BOXING: Ventry injured, unhappy with pay

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November 17, 2008

By Nate Beutel<br><a href="mailto:beuteln@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Nate</a> The Niagara Gazette Mon Nov 17, 2008, 12:22 AM EST

NIAGARA FALLS — James Ventry loved the fact he was fighting in front of his hometown crowd.

After suffering a rib injury and dropping a four-round unanimous decision to Jamar Saunders at the Seneca Niagara Casino late Saturday, his tone was much different.

“I’m really disappointed in this whole thing,” the Niagara Falls resident said. “They didn’t pay anything and I couldn’t do much after getting hit in the ribs in the first round.”

Ventry, who estimated that his family and friends bought more than 100 tickets to the event, said that he was told last Tuesday that his cut from the junior welterweight bout would be only $500.

“That’s a joke,” Ventry said of his payday. “I was in shock when they told me. If my family and friends hadn’t already bought all those tickets, there’s not a chance in hell I’m getting in the ring for $500.”

Ventry added that after taking a big shot to the ribs — which was later determined by doctors to be the cause of torn cartilage — in round one, he wasn’t able to be on the offensive, a major detraction against the speedy Saunders (2-1-0).

“I was going through excruciating pain every time I threw a punch after the first,” he said. “And I couldn’t throw punches in twos and threes.”

Saunders began to get Ventry (7-6-1) on the ropes in round two before bloodying his nose in round three. The Atlanta native also closed the fourth round with a flurry of combinations.

“I’m disappointed in my performance and right now I’m not sure what’s next for me,” Ventry admitted. “I have a fight scheduled for February in California, but I’m not sure about that with the injury and everything else. It might be time to start looking for another job.”

n In other action after the main event late Saturday, Byron Mitchell (26-4-1, 19 KOs) knocked out journeyman Etianne Whitaker 1:10 into the opening round of the super middleweight bout. Whitaker fell to 33-31-2.

Also, Buffalo’s Ross Thompson (27-12-2, 17 KOs) scored a first-round knockout of Cullen Rogers in light heavyweight action. Rogers fell to 9-22-2.

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.

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BOXING: Ventry injured, unhappy with pay

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