For a guy covered in rust, Dylan Rush survived with his natural born athleticism, his best friend at Toughman Hawaii against an opponent who kept hunting for a knockout.
Rush retained his super heavyweight belt against Don “Iron Fist” Auau in a five-round decision in the early morning hour of Sunday at the inaugural “Pop” Memorial tournament at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The tribute show to Walter “Pops” Carvalho endured a long night, nearly a two-hour delay from the original starting time and covered 14 bouts from youngsters to the masters division and culminated with the main event that started near midnight.
For most of the fight, Auau (14-1) threw overhand rights, looking to turn out the lights on Rush, who was making his first fight in more than six years. But he couldn’t get a clean shot on Rush, a former wrestler, judoka and football player with dancing bear feet and an instinctive feel to keep his head out of harm’s way.
The first round was a feeling-out process with no significant shots delivered. In the second, the two minutes consisted of clinches and Rush hammering body shots to Auau’s ribs, a scene reminiscent of Rocky’s workout in Paulie’s meat house.
In the third round, Rush, of Ka’u, missed on a pair of massive right hands. That set up his best round in the fourth. In a close exchange, Rush landed a short left hook square to Auau’s jaw. Down went the challenger, who entered with an undefeated record.
But they build them tough in American Samoa. Auau got right up and kept going in a slugfest that went the distance. Onward to the final and fifth round, approaching midnight and well past the bedtime of the young ones in the crowd.
Both fighters looked gassed in the fifth. Their punches lost power but the will to uncork a deciding blow remained. Neither could get a clean shot, and the bout ended with both still on their feet, a testament to the iron will of both.
“With six years off, I’m exhausted. He’s a tough guy,” Rush told the crowd. “Those six years made a difference. I’m way more tired than I thought I would be.”
Sisyphus knows the feeling. It’s not easy to push a rock up a mountain that keeps rolling back down. Every hard body shot and clobber to the head punished Auau. But the tough guy kept coming. It was Rush’s own tale of dealing with perseverance.
“I was able to stay in control and stay inside,” Rush said. “I hit him with some right hands that I thought would have put him down. I’m very happy to fight in front of the Hilo crowd.”
In other bouts:
• Semi main event cruiserweight title: Ashton “One whack Medivac” Castro def. Lavelle Brown by unanimous decision.
Brown has built his fighting reputation as a vicious kicker. He torques his body and whips buckling kicks to the legs, which often set up his hand strikes. He was only able to slam one leg kick that buckled Castro in the third.
For most of the three rounds of two-minute action, Castro beat Brown to the punch. He fired off quick combinations or legs kicks of his own before Brown could set his tempo.
• William Jacobs def. Alex Bacdad by referee stoppage, third round.
Jacobs had a nearly six-inch height advantage and used it to his benefit. He delivered long jabs and kicks from the perimeter and never let Bacdad into close range.
• Itoshi Rubon def. Keith Birckland by split decision, third round.
Rubon had the entrance of the night with a summersault over the ropes. He was just as athletic inside the ropes, spinning back kicks and never letting Birchland get into any kind of rhythm.
• Rob Nii def. Akoni Nakila by referee stoppage, third round, 1:47.
It was another height mismatch. Nii had a good six inches over Nakila and relied on Muay Thai clinches and sharp knees to the face. He opened a gash on Nakila’s face, which later was covered with blood and resembled a tomato.
• Isaiah Fonseca def. Quintin Vea by referee stoppage, second round, 2:00.
Fonseca’s most significant blows came when he caught Vea in the corner and pelted him with body shots.
• Randin Napeahi def. Nephi Lancaster by split decision, third round.
Napeahi used his right to counter and keep Lancaster pinned in the corners. Neither could drop a significant blow against the other.
• Mu Fui def. Robert Kamakahi by first-round TKO, 1:24.
In a battle between super heavyweights, it was the only knockout of the night. The two big guys came out throwing haymaker, and in close quarters Fui landed a solid left hook on Kamakahi’s chin.
• Danson Cabinaton def. Kaeo Ishikuro by unanimous decision, third round.
Cabinaton spoiled Ishikuro’s debut. He pressured the fighter out of Boss MMA and controlled the action.
• Jason Soares Jr. def. Spencer Kahapea by unanimous decision.
Soares, 16, won his debut. He’s a junior at Keaau High and is trained by his dad, Jason Soares. He controlled the ring against his opponent and delivered a better volume of strikes.
“I’m pretty tired,” Soares said. “But it feels good, awesome.”
• Treysten Leopoldino def. Leleaka Silva by unanimous decision.
In a battle between 12-year-olds, Leopoldino won his debut.
• Silas Gaston def. Diesel Butts by unanimous decision.
In another youth bout, Gaston got the better of exchanges.
• Kawika Ledford def. Shayden Coloma by referee stoppage, first round, :38.
Ledford was pretty excited to post his victory over his 6-year-old foe, shouting into the microphone, “Who’s next?”