Yaser Zou Al-ghena vs Bradley Townsend RBR

Sam Nokes vs Benito Sanchez Garcia

Round 1: Garcia circles while Noakes remains content to stalk and generally seems content to find the range for his uppercut and to target the body.

Round 2: Noakes closes the distance more effectively and begins to land consistently to the body. Garcia attempts to spoil and circle but to no avail. Noakes traps him on the ropes and launces an extended attack to the body along with a few uppercut that drops Garcia to his knees. This compels his corner to throw in the towel in surrender.

Noakes KO2. Pretty much what we expected this to be. Noakes probably needed a get well fight after that incredible and harrowing fight with Mason back in November, and he did what he had to do against a crafty spoiler type.

 

He probably could have faced someone better but after what he went through against Mason, a Garcia type is understandable for get well purposes.

 

It's your main event of the evening.

Yaser Al Ghena vs Bradley Townsend, 12 rounds for the Commonwealth and European 140lb title.

 

That was my choice for FOTY last year. One can hope he fights someone better next time, though.

 

Let's see some Thunder is a lame catch-phrase.

 

Round 1:

Al Ghena content to circle and Townsend looks to drop the right hand over the jab. Cagey opening round; Townsend's rights caught my eye a little more even if nothing landed flush from either guy. Just about even but Towensend's rights carry the round for me. 10-9 Townsend.

 

Round 2: Al Ghena's more effective this round, landing a couple of sharp hooks and generally controlling the pace of the round. Townsend tries to close strong but I think Yasar did enough for 2:30 to bank the round. 10-9 Al Ghena, 19-19

 

Round 3: Townsend *much* more active in the third, and works the body pretty well once he backs Al Ghena to the ropes. Al Ghena seems content to play defense and gives away the round as result. 29-28 Townsend. 10-9 Townsend.

 

Round 4: Al Ghena generally more aggressive, though neither guy lands much of anything. At the end of the round, when Al Ghena is clowing on the roeps, he gets tapped with a hook and falls through. The ref doesn't call it a KD but I would and honestly, with jack **** landing I think that tips the round to Townsend for me. 39-37 Townsend. 10-9 Townsend, though the fourth is obviously a swing round for me.