Peter Robinson sings the Canadian and American national anthems to start the night. (PHOTOS BY SCOTT LEFFLER / ENP STAFF)

BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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TOWN OF LOCKPORT -- Joe "Son of a Legend" Taylor needed all five rounds to beat Martello Jones -- but he did it.

Taylor won the WKA Northeastern Title via a split decision in front of a packed house at the Kenan Arena -- the second half of what was billed as a "double main event."

The first half of that main event saw Liverpool's Kevin VanNostrand knock out Aaron Castellvi of Toronto 34 seconds into the third round of that bout.

Slated to begin at 7:30, tonight's Legends Rise fight at the Kenan Arena was delayed due to the mass of people filing through the arena doors. Problems with the ticket scanners delayed their entrance. And the spectators just kept coming.

There was no word on how many people watched the fights, but every seat was filled.

Legendary boxer Mike Tyson being in the building was one possible reason for the packed house. The promise of excellent kickboxing were the others -- especially the main events.

Tonight's bouts included:

Scott Skinner of Buffalo vs. Alex Bennett of Toronto. Bennett won via knockout just 1:25 into the first round.

Officials and medical staff attend to Scott Skinner following a first-round knock out.

Quamiane Austin of Buffalo vs. Eric Fitch of Syracuse. (CANCELED)

David Poole Jr., of Lockport vs. Dom Collella of Waterloo. Collella won the three-round bout over the local favorite by unanimous decision. The match was riddled with equipment issues as Poole repeatedly had his mouthpiece knocked out and Collella had problems keeping his head guard on.

Dom Collella, left, won a unanimous decision over David Poole Jr.

Ayanna Tremont of Buffalo vs. Teryn Hallat of Lockport. Tremont won a unanimous decision over Hallat, 30-27. In what was her first fight, she controlled Hallat from the opening bell all the way through the closing bell of the third round.

Ayanna Tremont celebrates her unanimous decision over Teryn Hallat.

Tyler Mesi vs. Jason Rowe of Rochester. Rowe knocked Mesi out 1:26 into the first round, much to the dismay of the decided pro-Mesi crowd. When Mesi was being attended to by the medical staff, local legend Baby Joe Mesi brought a stool for his nephew to sit on.

Baby Joe Mesi, far right, watches on as medical staff attends to his nephew, Tyler Mesi (in the blue shorts), who lost via knock out to Jason Rowe (in the foreground).

Anthony Norton of Buffalo vs. Johnny Calixte of Lockport. Norton won via a majority decision, announced to the boos of the crowd.

Johnny Calixte of Lockport, left, lost a decision to Anthony Norton of Buffalo.

Eric Plumeri of Lockport vs. Rob Dixon of Toronto (CANCELED)

Sean Felton of Buffalo vs. Jake Young of London, Ontario. Felton won by disqualification after Young failed to make weight, coming in 23 pounds over during Friday's weigh-in.

Luay Ashkar of Liverpool vs. Joe Tipping of Toronto. Ashkar won the five-round match via unanimous decision, 50-49, 48-47, 49-46.

Luay Ashkar, right, won a unanimous decision over Joe Tipping.

Mike Tyson walked onto the arena floor at approximately 10:30 p.m., in the middle of the Ashkar/Tipping fight.

Baby Joe Mesi snaps a photo of his nephew Tyler with Mike Tyson.

Theodora Pistiolis vs. Janice Lynn, both of Toronto. Lynn won by technical knock out at 2:02 of the third round.

Janice Lynn, left, won over Theodora Pistiolis via a TKO in the third round.

Kevin VanNostrand of Liverpool vs. Aaron Castellvi of Toronto. VanNostrand dominated Castellvi thoroughly, winning via knockout 34 seconds into the third round.

Aaron Castellvi doubles over while the referee counts 10.

Joe Taylor of Lockport vs. Martello Jones of London, Ontario in the WKA Heavyweight Northeastern Title. Taylor won the five round fight via split decision.

Joe Taylor, left, won a split decision of Martello Jones.

NOTE: Story was updated as the fights ended.

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