Denny Dalton a ‘Dangerous’ proposition for Rawle Frank

Oct 27, 2010 Sports

By Michael Benjamin
Approximately four months subsequent to Briso Promotions inaugural international boxing card at the Princess International Hotel Guyana, head of Holland’s Entertainment Promotions (HEP), Carwyn Holland is set to emulate that feat when he stages part two of ‘Caribbean Fury’ on Saturday November 6.

Raul Frank (right) and Michael Benjamin battle during one of their two epic encounters.

The card embodies some of the best local talent opposing overseas opponents in some cases while some local fighters would be matching skills against each other. Maybe of all the bouts on the card the Denny Dalton/Rawle Frank shindig promises to be a scorcher.
Indeed, here are two boxers of vastly contrasting styles and experience but similar work ethic, going after each other and despite the fact that both of them nurture similar ambitions of upward mobility in the fistic sport, they ironically, are positioned on the same plateau with similar ambitions of securing an international rating and subsequent world title fight.
The stark truth, though, is that Frank, a veteran in the sport, may well be well past his prime, a similar position as Dalton who, despite possessing awesome punching power is yet to match his forward thrust in the sport with that of his punching ability. Irrespective of the analysis pertaining to their respective current world status or their ability to become future world beaters, a far fetched notion by any stretch of the imagination, both boxers still have the ‘juice’ to create excitement in the ‘square jungle’ when matched against each other.
Consequently, even though they both are well past their prime, they both posses the type of style and application for an action packed, no holds barred encounter, the type of action local boxing buffs have thirsted for.
A perusal of their respective records would uncover a vast disparity in quantity and quality of bouts. Frank has won 28 of his thirty eight bouts, lost 5 and drawn three.
Fourteen of his bouts ended inside the distance while he has been stopped only once against Ludovic Proto back in 1989 in French Guiana. His professional career spans 241 rounds with a knockout ratio of 36.84.
Dalton’s achievements and fight statistics pales in comparison to his opponent due largely in part to Frank’s international exposure. The former pugilist has won 16 times as against 9 losses and one draw. He has stopped 11 of his opponents and has been stopped twice, both times to internationally rated fighters. Denny also has a knockout ratio of 42.31% after boxing a total of 173 rounds. By comparison, Frank with a lower knockout ratio cannot be faulted since he was engaged in more qualitative wars than Denny. Naturally, the pundits would be debating on the results of their November 6 bout and may even use the disparity gap as the yardstick.

Denny Dalton attacks the heavy bag under the evaluation of Oprecht during training sessions last Wednesday afternoon.

However, while this variable may automatically presents a clear cut choice for the betting boys, the issue may not be as cut and dried since over the years some of these variables could have endured drastic changes thus shifting the arc and presenting a more balanced situation.
In other words, the passage of time would have definitely changed the landscape and some of the points of deliberations among pundits might not be applicable for this bout than when the two were initially scheduled to match gloves a few months ago.
Whether a distinction or otherwise, I have faced both principals; twenty four rounds against Frank in two bouts and 5 rounds against Dalton in an abbreviated win in favour of Dalton. Of the two fighters, Dalton is definitely the stronger and possesses numbing power in both hands.
The left hook though is the punch that has done most of the damage and once Frank can nullify this blow, he may be halfway to accomplishing his goal. Frank also has decent power but his strong trait is his speed and a staunch determination to succeed. Dalton has also demonstrated the attribute of a gutsy fighter especially in his bout against former WBA welterweight king, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis when they fought in April 26 for the vacant light/middleweight title. Fans will remember that he forced Lewis to quit on his stool at the end of the 6th stanza.
Dalton was to go on to fight Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman and surrendered that fight by a wide margin. This might suggest that he may have problems against classy boxers as against rough and tumble opposition. In Frank he will find a classy and experienced customer. Furthermore, in his most noteworthy bout against Hector ‘Machito’Camacho, another classy fighter, Dalton was at sea for effective counteracting strategies and the bout ended with the Puerto Rican winning a lopsided decision with all three judges, Trevor Arno, Ryan Wissow and Lionel B Sullivan awarding the bout to Hector 91-98.
Frank has also not been doing so well in the latter part of his career. He has had two epic battles against Rodney Jones losing one while the other ended in a draw. He has also dropped a point decision to Thomas Davis while losing both of his world title attempts to the late Vernon Forrest.
While the pundits have opined that Dalton is in his twilight years, he has shown amazing resilience against Lewis, a fighter far more experienced than he.
Dalton has also stood his ground against Howard Eastman and his loss could more be attributed to his application as the bout wound down. He has since assured this writer that he has adjusted his work ethic to suit the impending bout.
This writer also spoke with Frank moments after he had wrapped up his morning sessions at the Jackie Gleasons Gym in Brooklyn. He is bubbling with confidence and has assured that Dalton will be in for a torrid time. Initial approaches to match Frank against Kwesi Jones reached a stalemate since Frank felt that he needed to fight someone of substance, who could have served as the catalyst to him returning to the international arena. He has clearly stated that he intends to use the Dalton bout as that launching pad.
Whether a pipe dream or authentic ambitions, he is coming to Guyana armed and ready for a fight.
Dalton, not one to make bold predictions, breached his policy when asked to make a prediction last Monday evening at gym. “I cannot afford to lose. I have lost an important fight against Camacho and will have to make amends. My career is on the line.”
George Oprecht, Dalton’s coach, is backing his charge to win by knockout. “Frank is an old fighter while Denny is young and strong. Rawle will sleep; he can’t take the bombs Denny will launch,” Oprecht emphatically pronounced.
Former boxing star, Darius Forde who operates out of the Jackie Gleasons Gym and who has been following Frank’s training activities over the years scoffed at Oprecht’s analysis. “Rawle is in fine shape and I can’t envision him losing this one. He is the more experienced and he will simply give Dalton a lesson in the finer arts of the sport.”
Asked to make a comment on Dalton’s ability to outfight Frank over the scheduled eight rounds, Forde stated, “No way! Rawle will take him into the deep waters and drown him.
The stage has been set; the fighters ready for combat. Both have talked the talk. It’s now time to walk the walk. Denny has warned that Frank is in grave ‘Danger;’ Frank has been in enough wars to counteract Denny’s ploys. Whether he still has the ammunition or whether he could fend off Dalton’s bombs is a question that only the sound of the bell will answer.