ESPN2 FNF: Willie Nelson vs. Luis Grajeda RBR

Round 1

Grajeda is circling and peering between his gloves at Nelson, then shuffling off to his left and popping a double jab. Nelson tries walking Grajeda down, pushing a flat-knuckles jab out from his chest or feinting with it. Grajeda is ducking and hooking as he jumps around Nelson. Jab into the guard by Nelson. Grajeda jumps in and is caught by a partially blocked hook while tapping Nelson on the body. Grajeda circles to his left, bounces right, then left again, guard up.

10-9 Grajeda, close

 

Round 2

Grajeda is using the entire ring, never setting foot on the Corona logo. Grajeda is jabbing into the air, not fully extending as he remains at safe distance. Nelson is walking Grajeda down using his long 73" jab and effectively pressuring even though he isn't scoring much, being the ring general and forcing Grajeda to make tiring leaps side to side to get away. Nelson sticks the jab between Grajeda's wrists as he is navigating the ropes.

10-9 Nelson

19-19

 

It's weird Atlas is billing Grajeda as some crafty boxer and talking up his amateur background. He is dangerous to Nelson, but IMO the actual reason for that is his punch. In the pros he is definitely more a puncher than boxer...though he did box a bit (and not unwell) in the first two frames...

 

Round 3

Grajeda is sliding in past the jab and curls a shot up onto Nelson's jaw. Nelson is hurt. Nelson backs away, jabbing. Nelson bends straight down, knees deeply bent as Grajeda moves into him. Grajeda is tied up. Nelson is throwing haymakers on the backfoot, missing badly as Grajeda stalks and throws leaping lead hooks. Grajeda switches to southpaw momentarily, popping a few right jabs. Orthodox again, left jabs from a high tight guard at mid-range by Grajeda. Lead right by Nelson, getting Grajeda's attention and backing him up.

10-9 Grajeda

29-28 Grajeda

 

We knew that, years ago. (like five, six years ago)

Amazing he made it this long without a KO loss.

 

Atlas has it 29-29, giving the 1st even 10-10.

 

Round 4

Grajeda is shuffling to his left, beating the longer-armed Nelson to the punch with his quick aggressive step-in jab and moving as soon as he lands. Grajeda's jab sometimes collides with Nelson's, and he rolls his arm to parry and disrupt, leaving Nelson with his arms spread and needing to reset as Grajeda shuffles away in rhythm.

10-9 Grajeda, close

39-37 Grajeda