DiBella's Broadway Boxing still a draw

It’s been nearly 10 years since Lou DiBella began Broadway Boxing, a series of club shows designed to keep his fighters busy and make a little money, too.

The series has seen some of the sport’s most exciting fighters, including world champions Sergio Martinez, Paul Malignaggi and Andre Berto, Gary “Kid” Stark and Dmitriy Salita.

There was also the “Chin-Checkers” crew of Curtis Stevens and Jaidon Codrington, Ireland’s John Duddy and Randall Bailey.

“I’m really proud of this series because its grass roots boxing,” said DiBella. “I think this is how the sport is going to be rebuilt.”

His latest show at the Roseland Ballroom on Thursday night featured Long Beach light heavyweight Sean Monaghan, who scored a third-round TKO over George Armenta.

"My trainer Joe (Higgins) was telling me to throw the right hand straight as he could see he was open for that," said Monaghan (15-0, 10 KOs). "I followed the instructions and was able to end the show in impressive fashion. I get my confidence from my conditioning. I put everything I have into my training. I am very happy with my performance tonight and looking forward to whatever Lou (DiBella) has in store for me next."

DiBella was more than pleased to see his headliner earn a rousing victory.

“I think we may have built a brand and I’m proud of that,” said DiBella, who show was on display in front of a packed house.

The card started fast as the second and third bouts were first-round knockouts. As exciting as those fights were, it’s not the type of thing promoters want to see every time out. Good action-packed bouts are what crowds want to see, according to DiBella.

“I got so upset earlier when we had two first-round knockouts in a row, because that’s not what we do,” said DiBella. “But I was really happy to see that we got it back on track with the next few fights.”

The highest profile bout of the night was IBO super middleweight champion Thomas Oosthuizen (20-0-1, 13 KOs) defending his title against Rowland Bryant (16-2, 11 KOs), winning by decision 118-110, 117-111 (twice).

In other bouts Heather Hardy scored a unanimous-decision win (38-37 three times) over Mikayla Nebel in a four-round junior featherweight bout. Boyd Melson also won by unanimous-decision (59-55 three times) in a six-round junior middleweight bout over Khalik Memminger.

Jonathan Cepeda scored a first-round TKO over Orphius White, Floriano Pagliara and Willie Villanueva fought to a draw, Zach Ochoa scored a first-round knockout against Cody Osbourne and Allan Benitez won by decision over Osnel Charles in a six-round bout.

Said DiBella: “Broadway Boxing is going to be around for a long time, maybe longer than me.”