Colonels focus on defense in spring practices
April 15, 2014HLB, other locals, struggling to battle River Parish foes
April 15, 2014
Raceland native and Pennsylvania-based pro boxer Morgan “Big Chief” Fitch told he Tri-Parish Times last month that fighting at home was a “thrill like no other.” Fitch likened the entire experience to being a returning superhero, touting that the cheers of the home crowd makes him feel like Superman.
Fitch neither flew nor wore a cape in Friday night’s homecoming bout against Skyler Thompson, but the result was one similar to what one would expect from Superman.
Fighting before hundreds of fans chanting his name, Fitch belted Thompson with a barrage of offense in the early rounds before knocking him out in the fourth to earn a TKO victory.
The win improved the 31-year-old super middleweight prospect to 12-0-1 on his career. It also avenged the draw Fitch suffered on Nov. 30, 2013 against journeyman Darnell Boone – the lone blemish on his undefeated career.
“I think I would give myself an ‘A’ for the performance,” Fitch said following the fight. “Why? Because we got (Thompson) out of there. I’d give myself an ‘A’ for my effort, as well.”
Fitch was definitely the home-town hero at Friday night’s eight-bout card, which was put on by Houma-based In Ya Face Fight Productions.
The unbeaten prospect had a slew of family and friends in the crowd – most wearing white shirts bearing his name.
During lulls in the action, the crowd would erupt in chants of “Chief.” Fitch said he heard the crowd throughout the fight, touting that their energy fired him up throughout the fight.
“I’m blessed,” Fitch said. “I love the crowd. They really make a difference to me. And I am extremely thankful to have the following like I do.”
Fitch dominated Thompson from start to finish, belting his challenger with an array of rights and lefts that had the audience on the edge of its seats.
But Thompson absorbed the beating early-on and even taunted Fitch, inviting him for more.
Fitch said he wasn’t going into the fight expecting an early knockout. He said he knew Thompson would need to be heavily peppered before being put away.
“I just go out there and do my job, man,” Fitch said. “Was I surprised that he lasted that long? No. Because Skyler Thompson is a tough guy. I knew that going into the fight. But it was only a matter of time before he folded, and that’s exactly what happened.”
The end of the fight came in the fourth round as the final seconds ticked off the clock in the round. Fitch hammered Thompson with a powerful body blow that dropped him to the canvas and ended the fight for the night.
With the win, Fitch left Louisiana soil and headed back to Pennsylvania on a high note – his undefeated streak comfortably intact.
He said he will rest for a few weeks before looking to get right back into the ring.
“When am I looking to battle again?” Fitch asked. “As soon as I can.”
Fitch’s dominant performance marked the icing on the cake for local fighters featured on the card.
In the co-main event of the night, Larose native Casey Adams improved to 6-2 in his career after stopping Reymundo Hernandez after four completed rounds.
Adams and Hernandez battled one another evenly for most of the fight, which was scheduled for six rounds.
But the action ended after the fourth round when Hernandez’s corner stopped the fight, giving Adams the win. According to Boxing Commission officials at ringside, the stoppage was because of a hand injury that Hernandez sustained in the early rounds of the fight.
Just minutes before Casey Adams got his sixth professional win, his younger brother Devon Adams pounded Stephan Nava to earn a first-round knockout.
Dulac natives Antonio Mignella and Jonathon Guidry were also successful on Friday’s card, each scoring knockout wins.
Raceland native Morgan “Big Chief” Fitch holds his arm in the air after a victory. Fitch improved to 12-0-1 in his career after a knockout win over Skyler Thompson on Friday.
