoby maintained his intensity and precision, steadily breaking his opponent down. Blanco somehow made it back to his corner, but his handlers quickly called a halt to the contest. Scoby was awarded a technical knockout at 3:00 of round four.
In fourth bout – the co-feature, a four-round junior-middleweight bout, debuting Nicole “Authentic Queen Nic” Fisher — the 2024 USA Boxing National Champion and a Philadelphia police officer — squared off against Jozette “The #1 Head Busta” Cotton (0 wins – 4 losses – 1 draw) of Omaha, Nebraska. Cotton brought a diverse combat-sports background to the ring: she is an experienced mixed martial artist and entered with a 3-1 record as a bare-knuckle fighter.
At thirty-eight, Cotton — eight years older than Fisher — looked as though she had drunk from the fountain of youth, appearing closer to her mid-twenties. The matchup had obvious intrigue: a decorated amateur and police officer facing a rough, rugged opponent accustomed to one of combat sports’ most unforgiving formats, bare-knuckle boxing. I half expected Cotton to seek an early psychological edge by making her ring walk to N.W.A.’s famous track about law enforcement from the landmark album Straight Outta Compton, released August 8, 1988.
With trainers Shar’ron Baker and Lando Rosa in her corner, Fisher made her way to the ring. The opening round was closely contested, with Cotton switching into the southpaw stance and back while Fisher worked behind her jab as both fighters tried to establish control. Between rounds, both women remained standing rather than taking respite on the stools in their corners. In the second round, Fisher briefly forced Cotton to cover up after landing a combination, but the bare-knuckle fighter answered back. There were no knockdowns, and neither fighter appeared badly hurt. Fisher, however, worked prodigiously behind her jab and used lateral movement to avoid Cotton’s heavier return fire. It was a spirited contest, though the gloves seemed to hinder the Nebraskan’s usual rhythm. When it was over, one judge scored the bout 39-37, while the other two had 40-36, all in favor of Fisher, who earned a unanimous decision victory in her professional debut.
In the third bout, a six-round junior-welterweight contest, undefeated Justin “The Promise” Penaranda (4 wins – 0 losses – 1 draw – 4 kos) of Bayonne, New Jersey, won a unanimous decision over Martin “El Gato” Diaz (18 wins – 23 losses – 2 draws – 8 kos) of Managua, Nicaragua. All three judges scored the bout 60-54 for Penaranda. There were no knockdowns, and neither fighter appeared in danger of suffering a knockout loss. Still, the 5-foot-10 Penaranda methodically and consistently pressed the action, attacking Diaz to the body and head with rapid-fire combinations. The bout featured several toe-to-toe exchanges, especially in the fourth and fifth rounds. Then, with about ten seconds remaining in the final round, the fighters engaged in one last heated exchange. Diaz landed a heavy left hook just as the bell sounded to end the fight.
For Penaranda, who is accustomed to ending fights before the final bell, this was a valuable learning experience. He proved that he could maintain a high pace and tempo over six full rounds while controlling the action from start to finish.
Once again, Coach Shar’ron Baker and Lando Rosa found success as debuting super-bantamweight Alexander “The Great” Marrero showcased his boxing skills in the second bout. The 26-year-old Philadelphia fighter boxed brilliantly, earning a shutout four-round unanimous decision over tough and talented Rasuiod “The Reaper” Hollie (1 win – 3 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) of Dallas, Texas, by scores of 40-36 on all three cards. Marrero was the last fighter out of the dressing room, making his ring walk as Boyz II Men’s 1991 hit “Motownphilly” played over the house speakers. The hometown fans roared as he entered the ring.
Each round followed a similar pattern: Marrero stayed a step ahead, using angles to avoid punishment and keeping himself in position to counter. Hollie made the fight competitive, switching between orthodox and southpaw stances to confuse the newly minted pro. Marrero, however, made the necessary adjustments, with his hand and foot speed proving decisive. Hollie can hold his head high after taking part in a fast-paced chess match. There were no knockdowns, and neither fighter appeared in dire straits. It was an excellent boxing display, with Marrero clearly demonstrating his high boxing acumen.
With Ring Announcer Brown painting the canvas with his dance move to the music blaring over the speakers as junior welterweight “Dangerous” Danny Gonzalez (6 wins – 2 losses – 1 draw – 6 kos) of Iselin, New Jersey made his way into the ring for his four-rounder against southpaw Shaquille “Gold Rush” Rushing (0 wins – 11 losses – 1 draw) Lakeland, Florida. Fortunately for Gonzalez he didn’t take his opponent’s winless record as an indication of an easy fight – a stroll through the park. Because, despite never having his hand raised in victory – Rushing is a highly skilled boxer. And tonight he engaged in a high-paced chess match with Gonzalez. When it was over two judges scored 39-37 for Gonzalez, with the third mirroring my score of a draw – 38-38! Rushing pressed the action at the bell – coming forward – winning the exchanges appearing to hurt his opponent with a hook. I scored the opening round for Gold Rush. It was an action-packed fight with referee Clark having little to do since there wasn’t much clinching.
Gonzalez took the second round on my scorecard, landing several hard left uppercuts and going downstairs to Rushing’s body. The action continued into the third round with Gonzalez coming forward and landing a few uppercuts – I gave him the round. To his credit, Rushing fought back courageously. I awarded the final round to Rushing who landed a hook early and continued fighting back throughout the round – having a better output than his adversary. It was a great fight with Rushing giving a great account. Hopefully, he can move on and get in the winner’s circle.
USA Boxing Amateur Bouts Recap
The evening opened with four amateur bouts featuring boxers from TKO Fitness ranging in age from eleven to twenty-three, matched against competitors from other gyms. The action offered a strong preview of developing talent and set the tone for the professional card that followed.
- 125 lbs. Open Class: In the first bout, featuring 15-year-olds, Omar Jenkins of UNA, New Jersey, earned the victory over Angel Atenco of TKO Fitness.
- 154 lbs. Novice Division: Twenty-three-year-old Mekhi Brewer of TKO Fitness, son of former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Charles “The Hatchet” Brewer, showed that the apple did not fall far from the tree. Brewer gave twenty-one-year-old Chance Katko Kasperski an eight-count in both the second and third rounds on his way to a decision victory. Despite the result, it was a highly competitive bout, with both boxers displaying skills well beyond their novice classification.
- 150 lbs. Novice Division: In a battle of southpaws, twenty-one-year-old Isaac Ruiz of TKO Fitness won a close decision over twenty-three-year-old Damon Bain of James Shuler Memorial Gym. It was a highly technical and competitive match that could have been scored for either boxer. Had Bain been awarded the decision, there would have been little basis for protest.
Developmental Exhibition: The final amateur bout featured novice boxers Miguel Cartagena Jr., a 12-year-old, 114-pound fighter from Joe Hand Boxing Gym and son of former IBO International Super Bantamweight Champion Miguel Cartagena, against 11-year-old, 114-pound Luian Masionet of TKO Fitness. It was an entertaining, well-matched exhibition, and both youngsters showed that their futures are bright.
Once again, it was a wonderful night of boxing in the world’s greatest boxing city: Philadelphia. R&B Promotions continues its mission of delivering highly competitive, quality matchups while showcasing many local talents. There is little doubt that Alex Barbosa’s continued contributions will one day earn him recognition in both the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece!
ghanson18@icloud.com
