Welcome to The Boxing Bulletin's live blog coverage of HBO's Championship Boxing Show, featuring the rematch between Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson. Also on the bill is a junior-middleweight clash between Alfredo Angulo and Harry Joe Yorgey.
The HBO broadcast starts at 9:30 PM EST, and we'll be doing detailed round by round updates for both fights.
If you're watching at home, please feel free to contribute by posting your scores and opinions of the fights.
Chad Dawson 28-0 (175) vs Glen Johnson 49-12-2 (173 1/2)
Alfredo Angulo 16-1 (153 1/2) vs Harry Joe Yorgey 22-0-1 (153 1/4)
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Refresh this page often as updates will be frequent
6:45 PM EST... Check back in with us at 9:30 PM EST for the start of the show, as round by round coverage will begin with Angulo vs Yorgey.
9:20... Coverage will start in 10 minutes.
9:31... The show's starting. Updates will begin momentarily.
9:35... With Angulo's fight up first, Lampley and Kellerman are going over the top names at 154 to start the show.
9:36... Angulo is 164 tonight, while Yorgey has re-hydrated to 166.
9:37... The fighters are in the ring, and the introductions are underway.
9:38... From Bridgeport, PA... Harry Joe Yorgey.
9:38... From Mexicali, Mexico... Alfredo Angulo.
9:39... We're ready to go.
9:42... Manny Steward is joining Kellerman and Lampley in the booth. Angulo coming forward, with Yorgey fighting from the outside to start things off. Angulo presses forward, firing hooks and rights and pushes Yorgey into the ropes. Yorgey slips away, but Angulo keeps the pressure on. Yorgey moving side to side, as Angulo presses. Yorgey flicking jabs out from the outside. Angulo with his elbows tucked, and gloves up, edging forward. He's sticking out the jab as he moves in. 1:30 to go in the round. Yorgey keeping his distance here. Angulo jabbing his way in, and then hooking to the body. Yorgey trying to jab and move. Angulo backs Yorgey into the ropes, and unloads and lands a solid right. Yorgey on the move, Anuglo stalking. Yorgey trying to counter off the ropes, but he's not doing anything to keep Angulo honest right now. Angulo digging in as he pushes Yorgey to the ropes to end the round.
9:47... I don't think this one's going to last too long. Angulo's closing the distance and managing to unload in close when he does. Round 2 underway. Harold has it 1-0 for Angulo. Yorgey moving to his left, then to his right, and flicks out a jab. Angulo pumps the jab as he moves forward. Yorgey backs into the ropes and then fires a combo, but Angulo keeps stalking. Angulo jabbing his way in, and Yorgey slides away to his right. Angulo lands a right to the body. Angulo presses Yorgey into the ropes and fires a right. Yorgey gets out of there, but Angulo is on him right away and gets him along the ropes again. Yorgey is strictly fighting from the outside, while Angulo stalks. Angulo with a hard shot with Yorgey along the ropes. That hurt him. Anuglo goes after him. Yorgey in trouble along the ropes. Angulo pouring it on and down goes Yorgey. He's up, and takes the count. He's on the move, but Angulo's after him hard. Yorgey is in bad trouble. Angulo is pouring it on, landing hard shots. Hooks, right hands, shots to the body. Yorgey is in desperate trouble, as he can't keep distance. Angulo pouring it on with Yorgey on the ropes. Yorgey to his credit is trying to fight back, but he's taking a real beating here. There's the bell.
9:47... It was a hard right hand that hurt Yorgey.
9:49... Angulo immediately starts chasing to start round 3. Yorgey is in trouble, but he's fighting back. He's taking a beating though, and down he goes. He's up immediately, but the ref should really think about stopping this. Angulo pours it on, as Yorgey retreats to the ropes. He's getting pounded here. The ref would be very wise to stop it. Angulo with a huge right hand and down goes Yorgey. He's out.
9:50... Yorgey really didn't need to take that last shot. He was in desperate trouble BEFORE the round started. When he went down early, it was enough. There was no need for that final flurry. Why let a fighter clearly out of his depth take all that extra punishment??
9:50... That was vicious. It was a left hand, right hand combination that ended the fight. Yorgey is finally up. Good to see he's okay.
9:51... The official time - 1:03 of round 3.
9:57... There was an odd sequence late in the 2nd round which I should mention. Not sure exactly what happened, as I was struggling to type as fast as the action, but I just took another look. Yorgey was on the ropes, and kind of turned around as he came off the ropes and Angulo hit him in the back of the head. The ref came between them and Yorgey retreated to the other corner, and Angulo didn't chase, but seemed to wait for the ref to rule, but the ref backed off and the action started up again.
10:00... We just got a shot of Johnson and Dawson warming up in their dressing rooms. They both look ready to go, so despite the short nature of the first fight, it looks like this one might be starting reasonabl soon.
10:04... I just watched the first knockdown from the second round again. Very questionable decision making from the ref. Yorgey was clearly down, being held up by the ropes and Angulo was teeing off on him, and the ref didn't do a thing. Oh well... not like the result would have been any different, but the man in charge certainly didn't do Yorgey any favors.
10:05... Dawson is 191 tonight, and Johnson is 189. Supposedly Dawson is intersted in fighting in the super six. Hard to imagine him getting all the way down to 168, if he's re-hyrdating all the way up to 191. I think he was around 185 for Tarver II. Either way, it looks like he's filled into a big light heavy.
10:07... Glen Johnson has just stepped into the ring. He's decked out all in yellow, with black trim.
10:08... Dawson is making his entrance. He's in black, with orange trim.
10:09... Mark Lichtenfeld with the introductions.
10:10... Michael Ortega is the ref.
10:11... Johnson looks all business as his name is announced.
10:11... Chad Dawson gets a nice ovation. He's the hometown man.
10:12... Final instructions have been given. We're ready to go.
10:15... Here we go. Johnson immediately begins moving forward. He lands an early right hand. Johnson circling away to his right. Dawson flicking his right jab out. Johnson pressing forward. He's firing the jab, and then coming with the right hand. Dawson staying at long range for now. He's flicking mostly jabs. Glen with his gloves up, pressing forward. He flicks a jab out, and then lands a right hand. Action in the middle of the ring now. Dawson sticking out his right, but not getting close enough to really land it. He's cautious so far. Johnson with a right hand over the top. Dawson with a jab, and a straihgt left to the body. Dawson flicking the jabs out. Now he lands a left hand. Johnson short with a right hand. Dawson comes back with a left, but is short. Johnson moving his head, as he flicks the jab, and tries to comg in with a right hand. Dawson backs away as it misses. Dawson now lands a left hand. Chad doing better in the last minute of the round, while Johnson had the better of things early. There's the bell.
10:15... Dawson's corner tell him they want to see more jabs.
10:16... Glen's corner also wants to see him jabbing.
10:19... Lampley is spouting off punch-stat numbers. Harold has it 1-0 for Dawson. Action in the middle of the ring to start the 2nd. Johnson edging forward, as Dawson slides away to his right. Dason sticking the jab in there. Glen following, trying to get in range. Glen is short with a jab. Dawson is short with a counter left. Johnson with a jab. Dawson misses a left. Dawson sticking home a jab. Glen just misses with a right hand. Now he misses again as he shoots it over the top. Johnson short with a right hand. Dawson flicking out the jab, keeping Johnson from getting off here. Dawson lands a left. Johnson with a jab, and fires a right to the body. Glen edging forward, and is short with another right, as Dawson slips away to his right. Johnson is flicking out the jab, "pawing with it" Lampley points out. Dawson with a left hand. Now Johnson with a right to the body. Johnson now pushes Dawson to the ropes and tries to flurry, but Dawson gets out of there. Now Dawson responds with a nice combo. There's the bell.
10:19... Might be my imagination, but Glen looks like he's pushing his shots a bit. Doesn't seem to have the sting he did during the first fight.
10:23... Round 3. Harold's got it 2-0. Not sure about the first, but Dawson definitely won the 2nd. Dawson with a combo, and slides away to his right. Johnson follows. Dawson flicks the jab out, and Johnson tries to fire a right hand but misses. Dawson moving from side to side, keeping Johnson from getting set and loading up. Johnson follows, and gets tagged with a left. Dawson with a jab. Johnson is short with a right hand. Johsnon now misses with a right hand as Dawson ducks underneath. Now Dawson unloads with a nice 3 punch combo. Dawson looking good this round. Johsnon follows and fires a jab/right, but Dawson avoids both shots. Dawson now lands another combo. Good round for Chad here. Glen fires a hard right, but misses with it. He's just not finding the range with that right hand. Dawson lands a straight left. Johnson edges forward, and misses with another right. Dawson really keeping his distance nicely. Now he lands a left hand. Johnson keeps following, keeps edging forward, now he tries to flurry, but again Dawson slips away without any damge. They exchange with about 10 seconds left. There's the bell.
10:24... Glen's corner telling him he's got to go to the body.
10:27... Johnson comes out moving forward, while Dawson slides off to his right, now his left, and then again to his right as Glen follows. Dawson flicks the jab out to the body and moves away again. Johnson follows, flicking his jab out and then fires a right hand. Might have glanced off Dawson there. Glen pawing with the jab, and trying to follow up with a right, but misses. Glen now jabs, and fires a right to the body. Action in the middle of the ring. Dawson with a jab, and a left hand. Johnson presses forward, and fires the right, but I don't think it landed. Dawson moves things back to the middle of the ring. Glen flickign the jab out, trying to line up his right hand. Now he bangs a right to the body. DAwson responds with a left. Dawson flicking out the jab and moves. Now DAwson fires a hard left. Johnson comes forward with the jab, and fires the right to the body, but Dawson backs away and it doesn't land. Now Glen misses with a hook. Dawson with a nice jab. Dawson flicking out the jab, and Johnson not so eager to attack at this stage as the round comes to a close. There's the bell.
10:28... Johnson's corner is trying to get their man moving. They are telling him he's down 4 rounds. That might be the case, although he may have taken the opening frame.
10:31... Harold has it 4-0. Johnson pressing forward to start the round. Dawson circling. JOhnson trying to get close, but Dawson slides away to his right. Dawson keeping his distance here. Johnson with a 1-2 that lands. Johnson pressing, with Dawson circling to his right. Now Dawson moves to his left and Johnson chases. Johnson with a right hand to the body. Johnson with a right that misses. Dawson lands a jab and then gets out of there. Now Glen closes the distance, but Dawson immediately gets out of there. Dawson with a combo, and then gets on the move again. Dawson was standing his ground a lot more in the previous rounds. He's strictly on the move in this one. Johnson following, but not having much luck. Glen with a 1-2, and Dawson then slips away. Dawson flickng the jab and moving. Glen with a jab, and tries to go to the body with a right. Dawson throws a left. There's the bell.
