Undercard: Zbikowski shakes down the thunderBy Eric Butterman Special to ESPN.com NEW YORK -- Tommy Zbikowski is used to taking and giving punishment on the football field. But on Saturday Night at Madison Square Garden, the ring was the thing for the Notre Dame third-team All-American safety. AP Photo/Peter Morgan Tommy Zbikowski is cheered by the crowd after winning his first pro heavyweight fight against Robert Bell. Robert Bell found that out the hard way, absorbing a fight's worth of punishment in 49 seconds before the bout was stopped as Zbikowski won his pro debut. Zbikowski had two knockdowns of the 32-year-old Bell before referee Arthur Mercante Jr. called the scheduled four-round fight. The fight itself was honestly not much of one. A near-sellout at Madison Square Garden saw Bell (2-3) go down soon after the opening bell, on one knee, glove up, as if in prayer. He was asked whether he wanted more and to Bell's credit, he continued, despite clearly being outmatched from the start. Zbikowski immediately and literally wound up and fired. Bell spun around, flummoxed by the contact and took a few more shots before the fight was stopped 49 seconds into the first round. "Tommy Z!" chants quickly bellowed from the crowd. The 21-year-old Zbikowski, of Arlington Heights, Ill., won 75 of his 90 amateur bouts and earned $25,000 for his first pro fight. "I worked hard the last six, seven weeks," said the Notre Dame player, who had more than 50 teammates on hand. "I wanted to prove that I was more than just a football player." Though Zbikowski is used to cheers, there's all the difference in the world between Notre Dame Stadium and the inclusive, in-your-face feel of the Garden. Visiting the New York City site in March, Zbikowski admitted the awe he felt at being able to make his debut at the site of so many memorable fights. If you wanted an added further touch of intimidation, try having Angelo Dundee working your corner, just as he did for a fighter named Ali so long ago. But the venue signaled an opportunity for Zbikowski to transition from amateur to professional in rare fashion. More was on the line than money -- it was a chance for him to assert himself as a two-sport athlete, something that could create a groundswell of endorsement deals once his college football career is over, as well as notoriety. Entering the fight, there was one question: Would the overwhelming nature of this spectacle force the newbie to be off his game and land firmly on the canvas? Zbikowki dismissed that question at Wednesday's press conference, saying, "I plan to put on a show of speed, skill and power the heavyweight division hasn't seen in a while." Most agree that the low level of competition did not allow him to truly show his gifts, any more than working a bag would. But Bell, at 6-foot-2 and 227 pounds, held a three-inch and 13-pound advantage over his celebrated opponent. Interviewed just after the fight, Zbikowski said he didn't want to be seen as just a football player, but a boxer. Well, this boxer's record is 1-0. If you want you can go to http://sports.espn.go.com./sports/boxing/news/story?id=2478670 and see a prefight interview of him.
His opponent wore an Ohio State jersey and his trunks were red....he looked suspiciously like Maurice Clarett to me.
Well, you take a 21 year old elite college athlete and put him in the ring with a tomato can who is 60-70 lbs overweight and VOILA ! you get a 49 second fight!! Back to football, youngster.
:evil: The jealousy level here on the Left Coast is off the chart. Two days ago, the entire front page of the LA Times Sports Section was devoted to Tommy Z's fight set for that night. In total, they ran several PAGES about Tommy, most of it trying to suggest that he was doing something wrong. For example: in his interview with the Times, the reporter noted that he didn't pay for the sandwich that he was eating. It was paid for by his fight manager and the reporter suggested that this was probably an NCAA violation. Most of the article gave the impression that Notre Dame athletes get special, favorable treatment, while athletes at other schools (poor, abused USC?) aren't. The Irish and Tommy Z need to be careful here. The whole world is watching and thanks to Charlie...they hate our guts again. ............JO'Co :evil:
According to Commish the garden was packed. Helf were of Puerto Rican descent rooting for the champ in the main event. A large contingent of Irish (not ND Irish) were there to root for a popular slugger from Ireland named Duddy. Then there was the Irish football team that turned out in a large group to root their hero on. TZ got adopted by the Duddy fans although clearly a Pole. Mike thought that the team really had a great time and it never hurts to have kids in the limelight making a name for themselves. Perhaps they sense that the pendulum is swinging out in SoCal.
re: the pendulum in SoCal They thought the pendulum swung back last year and the blade missed their black hearts by a whisker. They're hunkered down in their bomb shelters now and ready for something wicked coming their way... :twisted: