Eh, a draw is somewhat feasible, although I don't personally see it, its one of those depends on what you like and what you're looking for, you'll probably get it matches. I prefer cleaner harder shots and O'Donovan landed those in the majority of rounds.
The crude guy will get some memorable knock outs but will fall short against the boxer which is why I love the sport so much yes I can see that,I always think first instinct counts with scoring fights,I can get swayed by others comments.
Well that is what makes this such an interesting thread and successful experiment. I like that @J0E_90 elected to leave the outcome disguised behind a spoiler tag. Everyone that reads the OP has the opportunity to score it for themselves unadulterated by foreknowledge of the official result, or what any TV commentators had it, or even other posters as long as they don't browse past the OP. @CST80 and I have pretty similar scoring sensibilities overall (relative to either of us compared side by side with most other frequent fight scorers) but once in a while we just have a different interpretation for a particular juxtaposition of styles & execution. CST in his RBR post thought not only that O'Donovan was robbed of a win since he couldn't see a path to a draw, but he didn't think McAfee had even a strong argument for any single round (including the first 2). Independently of any undue influence from my peers, I scored it 4-2 and think a draw is just as reasonable as stretching it two points the other way to give O'Donovan the shutout. I can see where CST is coming from with his opinion and I'm sure likewise he can understand my perspective. I think as long as you're not scoring it 60-48 O'Donovan (as in six consecutive 10-8 rounds ) or have McAfee winning, either of us would be able to understand and respect your interpretation of the fight as well.
Yes that’s very fair,I follow both your scores on here and they are usually very much in sync. If anything I don’t understand the need to find a winner of a round,maybe it doesn’t happen often but sometimes rounds are shared?
Spoke to the promoter - ESB's own @slapbangwhallop - to give a bit of context to the fight. www.irish-boxing.com/mcafee-and-odonovan-deserve-the-attention-and-rewards-following-bloodbath-first-fight/ Unfortunately there will be no official live stream. Assume there will be Facebook Live via shaky mobile phones. Hopefully will be recorded properly using a tripod and we get to revisit the discussion again next week. Also, any predictions, lads?
Both fighters weighed in this afternoon. O'Donovan - 130lbs McAfee - 129.8lbs Both looking better than I've ever seen them. www.irish-boxing.com/celtic-clash-5-stephen-mcafee-v-colin-odonovan-2-weigh-in-results/ And to whet the appetite, the crazy last minute or so shot from a different angle, ringside. This content is protected (gotta love O'Donovan's brother slamming the canvas, epic stuff)
McAfee opens as a 1/2 favourite (-200) O'Donovan 7/4 (+175) Draw is 12/1 (+1200) Odds with SkyBet https://m.skybet.com/boxing/upcoming-fights/event/22028097
What a fight it was. McAfee won a split decision - 77-75, 77-76, 76-77. This content is protected Hopefully will have full video soon. There has to be a trilogy, at least.
Here we are! www.irish-boxing.com/watch-fight-of-the-year-stephen-mcafee-v-colin-odonovan-2/ (video format not supported by the forum, hence the link) Great fight, would love to hear scorings again @IntentionalButt @CST80 @UnleashtheFURY
My Scorecard: Stephen McAfee v Colin O’Donovan 2* R1: Equal round, both very careful especially O'Donovan who is moving around trying to create distance while McAfee is trying to close the distance. I do not count any significant shots. (10-10) 10-10 R2: O'Donovan still moving around but he is acting a way more offensive this round. He had a couple of good shots landed, also worked more to the body. McAfee throwing a lot but only into the air or to the gloves most of the time. (9-10) 19-20 R3: Both started to brawl here, a lot of action at the inside, O'Donovan is moving very fast and smooth, McAfee has a lot of problems to catch him, both landed some good shots but overall i count more clear shots from O'Donovan who is looking better overall too. (9-10) 28-30 R4: A close round i would give to McAfee. He looked good in the first minute, landed some good shots to the head, also finished the round with some good combinations. (10-9) 38-39 R5: Pretty clear round for O'Donovan i think. McAfee on the backfoot most of the time, landed some shots but O'Donovan landed more accurate and rocked McAfee a couple of times. (9-10) 47-49 R6: The best round of the fight so far. McAfee started very strong pushing O'Donovan into the ropes for a long time, landed nothing big but did enough to have a clear advantage for the rest of the round. The last minute full of action, a lot of work from both with big shots landed on each side, very hard to score but i would give the round to McAfee, he stunned O'Donovan once, no knockdown but near by i think. (10-9) 57-58 R7: Another close round McAfee took in my opinion. Both ranning clearly out of gas, O'Donovan trying to move around but McAfee caught him several times with attacking movement. O'Donovan countered back but not so clear, very close but i think this is a round for McAfee. (10-9) 67-67 R8: Both are unsure about the score so they start throwing everything at the beginning of the round, a lot of punches exchanged here, both landed here and there. Then the action starts with both head to head fighting for their lifes, a lot of punches landed here, O'Donovan next to ropes defending but still landing a lot and countering very well. It is a very very close round you give probably to both of them, a draw would be also fair, but i think O'Donovan landed more clear shots in the end and also rocked McAfee in the first half. (9-10) 76-77 I think a pretty solid score is 77-76/77-77/76-77. You can not complain at all. *due to the camera position a lot of action is not perfectly shown so i would not say my scorecard is a banker here, the ref is walking towards the view a lot of times, also some other perspectives are hard to view and judge.
Round 1 McAfee is rowing out the jab, backing O'Donovan up. Nothing landing first half minute, just McAfee showing, feinting, stepping. O'Donovan twitching, faking a counter right hook high & low, threatening with his own jab but never loosing it. O'Donovan grinning as he circles to his left, while McAfee remains intense, staring him down as he shuffles forward, looking for openings. Right hand downstairs by McAfee, grazing. O'Donovan kicks off into a trot, avoiding being walked onto the ropes. McAfee drops his arms to invite O'Donovan in. Pecking southpaw jabs by O'Donovan. Another right hand downstairs by McAfee, this one meatier. O'Donovan trapped momentarily on the ropes, McAfee getting in a left & right on the body underneath the arms before O'Donovan can skip away. Two-piece on the neck by McAfee as O'Donovan skirts around him. 10-9 McAfee