the what fights did you watch today\scorecard thread.

Excellent take! Just what I saw!! (except I gave Luigi round nine lol!)

 

I had that one close. No argument there — one of them edged it and even would also be fair.

 

For real!

 

D, finally getting around to this:

Lamon Brewster v Kali Meehan (Heavyweight title)

Round 1: 10-10 Even
Round 2: 10-9 Meehan
Round 3: 10-9 Brewster
Round 4: 10-9 Meehan
Round 5: 10-9 Meehan
Round 6: 10-9 Brewster
Round 7: 10-9 Meehan
Round 8: 10-8 Meehan (battering)
Round 9: 10-10 Even
Round 10: 10-9 Brewster
Round 11: 10-9 Brewster
Round 12: 10-9 Meehan

Total: 116-113 Meehan (actual scores: 114-113 Meehan, 114-113 and 115-113 both for Brewster for a split win)

A couple of things to take away from this. When I saw it live I said to myself that I had never before heard of Kali Meehan. When I saw it then i thought it was close but didn't score it. Also, I must've been distracted over something because I didn't realize it was a decent fight that I now thoroughly enjoyed. Like you, D, I thought Meehan deserved the verdict. Thanks for bringing it back on my radar.

 

Dee La-Hoya vs Trinidad. Watched it on HBO ( replay, not live ) and don't know what those banana's were thinking. How did they have Trinidad so close to Dee-La-Hoya? Yes Oscar took the last two rounds off ( which was stupid ) but in any case I had him winning by at least a round or two. I like Oscar. You could see him putting on a brave face and fighting back tears. Who could blame him though. That's history, the magnitude of the situation. A rort. Not the travesty I initially thought it was however.

I do have to watch Quartey and Sturm rights again however. Pretty sure Sturm beat him but Oscar was given the nod.

 

Ruben Olivares vs Chucho Castillo 18th of April 1970

This is my first time seeing Olivares. I've heard he's one of the greatest Mexican fighters of all time so I'm excited to see what he can do.

Round 1: Olivares 10 - 9
Round 2: Olivares 10 - 9
Round 3: Castilo 10 - 8
Round 4: Olivares 10 - 9
Round 5: Castillo 10 - 9
Round 6: Castillo 10 - 9 (close)
Round 7: Castillo 10 - 9
Round 8: Olivares 10 - 9
Round 9: Olivares 10 - 9
Round 10: Castillo 10 - 9
Round 11: Olivares 10 - 9 (close)
Round 12: Olivares 10 - 9
Round 13: Olivares 10 - 9
Round 14: Olivares 10 - 9 (close)
Round 15: Olivares 10 - 9

144 x 140 Olivares

In the early rounds Olivares landed and set up other punches with an impressive left hook. Castillo's output increased after he scored a flash knockdown in the third. From rounds 5 through 7 Castillo starts winning from the outside as his jab is getting off first and more often than Olivares. Castillo definitely has the speed advantage. In these rounds Olivares is able to get on the inside with Castillo and trade, neither fighter is able to get the better of the other on the inside until the 8th when Olivares' brutal hooks to the body seem to slow Castillo down. In the 10th Castillo finally gets the better of Olivares on the inside with lightning quick combinations of hooks to the body. After this round Castillo's output slows down, while Olivares remains consistant, especially with his big left hook. The final big shot of the fight is fittingly a big left hook from Olivares, the punch of the fight.

 

Joe Frazier v Jimmy Ellis II (5 point must scoring in effect)

Round 1: 5-4 Ellis
Round 2: 5-5 Even
Round 3: 5-4 Ellis
Round 4: 5-4 Frazier
Round 5: 5-4 Frazier
Round 6: 5-4 Frazier
Round 7: 5-4 Frazier
Round 8: 5-4 Frazier
Round 9: Frazier stops Ellis

Total through 8 completed rounds: 38-35 Frazier (actual scores not known)

This one was for old times sake. Ellis was 35 and Joe was 31 - old for the times due to their activity - but after watching this, I can say I miss this era. It was great seeing two fighters throwing fast, sharp and heavy blows at a good pace rather than seeing two lumbering oafs trying to take each other's head off with wild swipes. This one really took me back.

 

McGrain, finally getting around to this one. Totally enjoyed the fight, but I wish to preface my score with the fact that we are watching a very grainy film, one which I have no doubt I would have a different score if seeing things in high-def as nuances like impact and bare misses are lost a bit here. But that didn't detract from me enjoying this fight. Here we go.......

