From Staff Reports

BAY ST. LOUIS, MS - Kendrick "The Apostle" Releford said his unanimous decision victory over "Big" Fred Kassi on the April 24 Les Bonano-promoted card from Hollywood Casino was all about making the correct adjustments.

The 28-year-old Releford, from Fort Worth, won easily on all three scorecards after the 10-round main event were completed. Judge David Taranto had Releford up 98-91, while Keith Hughes had it 98-93, and Randall Valentine scored it 97-92.

"I fought my fight and and I was able to make adjustments in the midst of a war," said Releford, who improved to 22-13-2, 10 KOs. "Though I was the smaller guy, I took the fight to him and out-hustled him."

Releford entered the fight weighing 226. Kassi (15-2, 8 KOs), from New Orleans, weighed 240 pounds.

"It was just about being able to adapt. My conditioning and experience were the main things," Releford said.

Releford said he planned to drop down to cruiserweight, a division at where he said he believed he can make a difference.

"I want to try and take over the cruiserweight division," Releford said. "Just anything to pay the bills. I want to be consistent, but I also want to be smart with it."

In the 6-round co-feature, Tuscaloosa, AL's Anthony Doughty upset previously unbeaten Justin "Iron Man" Verdin, from Grand Bois, LA, winning by TKO at 41 seconds of the final round.

The heavy-handed Doughty improved to 8-1, 7 KOs. Verdin dropped to 9-1, 6 KOs.

In a 4-rounder, New Orleans middleweight Marcus McDaniel earned a unanimous decision (40-36 X 3) over Columbus, MS' Billy Cunningham, Both weighed over the limit at 163. McDaniel upped his record to 3-0, while Cunningham lost his fifth straight and moved to 3-5, 3KOs.

A 4-round lightweight scrap had Pensacola, FL's David Hill and Mobile, Al's Aubrey Norris fight to a draw. It was the debut for Norris. Fred Steinwinder III had Hill (0-1-1) winning 39-36, while Taranto had Norris winning 39-36. Valentine scored it 38-38.

New Orleans middleweight Jamond Bourgeois won his pro debut by majority decision over Mobile's Josh Thorpe. Bourgeois won 40-36 and 39-38 on two cards. The third had it 38-38.