McNeeley KO's Hall In First

By Stephen Tobey
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

PLYMOUTH — And the beat(ing) continues.

Medfield's "Hurricane" Peter McNeeley posted his fifth straight win by knockout Friday night, stopping Dwayne Hall of Rochester, NY, at 2:25 of the first round in a steamy Plymouth Memorial Hall.

The 221-pound McNeeley knocked down Hall, who weighed in at 207, four times in the first round before referee Harold Gomes stopped the fight.

McNeeley improved to 29-1 (23 KOs) and is now ranked 20th in the world by the World Boxing Council.

The first knockdown came after three left hooks to the head, sending Hall to his knees. The second knockdown was preceded by a right to Hall's left shoulder and the third came on a left hook to the head. A devastating two-punch combination sent Hall crashing to the canvas for the final time. The referee then called a halt, but Hall clearly would not have beaten a ten-count.

"I was looking for the body early but he was banging me with his head," said McNeeley, who won a lopsided six-round decision over Hall last November. "The last time I fought him, he warmed up after the first round. This time, I got him when he was cold."

"He just came out and did what he had to do," said the 32-year-old Hall, whose record is listed as 16-5. "The man can hit."

The fired-up crowd cheer as Peter McNeeley roars in triumph after scoring a first round knockout in Friday night's main event.

Hall was a last-minute replacement for Bobby Crabtree of Fort Smith, AK. Crabtree, a veteran of 70 pro fights, withdrew from the bout earlier in the week. Hall said he was notified about the fight on Wednesday.

After suffering a knockout at Foxwoods Casino in May, Hall was suspended indefinitely by the Connecticut State Boxing Commission. Because of his last-minute substitution for Crabtree, the Massachusetts commission did not have adequate time to check on Hall's status. Vin Vecchione, McNeeley's manager, was not aware of Hall's suspension.

"McNeeley is as close to a guy named Rocky as you can get," said Vecchione. "He just bangs away. He will hit guys with winning records like 30-5 or 30-10 and he will knock them out. He fears nobody. He's not a fancy boxer. He just works hard."

The week, Vecchione will meet with promoter Don King in Florida to discuss upcoming bouts for McNeeley. Last month, McNeeley signed a four-year promotional contract with King.

McNeeley's next appearance is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 24 in Hyannis.

Related articles:
McNeeley Scores TKO   [The Middlesex Daily News]
McNeeley Raises Some 'Cane   [The Boston Herald]
After 1st Round KO, Hurricane Eyes Next Level   [The Suburban Press]
A Tainted Victory For McNeeley   [The Brockton Enterprise]
McNeeley Puts Top 20 Ranking On Line Friday   [The Boston Patriot]
WBC Ranks McNeeley In Top 20   [The Suburban Press]