Kid Gavilan v Danny Womber (rounds scoring basis)

Round 1: Womber
Round 2: Gavilan
Round 3: Gavilan
Round 4: Womber
Round 5: Womber
Round 6: Gavilan
Round 7: Gavilan
Round 8: Gavilan
Round 9: Womber
Round 10: Womber

Total: 5-5 Draw (actual scores: 5-3-2, 6-3-1 and another 6-3-1 all for Womber)

I'll state up front that I don't see anything wrong with these scores. They had it close, which it was, and again, we're not seeing it as clearly as they were. Regarding the fight, Womber fought a steady fight with good fundamentals. Gavilan is a bit perplexing because he has a good jab - when he uses it - but prefers to get close to land sharp hooks on the inside and appears to trade off on that fantastic jaw of his by getting into a dust up where he can fire off those bolos. Not all that are effective, mind you, but he really does stir the crowd. Kid Gavilan - great as he was - was also a great entertainer. A very close fight and one which I enjoyed. BTW, @McGrain , loved your pining for a cigar analogy. Muriel was a great sponsor for the fights and really pushed their product. A good light-hearted era back then where they didn't dwell on bad habits. Have a Pabst too while you're at it.

 

Rafael Pedroza v Gustavo Ballas 2

One that’s been on the watchlist for a long time and I finally got round to it. Pedroza, cousin of then-Featherweight world champ Eusebio and engaging in his third world title tilt, against Ballas from Argentina. And Pedroza went all out for it.

Consistently the aggressor and pressing the champion, Pedroza fought like this was his last chance and I felt just wanted it that bit more. Ballas showed some tidy defense and was the more impactful and accurate puncher but gave a somewhat uneven performance. He looked to be pacing himself at some points and was more conservative in his punch output.

That changed a bit in the 10th, where it felt like Ballas’s corner had warned him he needed to up his workrate and he came out swinging and landing, putting Pedroza in big trouble. Pedroza showed tremendous heart to survive and then fight back and by the 13th and 14th was simply walking through whatever Ballas threw and landing some big shots himself. He simply wouldn’t be denied and took a deserved split decision win. He would lose the title in his very next fight, to Jiro Watanabe, and then retire.

1 10-9
2 10-9
3 9-10
4 9-10
5 10-9
6 9-10
7 9-10
8 10-9
9 10-9
10 9-10 (Wow - big round for Ballas; has Pedroza rocking. Pedroza does well to survive the round)
11 10-9
12 10-9 (War. Pedroza landed some good shots and outlanded Ballas again)
13 9-10 (close, swing round)
14 10-10
15 10-9

Pedroza 144-142 Ballas

 

Jel, I checked this one out a couple of years ago. So close and thoroughly enjoyed it. Here is what I wrote:

Gustavo Ballas v Rafael Pedroza II

Wow! Damn good fight. I remember when this took place and I was really surprised reading the result for a couple of reasons. One, was the fact that Ballas had already beaten Pedroza and two, was that he had such an incredible unbeaten record I didn't think he would be beaten for awhile. And certainly not by someone with such a mediocre record. To tell you the truth, Pedroza didn't even deserve a shot at the title. He had lost 3 out of his last 4, but he turned in a performance for the ages. Here we go.

Round 1: 10-10 Even
Round 2: 10-9 Pedroza
Round 3: 10-9 Ballas
Round 4: 10-10 Even
Round 5: 10-9 Pedroza
Round 6: 10-9 Ballas
Round 7: 10-9 Ballas
Round 8: 10-9 Ballas
Round 9: 10-9 Ballas
Round 10: 10-9 Ballas (I wouldn't hold it against anyone if they scored this round 10-8)
Round 11: 10-9 Pedroza (Ballas really took his foot off the pedal after that last round)
Round 12: 10-9 Pedroza (I wrote on my card, 'or even', it was that close)
Round 13: 10-9 Ballas
Round 14: 10-10 Even
Round 15: 10-9 Pedroza

Total: 145-143 Ballas (actual scores: 145-141 for Ballas and 146-142, 145-142 both for Pedroza)

There are so many rounds that could have been scored even or for the other guy because it really comes down to your criteria. Do you prefer Ballas' slick pot-shotting or Pedroza's steady body work. I do feel Ballas got short-changed here, but too close to scream robbery.

 

I agree with your write up, Scar - and just as you saw Ballas as perhaps a little unlucky, I think if he’d got the nod Pedroza could be considered unlucky too. The point is that this was a tight one and you and I had it two points the opposite way. The split decision verdict was no surprise at all.

 

Masao Oba vs Betulio Gonzalez 1st of April 1971

Round 1: Oba 10 - 9
Round 2: Oba 10 - 9
Round 3: Gonzalez 10 - 9 (close)
Round 4: Gonzalez 10 - 9 (close)
Round 5: Oba 10 - 9
Round 6: Oba 10 - 9
Round 7: Oba 10 - 9
Round 8: Oba 10 - 9 (close)
Round 9: Oba 10 - 9 (close)
Round 10: Oba 10 - 9
Round 11: Oba 10 - 9 (close)
Round 12: Oba 10 - 9
Round 13: Oba 10 - 9 (close)
Round 14: Oba 10 - 9
Round 15: Gonzalez 10 - 9 (close)

147 x 138 Oba

I had read that this fight was very close, but that Gonzalez should have gotten the nod. I don't know what fight those people saw. Yes the fight was very competetive but Oba was able to use his reach throughout, doubling and trippling up on his quick jab and often following up that work with his right to edge most rounds for me. I was very impressed by Gonzalez's head movement and overall defense. A great showing from both.