10:35... Round 6. Harold has it 5-0 for Dawson. I think Johnson had a good argument for the 5th. Dawson circling and keeping his distance. Johnson following, trying to get close enough to land his right. Dawson is flicking that jab, and keeping Glen from unloading. Now Glen with a nice jab. Glen with a nice right hand downstairs. Action in the middle of the ring here. Dawson flicking the jab out. Glen probing with his jab. Glen just misses with a right hand. Dawson coutners with a left. Johnson with a jab. Glen edging forward, and Dawson slides away to his right. Glen comes forward and I think he landed a right hand. Glen with a jab. DAwson coutners with a left. Dawson with a nice left. Dawson on the move again. Johnson short with a jab, and misses witha right hand. Johson with a right hand, and Dawson lands a counter left. There's the bell.
10:36... Johnson's corner is telling him he hasn't won a round.
10:40... Harold gave Johnson the 6th. He's got it 5-1. Glen pressing forward as usual to start the 7th. Lampley says he think if Johnson's won a round, it was the 5th. I agree with Jim. Johnson moving forward, but Dawson circling and picking his spots nicely. He just landed a nice body shot. Glen is stalking, but just not finding the range. Dawson's moving very nicely, and landing most of the clean punches. Action in the middle of the ring now. Glen is not steadily coming forward as much as he was earlier. Now he edges forward, as Dawson circles away to his right. Dawson with a straight left. Johnson tries to fire back with a right. Glen misses with a right hand. Glen now pawing with the jab as he edges forward. Dawson firing the jab out. There's the bell. Not a thrilling round. Johnson looks like he's slowing down a little, and given what the scorecards probably look like, that doesn't bode well for him.
10:43... 6-1 on Harold's card. I'd guess the official judges have similar scores. Johnson presses forward, but Dawson circles away. Now Dawson stops and fires a combo. Glen gets on the attack, but again Dawson stops and fires a combo. Dawson now with a straight left, and turns Johnson and slips away. Johnson follows, as Dawson moves away to his right. Now Dawson moving to his left, as he flicks a couple of jabs out. Glen now presses Dawson into the ropes and fires a right, but again Dawson slips away. Dawson in control here. Glen edging forward, flicking the jab out and trying to find the range with his right, but he's just not landing it. Dawson nicely slips away to his right, and then peppers Glen with a jab/left. Glen keeps coming though. He jabs to the body and follows as Dawson backs away. Dawson now circles to his right, and pops Johnson with a couple jabs. Johnson fires a right hand, but misses with it. Dawson on the move here and Johnson unable to get close enough to land. There's the bell.
10:44... Lampley just said that this is the closest Johnson has ever looked to being an "old fighter". I'd have to agree. He just doesn't seem to have the same snap on his shots as he did last time. He just looks slower all around.
10:47... Round 9. Harold has it 7-1. Glen comes forward, and Johnson smacks him with a combo, and then slides away to his left. Dawson now bangs home a couple of body shots. Johnson keeps coming, as Dawson slides away to his right. Johnson trying to get close, but not having any luck. Dawson flicking out a couple jabs that land. Glen tries to fire a right hand, but doesn't get through. Now Glen lands a decent right hand. Dawson though fires back with a left and slips away. Glen presses forward and tries to dig downstairs, but it's Dawson that responds with what looked like the harder body shot. Now Johnson fires a right hand that may have landed. Dawson though slips away, and then stops and lands a combo. Glen with a right hand into the guard as Dawson backs away. Dawson looking very comfortable. Johnson with a 1-2 that's short. Action in the middle of the ring now. Glen was pressing early in the round, but now he's eased up. He fires a right hand that lands. Dawson responds with a left. Now DAwson with a combo. Johnson might have got a right hand in return. Dawson fires a combo, and Johnson responds as the bell goes.
10:51... Round 10. Alfredo Angulo is ringside, and he gives the thumbs up to the cameras. Glen comes out pressing, while Dawson circles to his left. Now Dawson goes right. Glen pushes forward, and lands a right hand. Glen digs to the body. Dawson responds with his bown body shot. A nice combo from Dawson. Harold has it 8-1. Dawson now flicks the jab as he backs away. Glen follows, but Dawson on the move, keeping a comfortable distance. Glen trying to jab his way in, but Dawson circles away. Glen trying to jab his way in again, and he gets Dawson along the ropes, but Dawson slides off. Now Glen fires a right hand that glanced off Dawson. Glen edginf forward, as Dawson backs away. Dawson stops and fires a shot to the body, and then a straight left. Now Dawson gets on the move again, flicking out his jab. Glen comes forward and misses a right hand. Glen just looks slower tonight. He's again short with a right, and Dawson lands a left in response. Glen closes the gab, and fires a 1-2. Now he misses with a shot. Dawson responds with a decent combo. There's the bell.
10:52... Dawson's corner tells him he's won every round. "Just don't get careless."
10:52... Glen's corner tells him that when he sees Dawson sliding along the ropes, he's got to take chances and go after him.
10:55... Harold has it 9-1. Johnson edges forward, as Dawson slips away, flicking the jab as he does so. Glen flicking out the jab as he comes forward, but he's not getting close enough. Glen fires a hook that misses. Glen is short with a 1-2. Glen lands a right hand. Dawson fires back with a combo. Dawson stuck around a traded there, but then slips away. Now Glen backs Dawson into the ropes and rips a couple shots to the body, but Dawson takes them and slips away. Johnson is short with a couple jabs, as Dawson backs away. Dawson lands a nice left hand. Dawson with a nice combo. Glen keeps coming though, but Dawson circles away. Dawson now rips a left hand on the inside that just missed. Glen edges forward, but a little tentaively now. Dawson hanging around on the inside for a moment, and now flicks the jab out and slips away. Another round in the books.
10:56... "Keep the jab going," Dawson's corner tells him. "You can't stop swinging." - the advice from Johnson's corner.
10:59... Round 12. 10-1 on Harold's card. Johnson with some urgency here, moving forward, while Dawson circles away to his left. Now Dawson moves to his right. Glen with a jab that lands. Glen digs hard to the body. Glen now tries to follow up with a right, but it whizzes over DAwson's head. Now Glen keeps pressing. Dawson backs away. Dawson now fires back with a real nice quick combo and gets out of there. Glen presses forward. He's jabbing his way in, and trying to land a right. Dawson fires off another quick combo, and that drove Johnson back into the ropes. Dawson gets on the move again. He's moving to his right. Action now in the middle of the ring. Glen tries to land a right, but is short. Glen flicking the jab out as he edges forward. Dawson sticks his jab out and moves. Glen gave a good charge to start the round, but now is looking a little tired, as he's not pressing. Dawson circling, but Glen can't get close. Now Glen tries to edge forward, but he's a little tenative and there's the bell to end it.
11:00... Johnson raised his hands at the end, but I'm sure he's aware that he's come up well short. He gave it his all, but he was in wtih a younger, fresher, quicker fighter tonight. Dawson was on the top of his game.
11:01... Harold gave the 12th to Johnson.
11:02... Here are the scores. 115-113, 115-113, and 117-111... all for Chad Dawson. I'm surprised at how close those scores were.
11:04... That wasn't thrilling, but Dawson did what he had to. He moved very well, picking his spots, and managed to have things mostly his way.
11:05.... Dawson is with Kellerman for the post fight interview. "I outboxed him every round. I used my legs. I used my speed. I outclassed him."
11:07... Kellerman mentions Jean Pascal and Tavoris Cloud as possible opponents, and asks Dawson who he'd like to fight. "Bernard Hopkins." Dawson acknowledges that if he can't fight Hopkins, he'd like to fight Pascal.
11:08... Looks like we're not going to hear from Glen Johnson. I think that kind of sucks. Yeah, he didn't come close to winning, but I think it would have been nice to give him a chance to say a few words.
11:09... Well that's it for our round by round coverage. I hope you enjoyed it.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Round by Round Blog: Chad Dawson vs Glen Johnson II, plus Angulo vs Yorgey
Chad Dawson vs Glen Johnson II Preview
Michael Nelson previews tonight's HBO main event between Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson.
Photo © Marty Rosengarten / Ringsidephotos.com
Despite giving Chad Dawson the sternest test of his career a year and a half ago, losing a decision he deserved to win in the eyes of many, Glen Johnson will enter the ring as more than a 3 to 1 underdog. It's a role the hard Jamaican born pugilist has become accustomed to.
The reasons Bad Chad is a heavy favorite are largely the same reasons he was heavily favored in their first fight. Glen is 13 years Dawson's senior at 40 years old, an age where most boxers are either retired or long past the point of diminishing returns, while Chad is in his physical prime at 27. Being able to compete with the world's best at 40+ is an extraordinary feat that most pundits and fans have a difficult time comprehending. It's the same reason Bernard Hopkins has entered his last four bouts as an underdog.
Beyond father time, Dawson owns most of the physical advantages. He uses dazzling hand speed to land eye-catching combinations, ripping both the body and head in explosive fashion. And while he doesn't have highlight reel knockout power, he has more than enough pop to get anyone's respect. His flashy style tends to score more points with the judges than the Road Warrior's workman-like efforts.
Finally, there's the prevalent assumption that Dawson learned from the rough outing Johnson gave him and became a better fighter while Glen has long hit a ceiling and fought as well as he possibly could last year.
The script has been set for HBO to annoint a new player in the pantheon of potential stars. But Glen Johnson has never been a man to simply play his role and disappear into the night.
The grizzled veteran's ability to exceed expectations and overcome the perceived advantages his opponents have makes him a special in his own right. He has the kind of toughness that comes around a few times a generation - in 16 years, he has scarcely if ever been cut, dropped, or hurt - to go along with an insatiable will to give the man in front of him more hurt than he can handle. He's impossible to discourage.
Dawson's a phenomenal talent, but he's far from perfect, and Johnson's strengths illuminate the chinks in the young man's armor. Glen is a steady grinder, consistent in his punch output and tedious pressure, while Chad throws punches in spurts. When Dawson's hands aren't moving and keeping Johnson's guard busy, Glen is chopping away at his body and sneaking damaging right hands.
The 27 year old's less-than-granite chin is another chink that Johnson took advantage of in their first encounter. Chad's heart and conditioning, combined with Johnson's tendency to let his wounded prey limp away in many of his biggest fights, allowed the South Carolina native to survive a few very shaky moments. But the visible effect of the elder's thudding punches bagged rounds that may have otherwise went to the flashier fighter. I suspect similar moments will arise in the rematch as Dawson begins to find it difficult to escape the old man's unrelenting pressure.
Moreover, while it may be true that Johnson fought at his peak that night, it's also true that Dawson may had done the same. It should be noted that the southpaw's performance in his rematch against Tarver six months ago sailed well below the expectations many had for him, particularly those who thought he would improve on his first Tarver beating and overwhelm the 40 year old to score an eventual stoppage.
Instead, they saw the same uneven, if not efficient, performance from the first meeting - spectacular in some spots, uninspiring in others. The two fights were near mirror images of each other.
