The Hilton Anatole hosted The Real Estate Council’s 24th annual Fight Night Thursday and over half a million dollars was raised that goes back into the Dallas community.  The event brings together the most influential decision-makers in the real estate industry plus guests are treated to a fabulous night of casino gaming including Blackjack, Roulette and Craps.  Cocktails and dinner started the night out in grand fashion and an epic display was center stage that featured two beautiful women greeting guests as they lounged before the night's festivities.  Four bouts topped off the event and the action didn't disappoint.

Legends Smoking Joe Frazier and Angelo Dundee who both passed on recently were honored with a ten-count to begin the night of boxing. Each had been a guest of fight night in the past and very influential figures in the great sport of boxing.  Former welterweight champion and 2003 Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee, Curtis Cokes, was a special guest and ringside for the four entertaining bouts. The first female ring announcer, Amy Hayes, was on hand to get the action started.

The WBC United States Championship Title was on the line in the main event of the evening. Titleholder Cedric Agnew, Chicago, IL (22-0, 13 KO's), squared off against Otis Griffin, Sacramento, CA (23-9-2, 9 KO's), in the twelve round affair.  Referee Lawrence Cole, a veteran of many big fights including Manny Pacquiao versus Antonio Margarito and Edwin Valero versus Antonio Demarco, was the third man in the ring for the twelve round battle that saw Agnew take a unanimous decision victory and retain his WBC title.  Griffin took a work like approach to the fight pressing Agnew through twelve rounds but Agnew landed powerful combinations that slowed down the challenger.  Agnew landed solid combinations in the sixth round causing Griffins glove to touch the mat and receive a standing eight count.  Griffin landed some good punches through out but it wasn't enough to sway the judges.  The three judges saw the fight 118-109, 119-108, and 118-109 respectively.    

In a scheduled six round fight, Joel Baglio, Lake Charles, LA (7-0, 5 KO's) and Blake "Trouble" Franklin, Shreveport, LA (8-4-2, 3 KO's) matched speed and skill in their super lightweight bout. Franklin was very quick to begin the action landing combinations and moving away from his opponent.  Baglio weathered the storm and began to corner Franklin landing big combinations.  Franklin was hit with a powerful left hand and was momentarily stunned but smartly held onto his opponent.  Baglio's power seemed to wear down the challenger from Louisiana and he eventually succumbed to the constant pressure in the third round.  Franklin was hit with a solid body shot and took a standing eight count by veteran referee Neil Young.  Baglio attacked and sent Franklin to the mat again and the fight was stopped giving Baglio the TKO victory.        

Talented prospect Medzhid Bekteminov (7-0, 6 KO's) fighting out of Houston, Texas made short work of Harry Gopaul (1-2, 1 KO) out of Sacramento, CA. The fight lasted forty-nine seconds with Bekteminov landing a powerful uppercut that left Gopaul dazed and unable to recover.  A huge win for the young Russian fighter.

Tyler, Texas native Luis Ambriz making his pro debut started the night out strong with a first round knockout of Luther Miller (0-1) from Carthage, Texas. Ambriz connected with a straight right hand that sent Miller to the canvas and almost out of the ring.  The official time of the knockout was one minute and thirty-one seconds of the first round giving the young talented fighter, Ambriz, an impressive win.

A great night of fights and gaming for a great cause didn't disappoint at the Wyndam Anatole.  Next years event looks to be bigger and better than ever before marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of this fine event.