Well we are back for the 21st installment of Fight of the week, where we review, rescore and remember some historic fights of the past. This week the FOTW time machine takes us back 36 years ago to July 12, 1985 at Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. This one is by request, but I can’t seem to remember who to give them credit. I probably watched this for the first and only time about 5 years ago after watching the documentary (pretty cool if you have not seen it). Ellis makes his 2nd defense of the IBF junior lightweight/super Featherweight title against fellow countryman Michael. I am definitely looking forward to seeing if this is as much fun as I remember. so strap yourself into the time machine and enjoy! This content is protected
The fight is in my top 5 of all time, an almighty slugfest from 1st to 15th, prob a more action packed than the FOTC Ali Frazier 1 , I kid you not, and Barry Michael is one of the best body punchers ever, the man is relentless , super fit, and will not be denied. keep well.
Lester Ellis v Barry Michael (IBF jr. lightweight title) Round 1: 10-9 Michael Round 2: 10-9 Michael Round 3: 10-9 Ellis Round 4: 10-9 Michael Round 5: 10-9 Michael Round 6: 10-9 Michael Round 7: 10-10 Even Round 8: 10-10 Even Round 9: 10-9 Michael Round 10: 10-10 Even Round 11: 10-9 Michael Round 12: 10-9 Michael Round 13: 10-9 Michael Round 14: 10-9 Michael Round 15: 10-9 Michael Total: 149-139 Michael (actual scores: 147-139, 147-140 and 145-140 all for Michael) Do not look at these scores and think for a minute that this was some white-wash of a fight. It certainly was not, with every round close. Michael started out pounding the body and stuck with it for 15 rounds. Ellis was tall and rangy but after unleashing a beautiful sharp combo, he would fall into a clinch where, of course, Michael would pound the body. This body work paid dividends in rounds 11 through 15 where it was wilting Ellis. I think Joe Bugner, who was commentating ringside, said it best in around the 9th round, when he said that Michael wasn't giving Ellis the room to get extension on his punches. I thought that was a very apt assessment. When Ellis could fire off a combo, it was beautiful and sharp, but then he would fall back into the clinch. The only thing I would disagree with Bugner on, was that I don't think it was entirely Michael's doing. It was like Ellis wasn't getting the instruction to stay the hell out of an inside fight. Perhaps with the animosity these two showed each other and the inside goading, it may have been a testosterone-fueled point to fight it out on the inside. Much to Michael's liking. I'm only sorry it has taken me this long to watch this fight. Absolutely terrific. Thanks, @PhillyPhan69
I scored the fight 145-141 for Barry Michael. I gave Lester Ellis rounds 3,4,5,9,10, EVEN 1,7, and Michael 2,6,8,11-15. In rounds I had it 8-5-2 for Michael. There were a lot of close rounds and I had Ellis slightly ahead after 10, but Michael won the last 5 IMO. Ellis did a lot of good things, he used his feet to get off to the left and to the right before throwing hard left hooks and he "walked" Michael into right uppercuts and right hands, but Michael was focused and determined. Eventually his aggression and strength won the fight.
