Lee Markham vs. Harry Matthews & Stepan Horvath vs. Max Maxwell RBR

Why do you say that?

Maxwell is not a puncher. Don't be fooled by his build and his constant aggression.

 

Round 4

Horvath is circling and leading with the right uppercut from outside. Maxwell jabs his way in, tapping Horvath's guard and then banging around the side with hooks onto Horvath's biceps as he smothers in close. Horvath gets some free space and works in more uppercuts, scoring accurately. Horvath is cut.

10-9 Horvath, but another close one (could be as wide a disparity as 39-37 Maxwell depending on what you like)

40-36 Horvath

 

Round 5

Horvath is putting out a long hook and alights it on the base of Maxwell's tight cluster of braids. Horvath is emphasizing scoring blows over damaging ones. Maxwell is throwing with more gusto, but simply lacks the sharpness to connect flush or the power to make it matter on the rare occasion when he does. Horvath is pumping a straight right feint pushing Maxwell to the ropes in a role reversal. Maxwell leans back against the ropes for buoyancy and then moves past Horvath, slipping a jab. Nice 1-2 from outside by Horvath, catching Maxwell in the midst of both ducking and springing up in the span of the combo. They press together and Horvath spreads them out with an uppercut banged all the way up Maxwell's chest toward his chin. Hook by Maxwell, slashing across Horvath's temple and causing him to roll forward and bury his skull in his arms. Maxwell flurries against his arms. The ref warns Horvath for something, maybe a butt? Didn't see the infraction on the inside, whatever it was.

10-9 Horvath

50-45 Horvath

 

The commentators seem to believe Maxwell is a lock to break his six-loss drought.

:think Curiously, they did give Horvath the 5th (which one might be tempted to have swung Maxwell's way if sympathetic to him, given that he poured it on Horvath late and kept him nearly pinned in a corner to "steal" it)

In my view, he needs an improbable knockout.

 

Round 6

Horvath is beginning to find other shots besides the jab and uppercut, mixing in genuine straight rights between the feints and even countering with left hooks as they step around each other. Maxwell's jabs hit the guard or get swatted by parries. Horvath down, slip. Horvath is inching toward Maxwell, turning his shoulder in to slip jabs but not pulling the trigger.

10-9 Horvath

60-54 Horvath

 

Oh.

 

I'll say this, Horvath's work rate is routinely very low so if he does lose it'll be reaping what he sowed. (even though I think his quality has been enough throughout to make up the difference)

 

Round 7

Horvath is backing off and putting out jab and uppercut combos. Maxwell is catching up to him and reaching far to brush his forehead with long straight rights. Maxwell does a standing push-up off Horvath from a lean-in and flurries. Maxwell is clapping Horvath on the back and struggling to find a clean head shot. Horvath leans back and counters from mid-range, landing hooks and rights to snap Maxwell's head back.

10-9 Horvath

70-63 Horvath

 

The commentators gave Horvath the 7th and now see him creeping ahead, 67-66.