By Dylan Butler
For Queens native Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett, it was a learning experience. And if it wasn’t for a late rally in his 10-round heavyweight fight against Robert Davis at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev. it would have been a losing experience.
Barrett came back to win the ninth and 10th rounds to win the main event of an all-heavyweight card staged by Cedric Kushner Promotions Friday night by unanimous decision.
“I knew for sure I had to take the last two rounds,” said Barrett, ranked No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation. “At the same time, the fight was so easy in the beginning. I just tried a lot of different stuff, experimented. Every fight is progress.”
Judges Duane Ford and Paul Smith scored the bout 96-94 and judge Bill Graham had it 97-93 for Barrett, who improved to 26-2.
But heading into the ninth round, Ford and Smith had the fight even at 76-76 and Graham had Barrett up 77-75.
With Barrett tiring, Davis (25-3) controlled the seventh and eighth round with left jabs and right hands that seemed to stun Barrett, according to published reports.
“I had control of the fight, but I learned I have to know when to use my legs and when not to,” Barrett said. “I tired myself out when I use my legs too much.”
In a tight ninth round, Barrett’s nice right hand just before the bell may have won him that round. In the 10th round it was all Barrett, who reportedly did a good job of jabbing and moving.
“In this fight I tried to stay more relaxed so I could see more, I did what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it,” Barrett said. “I was working on my angles, on countering. I just tried to stay relaxed.”
Barrett almost made short work of Davis with a punishing assault in the opening two rounds, according to published reports, as he worked his jab and connected with some strong uppercuts. It was Barrett’s first time back in the ring since June 8, when he took a split decision from former heavyweight champion ‘Terrible’ Tim Witherspoon.
“I’d rate this fight a C, the Witherspoon fight was a C-minus,” Barrett said. “But I am my own worst critic. I’m hard on myself. I’m looking for that B next.”
Barrett is looking to return to the ring “ASAP,” he said and his next bout may come in December in Las Vegas, possibly against Clifford Ettiene, ranked No. 12 by the IBF.
Maddalone faces Tomalson at Yonkers. Holy Cross High School graduate Vinny Maddalone returned to action in a fight scheduled for Wednesday night at Yonkers Raceway. Maddalone (12-0) was slated to face Craig Tomalson (22-6) in an eight-round co-main event. Light heavyweight contender David Telesco headlined the card again Faustino Gonzalez in a 10-round bout.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
