Shiflett Wins WBF All-Americas Cruiserweight Title

Russell "the Hammer" Shiflett fought through early adversity to defeat Newton Kidd and claim the vacant WBF All-America’s Cruiserweight title Friday night at DuBurns Arena in Canton.

Aside from fighting in the main event, Shiflett, of Dundalk, is a partner with John Rallo and fellow boxer Mike Paschell in the promotion company Bangtime Boxing, which put on the event. Shiflett, the head boxing instructor at Rallo’s Ground Control Academy in Owings Mills, also cornered three of the fighters in the amateur undercard.   

“Mike, Russ and I are trying to establish Bangtime Boxing as a premier boxing promotion here in Baltimore,” Rallo said. “I had my license from Shogun Fights so it was a no-brainer for me to partner with two of the biggest boxing draws in Baltimore in Mike and Russ.”

The first round of the title fight started slowly, with each fighter testing the other's abilities. Shiflett, undefeated in 13 professional bouts, stalked Kidd around the ring trying to create angles for his punches, but the crafty Kidd seemed to be able to back away from contact.

“He was a tough guy and he had a little bit of reach on me," Shiflett said. "I found it hard to try to find my rhythm. I was chasing him around the ring in the first round. My corner told me to make some adjustments, he was starting to get tired and I had to back him up. When I put the pressure on him I started to catch him.”

To start the second round, Shiflett keyed on the punches thrown by Kidd, attempting to counter. The Dundalk fighter paid for this midway through the round when he ate a straight right to the face. The blow stunned him for a moment, but he recovered before Kidd could take advantage, working the body and head in a five-punch combination that finished with a left uppercut to Kidd’s jaw.

In the process, Shiflett, who fights out of the southpaw stance, dislocated his left shoulder, which robbed him of any power punches for the final six rounds.

“I blew my left shoulder in the second round,” Shiflett said. "So I had no left hand. All I would throw is an uppercut.”

The two combatants seemed to be fighting to a draw until an exchange in the seventh round. They were trading punches back and forth when Shiflett took advantage of an opening and knocked Kidd to the canvas with a sudden right cross.

Kidd took the standing eight count to recover and looked good to close out the fight.

“I caught him and he wobbled and I knew I had to put him down," Shiflett said. "It was a close fight and I needed that round. My heart was pumping! When he went down and the crowd went nuts it gave me that extra boost of energy to finish the fight strong.”

One of the judges scored the bout a draw, but the other two had Shiflett winning, giving him the WBF All-Americas Cruiserweight title. It's not one of boxing's major belts, but certainly a huge accomplishment for the 31-year-old Shiflett, whose career as a young pro was set back by several injuries.

“I thought I won six rounds out of the eight,” Kidd said. "He was the favorite so I know I had to knock him out to win.”

When the ring announcer called the fight for the Dundalk native, the partisan crowd went wild, cheering "Hammer! Hammer!" Shiflett brought his son Gabriel into the ring to celebrate on his shoulders as he was awarded the title belt.

“I did it for you,” Shiflett told his son. “I could hear him calling my name. I love fighting in front of the hometown fans.”

Shiflett is scheduled to return to MMA in Rallo’s next Shogun Fights card on July 22 at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, but that fight now depends on the health of his shoulder.

“I hate being 0-1 in MMA,” said Shiflett. "If the doctors don’t clear me to fight in July I will have to put it off until the September Shogun.”

Renee “The Boxing Diva" Aiken performed the matchmaking duties for the evenings’ event.

“Renee was the only matchmaker willing to help us with our inaugural event,” Rallo said. "When other matchmakers in the area wanted to control the whole card, Renee stepped up and helped us make matches where we needed help.”

Aiken, who works for New Jersey's Global Boxing, was integral in setting up the title bout between Shiflett and Kidd.

 “Newton Kidd stepped to the plate and gave Russ a good fight,” Aiken said. "One of the judges scored it a draw. I think Russ has a lot of potential.”

Shiflett’s partner Paschall won a six-round decision over Nathan Bedwell in the fight before Shiflett’s.

Paschall, who holds a 22-1 professional record, dedicated the fight to his mother, a breast cancer survivor. The Baltimore native wore a pink robe and shorts in dedication.

“My mom is the real fighter,” said Paschall. “She has just been told by doctors after fighting for 10 years that she is cancer free.”