30.08.08 - by James Slater

Last night, in Atlanta, Georgia, heavyweight veteran Cedric "The Bos" Boswell revived his career with an impressive 2nd round stoppage of the previously undefeated and much younger Roman Greenberg. A right hand put the 26-year-old in trouble, before a flurry and then a left and two more big right hands to the head prompted referee Bill Clancy to dive in and stop the fight. The time was 2 minutes and five seconds of the 2nd round and the 39-year-old Boswell improved to 28-1(21). The once promising Greenberg fell to 27-1(18.).

Boswell, who began his pro career way back in 1994, worked his way up to a 21-0 record before meeting the huge Jameel McCline in October of 2003. Ahead on points in the fight against "Big Time," Boswell eventually ran out of gas and was TKO'd in the 10th round. This loss remains the 39-year-old's only defeat. Inactive for two-and-a-half years after the loss in Las Vegas, "The Bos" began a comeback in April of 2006. Since then, Boswell has managed to rack up a straight seven victories, all but one win coming via stoppage.

It was last night's win, though, that has given the veteran's career a major boost. The highly touted (by some) Greenberg, who was born in Russia but lives in London, England, was expected to at least challenge for a version of the word title some day. But now, after losing in his biggest test to date and after having been exposed as a big disappointment, the prospect has a huge hill to climb if he's to amount to anything in the heavyweight division.

As for Boswell, though he's almost 40-years-of age, there may still be time for the 6'3," approx 230-pounder to do something at or near the top of the division. Last night's victory earned him the IBF North American heavyweight title, and though this doesn't mean too much the win may propel Boswell somewhat in the world rankings.

Boswell certainly hopes so, saying after his win that "It should put me back into the top ten and maybe [get me] a shot at the title."

A good fighter, with decent power and skills, Boswell just might wind up living up to the potential he showed in the earlier days of his career. Going into last night's fight, in which many people saw him as not much more than a stepping stone for Greenberg, Boswell promised anyone who would listen that he would win. He proved to be as good as his word.