Bigger's Better King of 2013: Lisbon, Portugal RBR

Round 2

Lazaridis is catching Bot coming in with straight volleys as Bot looks for a repeat of his big left hook, leading with it from outside and falling well short. Bot is putting out his right palm to catch punches but failing to meet them in the air, misjudging their location and deflecting some while getting hit cleanly with others. Bot can't touch Lazaridis with the left hook or get close enough for anything else.

10-9 Lazaridis

19-18 Bot

 

Round 3

Lazaridis is keeping Bot at the end of his jab and stepping carefully around the perimeter. Bot is drawn along in tow, putting up left hooks above the shoulder and missing by half a meter. Lazaridis is sneaking long quick jabs into Bot's face while backing up and smoothly turning corners. Bot shoves his way in on Lazaridis by the ropes but can't do anything with him before the ref calls a break. High 1-2 by Bot, picked off on the arms of Lazaridis.

10-9 Lazaridis

28-28

 

Bot advances via split decision. :-(

 

Depending on the outcome of semifinal #2, we are either going to see Bot get another gift decision (over Aurieng) to become King of 2013...or see him get KTFO by Dinu. (or given a gift if Dinu really under-performs even worse than he seems to have been doing lately and somehow can't stop him...)

 

Yeah, he won BB XXV in Poprad. Horak got screwed hard there in the final.

I don't know...he shouldn't have gotten through either stage here today, in my view. :conf

Lazaridis was easily boxing his face off in the 1st until the KD, and convincingly took both the 2nd and 3rd.

 

Semifinal #2

Bogdan Dinu vs. Fabrice Aurieng, 3 rounds @ heavyweight

 

Round 1

Aurieng is clinging fervently to Dinu, ducking under the high left jab and tying up constantly. Smoger needs to frequently pry them apart. Dinu is leaning down on Aurieng in the pocket and clubbing down with right hands. They spill into the bottom rope while grabbing and spinning. Left uppercut by Aurieng while Dinu is pinning his right arm. Dinu can't get a punch off on the outside as Aurieng comes rolling in low and wraps him up. Clubbing blows by Dinu in the clinch as Aurieng tries to burrow his face into Dinu's chest or hide it under his wrists.

10-9 Dinu but scrappy and ugly with not much in it

 

Round 2

Aurieng is ducking and flopping all over the ring, putting both arms overhead and grabbing frequently. Aurieng is dipping to either side as Dinu comes in hooking wide and missing over the top. Aurieng is holding and getting clubbed and knocked away. Aurieng is hopping in place on the outside, knees locking and unlocking springily.

10-9 Dinu, same as the first...

20-18 Dinu

 

Which means technically he never had an "official" sanctioned pro bout in 2013...

 

Round 3

Aurieng is doubling his jab out past Aurieng's head, unfurling it like an octopus' tentacle with all the attendant speed of an octopus at rest. Aurieng is diving in past the jab and hugging Dinu. Aurieng lands a right jab on the kisser and then flurries up into Dinu's guard. Dinu pulls his head back and steps around to his left, chopping down with a left that hurts Aurieng. Dinu follows Aurieng to the ropes and they both pose, rocking side to side with arms poised to throw - but neither throws.

10-9 Dinu

30-27 Dinu