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The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT, March 27, 2010

| March 27, 2010 9:00 PM

In the past eight years of working for the Hagadone News Network, I have covered a lot of different events. State basketball, football and district wrestling have become something I've grown used to.

But events like Thursday's fast-paced action in the House of Fury at the Coeur d'Alene Casino will take some getting used to.

THE CARD was highlighted by Sandpoint native Favio Medina and Jason Papillion in a bout for the USNBC title, but before the night had even started, both were quickly overshadowed by the appearance of George Foreman Sr., who was in town to watch his son George "Monk" Foreman III take on newcomer Robert Vasquez, as well as watch former Dallas Cowboy lineman Roy McCarry make his pro debut.

The three-time former champ made a couple of brief appearances on Thursday, attempting to get to the locker rooms before being swarmed a half-hour before fights were scheduled to start by a group of fans. Foreman eventually made his way down to ringside, watching McCarry take on Rob Griswell in the pro debut for both fighters.

McCarry, who also trains within the Foreman camp, didn't take long to end his fight and considering he outweighed the Portland native by 105 pounds in a second-round TKO, it's a wonder that it didn't happen sooner.

Following the fight, Foreman left ringside and didn't make it back to ringside for his son's fight.

"MONK" ENDED his bout 1:30 into the first round with a knockout after Robert Vasquez decided he'd had enough of Foreman's fist on his nose and opted not to continue the fight. Foreman was gone soon after, but should be back when the casino holds fights again in June.

Whether he brings along his famous father is another story.

Medina did everything that he was supposed to in the main event, not let the bout end like in their previous encounter in October did with a stoppage in the third round.

This time out, Medina took control in the third round and didn't let up throughout the fight to earn the decision.

Another local favorite, Skyler Anderson of Newman Lake, Wash., arrived to the Eagles song "Heartache Tonight," and left Moses Droz with exactly that, defeating him by TKO late in the third round.

A FEW YEARS ago, some fights were held at the Wallace Civic Auditorium, but the sport of Ultimate Fighting was still rising and most of those in attendance were there were most likely wanting to watch someone get beat up on.

Then again, when anybody in the crowd could go up and call someone else out to come step in the ring, I'd expect nothing less.

Some of the fights were pretty good between those that were trained to do so, but much like the bouts on Thursday, were over too quickly for most of the fans in attendance.

When watching basketball, teams play for a set amount of time, like in football, baseball and hockey. But when it comes to boxing, one good punch can end a fight in an instant.

Being prepared for anything, something I still need to learn.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-0239 or via e-mail at jelliott@cdapress.com.