The show continues as Noble Edges Ellison in a Barnburner, while Anderson and Cangelosi Score Victories
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: August 22, 2026
Venue: First District Plaza – Philadelphia, PA
Promoters: Dominic Walton—Teflon Promotions
Matchmaker: Dominic Walton
Ring Announcer: Kyle Brown
Referees: Eric Dali & Eric Irizarry
Doctor: Dr. Tony Al-Amin
Ring card Ladies: Bri & Diamond
Timekeeper: Fred Blumstein
National Anthem: La’meer Jhon
Coverage: YouTube – Put’cha Gloves on Podcast
Commentators: Anthony Thompson, Tyonn Thompson & Samirah Lawson
Gloves: “Put Up Your Dukes” brand – www.kdukesboxing.com
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.
With four of the original seven scheduled bouts falling off the card, tonight’s “Replay Volume 3” gave new meaning to the adage, “the show must go on!” I could write at length about why those fights fell through, but that would be wasted time and energy. I will say, however, that a few boxers may be facing suspensions. Kudos to the warriors who were ready, made weight, and then learned they would not be swapping leather tonight.
Despite the reduced lineup, you could sense it would still be a fantastic night. Ring Announcer Kyle Brown was in the house, joined by his assistants, Bri and Diamond—the Ring card Ladies who give new meaning to the word “pulchritudinous.” Much respect also goes to the loyal fans who came out and had a magnificent time watching their favorite boxers compete across twenty-two scheduled rounds. The excitement and energy in the building were contagious.
Tonight’s main event was scheduled for eight rounds for the National Boxing Association
Continental Lightweight Title. It matched twenty-six-year-old Philadelphia prospect Jibril Noble (9 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws, 7 KOs) against the cagey and talented veteran Wanzell “Venom” Ellison (11 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 5 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey. I saw Ellison early in his career. I was in press row on October 8, 2010, at the Arena in South Philadelphia for his third professional fight, a unanimous four-round decision over Aaron Anderson of Knoxville, Tennessee—the same Aaron Anderson who had the historic honor of debuting against 3-0 Terence Crawford eighteen years ago today, on August 22, 2008. I was also at Ellison’s fifth fight, a six-round split draw with Carlos Vinan on September 14, 2011, at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark.
Ellison entered this bout after a long layoff. His only two losses had come by decision in his two most recent fights, on July 25, 2014, and November 2, 2019. Tonight marked his first fight in almost seven years. Still, knowing his immense talent and his reputation as a gym rat, I expected him to be a serious test for the talented and driven Noble.
As referee Eric Dali brought the fighters to the center of the ring for final instructions, Ellison’s abdominal muscles stood out—a visible testament to his hard work and preparation. Noble, sporting a bald head, resembled a smaller version of legendary Philadelphia middleweight “Bad” Bennie Briscoe, known as “The Policeman of the Middleweight Division.”
With trainer Greg “Hotshot” Hackett in his corner, the bald-pated Noble answered the opening bell moving forward behind his jab. The first round was a traditional feeling-out round. At one point, Noble threw six consecutive jabs, while Ellison circled, worked behind his own jab, and gathered information on his younger, less-experienced opponent.
The difference in experience was clear. Ellison had already completed all fourteen of his professional bouts by the time Noble entered the punch-for-pay ranks on July 24, 2021. Noble was only twelve years old when Ellison made his professional debut on July 31, 2011. I scored the opening round for Noble, who was busier and more assertive with his jab.
The action picked up in the second round as both men chose to engage at close quarters, targeting the body and head. Ellison showed his craft by reading the rhythm of Noble’s punches and timing his counters in the exchanges. It became a classic matchup: the young lion trying to outduel the old master. During the final thirty seconds, they stood toe-to-toe in a heated exchange. It was a close round; I gave it to Noble, though I would not have been surprised if it had been scored for Ellison.
I scored the third round for Ellison, who opened with a triple jab. Much of the round was fought on the inside, with both men throwing quick combinations. The fight had become a war of attrition. Still, I wondered why the younger and more active Noble chose to fight at close quarters instead of staying outside and keeping Ellison at the end of his jab.
The war continued in the fourth round. Neither fighter wanted to back up, so they stood toe-to-toe and traded to the head and body. Both worked voraciously, giving the fans another action-packed round. In the parlance of my late, great childhood friend and teammate Leroy “Bucky” Davis, “Wanzell came to get down, not lay down!”
I do not know whether Noble was trying to gain a psychological edge, but I did not understand why he stood between rounds instead of sitting during the one-minute respite.
Nevertheless, he continued going to war in the fifth. It was another close, toe-to-toe round. Both fighters landed to the head and body, with Ellison rolling with many of the shots and using his elbows to block. This fight alone was worth the price of admission; there was not a boring moment.
Noble fought smartly in the sixth round, boxing brilliantly from the outside. He used his jab and constant movement to outduel Ellison, who appeared to have drunk from the fountain of youth before entering the arena. The outside boxing was short-lived, however, as both men returned to rumbling on the inside in round seven. I noticed a slight cut above Noble’s left eye. They fought at a frenetic pace, and I gave Noble the edge.
In the final round, Noble pinned Ellison on the ropes and unleashed several combinations. Ellison rolled with many of the shots and countered smartly, demonstrating his experience and high boxing IQ. At one point, Noble appeared to hurt him with a body shot. Ellison held momentarily to mask the pain and regain his composure, but both fighters made it to the final bell upright.
