Toka Kahn-Clary wins WBC USNBC featherweight title

Published by Shawn C.

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (December 2, 2017) – Professional boxing returned
to The Strand Ballroom and Theatre in Providence last night, December 1 for
the first time in 20 years and popular Providence featherweight *Toka
“T-Nice” Kahn Clary*didn’t disappoint the large, raucous crowd.

Kahn-Clary (24-1, 16 KOs) turned in a dominant performance, winning by way
of a seventh-round technical knockout, over previously undefeated Filipino
slugger *John Vincent Moralde* (19-1, 10 KOs), the WBC Asian featherweight
titlist, to capture the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) USNBC
featherweight championship.

“Real Deal Championship Boxing V”, presented by Hall of Famer *Evander
Holyfield’s The Real Deal Boxing*, aired live on CBS Sports Network, the
undercard was live-streamed on www.TheRealDealBoxing.com
.
Calling the action were Paulie Malignaggi, Steve Farhood and Barry Tompkins.

The 25-year-old Kahn-Clary, who won the North American Boxing Association
(NABA) title in his last fight, used a stiff jab and solid defense to
frustrate his opponent early in the fight, setting the pace to take a
decisive scoring advantage.

Toka-Kahn came out firing in the fourth round, applying more pressure to
take full command, and he never let up. Rapid fire punches by Toka-Kahn,
thrown from all angles, repeatedly landed on his overmatched opponent. By
the end of round seven it was clear that the end was near for Moralde and
it came suddenly when Moralde couldn’t continue anymore.

“This was great tonight,” Holyfield commented about promoting his first
show in Providence. “We want Toka to be our first world champion and this
performance should put him in good position. It was very important to build
his fanbase at home in Providence and we look forward to promoting here in
the near future.”

“I’m not a one-punch fighter,” WBA No. 14-rated Toka explained. “I kept
walking him down and hit him with some good body shots. I’m not going to
call anybody out by name but I’m ready to fight anybody in my weight class.”

“This is such a good feeling. I came here but could have ended up anywhere.
I’m truly blessed to be in Providence and have these great fans. I have a
great team behind me. I want to fight the best to be the best, it’s the
only way to make money and be recognized. I’m ready for anybody!”

The American debut of undefeated Italian cruiserweight *Fabio “Stone
Crusher” Turchi* (13-0, 11 KOs) was a clinic in last night’s co-featured
event against *Demetrius Banks* (9-4, 4 KOs), of Detroit. Turchi patiently
applied constant pressure, methodically breaking down the game Banks and
hurting his opponent with a flurry of punches in the third round. The end
came when Banks failed to answer the bell for round five.

“I’m so happy,” Turchi remarked after the fight. “This was so emotional for
me because it was the first time I fought in front of Evander. I’m happy
with my performance but I think I could have done better”.

“I felt the heat from the Italian-American fans and I thank them for
helping me sustain. I also want to thank The Real Deal Boxing. My next
fight will be February 2 at home in Florence, for the European Union title.”

In the CBSSN televised opener, red-hot featherweight prospect made *Irvin
Gonzalez*(8-0, 7 KOs) made the most of his national TV debut, switching
freely from orthodox stance to southpaw and back throughout the fight, en
route to a sensational third-round knockout of Colombian knockout
artist *Marlon
Olea* (13-2, 12 KOs). The lightning-quick Gonzalez, of Worcester, MA,
consistently beat his opponent to the punch, and finished off Olea with a
straight right to the body to keep his perfect pro record intact. Olea was
fighting in the U.S. for the first time.

“Tonight, I showed that I’m a real fighter,” Gonzalez said after the fight.
“I believe I’m a contender in my weight class. I’m going back to the
drawing board with my coaches and 2018 is going to be my year.”

Local favorite *Nick DeLomba *(12-2, 2 KOs), representing nearby Cranston,
RI, pleased his supportive crowd, registering a hard-fought victory by way
of an eight-round unanimous decision versus Bronx junior welterweight *Louis
Cruz* (12-4, 6 KOs) for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) junior
welterweight title. Cruz was penalized a one-point deduction in the fourth
round for a low blow. Scores were 79-72 and 78-73 twice.

Two-time New England Golden Gloves champion *Timmy Ramos* (4-0-2, 4 KOs),
fighting out of Framingham, MA, remained unbeaten, but he fought a
four-round split draw with Worcester, MA junior lightweight *Phil
Davis* (1-1-1)
in an entertaining give-and-take contest. Scores were 39-37 and 38-38 twice.

Philadelphia welterweight *Poindexter “Savage” Knight* (1-0, 1 KOs), a 2017
National Golden Gloves champion, had an auspicious pro debut, trapping *Samuel
Forjoe* (0-2) in the corner right after the first bell. The gifted
southpaw, a prized prospect for fans to keep an eye on, unloaded ten
unanswered punches until referee Danny Schiavone halted the action at 1:03 of
the opening round.

Las Vegas junior middleweight *Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols* (8-1-1, 2 KOs)
opened the night with a six-round unanimous decision win over
battled-tested Puerto Rican fighter *Daniel Sostre* (13-16-1, 5 KOs).
Scores were 60-54 and 59-55 twice.