Strict Biz, Delaware’s finest boxing promotion, put on another unforgettable night at the New Castle Police Athletic League in New Castle, DE. This event had everything a boxing fan could hope for—knockouts, a draw, and brilliant displays of skill. The card was stacked with competitive matchups that delivered non-stop action from start to finish. Headlining the event was Tahmir Smalls (13-0-0, 9 KOs), who entered the ring on a mission to solidify his status as a legitimate contender. His last win over Martin was a statement, and a victory here would only push him further into the conversation. Co-promoter Greg Prichett assured fans that these were well-matched fights, and he was absolutely correct.
Carlos Rivera Delgado continued to impress with another commanding performance. Adonis Wilkins showcased his signature aggressive style, while Dominique Mayfield and Chris Thomas put on a masterclass in heavyweight boxing that ended in a closely contested draw. Unfortunately, one of the most anticipated fights of the night between Zak Kelly and John Hawks was cut short due to an injury. Despite this setback, the night delivered in every possible way, reinforcing why Strict Biz Promotions continues to be a premier force in regional boxing
Tahmir Smalls vs. Luis Alberto Veron: Smalls Proves He’s the Real Deal
Tahmir Smalls (12-0-0, 9 KOs) is making a strong case for himself as a name to watch in the division. Against the experienced Luis Alberto Veron (20-10-2 9 KOs), Smalls came out fast and never let up, ultimately stopping Veron in the seventh round. From the opening bell, Smalls dictated the fight with precise power shots and relentless pressure. Veron, a crafty veteran, tried to avoid engaging too much with Smalls’ power hand, using movement and clinching to slow the younger fighter down.
Despite Veron’s best efforts, Smalls kept cutting off the ring, forcing the exchanges he wanted. By the end of the fourth round, Smalls landed a crushing combination that sent Veron to the canvas. The Argentine fighter got back up with seconds left in the round, cleverly feinting a few big swings to deter Smalls from going for the finish before the bell.
The end came in the seventh round. Smalls’ relentless body and head attacks finally broke Veron’s defenses. A perfectly placed head-body combo sent Veron down again. Though he made it to his feet, the referee had seen enough and stopped the contest, knowing Veron couldn’t continue. With this performance, Smalls has positioned himself firmly in the contender discussion, and bigger fights surely await him before the end of 2025.
Mayfield and Thomas Battle to a Split Draw in Heavyweight Chess Match
It’s always refreshing to see heavyweights with a clear strategy, rather than just two big men swinging until one of them drops. That’s exactly what fans got with Dominique Mayfield (4-1-1 0 KOs) and Chris Thomas (15-1-2 10 KOs), two fighters who came in with a plan and executed it well. Mayfield, the bigger fighter, used his jab and body work to wear down Thomas, while Thomas, the quicker of the two, opted for a hit-and-move approach, landing clean shots before tying up to avoid return fire.
Both strategies worked to an extent, leading to an incredibly close fight. Mayfield had moments where he controlled the pace, pushing forward with strong jabs and punishing body shots. Thomas, however, found success countering Mayfield’s advances, using his speed to land sharp shots before smothering Mayfield in the clinch. The result was a tactical battle that had fans on the edge of their seats.
In the end, the judges were split: 59-55 Mayfield, 58-56 Thomas, and 57-57, making the fight a draw. Neither man seemed fully satisfied with the result, and given how competitive the bout was, a rematch might be in the works.
Carlos Rivera Delgado Puts on a Boxing Clinic Against Denzel Bowlding
Carlos Rivera Delgado (2-0-0 0 KOs) absolutely dominated his four-round contest against Denzel Bowlding (0-4-0 0 KOs), winning by unanimous decision. From the start, Delgado was in complete control, using crisp combinations, sharp footwork, and relentless pressure to dictate the fight. Bowlding, to his credit, showed resilience, taking shot after shot and never backing down. There were moments where it seemed he might go down, but he always found a way to recover, only to take more punishment from Delgado.
Delgado executed his game plan to perfection, mixing in body shots, head movement, and well-timed counters to keep Bowlding guessing. The rounds were all one-sided, and the judges’ scorecards reflected that, with Delgado sweeping every round. This was another stellar performance for Delgado, who continues to build momentum in his young career.
Naiam Nelson Wins a Tactical War Against Nelson Morales
A beautiful display of boxing unfolded as Naiam Nelson (15-6-0 1 KOs) took on Nelson Morales (6-21-0 3 KOs) in a high-level chess match. The first round was mostly a feeling-out process, with Morales edging it out on activity. Nelson, however, turned it up in the second, pressing forward with clean combinations that slowed Morales down.
The fight continued to be a back-and-forth affair, with Morales taking control in the third round, landing the sharper shots and winning exchanges at the center of the ring. But Nelson adjusted again, taking over in the fourth and fifth rounds with crisp counterpunching and intelligent pressure. Just when it seemed Nelson was taking over, the fight was stopped due to a cut over his left eye caused by an accidental headbutt. The bout went to the scorecards, where Nelson won a unanimous decision.
Who Else Was on the Card?
Zak Kelly (5-1-0 4 KOs) and John Hawks (2-3-1 2 KOs) were expected to deliver fireworks, and they did—until Hawks suffered a shoulder injury in the first round, forcing the fight to be stopped. Kelly was awarded the TKO victory. Adonis Wilkins (5-0-0 4 KOs) made quick work of Stephen Davis (1-7-0 1 KOs), overwhelming him with pressure and body shots en route to a second-round TKO. Tyler VanOrden (4–0-0 2 KO) put on a masterclass, using slick head movement and crisp counterpunching to outbox Evans Norris (0-3-1 0 KO) for a unanimous decision win.
An Unforgettable Night with High Stakes for the Future
An icy evening was warmed by the intensity of the action inside the ring. The main event saw Tahmir Smalls assert himself as a dominant force, putting the welterweight division on notice with his victory over Veron. Carlos Rivera Delgado proved that he is a young star in the making, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that will take him far. The highly anticipated bout between Zak Kelly and John Hawks was cut short due to injury, leaving fans eager for a rematch.
The controversial draw between Mayfield and Thomas raises questions—was it truly an even fight, or does one fighter deserve the edge? The debate will continue, but one thing is certain: these men belong in the ring together again. With Strict Biz Promotions gearing up for their next event, the boxing community eagerly awaits the next chapter in what has become one of the most exciting regional circuits.
