Amateur and professional boxers from Louisiana, Illinois, Maryland and more gathered at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club in Lebanon this past Saturday, Jan. 4 to take on local fighters from Nicky’s Boxing Club (NBC). Dubbed New Year’s Blast by promoters NBC and LWSC Promotions, the evening’s fight card featured five amateur and three professional bouts.

NBC owner and youth trainer Nicolas Hernandez’s match against the undefeated Rance Ward was the feature fight, but his club fighters were nothing to balk at: Each fighter representing NBC won their respective matches and swept the evening.

All photos by LebTown photographer Cheyenne Tobias.

Each of the five amateur victors (Christopher Robles, Ramon Urena, Ervin Arroyo and Gabriel Filler) represented NBC Lebanon.

Corey Lopez vs. Kenya Rainey

Corey Lopez, the NBC fighter from Altoona, Pa., made his debut Saturday evening against welterweight Kenya Rainey of Forest Park, Ill.

Lopez won the four-rounder by unanimous decision.

James Robinson vs. Luis Rodriguez

Robinson, the super welterweight from York, Pa., took on Lebanon resident Luis Rodriguez in the second professional bout of the night. Robinson won by T.K.O.

Nicolas Hernandez vs. Rance Ward

Hailing from Reading, Pa., Hernandez’s match against the undefeated Rance Ward of Houma, La., was Saturday’s main event, with the victor claiming the Universal Boxing Federation Northeast Regional Junior Middleweight title.

According to Real Combat Media, Hernandez was predicted to win by unanimous decision. However, the six-rounder ended in a draw.

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