ESPN FNF 1/29/10 - Brinkley vs. Stevens

Round 1

Stevens had his body completely turned away from Brinkley during the center-ring introductions...he looks serious.

Both jab. Stevens' is straighter; Brinkley's longer. Brinkley's lands a bit more but Stevens' lands sharper. A couple of hooks glance off Brinkley's head. Stevens throwing with big time power, but not getting wild. Brinkley using his height to jab at Stevens until he bores in, then doing a decent job of leaning outside his lead foot to get away from barrages. Stevens not falling for any traps, stepping back whenever he doesn't find a good target on the way in.

Good round. Harder shots by Stevens, he gets it.

 

Round 2

Brinkley takes a deep breath getting off the stool. Stevens looks like a cyborg, not even sweating. He pins Brinkley to the ropes with a 1-2 and then presses on top of him; ref appears quick to break up clinches. Stevens is still throwing a varied attack of power punches. Brinkley making him miss by ducking and moving, but a few still land in partially. Brinkley jab scores to the body, then upstairs, then is countered by a two power punch combination from Stevens.

20-18 CS

 

Round 3

Showtime is a good nickname, but if Jeff Lacy's all set with "Left Hook", Stevens should lay claim to it. He's throwing it by itself though, instead of setting it up. Brinkley winning the first half of this round with jabs from far out, bouncing on his toes. Now Stevens on the ropes, hooks his way off. Whistles a massive one in the last fifteen seconds, but again from too far out and without setting it up - Brinkley simply steps back and watches it nearly spin Stevens around.

Brinkley round.

29-28 Stevens.

 

Oh ****, great minds.