Monday, February 25, 2002
Craig goes to body to win by KO
Olympian now 5-1; knockout takes 18 seconds
By Gary Estwick
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Dante Craig spent more time posing for pictures and shaking hands in the crowd than he did in the ring Sunday.
Craig, one of six Cincinnati natives who fought Sunday at Cincinnati Gardens, knocked out Ray Shanks in the first round of their junior middleweight bout.
Craig (5-1, 5 KOs) delivered several body shots that forced Shanks (5-7, 3 KOs) to fall into the ropes with 2:42 remaining in the first round. Craig was coming off his first pro loss in his last bout.
“I saw his stomach was a little flabby at the weigh-in Saturday, like he hadn't been working it out,” Craig said. "I've been thinking about that since last night. I would have loved to go a couple of more rounds, but it's all good.”
It was all good for Erlanger, Ky., native John Rudolf, too.
At 27 and in his pro debut, Rudolf (1-0) knocked down junior welterweight Tarrick Spann with a left jab in the first round and then held on for a unanimous decision victory. The fight was also Spann's pro debut.
“It was a long time coming, man,” said Rudolf, whose regular job is a certified nurse. “I needed that. I figured this was something I could add to my curriculum.”
Stephan Pryor, son of former world champion Aaron Pryor, improved to 7-1 with 5 KOs after winning a unanimous decision over fellow Cincinnati boxer Greg Beerman (3-1, 1 KO) at middleweight.
Cornell Shinholster (13-6-1, 6 KOs) wasn't as lucky. Shinholster, a welterweight, lost by technical knockout to Jeffery Resto (10-0, 7 KOs). The fight was stopped because Shinholster was cut above the eye.
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Craig goes to body to win by KO