Two judges scored the bout 78-74, while the third had it a shutout at 80-72—all for Noble. The wide scoring again had me advocating for mandatory eye examinations for judges. With the victory, Jibril Noble captured his first professional championship – The NBA Continental Lightweight Championship.
In the opening bout of the night – a scheduled eight-round middleweight contest – twenty-eight-year-old Christian “The Sicilian Flag” Cangelosi (12 wins – 0 losses – 1 draw – 5 kos) Sicily, Italy fighting out of Brooklyn, New York won a unanimous decision 80-72 pitching a shut-out on all three scorecards over Saul Escalante (32 wins – 27 losses – 0 draws – 20 kos) Douglas, Arizona by way of Sonora, Mexico. Signed to Danny Garcia’s Swift Promotions – The Sicilian boxed brilliantly for eight rounds – working behind his fast jab – using his quick feet to evade punishment – throwing quick combinations.
Cangelosi came out for the opening round using his jab followed by a quick straight right as Escalante came forward. It was evident that the Mexican has a high boxing IQ as he patiently timed his opponent by punching whenever he felt there was a pause in between the combinations. Escalante pressed forward making Cangelosi use his legs to avoid punishment. They fought toe-to-toe at the beginning of round two before Cangelosi went back to boxing from a distance using his jab. He garnered the round on my scorecard.
The third round was no different as the Italian boxed judiciously from the outside keeping Escalante at the end of his jab. To his credit Escalante came forward throwing with bad intentions. The fourth round was similar except fans couldn’t contain themselves as the cheered for Cangelosi – yelling “Straight down Brown Street Paulie!” I later discovered that two-division World Champion – Paulie Malignaggi and former World Heavyweight Champion Larry “The Easton Assassin” Holmes are his favorite fighters. No surprise that he adopted the fast combinations from Malignaggi while being consistent with a stiff left jab like Holmes.
The Sicilian mixed it up in the fifth round going downstair with a left hook to Escalante’s ribcage. However, Escalante was like a Sherman Tank – marching forward – returning fire showing his experience – 59 fights. The remaining three round were equally exciting with Cangelosi demonstrating his pugilistic prowess – his speed and boxing acumen being the difference. Escalante’s experience and intelligence kept him in the fight, always dangerous looking for the right opportunity to counter an egregious mistake by his young opponent. However, Cangelosi’s high boxing intelligence and speed kept him one step ahead of his adversary. Overall, it was an extremely entertaining bout – a pedagogical outing for the young Italian who has an extremely bright future.
The second fight of the night – a scheduled six-round middleweight contest featured undefeated prospect, southpaw Aaron “Game Changer” Anderson (7 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 4 kos) of Baltimore, Maryland versus Christian Aguirre (9 wins – 14 losses – 0 draws – 4 kos) Salt Lake City, Utah. Anderson is an anomaly – a modern-day fighter who fights like the greats of the 70’s and 80’s. Signed to Teflon Promotions, I wasn’t surprised that the late, great Marvelous Marvin Hagler is one of Anderson’s boxing role models. No surprise that he boxes like Hagler – similar combinations, rhythm and movement.
Anderson answered the bell working behind his stiff right jab keeping Aguirre on the outside. It was a masterful display of the sweet science as the man from Baltimore evoked fond memories of his idol – Hagler. Aguirre came to fight, forcing Anderson to demonstrate his defensive wizardry by rolling and blocking punches launched in his direction. The audience burst into laughter when someone yelled referring to Aguirre, “He’s a halfway house fighter, I know when they let him out!” Anderson won the opening round.
The action resumed in the second round with Anderson catching Aguirre early in the round with a right uppercut early. To his credit, Aguirre was able to pin Anderson on the ropes momentarily forcing him to fight toe-to-toe with only two escape routes – left or right. Anderson kept his composure and later in the round he hurt Aguirre with two straight lefts. Aguirre was able to clear his head and continue his forward march. However, with approximately fifteen seconds in the round Anderson made him retreat with a vicious combination. The bell rang ending the round.
Anderson came out of his corner “smoking” like a southpaw Joe Frazier. I assume that he determined that it was time to close the show. After all, his fans didn’t make it from Baltimore to Philadelphia to watch him win by decision. He was going to give them what they desired – a knockout. Working behind his right jab – evoking fond memories of Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Anderson sent Aguirre to the canvas with a one-two combination – a right jab capped off by a straight left. Aguirre is a tough customer and was upright as referee Irizarry reached the count of four – wiped his gloves and signaled for the fight to resume. The combatants immediately slugged for ten seconds before getting back to a slower pace. Shortly thereafter, Anderson caught Aguirre with another quick, and blistering combination that was so fast – I was unable to count the number of punches. This time Aguirre genuflected on one knee – another knockdown – rising as the referee reached the count of seven. Still hurt – the ringside Inspector signaled to the referee to stop the fight. It was over and Anderson had his hand raised in victory – a technical knockout 2:55 of round three. Kudos to Teflon Promotions for signing Anderson – a boxer with the talent and intelligence to make it to the top!
Since you have read this far – allow me to conclude by telling you that it was another glorious night of boxing in the greatest boxing city on the planet – Philadelphia. The three bouts were exciting and entertaining. Jibril Noble, Christian Cangelosi and Aaron Anderson should be on everyone’s radar – three extremely talented boxers. Lastly, kudos to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission for sanctioning only twenty-two scheduled rounds of boxing – the show must go on!
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece!
