Madoc’s Dillon “Big Country” Carman addresses the crowd during Hometown Heroes, at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
After months of preparation Madoc’s Dillon “Big Country” Carman didn’t get a chance to fight in front of his hometown fans on Saturday night.
A “medical issue” kept Carman’s American opponent out of the bout at the Hometown Heroes pro boxing event at Yardmen Arena.
Carman addressed the fans in the ring after fight three, of what turned out to be a four fight card, then explained to media after the event what had happened.
Carman added that he was humbled by the community’s support and he’s planning another event within the next “three or four months”.
A date for that event hasn’t been set.
He also promised ticket holders to Saturday’s bout a discount when that event is announced.
Belleville native Tim Cronin sets up a punch on Juan Carlos Raygosa, during a match at Hometown Heroes, at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Despite Carman’s absence in the ring, there was still plenty of local content to keep fight fans happy.
Tim “The Irish” Cronin fought to a spirited draw with Mexico’s Juan Carlos Raygosa, moving his professional record to 11-2-2.
Cronin was cut significantly, midway through the eight round fight, by a head butt and battled through the blood, doing enough to convince two-of-three judges to score the bout a draw.
The Belleville native, who needed four stitches to his head and three to his lip post fight, says he was happy with his performance but felt he could have done a little bit more.
He says he relished the experience to fight in his home town for the first time.
Belleville native Tim Cronin shakes the hand of Juan Carlos Raygosa, after their match during Hometown Heroes, at Yardmen Arena on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
The highlight of the night was a second round knockout by Cody “The Crippler” Crowley, over another Mexican opponent in Michi Munoz, to stay perfect in his pro career at 15-0.
Crowley put Munoz against the ropes and caught him with a short jab, which sent him tumbling out onto the apron of the ring.
The referee stopped the fight as Munoz got back to his feet.
Peterborough native Cody “The Crippler” Crowley throws a right hand against Michi Munoz of Mexico during Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
The Peterborough native said he enjoyed the fight in Belleville but didn’t feel as sharp as he does fighting at home.
Crowley says plans are in the works to perhaps get a TV fight in the US within the next year and then to, perhaps, bring a world title fight back to Peterborough.
Mexico’s Michi Munoz hits the mat outside the ropes after being knocked out by Cody “The Crippler” Crowley, during Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Before the Crowley knockout, Belleville’s Madison Blakely made her pro debut, in a split decision loss to Mexico’s Dolores Garcia.
Blakely began the fight with a flurry of punches and seemed to hang with Garcia for most of the match.
She did take a few hard shots from Garcia and in the judges’ eyes, came up just a bit short.
She says she was disappointed with the result.
Mexico’s Delores Garcia throws a punch against Belleville’s Madison Blakely, at Hometown Heroes, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
The card began with Jay Kelly winning a four-round decision over Joe Elliott to improve to 2-5-1 in his pro career.
Kelly recently started training out of Bulldog Boxing in downtown Belleville and picked up his first win in his last four fights.
Jay Kelly celebrates his win over Joe Elliott with his trainer, Mickey Delaney of Bulldog Boxing (right) and his family, during Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 18, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
You can see some more photos from the fights below:
Belleville’s Yardmen Arena had a different look to it as Hometown Heroes hosted four professional boxing fights, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Ring Announcer Pierre Bernier welcomes fans to Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Jay Kelly, who trains at Bulldog Boxing in Belleville, makes his way to the ring during Hometown Heroes, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Jay Kelly, who trains at Bulldog Boxing in Belleville, prepares for his fight with Joe Elliott during Hometown Heroes, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Jay Kelly smiles at Joe Elliott, during Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Jay Kelly throws a punch at Joe Elliott, during Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Jay Kelly and Joe Elliott exchange punches during Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Jay Kelly, who trains at Bulldog Boxing in Belleville, has his arm raised after a decision victory over Joe Elliott during Hometown Heroes, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville’s Madison Blakely makes her way to the ring during Hometown Heroes, at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018 (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville’s Madison Blakely makes her way to the ring during Hometown Heroes, at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018 (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Mexico’s Delores Garcia before her match against Belleville’s Madison Blakely, at Hometown Heroes, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville’s Madison Blakely gets set to throw a punch, during her match with Dolores Garcia of Mexico. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Mexico’s Dolores Garcia has her arm raised after beating Belleville’s Madison Blakely by decision, at Hometown Heroes, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville’s Madison Blakely hugs Mexico’s Dolores Garcia, after their fight during Hometown Heroes, at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Peterborough native Cody “The Crippler” Crowley throws a right hand against Michi Munoz of Mexico during Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Peterborough native Cody “The Crippler” Crowley has his hand raised after beating Michi Munoz of Mexico by knockout, during Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville native TIm Cronin makes his way to the ring at Hometown Heroes, at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville native TIm Cronin throws a punch at Juan Carlos Raygosa, during a match at Hometown Heroes, at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Mexico’s Juan Carlos Raygosa throws a punch against Belleville’s Tim “The Irish” Cronin, at Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Mexico’s Juan Carlos Raygosa sets up a punch against Belleville’s Tim “The Irish” Cronin, at Hometown Heroes at Yardmen Arena, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville’s Yardmen Arena had a different look to it as Hometown Heroes hosted four professional boxing fights, on July 14, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