If no improvements are made against Glen, Chad can very well see the first L etched onto his record. It would be unwise to expect the judges to hand in the same dubious scorecards that were filled out last April.
The odds make perfect sense on the surface. Look closer and you'll see a man who has carved out a modest, but inspiring legacy from defying such odds. Mr. Dawson shouldn't expect anything less than hell tonight.
e-mail Michael Nelson
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Revisiting Chad Dawson vs Glen Johnson
By Andrew Fruman
With Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson set to renew hostilities on November 7, I thought it would be a good time to look back and score their original meeting. It's been awhile since I saw the fight, and as it was one of my favorites from last year, I decided to just watch and enjoy it first while taking a few notes - then carefully score it on my second viewing.
A couple comments before I get to my scores...
-- My prediction going into the fight was a one sided Dawson victory. Johnson had been doing battle with fellow old timers Antonio Tarver, Clinton Woods and Montell Griffin and my feeling was that his age would really show when matched up with a young fighter of Dawson's class. I thought Dawson would be too quick and too sharp, and while he was quick and sharp, I was very wrong about Johnson's ability to still bring it.
-- After watching some of the messy foul filled scraps in recent weeks, it was a pleasure to see such a clean hard fought fight. Holding? None. Dirty fouls? None. Just two high caliber fighters going at each other. I can't wait for November 7. If Johnson hasn't suddenly got old, we're in for another treat.
Now, let's get to my scorecard...
Round 1
10-9 Chad Dawson
Fast paced round, that Dawson took hold of over the last couple minutes. He landed his jab, and his straight left, and threw some nice combos. While Johnson was outworked, he managed to successfully close the gap, landing his right cross, as well as some nice shots to the body – but still found it difficult to unload thanks to Dawson’s impressive combos getting their first.
Could it have gone the other way? No. Easy round to score.
Score 10-9 after 1 for Dawson.
Round 2
10-9 Chad Dawson
I thought Dawson just edged the round, but not without a fair bit of trouble. He moved nicely, and picked his spots to plant his feet and rip combos, but Johnson still managed to wade through it all, closing the gap, and landing what I thought were the heavier punches - just not enough of them to win the round.
Could it have gone the other way? You can make an argument for Johnson as his shots appeared to be heavier, but I don’t think he landed enough of them to really make a solid case.
Score 20-18 after 2 for Dawson.
Round 3
10-9 Glen Johnson
Dawson started nicely, using his jab and creating some distance, but Johnson eventually got inside and made his pressure pay off with a very strong final minute. He landed some damaging right hands – including a couple in the final 10 seconds that had Dawson in a little trouble.
Could it have gone the other way? No. Despite Dawson’s early edge, the damage Johnson did over the final minute was significant, and clearly outweighs Dawson’s work over the first couple minutes.
Score 29-28 after 3 for Dawson.
Round 4
10-9 Glen Johnson
I had Dawson slightly up after the first minute, but Johnson then came on very strong in the middle, landing the most damaging shots of the round with his right hand. Dawson took them well though, and got back to boxing, outworking, and out-landed Johnson in the final minute, but even during that period, Johnson still got some hard shots through. If forced to pick a winner when it’s this tight – it comes down to what you prefer, the fighter landing more frequently or the fighter landing with more force – and I prefer force.
Could it have gone the other way? Yes. You can make a solid argument for Dawson. And I'd have no complaints with scoring it 10-10.
I’ve got it even at 38-38 after 4.
Round 5
10-9 Glen Johnson
After some some fast paced nip and tuck action, Johnson took over down the stretch landing a number of hard power shots, including a really nice left hook late. Dawson had his moments, but wasn’t setting his feet and ripping combos the way he was earlier in the fight. He’s pecking more with his jab from range, and not throwing with the same authority, while Johnson is commanding his space, steadily moving forward and landing the harder shots.
Could it have been scored the other way? No. It was razor close through the first couple minutes, but Johnson closed very strongly and convincingly took the round.
For the first time in the fight, Johnson’s up on my card – 48-47.
Round 6
10-9 Chad Dawson
Very little meaningful shots landed this round, as Dawson made a concerted effort to stem Johnson’s momentum by avoiding exchanges in favor of boxing and moving. Johnson landed a few nice body shots, but for the most part he found himself unable to get close enough to let rip, while Dawson landed enough jabs and left hands to take the round.
Could it have been scored the other way? Dawson didn’t do a whole lot, but Johnson just didn’t land enough to make a solid case. If half point rounds were an option, this would be a prime candidate.
After 6, I’ve got this one a draw, at 57-57.
Round 7
10-9 Chad Dawson
Dawson built on what was working last round to keep Johnson at a comfortable distance, but added a bit more offense. He had a very nice stretch in the middle of the round, where he caught Johnson coming in with some sharp shots. Johnson had a few good moments in the last 30 seconds, but so did Dawson, who looked like he’d got some of the confidence from earlier in the fight back.
Could it have been scored the other way? No.
Dawson’s back in front, 67-66.
Round 8
10-9 Chad Dawson
This was a closely fought round, that I needed to watch an extra time before making my mind up. Both fighters worked hard and landed their share, but I felt that Dawson was doing the better work. He was just landing a little more, and a little cleaner.
Could it have been scored the other way? Yes, this was definitely another candidate for a 10-10 round. Considering I gave the previous really tight one to Johnson, giving this to Dawson evens it up. Not that I’m trying to even it up – but just pointing out that at this stage, I don’t think either man has been given any breaks on my card.
Dawson’s now got a bit of a cushion, up by 2 points, 77-75.
Round 9
10-9 Glen Johnson
Johnson came out strong, and had some good moments early – landing several hard shots over the first minute. I thought he had a slight edge over the next 60 seconds as well, before Dawson started putting things together towards the end of the round.
Could it have gone the other way? Not in my opinion, but I should mention that at the midway point of the round, Al Bernstein and Steve Albert seemed to think the round was very close - and you can make an argument that Dawson had the edge the rest of the way.
After 9, I’ve got it 86-85 for Dawson.
Round 10
10-9 Glen Johnson
Dawson was doing very nicely, until he got hurt with a looping right hand with about a minute left in the round. Johnson pressed his advantage, landing a number of solid shots over the final 60 seconds in what was the best period of the fight for either man. It must be said that while Johnson won the final minute big, Dawson fought back gallantly during Glen’s assault.
Could it have gone either way? No. Johnson’s onslaught over the final minute easily won him the round.
We’re back even on my card, 95-95.
Round 11
10-9 Glen Johnson
This was a hell of a round, with Albert proclaiming half way through that it was "Vasquez-Marquez...only bigger." Maybe we didn't see the same kind of sustained violence as with those little warriors, but this was a terrific round in a very good fight. Johnson just landed the harder, more effective shots and enough of them that even though Dawson had a gutsy rally at one stage, it wasn’t nearly enough to turn things in his favor.
Could it have gone either way? No.
Johnson’s back out in front, 105-104.
Round 12
10-9 Glen Johnson
Good steady work through the full 3 minutes from Johnson. Dawson had a couple decent moments in the middle of the round, but for the most part looked like he was content to play it safe until the final bell.
Could it have gone either way? No. This was one of the more one sided rounds of the fight.
After 12, I’ve got Johnson winning 115-113.
Somehow, all 3 judges had it 116-112 for Dawson. I’ll be blunt. Those are garbage scorecards. Okay, so Dawson up by 4 points is out of the question, but can I see an argument for him winning the fight?
Going over my card, there are 2 rounds which I think are really questionable – rounds 4 & 8. I gave Johnson round 4 and Dawson round 8. Giving both to Dawson, makes it 114-114.
Rounds 2 and 9 were also reasonably close. I gave round 2 to Dawson, and round 9 to Johnson. Could Round 9 have gone to Dawson? Maybe, but I think if building a case for switching one of those rounds, I'd be able to do a better job for Johnson in round 2.
So yes... it's possible to have Dawson up 7-5. But, I think when a fighter is commanding the space, backing his opponent up, landing the heavier punches, hurting the other man... to give the other guy the benefit of the doubt in all close instances is questionable. Even giving Dawson every close one, that's still only 115-113. How those judges came up with 116-112 is crazy. I'll say it again (with caps for good measure) those were GARBAGE cards.
115-113 for Glen Johnson. Maybe a draw. That's how I saw it.
Now bring on the rematch!
e-mail Andrew Fruman
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Monday, October 12, 2009
British Scene Weekend Recap: Cleverly Stops Fry
Matt Chudley recaps the British light-heavyweight title match-up between Nathan Cleverly and Courtney Fry.
Nathan Cleverly booked a December 5th European Title showdown with Antonio Brancalion with an impressive stoppage win over Courtney Fry at the York Hall on Friday. Facing his most technically sound opponent to date, Cleverly showed a maturity beyond his years in patiently picking the cagey boxer from Liverpool apart, before forcing a stoppage with a barrage of right hands in the 8th.
The 22 year old from Wales came out looking to attack the body in the first, while his rangy and awkward foe looked to load up with uppercuts. Fry came close on a few occasions, but it was Cleverly’s body shots and work rate that were the pick of the early action.
With long arms and a sturdy jab, Fry looked to hold in close while trying to keep the contest within his comfort zone with long range exchanges, but after Clevelry landed a lead right hand in the 3rd, the challenger was forced to hold on for survival purposes.
Having survived the 3rd round scare, Fry settled back into his rhythm, and it was Cleverly who next found himself in trouble. Dropping his hands in a momentary lapse of concentration, the Welshman was caught early in the 5th by a long looping left hook, and a follow up right hand. Both landed flush, and had Fry been a more concussive puncher, an upset might have been on the cards. Instead Cleverly gave Fry a smile and a nod and went back to work, catching Fry with an impressive uppercut later in the round.
After exchanging solid left hooks in the 6th, it appeared to be Cleverly who was slowing down, and in the 7th the momentum seemed poised to swing towards the 34 year old challenger. In the 8th though, Cleverly reasserted himself, staggering Fry with a big right hand, before laying into the former Olympian with an onslaught of rights. Cleverly quickly pushed off, stepping back to avoid smothering his work and giving the challenger no opportunity to recover, leaving Fry helpless to avoid further punishment along the ropes.
At this point, Victor Loughlin stepped in to end the bout, only to find himself on the canvas as the unsteady Fry collapsed on the man in charge. The time was 2:52 of round 8.
Cleverly still seems to be improving at an impressive rate but might be better off joining forces with an experienced trainer once he completes University next summer and leave the makeshift team of father Vince and Sports Network matchmaker turned trainer Dean Powell.
Though he may be advanced in age, Fry did show enough to suggest that he could capture a Lonsdale belt once Cleverly has moved on.
On the undercard...
2008 Beijing Olympian Billy Joe Saunders was given the toughest test of his fledgling pro career by tough Latvian Alex Spitko. Saunders was extended the distance for the first time in a scrapy four rounder with the Mansfield based journeyman showing real grit and pushing Saunders hard.
