Can anyone fill me in on the back story of how Azumah Neslon came to be fighting Sanchez for the WBC title with only 13 pro fights? Was he a fill in? Nelson to that point I assumed was a nobody internationally. I am getting ready to watch the whole fight now.
Nelson was a late sub for the Sanchez fight, but had shown his potential in the Commonwealth Games of 1978 under his real name of Nelson Azumah.
Not too sure of how he landed that fight. He'd only boxed in the States once prior, belting Miguel Ruiz. Post that fight, he landed the Commonwealth, and African F/W titles. Hardly establishing Azumah as the No.1 WBC F/W contender at the time. However, he was putting up a hard fight for Sanchez, until his demise in the 15th.... Judges had it going either way. Not a bad effort. A clear sign of his early brilliance, and what was to come. He showed just how menacing he was as a fighter, and legitimised his abilities, even at the reported age of 34, by visiting Fenechs home shores, and embarrasing him infront of 30,000 short changed fans. Sitting ten rows back, the thud of Azumahs right hand was sweet.
Thanks thats the only thing I could assume. Nelson sure started fast taking 3 of the first 4 rounds. Great counter punching and feinting even if no head movement.
Incredibly amazing how cool and in control Sanchez fought at such a young age in this fight. Nelson went balls out in the 15th early on and paid a price for it. Neslon was hurt and you could see in the inexperience him when whe got knocked down, rushing to get back into it on unsteady legs. No clinching, no taking the count and recuperating. I have to admit I wasn't expecting the stoppage when it happened. I had Nelson up 134-132 on my card going into the 15th. I would have loved to see this rematched a few years later when nelson had more experience. Sadly, sanchez died so young.
Thats pretty much the way two of the judges saw it...... A rematch a year or two later is something we all would have hoped for. R.I.P S.S.
This is actually a very common misconception. I'm not sure where exactly it started. Sanchez was actually up well on two cards, 135-131 and 134-131. The other has Azumah up by 1 point, which would have been annulled during the Sanchez last round assualt anyways.
so... one judge had a sigle point variation, the other had a two point variation to 'rightcrosses' card.... To me, thats a pretty close view point...."and pretty much the way they saw it!!!!!!!!!!'.... considering the other judge had Azumah up by a point.....
Dude, these judges had it for Sanchez not Nelson :hey So the variation is actually 6 and 5 points. It's getting big, no?
Ah, it happens mate. For some reason many people seem to think Nelson was up on the cards, but he wasn't. He had no chance of winning going into the 15th excepting a stoppage. Of course Sanchez came thru with that scenario. Great fight, between two great fighters.
