Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told me that he sees no problem since many of the fighters Finkel manages also had co-managers and sees a smooth transition. He was very complimentary of Finkel and wished him nothing but the best.

Baltimore, Maryland…

I attended the first promotion by Bang Time Boxing at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore last Thursday night. My compliments to Bang Time partners Mike Paschall, Russ Shiflett and John Rallo for a well-run, first-class debut.

Both Paschall and Shiflett won decisions in four-round contests on the card.

One to Watch: Heavyweight prospect Maurice Byarm scored a first-round knockout over Josh Freeman to improve to 7-0 (5). At 254 pounds, Byarm has good footwork for a heavyweight that size and does get down on his punches well, a fact witnessed with the right hook to Freeman’s ribs that sent him down for a full 10-count. His manager Mike Harris told me they plan to keep him very busy the rest of the year. Byarm himself is pleased with his progress and understands the competition only gets tougher. He vows to stay in shape and promised, “I give 100% at every fight; I work hard, like a Mexican fighter every time.” He respects the work ethic of Mexican fighters and draws inspiration from that.

I think Byarm can make some noise in the division if he can continue to improve and work hard. I’d like to see him fighting closer to 240-245 pounds to fully utilize his speed and footwork. I’ll keep Max readers informed of Byarm’s progress as he comes along.

Former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, 47-7-2 (38) with on no-contest, returned to the ring Saturday with a fourth-round TKO over New York’s Shannon Miller in Niagara Falls, NY. Rahman put Miller on the canvas in every stanza before the fourth-round stoppage but only after Miller stunned the former champion in the first round.

Local Baltimore prospect Cecil McCalla appeared on the card in Niagara Falls stepping up in competition and scoring a six-round shutout on all three judges’ cards against veteran Ruben Galvan, 27-14-4 (10) with two no-contests.

McCalla, who improved to 12-0 (4), also signed a promotional contract with Empire Sports and Entertainment.

Saratoga, New York…

Shannon Miller announced his retirement following the bout with Rahman. Miller’s promoter Lisa Elovich said she was both happy to see Miller go out with such a courageous performance but was sad to see Miller leaving the sport.

“Shannon had more heart and courage than any fighter I’ve ever known.” Elovich said.

Elovich is hosting a card on Friday, July 30^th at the City Center in Saratoga Springs, NY, which will feature undefeated junior welterweight Michael Faragon in the main event. Elovich, considered by many as one the good people in the sport, prides herself in putting together competitive matches that appeal to the local fans. Much like the exciting cards former champion Danny Romero holds in his hometown of Albuquerque.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania…

Few things feed a boxing fans soul like a trip to Philly boxing gym. I visited the Joe Hand Boxing Gym Monday and had a great interview with “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy who will be featured in my “Next in Line” series before his July 9^th bout against John Molina, 20-1 (16), at the Deuce.

Lundy, 18-0-1 (10), put in some very good rounds sparring with the larger Gabriel Rosado and Raymond Serrano. Serrano, a Star Boxing prospect expects to be on the card at the “Trop” in Atlantic City July 17^th when David Tua meets Monte Barrett in the main event. Serrano, a veteran of over 100 amateur fights, is someone to keep an eye on.

Also ran into Marc Abrams of www.gofightlive.tv, who was buzzing about the late July fight between Rosado and Derek Ennis. I have to agree with him that it should be a great fight at the Arena in South Philly.

Providence, Rhode Island…

After the proposed fight with IBF cruiserweight champ Steve Cunningham fell apart, little time was wasted by CES Sports in getting Matt Godfrey, 20-1 (10), a shot for the WBO belt against Marco Huck, 29-1 (22), on August 21^st. CES President Jimmy Burchfield told me candidly, “If the German champions don’t want to come here to fight, we have to go there and beat them. And if you’re worried about the judges, take it out their hands and get a knockout.” That’s interesting since Godfrey’s only loss was on German soil…by decision. But I love Burchfield’s attitude.

Akron, Ohio…

After stating, last week, that Willie Nelson would not be the opponent for his son, Ken Porter confirmed to me this week that son Shawn will be fighting on Showtime in the co-main event in Memphis on July 16^th against 11-1 (4) Philly welterweight Ray Robinson, dubbed as “The New Ray Robinson.” “The New Ray Robinson,” reminds me of the fictional CEO in the GEICO commercial saying, “Good luck with that catching on.”

Cleveland, Ohio…

The aforementioned Willie Nelson did make some noise over the weekend in Oakland scoring a first-round knockout over journeyman Jesse Feliciano,15-10-3 (9), who entered the fight with a solid résumé , including wins over Demetrius Hopkins and Delvin Rodriguez.

Nelson remains undefeated at 14-0-1, chalking up his ninth knockout. The bout was on the Andre Ward-Allan Green undercard.

Worchester, Massachusetts…

Undefeated Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez returns to action Thursday night after scoring knockouts in his two previous bouts with body punches. The super middleweight will be fighting in his hometown for the first time since last March and looks to notch his 16^th win as a pro.

Pittsburgh, PA…

The main event next Wednesday at the VIP Tent at Heinz field will feature local prospect of Bunola, PA along the Monongahela River, Laurel, Maryland’s Ikem Orji, who, at 6-2 (2), is hardly a pushover coming off a fourth-round knockout over then-prospect Andrew Farmer, who was 13-1 entering the bout. I plan to be there and have a report of the action.

(Good trivia question: Which three rivers make up the confluence for which Pittsburgh is famous?)

Notes…

Great champions squandering millions of dollars and ending up broke and back in the ring when they should be enjoying a comfortable retirement is a sad lesson that is too often taught and too rarely learned. Jose Luis Castillo again returned to the ring last Friday, and there is talk of a third Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson fight.

In Philadelphia, I had to wonder how dedicated Flyers fans felt seeing a team once labeled the “Broad Street Bullies” reduced to stealing the puck after Stanley Cup Finals losses.

Teddy Atlas had the quote of the week on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” when, during the main event, he made a comment about Jhon Berrio’s jab. Atlas said, “He’s thinking french fries, while the other guy (Sherzod Husanov) is thinking hamburger.” Can’t help but love Teddy.

If there is an event or fighter you feel deserves mention in the regional report, feel free to contact Alec at maxboxingeast@gmail.com.