Loffer, LeConte get hometown wins in EMB event

For Derek Loffer, his first victory as a professional kickboxer was even more satisfying than he imagined. “I think the win felt better than I expected it to be because it was entertaining,” Loffer said. “Joe (Bentalha) came in prepared and really brought it. To be honest, he was better than I thought he would be.” Loffer (1-2) captured a split-decision victory over a very aggressive Bentalha (1-1) in the co-main event of Extreme Maximus Boxing’s “Brawl at the Hall” event Saturday in front of a loud, appreciative crowd inside a packed Teamsters Hall in Cedar Rapids. The judges scored the three-round bout 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29 in favor of Loffer. “I could absolutely hear the crowd cheering for me,” Loffer added. “Having that many people showing up and support me made it special. I also had my 12-year-old son, Greyson, there and that was great for him to see me win. He came last time, when I
lost.” In the main event of the 11-bout card, local hero Mitchell LeConte improved his record to 9-0-1 with a 5th-round stoppage of Angel Reyes of Des Moines. Reyes, who brought a 3-1 record into the fight, accepted the challenge less than a week out when LeConte’s opponent was unable to fight. Reyes was the third opponent scheduled to fight LeConte, who is the reigning Mid American Super Featherweight champion In other key bouts, Ken Davis Jr., of Reno, Nev., won his 12th straight fight, stopping agame DeShawn Kennedy at 1:47 of the second round. Davis is the WBA’s NABA silver lightweight champion. Shawn West (8-4-1) of Davenport got back on the winning track with a unanimous decision over Thomas Allen of St. Josephs, Mo. Enrique Uvalle (4-2) of Des Moines, won for the second straight time, with a 2nd-round TKO of Paul Burgin of Mason City, Iowa. Heavyweight Kahlil Smoot (10-3) of Ocala, Fla., claimed a TKO win over Lemuel Peayof Cedar Rapids at 2:50 of the 1st round. Thomas Ahrens of Fort Dodge, Iowa, notched his first pro boxing victory after a long MMA career featuring 31 pro fights. He defeated Dominic Martin in a thrilling fight that saw Martin unable to start the third round.