Ashley Sexton vs. Paul Butler RBR

Round 7

Lead left hook, right hand, left hook combo by Butler. Reaching and missing but forcing Sexton back. Sexton backs all the way to the ropes and takes a few brushing shots to the frontside before stepping in and holding after gliding in behind a right hand. Nice hooking combos up top by Butler, letting his speed show. Sexton is trying to slap in at the sides of Butler's head to corral him in so he can bear down on him with that bigger body. Butler is evading well, tossing counter combos. Butler is finally pushed up against the ropes and Sexton goes to work, digging uppers to the body and slapping down at his head with some whip-overs. Butler just holds on. Right hand by Sexton. Left hook by Butler. This is man's work.

10-9 Butler

68-65 Butler

 

After rehydration, he's probably got a stone and a half on Butler. :yep

 

Round 8

Sexton is in hot water with the referee again, getting a finger wag. Big left hook by Butler. Good movement by Butler, not letting Sexton drop those sandbags on him to keep him weighted down. Combos popped by Butler on the move as Sexton comes forward. Butler runs out of room and winds up with his butt sat on the middle rope, Sexton trying to maul him. Big left hook by Butler to get off the ropes, catches Sexton in the jaw with his mouth open.

10-9 Butler

78-74 Butler

 

Round 9

Butler starts a hooking motion and gets clinched. Sexton pushes into him, chest on chest and lips slobbering over his eyes. Sexton gives Butler a condescending little pat on the break, as though to apologize for all the rough stuff. Or maybe it was a genuine attempt to display some respectful sportsmanship. Hard to tell. Anyway, more clinching. The ref can't break them up fast enough. Almost no clean punches being thrown. This is ghastly. Sexton winds up going headfirst through the ropes trying to gore Butler in the waist. Butler gives him a whack to the side/back of the head for good measure while bounding away from to the center of the ring. Sexton pushes Butler into the ropes and just leans on him, crushing him until the ref shows up. Left hook by Sexton, jumping up out of a crouch. Butler lands his own left hook a split second later. Nice underhanded lefts to the body by Butler from mid-range, staying off the ropes by turning his body to face them. Sexton loses his gum shield. That is the third time, I think. The ref is very upset, and says one more time will be a deduction. That is Sexton's third final warning for different infractions. Clinch.

10-9 Butler

88-83 Butler

 

Color commentator Billie Joe Saunders has given Sexton the last two (now has him a point up) and seems to feel quite clear on them. :huh

 

Round 10

Butler hooks to head and body as Sexton tries to push in and grab. Sexton slips to his knees after taking a left hook to the body. Borderline call - but the ref calls it a knockdown and gives Sexton a count. Maybe a retributive call for all the annoyances throughout the night. Sexton is incredulous, and gets up on one leg to do a "Karate Kid crane style" dance to show he's OK and wasn't hit with a stunning punch that would cause a KD. It's official on the books, though. 10-8 round unless Sexton pulls something out. He mauls and brawls, windmilling right hands and trying to grab Butler behind the head. Butler ducks, shoves away, pops combos and readies himself for the next wave. Sexton is atop him, grinding his arms across the back of his head and throwing arm punches all over. Good right uppercut by Sexton at the bell.

10-8 Butler

98-91 Butler

 

Butler wins.

Awaiting the official scoring of referee Robert Williams.

 

Official verdict:

98-92 to Paul "Baby Faced Assassin" Butler