Why not?
Palmer steps back into the ring for 41st time; wins by KO
When Albert Gallatin graduate Eric Palmer was presented with the opportunity to step back into the ring for his 41st professional boxing match, he didn鈥檛 hesitate in accepting the fight.
鈥淚t was a pretty easy decision because I was able to fight locally and have a full six-week training camp,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淚 have been a little more selective in taking fights, but when this one came about, I figured, 鈥榃hy not step back in the ring?'鈥�
Palmer was also able to fight at 154 pounds, which made it much easier when he stepped on the scale for weigh-ins. The owner of Throwback Fitness in Uniontown competed at 140 during his last bout on April 19.
鈥淚t was a big difference being able to fight at 154 this time,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淚n my last fight, I had to focus more on making weight than actually training. The cut was so much for me that I spent more time in camp working on that. This time, I only had to cut on the final day. I felt 100 times better at 154. I also felt super strong.鈥�
Palmer took advantage of fighting at a more comfortable weight and having a full training camp in earning a knockout over Steven Brabson at 1:49 of the first round last Saturday at 鈥淩eal Fight Night 10鈥� in Morgantown, W.Va.
The bout was the main event of an event that Real Fight Promotions held at the Morgantown Event Center inside the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.
The fight was scheduled for six rounds, but Palmer came out strong and took it to Brabson in front of a crowd that was in his favor.
鈥淚 felt like half of Fayette County was in the building,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淚t definitely pushes you a little more and gives you that adrenaline rush. I am used to being the underdog and fighting against guys in their hometowns, so it was refreshing to have people cheering for me.
鈥淚 have no pressure when I go on the road, but it feels so much better to have people in your corner.鈥�
Brabson was able to land some hard punches, but Palmer didn鈥檛 allow that to affect him.
鈥淗e did throw some hard punches, and I was a little worried, but I was able to jump right back on him and finish the fight,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淧eople talk about not leaving the decision in the judges鈥� hands, but it is not easy to finish a fight. My opponents are not there to just lie down. They want to win, too.鈥�
Brabson was not Palmer鈥檚 original opponent, but he didn鈥檛 deviate from his training regimen.
鈥淭he guy I was supposed to fight broke his hand, so he couldn鈥檛 go, but I was able to stick with my original game plan,鈥� Palmer said.
Palmer was pulling double duty last Saturday, as he was in the corner for his fighters from Throwback Fitness, including Albert Gallatin graduate Marques Moore, who earned a TKO over Angel Mena of Newark, Ohio, in an amateur bout.
鈥淢arques was in a battle, and in between the second and third rounds, I told him that we train differently at our gym and are in much better condition,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淗e went to work in the third round and was able to get a stoppage. I believe Marques is 7-0 as an amateur.鈥�
Palmer鈥檚 brother, Justin Filippone, was scheduled to be on the card in Morgantown, but a back injury prevented him from competing.
鈥淛ustin had a little bit of a back injury, so we didn鈥檛 want to risk further injuring it,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淛ustin is going to do some big things in the sport. We have some good fighters in Fayette County. I am honored to be able to help people at my gym, especially the young kids. I want to be a good role model for them.鈥�
Palmer is scheduled to return to action in Morgantown in February.
鈥淢organtown is my 鈥榟ome away from home,'鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淚t is only 20 minutes away for me and my family, and I sold a ton of tickets for this past fight, and I expect to sell just as many the next time out.鈥