By By Austin Bishop/EMG Regional Sports Director
May 19, 2002
PHILADELPHIA Nobody was more surprised than Meridian's Brad McNeil when the results of his light heavyweight fight were announced on Saturday night.
McNeil and Kerry Parks of Palm Bay, Fla., fought to a majority draw to open a six-card boxing show at the Silver Star Resort &Casino.
The fight was scheduled for six rounds, but was stopped by the ring doctors after four rounds, because Parks' right eye was completely closed.
That pushed the decision to the judge's scorecards where one judge gave it to Parks 39-37, while the other two had it even at 38-38.
McNeil said he couldn't believe that one of the judges saw the fight in Parks' favor.
McNeil said it was a left hook that helped close Parks' eye. "They said it was a head butt, but the head butt was on the other side."
Parks began bleeding from the cut over his left eye in the first round, and it appeared that McNeil had total control over the bout for the first two rounds.
Parks began to gain ground in the third round and McNeil admitted that he probably lost the last round. "I agree with him winning the fourth round 10-9, but the rest of them were mine," he said."
McNeil was hit with two low blows in the third round, with Parks receiving a warning from the referee. He admitted that took a little steam out of him.
He said if the bout had of continued he would have pounded Parks.