by Gil Ballo
Brooklyn Sports Network

Brooklyn, NY- Former Brooklyn College Kingsmen Boxer Kevin "Sugarman" McNella won his rematch against Tony "Rattlesnake" Best with a knockout in the 4th round of a scheduled 8-round Open Class (Heavyweight) match at Brooklyn's Apollo Gym. The Brooklyn-born McNella's record now stands at 13-0-0 with 8 knockouts.

McNella was in control most of the night scoring a knockdown in the 3rd before a knockdown in the 4th.

"Sugarman" started off slow with the BSN scorecard giving the first round to Best in a slight advantage, much like their first fight. But after that it was all McNella, clearly winning all remaining rounds unanimously.

McNella came out in the first round looking rusty and unprepared. Best tagged him from the start and easily avoided McNella's attack. McNella recovered late in the round but it wasn't enough to prevent two of three judges to give the edge to Best.

In the second McNella began to take over, scoring combinations and counter punches that stunned Best. All three judges gave the round to McNella while BSN's scorecard gave it to the hometown boy in a slight edge. It was Best's last close round.

McNella made sure their was no doubt who was winning over the next two rounds. In the 3rd, McNella pounded Best mercilessly finally knocking him down with a vicious double punch. Best's corner cried foul, claiming McNella's second shot came as Best was already crumbling to the canvas. Referee Richard Iron saw no foul as he had yet to intervene and separate the fighters and consequentially gave no warnings nor deducted any points.

In the fourth "Sugarman" continued the onslaught and once again sent Best to the mat. This time McNella resisted the urge to hit Best on the way down. Opting to stand over him and make sure he found the floor. Best returned to his feet before Iron counted to eight. In retrospect, that may have been a mistake.

McNella made sure Best didn't get out of the round. "When he got up in the fourth I was determined to take advantage of his wooziness berfore the bell rang. I just went after him." said McNella. McNella punished Best in the waning seconds of the round.

Finally, after successive uppercuts with about eight ticks on the clock, Best  was headed for the floor. But not before one more right straight from McNella for insurance. "He came back a coupla times earlier when I thought I had him down... tagged me good when I wasn't 'spectin' it." McNella said afterward in defense of his second questionable and vicious follow-up punch as Best proved the theory of gravity.

Best hit the ground face first, out before he hot the floor. He was taken to Coney Island Hospital for overnight observation. "I hope he's all right. He's a tough SOB... we've become friends... promoting and touring since last year." McNella said of the man he's fought twice in the past three months.

Quick Jabs: The fight took place at Brooklyn's Apollo Gym, a dreary training ground and auditorium dating back to prohibition and by the looks of not much has changed. McNella's team saw it as their last chance to have the Brooklyn boy fight in his home borough for quite awhile. The small purse is likely to be the last McNella fights for and no venue in Kings County may be able to afford him. Look for his only upcoming fights in the local area to be in Atlantic City or Manhattan.

Referee Richard Iron said afterward he saw no need to penalize McNella in any way following what some saw as cheap late shots at a defenseless Best. Iron did say he'd watch tape of the fight again to see if there is anything he missed or something he could improve upon as he always does.

Even though the round ended before Iron's 10 count, Best couldn't be saved by the bell as per pre-fight rules.

Next Up: After some very careful scheduling by his handlers, McNella is 13-0, and probably will move up a spot or two from his #35 ranking. It's rumored his next fight will most likely be back in Chicago’s Viceroy, a McNella favorite, but an offer is on the table for a bout in Atlantic City, where McNella has never fought.

Fees and purses are rumored to be in the six digits, a first for McNella, with some approaching a quarter of a million dollars. Potential opponents include #30 Mark Millar and #29 Morris Fulton with #33 Jerome Miles and #32 Carlton Batty seen as possibilities. It would be a first time meeting with any of them for McNella, professionally or on the amateur level. McNella's camp indicated a decision would come with weeks if not days.