The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE Ryan ‘Big Youth’ McKenzie continued his successive string of victories, former amateur Valentino McKenzie made a successful debut as they both won in different parts of the United States on Friday night.

At the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York, McKenzie, who now makes his home in Syracuse, New York, forced journeyman Rayshawn Myers (4-16-1) of Cleveland to retire on his stool at the end of round two of their light heavyweight bout.

McKenzie came out aggressively in round two dropping Myers with a left

hook. The Bahamian stalked his prey for the rest of the round dropping

him a second time with a right hand. McKenzie had Myers reeling as the

bell sounded to end the second round.

Myers corner seen enough and signaled the referee to stop the fight.

McKenzie registered his 11th stoppage to go with his 12th win in as

many fights. He noted prior to the fight that he was eager to get back

in the ring after he posted a total of three victories in 2012 since

he left the Bahamas to continue his promising pro career.

After falling short of qualifying for the Olympic Games in London,

England last year, Knowles packed his bags and headed for Miami,

Florida earlier this month to pursue his professional career.

Knowles, 24, traveled all the way to Santa Ynez, California where he

defeated Alejandro Ochoa with a four a round unanimous decision in the

super-featherweight division at the Chumash Resort Casino.

The fight was a part of the show hosted by Gary Shaw Productions

before another sell out crowd for the show titled “Central Coast

Championship Night.”

This weekend, another Bahamian who also abandoned his amateur career,

Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson, will be making his first appearance for the

year

Johnson, who has moved from Atlanta, Georgia to Miami, is scheduled to

take on Willie fortune at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in

Cabazon, California in an eight round affair in the middleweight

division.

Johnson, 28, takes an unblemished 13-0 win-loss record with 10

knockouts into the match. Johnson, who had a change in management,

lost fought on October 2, 2012 when stopped Jose Morla in the third of

their six round bout in the Dominican Republic.

there is no word yet on when heavyweight Sherman ‘the Tank’ Williams

and Meacher ‘Pain’ Major will make their debut for 2013. Both fighters

are also based in the United States. While Williams is in Vero Beach,

Florida, Major is in Buffalo, New York, but he also train out of

Florida.