THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409230250
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ABE GOLDBLATT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
DARRYL ``CHERRY BOMB'' Cherry, the Virginia welterweight champion from Portsmouth, is going for national recognition when he meets world-ranked Raul Marquez in the 10-round semifinal on the Sweetpea Whitaker-Buddy McGirt card Saturday night at Scope.
Marquez (17-0) is ranked eighth in the world by the International Boxing Federation.
``This is the most important fight of Cherry's career,'' says Susan Beavers, his manager. ``A lot is riding on the outcome. If Darryl wins, he will be in position for some major fights.''
Cherry will have to move up to 154 pounds (junior middleweight) to fight Marquez.
Since signing on with Beavers and her son, trainer Chris Beavers, of the Portsmouth Athletic Club, Cherry (15-4) has won 11 consecutive fights, including six knockouts.
In the first defense of his Virginia title on Sept. 14 at Alexandria, Cherry knocked out Sugar Han Kim, a native of South Korea, in 36 seconds of the fourth round.
The Portsmouth boxer, with damaging counterpunching, was in control of the fight from the opening bell.
Cherry works out in the PAC gym in Port Norfolk, where McGirt also will train for his fight with Whitaker, which will be televised by HBO. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Darryl ``Cherry Bomb'' Cherry is the state's welterweight champion.
by CNB