Returning from a four month ban, Derek Chisora completed the formalities with a 3rd round stoppage of 12-6 Georgian no-hoper Zurab Noniashvili. After the first round, the Georgian heavy seemed disinterested and almost baying for the canvas. Chisora may have gained little from the fight but could soon find himself competing against Audley Harrison for the British title vacated by Danny Williams.
e-mail Matt Chudley
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009
British Scene: Nathan Cleverly vs Courtney Fry Preview
Matt Chudley previews Friday's Sky sports show featuring Nathan Cleverly against Courtney Fry.
Photo © Justin McKie
This Friday night at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, Nathan Cleverly (pictured right against Danny McIntosh) defends both his British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles against 2000 Sydney Olympian, Courtney Fry. Though tipped as heavy underdog, Fry will be the most skilled opponent Cleverly has faced to date, and should provide a good gauge to evaluate the development of one of Britain’s brightest prospects.
This will be the first defense of the Lonsdale belt for Cleverly, having claimed the British title back in July with an exciting one sided victory over previously unbeaten Danny McIntosh. Along with having 2 belts on the line, a European title shot is also at stake for the fast rising star, as he’s been promised a chance to compete for the vacant European crown on the under-card of Amir Khan’s WBA title defense in Newcastle later this year.
Now 17-0, the young Welshman enters the bout ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies, and is ranked in the top 10 by the IBF and WBO. Tall at almost 6’4, with fast hands and cultured boxing skills, Cleverly’s recent performances have offered little opportunity for criticism. It must be said though, that having faced a lack of quality opponents on the domestic scene, his chin and big fight temperament have yet to be tested.
With five of his thirteen wins coming inside the scheduled distance against even more modest opposition, the 13-2 Courtney Fry likely doesn’t have the power to ask questions of Cleverly's chin. However, the highly decorated amateur, with many more years in the sport, may possess the skills to frustrate the young fighter and will likely present him with problems he hasn't encountered before.
Traditionally the biggest weapon to offset the speed of a quick opponent has been the jab and the 34 year old scouser has an educated and effective one which helped him to gain a berth as one of only two British competitors in the 2000 Olympics as well as a silver medal at the European Championships and Gold in the Commonwealth games.
A late start to the pros combined with injuries and promotional issues have seen Fry unable to recapture the same form in the paid ranks and a 2005 loss to upset specialist Ovil McKenzie almost saw him quit the sport for good. Fry did rekindle his career with a solid win over unbeaten Nigerian prospect Tony Salam and looked ready to make a run at the British title under Frank Maloney but then opted to enter the light heavyweight edition of Prizefighter.
Though the Prizefighter competition style is not all that dissimilar to the amateur game, Fry had become a notorious slow starter in the pros and was outworked in the semis by Tony Oakey and once again found himself at a loose end. Backed into the same corner as Olympic team-mate Audley Harrison was last week, Fry will need a special performance Friday night to give his career a much needed boost.
On the undercard...
Derek Chisora will be returning to the ring after serving a four month ban for biting the ear of journeyman Paul Butlin back in May. Tyson Fury's main verbal sparring partner, the 10-0 Chisora could find himself in the picture to face Audley Harrison for the vacant British title with an impressive win over 12-6-1 Georgian Zurab Noniashvili.
2008 Olympian Billy Joe Saunders will also be back out, going against 6-15 Latvian trial horse Alex Spitko. View by many as the best pro prospect of the UK Olympians, the 20 year from Hertfordshire will be looking to make it four stoppage wins from four in his first appearance at the storied York Hall.
Also appearing will be the three Walsh brothers Michael, Ryan and Liam. Former ABA champ Michael and younger twins Ryan and Liam bring a large following from East Anglia and will be looking to add to the unbeaten records against limited opposition.
e-mail Matt Chudley
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Friday, September 25, 2009
Jean Pascal vs Silvio Branco: Round by Round Blog
Welcome to The Boxing Bulletin's live round by round blog coverage of the light-heavyweight clash between Jean Pascal and Silvio Branco. If you're looking to watch the fight live, the show is being broadcast via online PPV at GoFightLive.tv.
Make sure to check us out tomorrow night as well, as we'll be doing a live round by round blog of the heavyweight match-up between Vitali Klitschko and Cristobal Arreola.
Jean Pascal 23-1 (175) vs Silvio Branco 59-9-2 (174.2)
If you are here early, check out some of our recent stories...
British Scene: Matthew Macklin vs Amin Asikainen Preview by Dave Oakes
Battle at the O2: Bernard Dunne vs. Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym Preview by Michael Nelson
The Man to Beat Floyd Mayweather Jr... by Jeff Pryor
The Mayweather vs Marquez Big Screen Experience by Jeff Pryor
Chris Arreola Has The Tools To Rise Above Expectations by Michael Nelson
Has Arreola Sacrificed Enough To Beat Klitschko by Lee Payton
Read more!
Refresh this page often as updates will be frequent
8:10 PM EST... Right now, the 3rd preliminary bout of the evening between cruiserweights David Whittom and Carl Handy is in the 5th round (scheduled for 6). Still to come before the main-event is an 8 rounder between Sebastian Demers and Jose Spearman as well as a scheduled 12 rounder between Adonis Stevenson and Jermaine Mackey.
I would estimate Pascal and Branco will be coming on between 10:00 and 10:30, and updates will start as soon as soon as the fighters make their way towards the ring. Check back with us earlier though in case the show moves along a little quicker than expected.
8:21... Handy just finished pounding out a unanimous decision over Wittom. Scores were 59-55, 58-56 and 60-54. Wittom finished the bout with some nasty looking brusing under his right eye.
8:24... Jose Spearman is in the ring, with Sebastian Demers on his way in. I'll give periodic updates of these next two bouts, but will save the detailed round by round updates for the main-event.
8:31... Just over a minute into the opening round, Demers dropped Spearman for the 10 count with a right hand, followed by a left hook to the body. It looked like the right hand did most of the damage and I think Spearman was already heading down when the body shot landed. The official time was 1:18.
8:34... On the replay it looks like Spearman was definitely finished by the right hand. He had his gloves up high with his back to the ropes, and the punch looked like it caught him just behind his guard.
8:44... Adonis Stevenson is heading in. Jermain Mackey is already in the ring. This one's scheduled for 12, and I'll be giving periodic updates.
8:52... First round is in the books. Stevenson looked like he hurt Mackey with a left hand to the body with about 30 seconds left in the round, and backed the visiting man up into the ropes with a follow-up flurry.
8:56... Not too much to report from round 2, although during the closing seconds, Mackey stuck his chin out at Stevenson, daring the Canadian to take a shot. Stevenson responded with a jab and a 1-2, but couldn't connect as Mackey dodged his head out of the way. Guy Jutras has it 2-0 for Stevenson.
9:00... A good round for Stevenson. Mackey's a shifty customer, able to slip most shots upstairs, but Stevenson has made a concerted effort to fire to the body with both hands and has had success doing so.
9:05... Stevenson put Mackey down at the end of the 4th round, putting an exclamation mark on a very one sided round. He landed a couple of hard straight lefts early in the frame, while continuing to work the body. With about 45 seconds left, he landed another hard straight left, and landed several more, which had Mackey in all kinds of trouble before he went down just before the bell.
9:07... That's it. This one's over. It looked like they might might stop it before the 5th round, as the doctor took a look at Mackey before allowing the round to begin. Stevenson immediately went on the attack, and after it appeared the ropes prevented Mackey from going down near the corner, the ref jumped in and called it off. Good stoppage.
9:08... The official time is 0:20 of round 5. Stevenson the winner by TKO.
9:12... With Demers and Stevenson both winning early, we might be in for a bit of a wait before the main-event. I'll keep you posted.
9:20... While we wait for Pascal and Branco, highlights from the night's earlier bouts are being shown. I'm going to guess we'll be waiting at least another 15-20 minutes before the main-event starts.
9:24... Adonis Stevenson is chatting with the commentators. If I could understand French, I still wouldn't be able to relay what's being discussed as the audio from the booth isn't coming through at all. That's been the story throughout the broadcast. I'm wondering if the American GoGightLive.tv feed is any different from the Canadian feed? English commentary? Or is it the exact same broadcast?
9:29... Now Joachim Alcine is helping to fill some air time.
9:34... I just checked Bad Left Hook's fight night coverage, and they're reporting no audio from the commentary booth as well. Not a big deal, as at least we're getting the sounds from the arena, the ring announcer, etc.
9:37... Now a more worrisome concern than the lack of audio has developed, as the picture has frozen up a few times in the last couple minutes. Hopefully that does not happen during the fight.
9:40... Yvon Michel just had his turn in the booth. Now it's Antonin Decarie. Still having some picture problems.
9:46... There are flags in the ring visible behind the commentators. That's a good sign. Anthems must be coming up very shortly... then the fight.
9:51... Branco's in the ring, and Pascal is about to join him there.
9:52... The ring announcer is Christian Gauthier.
9:53... Gerry Bolan is the ref.
9:56... The crowd's buzzing as Pascal's name is announced. Looks like we're moments from getting under-way. Bolan about to give the fighters their final instructions.
10:01... We're underway. Branco immediately moves forward looking to press the action, while Pascal circles. Pascal moving to his left. Branco with a probing jab. Pascal keeps moving. Now he sticks a jab out. Branco short with a jab to the body. No punches landed in the opening 60 seconds. Pascal is short with a jab, and then gets on the move. Now he jumps in, but doesn't land. Branco is short with his jab. Branco short with another jab. Cautious stuff here. Branco now fires a right hand over the top, which may have just landed. Now Pascal fires back, but misses with a hook. 30 seconds left in the opening round. Pascal with a jab, and lands a follow-up glancing right. There's the bell.
10:02... 1-0 to Branco on Jutras' card.
10:05... Pascal circling to his left as Branco follows. Pascal now stops and jabs to the body, but is short with it. Branco with a 1-2, but neither lands. The right hand was blocked. Branco misses witha jab. Pascal fires back with a right hand, but he's short with it. Neither man really committing much here in the early going. Pascal with a 1-2, but he's short. Branco misses a right hand, and misses with a follow-up left hook. Now Pascal coming forward, and throws a right hand, but doesn't connect. Now he gets one home. Branco short with the jab. Pascal moving to his left, then his right, then to his left. Now Branco comes forward and Pascal ties him up. 30 seconds left in the round. Branco with a couple jabs that are short. Pascal jabs to the body. Now they exchange, but neither man gets anything home, and Pascal wildly goes forward and misses. Pascal misses with a hook. Two rounds in the book and neither man has landed a telling punch yet.
