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Samuels Scores TKO Win

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: March 28, 2009

TAMPA - St. Petersburg junior welterweight Derrick Samuels physically imposed his will on Roberto Valenzuela (48-46-2) during his seventh-round technical knockout victory at the A La Carte Event Pavilion on Friday.
Samuels (17-4-1) did not have any problems punching through Valenzuela's defense. The stronger and faster fighter dictated the tempo and slowly began wearing down Valenzuela through his devastating body punches.

Valenzuela's face was battered by the seventh round and he was losing momentum, plus the fight. As the round continued, Samuels corned Valenzuela on the ropes and unleashed a barrage of punches that promoted referee Russ Hellstern to stop it at 2:29.

"We trained to go to war," Samuels said. "... I trained to go eight rounds. It just so happened they cut the fight short."

Tampa female featherweight Jenna Shiver (8-4-1) defeated Christina Leadbeater (2-2) by unanimous decision during one of the most entertaining fights of the evening.

Shiver's superior conditioning was evident as she attacked Leadbeater from the opening bell and never backed off.

Alabama heavyweight Larry White (3-5) provided the most amusement during his bout against Russia's Magomed Abdusalamuv, but not in a positive way.

During the first minute, Abdusalamuv laughed at White's trash talking and looked at his corner in disbelief. Abdusalamuv responded by hitting White with a straight left hand, sending him to the canvas. White got back up and Abdusalamuv hit him with a straight left again to win by knockout at 1:56.

OTHER FIGHTS: Tampa featherweight Charlie Serrano (8-2) beat Vineash Rungea (2-13-3) by unanimous decision; Tampa light heavyweight Adam Hubinger (13-0) beat Jose Medina (14-14) by split decision.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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