Cody Crowley makes victorious homecoming
Douro native wins 12th straight match in dream come true
Cody Crowley grabbed the microphone and thanked 3,500 fans for making his lifelong dream come true Saturday night.
Homecoming: The Return of Cody Crowley proved to be a triumphant night for the Douro native whose 12th consecutive win as a professional boxer was his first in his hometown. It was also the first pro boxing card in the city in 36 years.
A raucous Memorial Centre crowd of 3,500 according to facility manager Jeremy Giles, chanted “Cody, Cody” throughout his unanimous 10-round decision win over Mexico’s Edgar Ortega. Crowley earned the Canadian Professional Boxing Council’s International super-welterweight title with a convincing win; he took all 10 rounds on all three judges’ scorecards of 100-90.
“It was a lifelong dream. I finally got to stand and fight in front of my whole entire city,” said Crowley, as he was swarmed by well-wishers and autograph seekers following the fight. “The guy was a little bit slippery. He was holding a lot and he was hard to fight. “I was wearing two hats tonight, I was a fighter and a promoter so I was also trying to make it exciting. I was trying to secure the win and at the same time make sure the fans were happy.”
Crowley dictated the fight against his more experienced opponent from the opening bell often pressing Ortega against the ropes for extended periods. There were no knockdowns, Ortega slipped to the canvas in the ninth round, but Crowley landed many clean and effective punches from right hooks to lead lefts and numerous body blows.
“I give myself a B performance,” said Crowley. “I thought I was OK. He was a tough guy. He was throwing hard punches. I won every round like the judges’ said.”
Crowley controlled the early action in the centre of the ring. He picked up the pace in the middle rounds forcing Ortega to the ropes where he trapped him on several occasions for extended periods. The sixth round started with the best exchange of the fight as they traded punches in a neutral corner. Crowley kept the pressure up throwing the more effective shots knocking Ortega’s mouthpiece out with a left hand.
Ortega shifted to survival mode in the latter rounds content to let Crowley dictate the pace. Crowley drew shrieks from the crowd each time he landed an effective punch. The crowd started a soccer style chant in the final rounds as there was little doubt he was bringing home the win. Ortega fell to 17-8-0 with 11 ko’s.
Crowley said he had to control his emotions when he heard the chants.
“It was hard not to play into that and just throw pointless punches,” he said. “I had to work with the crowd and give them a little bit but I had to pick my punches at the same time.” He appreciated it, though. “It made me feel like I had family support,” he said.
Crowley’s trainer Ibn Cason said he was pleased with Crowley’s performance given all the pressure that came with his hometown debut.
“It was a lot of pressure in it being his first title fight; also his first 10-rounder and also his first time fighting in front of a crowd this big that was all cheering for him,” Cason said. “For him to handle it like he did and to secure the win, I’m very happy in that aspect.
“As far as things he can do to improve there are a bunch of things we’re going to work on, but it’s hard for me to weigh, with all those other factors in there, how would he have fought if those factors weren’t there. At the same time, this is something he’s going to have to deal with on a regular basis, God willing, because hopefully we’re going to be fighting here on a regular basis.”
Cason said he’s seen a lot of things in boxing, been to many title fights involving the world’s top fighters, but he said there was something special about the atmosphere in the PMC.
“This was electric,” said Cason. “I’ve been to many fights and none compare to what Peterborough brings to the table because they actually cheer as one. They were one voice for their champion, Cody Crowley, and I’ve never seen that before. I think it was equivalent to how the soccer games are where the crowd is really passionate about their team and they all become one voice. That’s what I saw in this small town of Peterborough.”
Crowley said he hurt his left hand a little. He’s looking forward to a little bit of a break before plotting his next career move.
“I’m going to take a break of a week or two and then me and my team will figure out my next move,” he said.
Given the crowd size and response it’s an easy bet to believe Crowley’s first fight at the PMC won’t be his last.
“If the people want it, we’ll be back,” said Crowley.