10:09... Round 3 is underway. Branco is up off his stool first. 1-1 on the Jutras score-card. I'd say that's about right. Not much has happened so far, and neither man deserves an edge. Branco with a right hand that's blocked. Pascal standing his ground a little more to start the round, but now he's on the move again. He throws a jab to the body that is short. Now Pascal edges forward, and tries to get in a jab, but Branco ties him up. Action in the center of the ring here. Branco looks to have caught Pascal during an exchange and I think Pascal is a bit buzzed, He backs off to the ropes with his gloves up and Branco goes after him. Now it looks like the Canadian is okay as he comes back throwing. 1:00 to go in round 3. Pascal throws a a bit of a wild 1-2 as he comes forward. Now he paws with the jab. Branco just misses with a 1-2. Pascal fires wildly back with his right hand. Some action here. A little sloppy, but both men looking willing to throw. Pascal with a jab, catching Branco on the way in. Pascal tries to fire off a lead hook. There's the bell to end round 3.
10:10... We're getting a replay of the moment when Pascal was slightly buzzed. Looked like a little right hand thrown in the clinch did it.
10:14... 2-1 Branco on Jutras' card. Branco comes out pressing, with Pascal circling. Branco with a right hand that got through as Pascal had backed up near the corner. Now the action shifts back to the middle of the ring. Pascal trying to jab his way in... very cautiously, and doesn't land. Pascal with a jab to the body which he's short with. Pascal now fires home a jab. Branco jabs to the body. 1:30 to go. Pascal looks a little unsure of himself here tonight. Now he comes forward with some aggression, backing Branco into the ropes, but the Italian fires back and backs Pascal off. 1:00 to go. Branco with a jab, and a left hook that's blocked. Pascal now comes forward with a jab and a hook. Branco ties him up. 30 seconds left. Pascal with a 1-2, but the right hand sails too high. Now Pascal gets home a right hand and aggressively goes after Branco. He throws him to the ground. The ref is counting. Is he calling that a knockdown? That happened just at the bell. Branco's up. We'll have to see that again.
10:14... It looked like a right hand from Pascal landed on the back of Branco's head while the two were tangled along the ropes.
10:15... The ref ruled that a knockdown, and that's going to be a 10-8 round. I think that's a little crazy, but that appears to be the way it was called.
10:18... Pascal a little more aggressive here in round 5. He's coming forward and letting his hands go. Now he backs off and looks to counter. Branco edges forward and Pascal fires a left hook that's blocked. Now Pascal catches Branco with a counter. Branco comes back with a 1-2 that lands. Now Pascal is on the move again, circling away to his left. He jumps in with a right hand that misses. 1:00 to go. Branco edging forward and tries to flurry, but Pascal ties him up. Pascal with a jab, but he's short. Now Pascal backs up and Branco follows him to the other side of the ring. Branco with a series of jabs into Pascal's high guard. Pascal now edges forward and throws a chopping right that is blocked. Branco fires his own right hand that doesn't get through. There's the bell.
10:22... Round 6 is underway. Jutras gave the 5th to Pascal. He's got him up 3-2, plus the alleged knockdown. A decent exchange as both men let their hands go and appeared to land. Pascal with a jab. Branco with a 1-2, but misses. Now Pascal fires a right hand over the top that misses. Branco misses with a jab. Pascal to the body with a jab. Branco edging forward here. He flicks out the jab. Now he fires a 1-2 into the guard. Pascal responds with a couple of shots to the body. Now Pascal witha bit of energy, fires off a hard flurry. Pascal now digs to the body. Branco on the ropes now fires back and gets out of there. Some good moments for Pascal. He's really not gone to the body at all in the early going with any purpose, but made a real effort to during that sequence. Branco now edging forward. He jabs into Pascal's guard, and now Pascal slips away to his left. Pascal now comes forward and fires off a 1-2 and I think the right hand got home. Both men fire off shots as the bell rings.
10:23... 4-2, 58-55 on Guy Jutras' scorecard.
10:27... Branco came out and backed Pascal in the corner and fired off a right hand. Pascal got out of there, firing off his own. Now Pascal with a combo. Pascal misses with a hook. Branco coming forward, with Pascal moving to his left. Now Pascal goes to his right and fires off a 1-2, but misses. Branco resumes coming forard. Pascal with his back to the ropes, looking to counter. Branco fires a right, and gets tied up. Pascal with a hold of Branco, who tries to fire a right in the clinch. Branco jabs into Pascal's guard. Now Branco with a hold of Pascal, and Pascal bangs a right hand to the back of Branco's head during the clinch. He's warned about it and the ref spots some loose tape. Action resumes and Pascal lands a right hand. Branco tries to fire back and then grabs a hold of Pascal's left hand. 15 seconds left in the round. Pascal with a right hand to the body, and then tries to flurry with both hands downstairs and then tosses Branco to the canvas... and this is called a knockdown. That didn't look like it. We'll have to see the replay, but I think Mr.Bolan has got it wrong again.
10:27... Looked like Pascal was throwing a punch, but still looked more like a push than anything else. Ruled a knockdown though.
10:31... 68-63 on Jutras' card after 7. Pascal is short with a jab to the body. Branco misses with a right hand. Pascal tries to rush forward, but he doesn't get anything home. Now Branco misses with a 1-2 and Pascal fires a right hand counter. Pascal misses with a sweeping hook. Pascal lands with a couple shots to the body. Now he gets home a right hand, and Branco grabs a hold of him. Pascal tries to flurry, but gets tied up. 1:30 to go. Branco fires a right hand that may have just landed. He's edging forward. Pascal moving to his left. Now Pascal has his back to the ropes. Branco pawing with the jab, looking to throw the right, but he doesn't let go with it. Now Pascal ties him up. 45 seconds left in the round. Action in the middle of the ring. Pascal misses with an overhand right. Pascal fires an uppercut, and then slips away. Branco gives chase. Branco goes to the body with a right hand and Pascal fires back with his own. 10 seconds left in the round. Branco with a couple of jabs that are short. Pascal fires back, and Branco comes back with a couple shots, although not sure if either landed. There's the bell.
10:36... 78-72 on Jutras' card. Branco comes out moving forward and misses with a right hand. Pascal is moving to his left. Now Pascal tries to flick a couple of jabs and come forward, but neither landed, and he goes back to the ropes looking to counter. Branco with a jab into the guard. Branco with a right hand that's blocked. Branco flicking out the jab, but not landing it. Now he fires a 1-2. Pascal fires a right hand in response. Branco tries to flurry, and Pascal fires back with a right hand. Not sure if it landed though. Branco immediately resumes coming forward. He fires a right hand into the guard. 1:00 to go. They clinch. Action in the middle of the ring. Branco tries to fire a hook, but misses. Pascal with a counter but doesn't connect. Now Pascal comes forward winging shots, as Branco backs up into the ropes. Down goes Branco. Not sure if he was hit low, but he suddenly went to the canvas. He's got some loose tape on his gloves anyway and Bolan takes him over to the corner for some work. They are back at it, but there's the bell to end the round.
10:37.. While Branco was having the tape on his gloves fixed, they showed a replay. Wasn't really clear if Pascal hit him low or not. Pascal fires to the body with both hands, and after a second, Branco went down. 88-81 on Jutras' card after 9.
10:40... Branco came out pressing as usual. Not much success though. Pascal just missed with a wild hook. Branco now pushing forward. He throws a 1-2 into the guard with Pascal's back along the ropes. Pascal now jumps forward with a hook to the body. Branco coming forward, missing with the right hand. Pascal meanwhile misses with a counter hook. Now Branco edges forward, firing a 1-2 into the guard. As the action moved in the center of the ring, Pascal catches Branco with something and sends him down. He's claiming he was hit behind the head, but he's up at the count of 9. Pascal goes after him, with both hands. Pascal lands a hook and down goes Branco again, and his corner quickly jumps into the ring and this one is over.
10:41... The first knockdown was a right hand that caught Branco while he was bending over. It did kind of catch him behind the head, but the way he was leaning over, that couldn't have been helped. Pascal went after him hard, and landed a couple decent hooks, the last of which sent Branco down again, prompting his corner to throw in the towel.
10:43... Pascal now has the microphone and is saying a few words to the crowd.
10:45... I didn't think Pascal really looked all that sharp tonight. Very tentative early, and didn't go to the body the way he's capable of. Still, he got the job done.
10:47... Pascal's now chatting with the commentators, and since there's no audio and I wouldn't be able to translate anyway, I might as well sign off. I hope you enjoyed our coverage of tonight's show and check back in with us tomorrow night for the Klitschko/Arreola heavyweight showdown.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tavoris Cloud Brings the Thunder, Juan Urango Brings the Pain
Michael Nelson gives his thoughts on last night's FNF show.
Tavoris Cloud and Juan Urango delivered career performances against game opposition last night in a very solid Friday Night Fights doubleheader. Cloud captured his first world title at 27 years old while Urango retained his IBF strap in the gripping main event.
Cloud's opponent didn't come from the UK to lay down. The grizzled Clinton Woods fought the Tallahassee, Florida native on even terms through the early going, which included a second round that had Woods snapping off a variety of hard uppercuts and straight right hands. It looked like the beginnings of a long night for young Tavoris.
But Cloud found a groove in the middle rounds, being more selective with his punches while landing sharp counters against his taller foe. His James Toneyesque shoulder-roll-right-hand was especially effective in snapping Clinton's head back. Once he began digging in with beautiful triple left hooks - one to the head, one to the midsection, and another one up top as Woods would pull back - he started doing damage. A series of hooks left Woods in serious trouble in the ninth round.
The heart and resiliency he displayed in his trilogy against Glen Johnson though was still evident at 37 years old. Woods refused to go down as Cloud rained blows on him, and came back to hold his own during the championship rounds. Surprisingly, all three scorecards at the end read 116-112, which meant the judges in Cloud's hometown gave Woods most, if not all, of the close rounds. After last week, it was nice to be reminded that hometown bias isn't a guarantee in boxing.
What is guaranteed is action whenever Tavoris steps inside the ring. A showdown with Glen Johnson would be breathtaking. Fights with Jean Pascal or Chad Dawson wouldn't be short of thrills either. Let's just hope he's more active as a titlist than he was as a contender.
Juan Urango had his own set of problems as a belt holder in the main event, getting put on his back for the first time in his career.
The fight went as expected through five rounds. The brute southpaw stalked Randall Bailey and tore into his body while mixing in clubbing right hooks and left hands. Randall tried to maintain distance, paw with his jab, and drop in the occasional right hand.
The script was flipped in the sixth. One of those right hands deposited Urango on the canvas, and for a moment it looked as if he wasn't going to get up. Using the same recovery skills he showed when Nasser Athumani badly staggered him two years ago, he managed to beat the count and make it out of the round without further issue. But he was now sporting a nasty cut and lump under his right eye.
Juan went back to work immediately. He continued chopping Bailey down, taking his older opponent's legs piece by piece with every thudding body punch landed. In the ninth round, Bailey's legs were completely gone as a left hand took him off his feet. He struggled up at the count of nine and suffered a sustained beating until trainer John David Jackson rightly called an end to the proceedings in the 11th.
