Mike Oliver wins disputed decision over Gary “Kid” Stark

Despite near-frigid conditions outside, the action was hot inside the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma, Friday night where undefeated southpaw Mike “Machine Gun’’ Oliver (18-0, 7 KOs) retained his USBA junior featherweight title with a disputed 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Gary “Kid� Stark Jr. (18-1, 8 KOs) in the main event Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.�

In a match most figured would be the toughest yet for both boxers, Oliver exited with a controversial decision by the scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113. There were no knockdowns in a hard-fought affair in which many of the rounds were close and seemingly difficult to score.

“This wasn’t one of my best nights,� Oliver said after the win. “I got frustrated because of all his holding. But I am definitely happy with this win. I never got tired. I know he felt my power. I know I was hurting him. He never hurt me once.’’

No way Stark agrees: “I beat him (Oliver) straight up. There was NO way I lost this fight. I knew the fight was close, but I was positive I had it by two or three rounds. For two judges to have him ahead by four points is inexcusable. I can’t believe they gave the fight to him like that.

“Oliver was ready to quit in the fourth round. I kept getting stronger as the rounds went by. He did nothing the last part of the fight. I gave it everything I had in the last round just to make sure there would be no problem. To lose a fight like this is beyond devastating. Darn straight, I would fight him again.�

In the co-feature, Allen “The Dream Shatterer� Conyers (11-2, 9 KOs) scored a second-round TKO over previously undefeated Derek “Pooh� Ennis (10-1-1, seven KOs) in a scheduled eight-round junior middleweight bout.

Conyers, of Bronx, N.Y., hurt Ennis early and often with barrages of punches before the bout was stopped at 2:36 of round number two.

“This was my biggest win and something I definitely can build on. I hope SHOWTIME liked what they saw and they bring me back,� said Conyers after his impressive performance. “I was surprised the referee let it go as long as he did. I kept looking at him expecting him to stop it.

“Ennis caught me a few times, especially one time in the first. But that was because I got sloppy. I know I can do better.

“I’ll be back in the gym on Tuesday. I really feel that this is my year. Tonight was a great start.