Knockout queen

Shelley Burton thrills sellout crowd with first-round TKO

On Fat Tuesday, fans packed into the Majestic Valley Arena for some punch-drunk action. The Flathead Valley's first women's professional boxing match featured Kalispell's Shelley Burton versus Billings' D.J. Morrison.

And it was a match even Mike Tyson would be proud of.

Burton, now 8-2-0 in her pro career, made quick work of her opponent, winning a TKO just 1:27 into the first round. When the ref waved his arms to call the fight, Burton jumped up on the ropes and pumped her fist toward the crowd. In her 10th professional fight, Burton finally got the chance to duke it out in front of her hometown fans.

"It was awesome," she said. "I loved it."

Burton, the WIBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight champion, came in to the fight heavily favored. She was named 2005's most improved boxer and is ranked second in the world by Boxer.com.

As Morrison, 20-4 in club boxing, climbed into the ring for her first professional match, the fear of the unknown fell heavy on her face.

When the bell rang, she came out swinging like a whirlwind and even caught Burton under the nose.

"She slapped me a little," Burton said.

Burton stayed calm and got her feet under her. Soon, Morrison's punches were finding thin air as Burton bobbed and weaved.

Burton, known as "Tough Montana" in the boxing world, connected on a few strong shots early, knocking Morrison into the ropes and nearly out of the ring. The ref started the first count on Morrison.

Morrison landed a couple more grazing shots before Burton took control.

Burton dropped her hands to her sides, smiled a little and then steamrolled her opponent. She led with some left-handed jabs, backing Morrison into a corner. Then, as Morrison was fixated on the left jab, Burton let go with a series of powerful right-handed blows.

Burton hit Morrison so hard, even Morrison driver's license got dizzy.

"That's what I had planned to do," Burton said.

The final shot actually lifted Morrison off her feet and put her down on the mat.

Burton quickly moved to her corner as the ref rushed over and began another count. Morrison couldn't keep her eyes on the ref, and he called the match.

The match was over, and the arena erupted.

As the doctors looked over Morrison's already swollen face, Burton walked over to her.

"I just told her 'good job,'" Burton said. "I said she should hit the gym and get a trainer."

Negotiations are now in progress to bring a world title fight to the Majestic for Burton. Her opponent will likely be Akondaye Fountain, who beat Burton in a seventh-round TKO nearly a year ago.

"It'll be great having my crowd behind me," Burton said.

Undercard bouts

145 pound

Jae-Bob "Moo" Jenkins won by universal decision over Jake "The Snake" Mitchell

190 pound

Gabe "Fallen Angel" Spencer won by TKO over Jeremy "Tonto" Englehart

185 pound

Lewis "The Flamingo" Hylton won by TKO over Justin "Warlock" Sheehan

HWT

Tony "The Tiger" Andrews won by split decision over Dave "Big Mac" McAtte

180 pound

Cory "Mad Man" McFarland won by TKO over Tim "Lionheart" Leohner

HWT

Josh "The Galvanized" Gibbs won by TKO over Luke "Lightning Fist" Smith