Urango's flaws are what they are; he has cement feet, and even after seven years of fighters tying him up on the inside, he still refuses to work inside a clinch. He may always struggle against a quick, durable opponent. But match him correctly, and blood and drama will not be far behind.
A dry FNF season ended with a monsoon thanks to all four combatants. Hopefully, it sets the pace for the remainder of 2009.
e-mail Michael Nelson
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British Scene Prospect Watch: Tony Bellew
Dave Oakes continues his look at the top young fighters in Britain, with a profile of Liverpool's Tony Bellew.
Tony Bellew
A likeable Scouser who’s boxing at light-heavyweight despite winning three ABA titles at heavyweight. He’s currently 9-0 with 6 stoppages.
The Positives:
He’s been busy thus far in his career, fighting nine times in under two years. He’s fought against, and knocked out, heavier fighters and looks like he’s got the punch power to take out anyone in the light-heavyweight division. He’s training at a great gym under the tuition of Anthony Farnell and isn’t too far away from a title shot.
The Negatives:
He’s yet to weigh in at 175lbs and it’ll be interesting to see how easy he can make weight. There are also question marks about his chin after he was dropped against Jevgenijs Andrejevs late last year.
The Future:
He’s targeting a fight with Commonwealth champion, Nathan Cleverly. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him fighting for the vacant title if Cleverly vacates next year. Fights against Tony Oakey, Darren Stubbs and Courtney Fry would all be good step-ups for him at this stage of his development.
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
Stephen Smith
Ryan Walsh
Jamie Cox
George Groves
Kenny Anderson
Ricky Owen
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Friday, August 28, 2009
Tavoris Cloud vs Clinton Woods Preview
Michael Nelson previews tonight's FNF light-heavyweight clash between Tavoris Cloud and Clinton Woods.
Tavoris Cloud took the Light Heavyweight scene by storm last August when he demolished Julio Gonzales in an IBF title eliminator. But instead of staying busy, he chose to sit on his position as Chad Dawson's mandatory as Dawson fought Tarver twice, and then dropped the belt to rematch nemesis Glen Johnson. The winner of tonight's bout will be rewarded with the vacant strap.
Needless to say, Cloud is looking to be more Cumulonimbus than calm against rugged Englishman Clinton Woods. Having grown up in desolate conditions, Tavoris fights as if he's been famished all his life. He's unlikely to take this opportunity lightly.
Clinton isn't either. This will be his final chance at regaining a stronghold in the division. The last time Woods was seen on American television, he allowed Antonio Tarver to camp in the middle of the ring and move his hands without consequence. If the 37 year old doesn't show more Grizzly against Cloud, it may be a short night in Hollywood, Florida.
Woods will hold a four inch height advantage over Cloud, but his fight is not one of maintaining distance. Expect Teddy Atlas' dialog throughout the bout to revolve around the real estate battle and how Woods is losing it. He's not comfortable moving for long stretches of a bout. Being one of the bigger and stronger men at Light Heavyweight though, he generally accustoms himself well in close.
How well he expects to do banging with the explosive 27 year old Floridian is a question that might not take long to answer. Cloud in many ways is reminiscent of Andre Berto, except he loves to fight on the inside rather than clinch. He loads up on powerful right hands and lead left hooks while mixing in violent uppercuts to keep a ducking opponent honest. And when he remembers to go to the body, he's cruelly effective. A normally sturdy Gonzales winced every time Cloud landed a hook underneath the rib cage.
As evident in his trilogy with Glen Johnson, Clinton is worryingly open for a right hand, Cloud's bread-and-butter. Johnson chopped him down with straight rights to the point where he was nearly out on his feet in the 9th round of their rubber match. To Woods' credit, he survived and won a split decision.
But that was on his home turf in the UK when he was three years younger. Now fighting on Cloud's stomping grounds, the odds are against him. If he gets slammed with as many right hands tonight as he did against Johnson, it's unlikely he sees the final bell, much less win a decision. He'll have to rely on his experience, stamina, and guile to blunt Cloud's charges and outwork his untested opponent.
While most indicators point to it being the younger man's time to shine, the steely veteran can't be counted out. He has defied the critics more than once in his 15 year career. The Friday Night Fights finale shouldn't disappoint.
e-mail Michael Nelson
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Sunday, August 16, 2009
Roy Jones is Back... Kinda
by Lee Payton
Roy Jones can still fight. Only these days he needs more co-operation from the opponent. Like most of the great boxers of the past, he'll look a bit like his old self against a dance partner who will provide an available target. Jeff Lacy fit the bill perfectly, and it was mostly target practice for the future Hall of Famer.
Before I get too far into it I just want to say how much respect I think Jeff Lacy deserves for sticking his nose in there and refusing to quit while being tattooed with some vintage stuff from Jones. He understood where the fight needed to take place in order for him to have a chance, but he was never really in it. Only his heart and physical strength kept him upright after 10 rounds of punishment from the better man. Lacy's fans should be proud of their man's effort and courage.
If you like what Roy does, it was pretty entertaining stuff. During the contest we were treated to some otherworldly combination punching, the likes of which only RJ can pull off. It brought me back for awhile. The dazzling speed was on display all night long, as was his ring IQ. He seemed to be having a lot of fun in there, which was good to see.
Now that he's considered ancient in boxing years, Roy has to stay away from speedsters, jabbers and movers. Those types are just too much work for tired legs and 40 year old reflexes. However, if he is content to compete on this level, against this type of fighter, he could probably hang around for another 5 years, or maybe land one more shot at the big time. Bernard Hopkins, perhaps...
Old greats just have to be more careful, in the ring and out of it. If they are realistic, they can still do big things. I think Jones knows that Chad Dawson and Jean Pascal are terrible options for him at this stage because of their overall quickness, but I also think he can still beat some legitimate light heavies if he chooses them wisely. He's one of the few guys out there who can afford to be picky.
Next up is Danny Green, who should play the necessary role quite well. He's aggressive, not all that quick and has seen better days himself. While traveling down under can be seen as a bit of a risk, it also makes great financial sense, given that the battle is sure to take place in front of a packed house.
No, Roy Jones is not all the way back. The laws of boxing dictate that he never will be, but I think that if you tune in with the proper expectations you can still have a good time.
Email Lee Payton
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Saturday, August 15, 2009
Live Blog: Roy Jones vs Jeff Lacy
Welcome to The Boxing Bulletin's live blog coverage of tonight's "Hook City" PPV show. The headliner of course features former light-heavyweight superstar Roy Jones taking on once promising Olympian Jeff Lacy. Refresh this page often as updates will be frequent
Also on the show are 3 other bouts and we'll be providing updates on those starting at 9 PM EST.
If you've been with us before for our live blog round by round coverage, welcome back. If this is your first time, thanks for checking us out. Feel free to participate by giving your scores and comments.
There's also another PPV on tonight, and if you're looking for quality round by round updates of the Pinoy Power II show, check out Bad Left Hook's fight night coverage.Coverage starts at 9 PM EST
Roy Jones 174 (53-5) vs Jeff Lacy 174 (27-2) - 12 rounds
Danny Green 179.5 (26-3) vs Julio Cesar Dominguez 181.5 (20-4-1) - 12 rounds
B.J. Flores 200 (23-0-1) vs Epifano Mendoza 199 (29-7-1) - 10 rounds
Jason Litzau 135.5 (24-2) vs Verquan Kimbrough 135 (21-1-2) - 12 rounds
We will be providing round by round updates for all bouts on the show.
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7:25 PM... Check back in with us in just over 90 minutes.
8:55... 5 minutes until we're underway.
9:00... The show's starting. Updates will start once punches are exchanged.
9:10... Jason Litzau is in the ring. On the front of his t-shirt are the faces of Arturo Gatti and Vernon Forrest.
9:12... Verquan Kimbrough's ready to go as well. The ring announcer is Michael Williams.
9:15... The fighters are in the center of the ring receiving their final instructions.
9:19... Litzau is having the better of the action so far. He's landed his right hand very effectively so far. There were a couple moments in round 1 where it looked like Kimbrough may have been a little stunned, and at one point he stumbled a little after eating a chopping right.
9:23... Kimbrough just landed a couple decent right hands early in round 2. He's looking a little out of his depth defensively though, as he's unable to really avoid getting hit clean in return. The action is nearly all from long range, and Litzau is also using his effectively. Kimbrough just landed a couple hard right hands. Litzau looked bothered by those. Litzau bangs Kimbrough back in return though, and they clinch. Now Litzau comes forward and bangs in a right hand. Litzau with a huge right hand that buzzes Kimbrough along the ropes. Kimbrough is holding on here. His legs don't look good. Another big right hand. Kimbrough is down. He's up with about 15 seconds left in the round, but he doesn't look good. He's got a nasty looking cut on the side of his right eye.
9:23... The knockdown was a hard right hand over Kimbrough's low left.
9:27... The cut is on the side of Kimbrough's eye. He's trying to use the jab to keep Litzau at a distance, but Litzau responds by banging home a hard right hand that drives Kimbrough back into the corner. Litzau follows up and down goes Kimbrough. He's up, and tries to fight back, with a looping right that just misses. Litzau is trying to finish things. Kimbrough backing up. He's eating right hands. His legs don't look good. Litzau drives him into the ropes and opens up. This should be stopped. It's all Litzau. Down goes Kimbrough. He's up... and amazingly the ref is letting this go. We've got 50 seconds left. Kimbrough is taking a lot of punishment. He doesn't have his legs. Litzau with another hard right hand. And another. This ref is TERRIBLE! He's got no idea. Kimbrough goes down again, and the ref rules a slip. Litzau keeps banging away. Kimbrough backing up. There is no reason why this ref hasn't stopped it. Kimbrough is just getting hammered here. There's the bell. There's no way this fight should go on. This is crazy.
9:28... Kimbrough's corner has stopped it. Thankfully. I NEVER want to see this ref ever again. That was absolutely appalling. He had several chances to stop the fight, but for some reason just let it go.
9:29... Kimbrough's okay. That should be said. But he took way more shots than he needed to. We're hearing that the fight was stopped by the doctor. At least someone has some sense.
9:30... I missed his name during the intros. Randy Phillips was the blood thirsty man in charge of the proceedings.
9:32... Next up is BJ Flores against Epifano Mendoza.
9:33... By the way the broadcasters for tonight's show are Barry Tompkins and Daniel Edouard.
9:35... Epifano Mendoza's in the ring.
9:38... Mendoza is no longer in the ring. He just headed to the locker room. Perhaps there's an equipment issue or an emergency bathroom break. Flores has just made his ring walk, and I imagine he's surprised to see he's the only one there.
9:39... Mendoza's back. He forgot his protective cup. He's now fully equipped.
9:42... The intro's are out of the way, and we're ready to go.
9:42... This one is scheduled for 10.
9:43... Tompkins points out that Mendoza is 23 pounds heavier than he's ever been before.
