Felix Sturm vs. Ronald Hearns RBR

Watch live on www.ESPN3.com

 

Adnan "The Tiger" Redzovic vs. Ergin Solmaz, heavyweights.

The Tiger is an accomplished kickboxer but only 2-0 in the sweet science. Solmaz is pushing 40 and has won only 4 of his 31 fights.

 

Round 1

Redzovic chases with a lazy jab and a few body shots. Solmaz does a lot of weaving as he backs up but doesn't generate any offense. Solmaz feints with a hook. Redzovic keeps threatening with his jab but just sort of tapping Solmaz with it. Nothing lands especially cleanly the entire round.

10-9 Redzovic

 

Round 2

Redz slaps with his jab and puts a few limp right hands in. Solmaz moves his head very slowly and does get scored on but not really hurt. Redz tries hooking him and Solmaz manages to entirely slip that punch. Redz keeps landing soft jabs. Solmaz is hunching his shoulders up and trying to creep his gloves around his jowls. Redz is just bopping him on the nose with the jab and Solmaz doesn't seem to mind in the least. A bit of upper body rolling allows Solmaz to finally slip a few jabs but he is backed to the ropes and ripped with a big left hook. Solmaz either has a good chin or Redz is powerless (or doesn't know how to sit down on his shots - or a combination).

20-18 Redzovic

 

Round 3

Redzovic caresses Solmaz with his jab and then suddenly changes it up with a right hand/left hook combo that snaps Solmaz's head back. Solmaz keeps his hands down and somewhat effectively slips punches at close range while inching forward. Solmaz throws a few terribly telegraphed wide shots as he backs Redz into the ropes. The Tiger begins to circle with a little haste, and darts in with some jabs and a stiffened-up right hand. Solmaz leaps in and lands a lucky jab. Redzovic continues to land scores of light jabs on him while turning the porker.

30-27 Redzovic

 

If anyone is watching on ESPN3 and confused about the audio, I think there are two tracks that are out of sync.

The commentator (sounds British) is live, and synced up with the action in real-time.

The actual sounds of the venue (the fighters, crowd etc) are on a two minute or so delay...so halfway into the first round you could still hear Redzovic's entrance music, layered with the commentary. Very weird.

And in the between-round stool rest periods you can hear the punches landing and the crowd reacting from the previous round.

 

Round 4

Redzovic is working the right hand in a lot more, sometimes as a cross behind the jab and sometimes as a lead. Solmaz is bleeding a little from the nose. Solmaz is trying to duck and wriggle on the inside and getting hit flush (but without any snap). Redzovic starts pummeling him with uppercuts and Solmaz clinches, grimacing. Redzovic starts putting together longer combos including fat hooks, and Solmaz is able to reach out and yank him into a bearhug at will when Redzovic moves into range.

40-36 Redzovic

 

Yes, the commentator is DEFINITELY British!!

He felt the need to explain "The referee won't score it, they're actually going to have three independent judges..." like that's so ****ing weird. :nut

They don't do that stupid ****ing single-referee scoring ANYWHERE except the UK.

 

Redzovic wins a UD; they don't even read the scores. Everyone is just rushed out of the ring to clear it for the next fighters' ring walks.

Patrick Dobroschi vs. Mounir Toumi, super middleweights.