Still perfect - McNeeley improves to 23-0

By P.J. McNealy
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

MEDFIELD — Peter "The Hurricane" McNeeley improved his record to a perfect 23-0 (17 KO's) with a unanimous eight-round decision over Butch Kelly at Robart's Arena in Sarasota, Fla. last Wednesday night.

Heavyweight boxing prospect Peter McNeeley remained undefeated with a hard-fought victory Thanksgiving Eve in Florida.

As the main event of an eight-fight card and before a crowd of more than 2,000, McNeeley dropped Kelly (9-12) in the fourth round, but the gutsy former kick-boxer got up off the canvas to weather the Hurricane's attack and went the distance.

McNeeley, who won six of the eight rounds on the judge's cards, was caught with a hard left hook to the temple by Kelly in the sixth round.

"It was the first time I was shaken up as a pro," McNeeley recounted, "but I came back and went back to the jab to take care of business."

He reported that there were some Hurricane fans in the crowd for his 10th fight of the year, and he received a standing ovation after the decision was announced.

Kelly weighed in at 208 pounds, and the 6-foot-2-inch McNeeley tipped the scales at 222 pounds for the fight — his second in November. Earlier in the month, McNeeley won a unanimous six-round decision over Dwayne Hall at Foxboro Park.

After being on the road, McNeeley said that he enjoyed it and will possibly fight in Minneapolis-St. Paul before Christmas, before returning to the Whitman Armory in January.

"I'm excited," McNeeley, 25, said. "Going on the road has opened up new doors."

The fight in Minneapolis may be handled by Jimmy Wheeler, who promoted former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.

See also:   McNeeley Boxes His Way To 23-0   [Boston Patriot-Ledger]