Ouma Returns, Headlines and Shines on Foxwoods Boxing Card 5/30/03 By Jason Collins     After enduring a recent string of setbacks that included a car accident and gunshot wound, Lou Duva’s latest project, junior middleweight Kassim Ouma appeared close to regaining his stellar form. While contender Angel Hernandez marched directly toward Ouma like a relentless, punching buzz saw for 12 rounds, Ouma’s counter-attacks and defensive skills proved more effective than the one-dimensional attack of Hernandez. Ouma frequently used his gloves to lessen the impact of many Hernandez hook shots. Hernandez, who is becoming a fixture on “ESPN’s Friday Night Fights,” used his head illegally and often. At some point during every round, Ouma found the top of Hernandez’s head directly in his face. Despite this tactic, Hernandez was only issued a warning once, in round 8. Still, whatever tactic Hernandez employed, Ouma always had an answer.     Ouma’s one glaring weakness was his inability - or unwillingness to put Hernandez away. By the 9th round, Ouma clearly established himself as the more skilled fighter, proving he could get the best of any exchange with Hernandez, who appeared weary in the late rounds and had a minor cut over his left eye. But Ouma kept Hernandez in the fight by seemingly restraining a full offensive attack. Ouma would typically win an exchange, retreat and then showcase his superior defensive skills. This pattern continued throughout the fight – even in the late rounds when Ouma looked much fresher than the battle-worn Hernandez.     Ouma also kept an edge on Hernandez by working the referee, the crowd and ultimately, the judges. The Hernandez corner protested and even taunted Ouma’s corner, which included former junior welterweight champ Johnny Bumphus, when the split decision in favor of Ouma was announced. However, the close decision was, if anything a gift to Hernandez, who had been clearly outclassed in just about every facet of the fight by the resurgent Kassim Ouma.     Friday night’s undercard provided no shortage of action. Rhode Island’s Gary Balletto showcased power punching that appeared go above and beyond his muscular 139-pound frame. A game Frank Houghtaling traded with Balletto. But by mid round four, Houghtaling had weathered so many power punches he struggled to keep his gloves in the air. Balletto finally finished him off in that round.     Twenty-two year old Daniel Edouard gave previously unbeaten Romero Johnson all he could handle, stalking him for a full 6 rounds. Johnson’s jab and defensive skills were good enough to stave off a knockout and slow down Edouard with an occasional counter attack. However, pitched a shutout by out-punching and hunting down Romero with considerable success through six rounds.     In the card’s most controversial bout, Connecticut’s own Angel Torres knocked out Gabriel Krizan within just seconds of the opening bell. Krizan appeared to raise his gloves to touch them Torres’. Instead of reciprocating the gesture, Torres clocked Krizan, leaving the Florida featherweight unconscious on the ring floor until paramedics carried him away in a stretcher many minutes later.