 

Ruben Olivares vs Kazuyoshi Kanazawa 2 25th of October 1971

Round 1: Kanazawa 10 - 9
Round 2: Kanazawa 10 - 9
Round 3: Kanazawa 10 - 9
Round 4: Gonzalez 10 - 9
Round 5: Kanazawa 10 - 9
Round 6: Gonzalez 10 - 9 (close)
Round 7: Gonzalez 10 - 9 (close)
Round 8: Gonzalez 10 - 9 (close)
Round 9: Gonzalez 10 - 9
Round 10: Gonzalez 10 - 9
Round 11: Gonzalez 10 - 9
Round 12: Gonzalez 10 - 9
Round 13: Kanazawa 10 - 9 (atg round)
Round 14: Olivares KOs Kanazawa after 3 knockdowns

A real classic. Kanazawa showed a lot of heart despite being slowly broken down by Olivares as the fight went on. Olivares must be one of the most brutal body punchers I've ever seen. Round 13 is one of the greatest rounds I've ever seen. I gave it to Kanazawa after he landed several desperation haymakers, but Olivares definitely did more damage in the round and eating Kanazawa up with combinations inside before Kanazawa started landing his bombs. Must watch.

This content is protected

 

Marvin Hagler vs Roberto Duran

Rewatched this old classic and had Marvin a much more convincing winner than I remember first time round. I think it seemed closer due to Duran's middle round surge and his general sneering and show boating, along with Hagler's cut eye. While not a blood and thunder brawl this is a fascinating battle, of wills and personalities more than anything. One of several matches where you can see that boxing is as much a battle of minds as a physical match.

It's a difficult victory to judge, even Hagler seemed a bit defensive in the post fight interveiw, but I think it is a victory that has aged well. We now know Duran was a force of nature and Hagler comprehensively outboxed and outfought him. I don't feel he was overawed by the occasion, I feel he just got the job done against a legend. Also a reminder of how quick Marvin was, has anyone been this fast and accurate while still landing solid shots?

I think a lot of his good work was on the inside and was perhaps missed by the judges. In replays Marvin did all the connecting while effectively blocking Roberto.

I think this fight should be celebrated as an example of Duran's guts and courage rather than diminish Marvin's win. I also suspect that the fight took more out of Duran than he admitted and contributed to his decimation by Hearns in his next fight. Duran's performance is maybe slightly overrated in that he did upset Marvin's rhythm and show excellent defensive wizardry, but he simply didn't land enough clean punches and didn't hurt Hagler. Marvin proved a surprisingly evasive target and this is definitely a fight young fighters could learn from.

What can't be disputed is the feat of a former lightweight going 15 competitive rounds with one of the most feared and dominant middleweights of all time. I think we need to go back to the days of Barbados Joe Walcott and Sam Langford for this type of performance.

Interesting to see Hearns and Larry Holmes in the audience, plus a rather distracting dude in a blue velour tracksuit who had a massive grin on his face the whole fight!

1- Hagler 10 Duran 9

2- Hagler 10 Duran 9

3- Hagler 9 Duran 10

4 - Hagler 10 Duran 9

5- Hagler 10 Duran 9

6 - Hagler 10 Duran 9

7 - Hagler 10 Duran 9

8 - Hagler 10 Duran 9

9 - Hagler 10 Duran 10

10 - Hagler 9 Duran 10

11 - Hagler 9 Duran 10

12 - Hagler 9 Duran 10

13 - Hagler 9 Duran 10

14 - Hagler 10 Duran 9

15 - Hagler 10 Duran 9

FINAL: Hagler 145 Duran 141

 

Sal, I've been wanting to watch this fight for sometime, but what always held me back was the missing 5th and 6th rounds from the telecast. When I saw your post I figured I would find those two rounds somewhere on youtube and I did. So here we go.

Floyd Patterson v George Chuvalo (NY rounds scoring basis)

Round 1: Chuvalo
Round 2: Patterson
Round 3: Chuvalo
Round 4: Patterson
Round 5: Patterson
Round 6: Even
Round 7: Patterson
Round 8: Even
Round 9: Patterson
Round 10: Chuvalo
Round 11: Patterson
Round 12: Patterson

Total: 7-3-2 Patterson (actual scores: 7-5, 8-4 and 6-5-1 all for Patterson)

These two styles just gelled perfectly. Patterson's sharp-shooting style against Chuvalo's dogged body work. They were always within punching range of one another and they let it rip for 12 rounds. Kudos to you, Sal and to @Fogger whom I think are the only other ones to score this fight.