9:45... Both fighters cautious to start. Mendoza landed a looping overhand right. Not much on it though. Flores is sticking his jab out there. Flores with a left hook that is short. Mendoza responds with a chopping right hand that's short as well. Flores is now backing Mendoza up a little with the jab, Mendoza circling to his left. About 1:00 to go in the round. Flores with a 1-2 combo... the right hand landed nicely. Mendoza with another looping overhand right. It landed, but Flores doesn't appear bothered at all. He's slowly edging forward behind the jab. He's sticking it home effectively. He just misses with a follow-up right hand. There's the bell.
9:50... Tompkins mentions that Mendoza needs to find a way to counter BJ's jab, and he hasn't been able to do that. He shows a little aggression though, and comes forward with a right hand. BJ responds though, and has the better of it. Flores with a combo into the gloves as Mendoza backs up. Mendoza tries to come forward with a looping right hand, that BJ easily avoids. BJ with a nice combo that lands clean. Mendoza is backing up to his right. He throws a combo into the gloves. BJ with another nice combo. 1:00 to go. BJ tries to come forward with a 1-2, but Mendoza avoids it backing up. You get the feeling that if BJ opened up a little here, he could get Mendoza out of there, but he's been very cautious so far. He lands a nice jab. Now he lands a nice right hand. Flores in complete control as the round ends.
9:54... BJ is sticking the jab home. Mendoza comes forward, but misses with a left hook. BJ opens up and lands a nice right hand, followed by a hook that knocks Mendoza back. Another nice combo forces Mendoza into the ropes. BJ just looks a lot stronger... and he's a natural cruiser, so that's not a surprise. BJ with a left hand that backs Mendoza back. He lands a nice jab. BJ slowly edging forward here. He comes forward, with another combo that backs Mendoza up. It's all Flores here. It' also not very exciting. The pace is fairly slow, and Mendoza is just unable to really offer much in response. He doesn't pack the punch at this weight to really give BJ much to worry about. Flores with a 3 punch combo. Jab,right, hook. He just landed a heavy right hand over the top that backs Mendoza into the corner. Mendoza has the guard up covering up, as Flores fires a combo as the round comes to a close.
9:56... Mendoza's in trouble here early in the 4th. His left shoulder appears to be injured. It might be a blessing in disguise, because he's badly outgunned here. Mendoza trying to fight back, but he can't really lift his left hand. BJ has been very cautious in attacking. 2:00 to go in the round. BJ lands a left that backs Mendoza up. BJ could really jump on him now and finish it. Now Mendoza turns away holding his arm in pain. This one is over.
9:57... Mendoza might have a dislocated left shoulder. He's clearly in discomfort.
9:58... The official announcement... 1:19 seconds into round 4. Winner by TKO is BJ Flores.
10:00... According to Barry Tompkins, Flores is talking about fighting Vassilly Jirov. Isn't it about time BJ stepped up in competition and fighting Jirov is not doing that.
10:02... Up next is Danny Green vs Julio Cesar Dominguez.
10:05... It appears there will be a little bit of a weight for Green and Dominguez. In the meantime, we're getting a 4 rounder from earlier in the evening.
10:07... We've got two fighters making their pro-debut in this one. It's a super-featherweight contest. Frederick Bowen vs Yaundale Evans. The ref is Randy Phillips. I had just mentioned that I never want to see Mr. Phillips handling a bout again. So much for that wish.
10:09... This one is over in 40 seconds. Evans hurt Bowen almost immediately with a hard right hook, and followed up by banging Bowen along the ropes. Phillips quickly jumped in and stopped it.
10:11... That seemed a very early stoppage. Considering that happened earlier in the evening, perhaps someone suggested to Phillips that he refrain from giving the quick hook next time. That could explain why he let the Litzau/Kimbrough fight keep going when Kimbrough was clearly done. Either way, Phillips needs to use some better judgment next time a fighter is clearly finished.
10:15... We're almost ready for the next one. Danny Green is on his way in.
10:18... I jumped the gun a bit there. That was Dominguez heading in earlier. Green's just coming in now.
10:20... Michael Williams with the intros. This one should be getting underway shortly.
10:21... The ref is Freddie Steinwinder III.
10:23... We're underway. This one is scheduled for 12. Barry Tompkins just said that Dominguez looks a bit more like his accountant than a fighter.
10:27... Green is pressing forward. Dominguez has his gloves up in a bit of shell defense. He comes forward, and wings shots to the body. There might have been a clash of heads there. Green is patiently moving forward. Based on that early flurry, Eduoard comments that Dominguez' plan might be to fight in spurts and try and get lucky. He comes forward again, and bangs the body. He got a really nice right hand to the midsection in that time. Green firing the jab, but it's right into Dominguez' card. Dominguez just walked into a hard right hand, and he's wobbled. The ref is ruling that the ropes held him up I think has called it a knockdown. 10 seconds left in the round. Green with a jab, and hooks to the body. Green didn't really try and jump on Dominguez after the count.
10:28... That was a flush right hand on the button as Dominguez was coming in. He kind of fell forward and grabbed the ropes. I'd say a knockdown was a fair call.
10:31... Green is slowly edging forward to start the round. Dominguez tries to fire back with a right hand, but it's way short. Green is throwing the tighter shots. Dominguez is much wider with his. Green jabs to the body, and lands a nice hard jab upstairs that knocked Dominguez backwards. Green just missed with a right hand. He's patiently moving forward, as Dominguez is backing away to his left. Now Green hooks to the body with a left. Green with a jab. Dominguez hasn't opened up with anything this round. Just as I say that he comes forward with a flurry. All wide shots that Green copes with easily. Green just stings him with a right hand that seemed to wobble Dominguez a bit. Green could have really pressed there, but stays patient, and the round comes to a close.
10:35... Green comes out moving forward, firing the jab. Dominguez with the guard up, he fires a jab back and then tries to flurry to the body. Green with a nice heavy jab, and tries to follow up with a hook. Dominguez flicking out a few jabs here. He follows up with a wild left hand downstairs that misses. Green with a heavy right hand as they both fired rights at the same time. Now Dominguez lands a good right hand. Green comes back with his own. A nice little spurt of action. We've got 1:20 to go in the round. Green sticking int he jab, and follows up with a hook that is blocked. Dominguez comes forward and opens up with a flurry. He got a couple shots home there, but nothing of consequence. Green resumes pressing forward. Green with a nice head snapping jab. Dominguez now comes forward and fires off a hook. Dominguez with another hook that landed, and Green comes back with a hard right that lands flush, and the bell rings. Dominguez tries to fire back after the bell and almost catches the ref!!
10:39... Dominguez trying to flick out the jab, but he's doing so from a distance that isn't going to land. Green just landed a nice counter shot on the button. Tompkins points out that there's blood on the cheek of Dominguez, but he's not sure where it's coming from. He's got a little swelling on the right eye. Green with a jab upstairs, and then a jab to the body. Green accidentally elbows Dominguez and immediately apologizes. Green with a couple jabs, and follows up with an uppercut. Green hooks to the body. Dominguez is backing up and circling to his left, as Green steadily does the better work. Green with a right hand over the top that lands. Pretty much all Green this round. Dominguez tries to flurry as the round comes to a close.
10:43... Green on the attack to start the 5th. He's coming in nicely behind the jab. Eduoard comments on Dominguez' lack of a jab. He throws them occasionally, but nothing on them and always from too far back. Green lands a nice little uppercut on the inside. He jabs to the body. 2:00 to go here in the round. Green with a combo, and finishes it up with an uppercut. Green with a couple jabs. All Green here. He lands a hard hook that seemed to buckle Dominguez' knees. Green with a huge combo. Big right hand there. Now a jab. Dominguez is eating some hard shots here. Green is opening up a little more. Dominguez backs into the ropes. Green with a combo and down goes Dominguez. He's up quickly, but he can't take much more of this. Green presses forward, looking for the finish. Dominguez is on wobbly legs as he backs up. He's trying to hold on in close. Did Green just kiss Dominguez on the cheek in the clinch there!? The ref separates them. Dominguez still doesn't have his legs completely under him, but it looks like he's going to survive the round. No, he's not. Big combo and down goes Dominguez, and this one is over.
10:46... The first knock down was almost a half jab / half hook. Green finished Dominguez with a flurry along the ropes, punctuated by a right hand, left hook. Official time 2:53 seconds of round 5.
10:51... Jeff Lacy is having his hands wrapped at the moment, unless the clip we're seeing is from earlier in the evening. I'd guess with all the fights ending early so far, the main event might be some ways off from starting.
11:00... I'll post an update as soon as I find out when the fighters might be making their way in. Right now Tompkins and Edouard are chatting away, while a replay of Jones/Sheika plays.
11:05... According to Barry Tompkins, there's a delay in the locker room of Jeff Lacy. The state commission is there. Tompkins doesn't believe it will effect the fight, but it would be nice to know what the situation is.
11:13... Looks like things are moving again as it's time for the national anthem.
11:17... The issue appears to be glove related. The Mississippi state commission requires both fighters to wear the same kind of gloves. Jeff Lacy is not agreeing to that.
11:19... Barry Tompkins has just suggested that he and Daniel Edouard do a little tap dance to entertain the spectators during the delay. No, I'm not making that up.
11:22... We're getting a look inside Lacy's room. Lacy is bouncing up and down a little trying to stay warm. No gloves in sight at the moment. Roy is pacing around his room. He's got his gloves on.
11:26... Back to Lacy's room. Here's Lacy... "The commission want me to wear gloves that I can't even put my hand in... They want me to wear a glove that I've never wore in my life. Nothing against Grant, but I've never worn that in my life."
11:27... Supposedly there were no issues yesterday at the weigh-in, and Lacy was under the impression he'd be wearing Everlast gloves.
11:28... Over to Roy's room. Roy... "A glove is a glove, it's time to fight."
11:31... The gloves are coming on. Lacy bangs them together. Looks like we're finally going to get a fight.
11:36... Just Tompkins and Edouard chattering away here, with shots of the spectators patiently waiting for the fighters.
11:39... Jeff Lacy is on his way in.
11:40... Some scattered boos greet Lacy as he steps into the ring.
11:42... Here comes Roy.
11:43... Roy gets a big ovation as he steps through the ropes. He's got a big smile and looks like he's enjoying himself.
11:44... Michael Williams with the intros.
11:48... Final instructions have been given, and we're ready to go.
11:52... Action in the center ring to start. Lacy edging forward behind his jab, and now fires an overhand right that was partially blocked. Roy has his left hanging low. He lands a jab. Now he lands a hook. Lacy tries to fire back, but he's short with a right as Roy backs away. Roy jumps in with a clean right. He does it again. Lacy looked a little wobbly for a sec. Roy has both hands hanging by his sides. He catches Lacy with a jab on the way in. All Roy so far. 1:30 to go. Lacy with his gloves up edging forward, but with no luck. Roy ties him up as Lacy bulls Roy into the ropes. Lacy hooking to the body. He lands a right. Roy has the guard up, as he's catching most of these shots. Now Lacy backs up, before rushing in and Roy ties him up. Lacy with a big right, that almost got in there. Now Lacy bulls Roy into the corner and ties him up. Lacy opens up with a combo, with Roy's back to the ropes. Roy fires back, and then slips a Lacy right. 10 seconds to go. Lacy with the pressure on as Roy has his back to the ropes. Lacy banging away. Most of those were blocked. Roy had things all his way for the first 2 minutes, but Lacy came on strong in the last minute. He landed some effective body shots with Roy along the ropes. Entertaining first round.
