I just finished watching this fight.Had to turn the sound off though because I could no longer stand Pacheco & Albert. Even though Azumah fought very well off the ropes at times I still had Fenech up 8 to 4. Anyone have any thoughts on this fight?
i remember it being an absouloute war. Really skilled inside/ on the ropes fighting by both men. Lovely stuff. Also i remember having fenech ahead maybe 7-5
I always had Fenech winning, though Nelson is one of my favorites ever. I think Azumah was still depleted from malaria when he fought the first fight. The second fight gives a better estimation of their comparative abilities, methinks.
I think if Azumah gets a pass for being sick in the first fight then Jeff should get some kind of a pass for being completely underdone for the rematch. The anecdotal evidence is overwhelming, so many guys Ive spoken said he partied far to much in the lead up and they were there to see it. The hype of the event in Australia was to much for him and he couldnt say no to the parties and VIP events..staying out late a night here, skipping a training session there, calling off a sparring session early because he had been out late the night before. He made the weight and was in decent fighting shape..but didnt have the fire of the first fight IMO. He wasnt as sharp defensively, nor was his conditioning the same I feel because his ability to absorb punishment just wasnt there. I do feel Azumah fought a much better fight in the rematch and looked less winded. Im willing to admit he was sick for the first fight. From what Ive read the acute symptons of malaria shouldnt hit a guy like Azumah like that but he would have been very low on energy because it prevents oxygen being moved around the body properly...But Im not a doctor. I will say though he looked plenty sharp in the early rounds of the first fight...just the pace uncharacteristically took its toll on him quite early. As for the first fight it was an awful decision...piece of **** to score from where I was sitting, Fenech was the clear winner.
I agree that Azumah looked sharp in the beginning of the first fight and Fenech imposed his will. Thought Fenech won it clearly after imposing his will.
I havent watched the fight again since i first saw it and i remember being appalled that fenech didnt get the decision. To me it was a no-brainer, fenech won and won well
I thought Nelson clearly fought a much different gameplan between the first and second fights. In the first fight, he tried too much to stay on his toes and keep the fight at long range. In the rematch, he stood flat footed from the start and conserved his energy, got more power on his punches, and kept the pressure on Fenech rather than letting him get the range he wanted. He also used a "peek-a-boo" style of defense in the rematch, rather than the crossed-arm one he used in the first fight; I'm not sure why that was such a difference, but I guess you can't argue with results.
I must admit, I never understood the fuss amongst true fans. Surely the true boxing fan saw, there was a proper argument Nelson deserved the draw with his work on the ropes? Fair dues, the casual fan saw Fenech charging forward and being pretty effective, but amongst proper boxing fans, a draw for that fight should cause little debate.
His work on the ropes? You need to watch it again mate...Jeff beat him on the ropes, in the centre of the ring and finished all over him. There is NO argument for Nelson winning that fight. He wasnt the more effective fighter at just about any point in their bout. Fenech mugged him...then then the judges mugged Fenech.
Tbooze... that arguement is almost as lame as your lack of respect for Muhammad Ali's legend. Im no Fenech fan, although its a 'no brainer' that Fenech won that fight well and truly. 3- 4 rounds. Sit back and watch it again.. you might have been watching the Tyson/Ruddock fight by mistake.