11:53... Lacy's corner is telling him to put his head right on Roy's chest and go to work.
11:56... Lacy comes forward and digs to the body with a left. Now he pushes Roy into the corner and tries to bang away. Roy has him tied up though. Lacy is leaning in and banging away. Roy needs to get a bit of space to work and he's not getting it. Lacy banging away with both hands. Chopping rights, and hooks. He just fired an uppercut that just missed. All the action here now with Roy's back pushed into the ropes. Roy now catches Lacy with a nice 3 punch combo. Lacy tries to fire back, but Roy slips away, only for Lacy to catch up and press him up against the ropes on the other side of the ring. 1:10 to go. Lacy with his head down, banging away. Roy with a nice counter shot to the body, but Lacy fires back with a right. Roy another nice counter. Roy with a shot to the body. Roy with a bit of space firing off nice combos. He catches Lacy with a little hook in close, but Lacy just puts his head down and presses forward. Roy with a hard body shot that really got Lacy's attention, but Lacy just puts his head back down and presses Roy back into the ropes. Roy fires back with a body shot, and follows with a little shot upstairs. Lacy plowing forward, but Roy looks to be the one leaning the cleaner shots. There's the bell. Another good round.
11:57... Roy was under pressure that whole round, but he landed some real nice body shots.
12:00... Lacy immediately presses Roy into the ropes, and tries to dig downstairs. Lacy banging away, but Roy's got his elbows tucked and gloves up. He's also landing some quick counters when he can get a little space. Roy with a nice little uppercut. Roy with a couple lefts. Lacy head down banging away at Roy's rib cage. Roy with a nice combo that backs Lacy right off. Lacy looks like he's cut. Now Lacy tries to rush Roy again, and Roy ties him up. Lacy's cut looks bad. Roy catches him with a jab on the way in, but Lacy pushes Roy right into the corner and tries to fire to the body. Lacy with an uppercut that just misses. Lacy with a left that just misses. Lacy not getting through with much upstairs. Roy with a quick combo. Lacy just ate a hard body shot, and a nice uppercut. But he puts his head back down and again pushes Roy into the ropes. He's ate a lot of clean counters, but appears undaunted and keeps coming forward. Roy looks relaxed though. 10 seconds to go. Lacy with a chopping right, that Roy blocks. There's the bell. Very fast pace here. Interesting to see how long Lacy can keep it up, as he's the one expending way more energy.
12:01... Tompkins says the cut doesn't appear as serious as it first looked.
12:04... The cut looks like it might be below the eye according to Tompkins. Lacy hanging back a bit here to start the 4th. Now pressing Roy hard. Roy jabbing from long range. Lacy then rushes forward, but misses with a right hand and Roy ties him up. Roy catches Lacy on the way in. The action shifts to the center of the ring. Lacy not so eager to press right now. Roy with a jab. Roy with a hook. Roy with another hook. Lacy with a different approach this round, but not getting better results. Now he tries to come forward and press, only to eat an uppercut. Roy posing in the middle of the ring now. Lacy charges forward, but gets tied up. Lacy again charges, but can't get any good work done as Roy turns him around and opens up. Roy with a flurry that backs Lacy up. Roy with an uppercut. All Roy Jones here. Huge round for Roy. Lacy looking very tentative now. He's just standing there now, while Roy with his hands down is almost inviting him in. Now Lacy charges forward, but misses.
12:05... Not sure how much longer Lacy can take this. He's getting an absolute beating.
12:08... Round 5 is underway. Lacy edging forward. Roy sticks in the jab. Lacy misses a hook and misses a follow up right hand. He puts his head down and walks Roy into the corner and tries to maul Roy, but Roy slips out of trouble and lands a crisp uppercut. Action now shifts to the center of the ring. Lacy not showing the same kind of intensity now. 2:00 to go. Roy backs into the ropes to avoid a looping overhand right. Lacy trying to push Roy into the ropes and work, but Roy responds with a quick combo. 1:30. Lacy puts his head down and fires away, but misses. He tries to land an uppercut, but again misses. Roy pot shots him in return. Lacy with a right hand that misses. Lacy trying to dig to the body wtih Roy along the ropes, but Roy looking very comfortable there. Lacy with a hook that partially lands. Lacy with a combo into the gloves. Lacy looking a little fatigued, but pressing. Roy responds with a real nice combo. Roy with a another combo. Lacy tries to fight back, but can't land. There's the bell. Another very one sided round.
12:12... Action in the center of the ring to start the round. Lacy tries to jab his way in and bangs a right hand to Roy's body. Roy with a little uppercut in close. Lacy trying to maul Roy along the ropes. Too wide though. Roy landing some little shots in return, and then tying Lacy up. Lacy doesn't have nearly the same intensity that he did in the first couple of rounds. He's got his head down, pushing Roy back, but not letting his hands go much. Lacy with a chopping right. Roy responds with a hook to the body. 1:30 to go. Roy with a nice hook. Roy to the body. Lacy looked like a tired beaten fighter, but still plugging away. Roy mugging to the crowd as Lacy tries to work in close. Lacy misses with a hook. He's pushing his shots in close. Roy responds with a couple shots to the body. Lacy now backs off, and then comes back with a right hand that Roy handles. Lacy trying to flurry with Roy on the ropes... while Roy is talking to the crowd. There's the bell.
12:13... At some point Lacy's corner is going to need to think about stopping this. Their man doesn't have much left.
12:16... Roy immediately catches Lacy with a lead hook to start the round. Lacy edging forward tentatively. Lacy now pushes forward, but Roy ties him up. Lacy with his head in Roy's chest, throws a chopping right hand. Roy with his back along the ropes, but looking comfy. He lands a little uppercut. He's landing little shots here on the inside. Lacy leaning against Roy, but not letting his hands go. All he can do really is just lean forward. 1:30. Roy is the one working here. Little hooks, and shots to the body. Lacy head down, eating shots. Now Lacy bangs a combo to the body. A spurt of life shown there by Lacy. Roy responds though with a triple left hand. Roy with another left. Lacy's left eye is now cut as well. Lacy trying to lean on Roy, now Roy pushes Lacy back. Roy with an uppercut. Roy is now talking to Tompkins and Edouard. 15 seconds left in the round. Roy with a hook to the body. Lacy tries to respond, but he's just too slow. There's the bell.
12:17... We've had 7 very one sided rounds. Lacy's too tired to mount much of an attack, and he's taken some punishment. I know he doesn't want to call it a night, but it's getting the point where it's just not worth it.
12:17... A little delay in the start of round 8 due to a tape issue with Lacy's gloves. During the wait, Roy was walking around smiling at the crowd.
12:21... Lacy puts his head down, presses forward. Edouard comments that he's got no steam on his punches. He's still trying though. Now Roy opens up and fires off a combo. Roy with several unanswered shots. Lacy now backs away, but Roy retreats back to the ropes and Lacy follows. Roy leaning back against the ropes looking to counter. Lacy just pushing his shots. He's got nothing behind them. Roy with a hook to the body. Roy with another hook to the body. Lacy puts his head down and throws a couple hooks downstairs. Roy responds though once again. Roy is now milking the crowd. He backs up with his hands down as Lacy follows. Lacy is short with a right. 20 seconds to go in another one sided round. Lacy just launched a big right, but it missed. Roy fires a hook to the body. Roy almost puts Lacy down as the round comes to a close. Lacy's left eye is swollen badly. His right eye doesn't look good either. It's time for someone to call this one off.
12:22... Don't know if the doctor has checked Lacy in the corner or not, but he should. Lacy's face doesn't look good. He's got no chance to win. He's taken a beating. This has stopped being entertaining.
12:25... Lacy trying to press, but having no luck. He's pushing Roy back, but Roy very relaxed on the ropes. Not much going on for the first minute. Now Roy unloads with a combo that backs Lacy across the ring. Lacy is in full retreat now. Roy is going after him. Where is the ref!? Tompkins think it's time to stop it. Lacy now walks into another body shot. 1:00 to go in the round. Lacy no longer aggressive. Not pushing forward. He's now being pushed back by Roy. He's got nothing left. Tomkins again mentions that the ref should be taking a long look at Lacy. 30 seconds left in the round. Lacy trying to fight back. He pushes Roy into the ropes, but it's Roy landing with a counter. Now Roy with another quick shot on the inside. Roy unloads and backs Lacy off as the round ends.
12:25... Lacy's corner NEEDS to stop this. Or the ref. Or the doctor. Someone needs to stop it. Lacy doesn't want to quit. Someone needs to step in for him.
12:29... Round 10 about to start. Lacy is coming out. Lacy doesn't want his corner to stop it, but surely the doctor or the ref can? This is totally irresponsible. Lacy looked very tired. He can't even press now. Roy is showboating now. Banging Lacy with poper shots. Lacy holds on in close. Lacy's left eye is almost swollen shot. He eats a hard body shot. There's no quit at all in him, but he's got nothng left. He tries to push Roy back, and Roy is chatting away with the fans. Lacy with his head in Roy's chest desperately trying. 1:30 to go in the round. Lacy pushes Roy back. He's not throwing though. He's pushing against Roy, but not letting his hands go. Roy isn't really either at the moment. Now Roy fires off a hook. Roy catches Lacy and backs him up. Lacy holds on. Lacy almost falling into Roy, he's so tired. The ref doesn't appear to have any interest in stopping it. Tompkins again suggests the fight can be stopped. Lacy is so tired in there. He can barely see. He's still coming forward though. He eats a left hook that knocks him backward. Now a right. Lacy holding on. If Roy wanted, he could finish this. But he's taking his time, smiling, looking at the crowd. Not stepping on the gas.
12:29... Finally, this is over. Jeff Lacy's corner has stopped it. That's the second fight tonight where we've seen a referee let a fight go on WAY too long.
12:31... The ref holds Roy's hand up as his name is announced as the winner. The official call is that Lacy's corner stopped it.
12:34... Roy is saying a few words. He's looking forward to heading to Australia to meet with Danny Green. Green is in the ring, standing in the background while Roy is interviewed.
12:37... That's it for The Boxing Bulletin's live blog coverage of tonight's show. Unfortunately we didn't get a single competitive fight, but I imagine Roy Jones fans are pleased. Please check back with us next week for our live blog of HBO's triple-header featuring Juan Diaz vs Paulie Malignaggi, Malcolm Klassen vs Robert Guerrero and Daniel Jacobs vs Ishe Smith.
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