Christian Hammer vs. Kevin Johnson RBR

Once? I can't remember a BM ever that was less satisfying.

Even the drunken in-the-pants sort have a certain je ne sais quiois, an undeniable charm which this fight lacks.

 

Hammer was getting beaten up and looked en route to being stopped himself before landing big, and Larsen never recovered.

So the result on paper speaks to neither Hammer being necessarily a higher level than his previous record suggested nor that Larsen got outclassed...it just showed that he is susceptible to a good counter-punch, like anyone (except more than most, because of his slow and fairly wide-open approach offensively...)

 

Round 4

Johnson is circling left and dropping in the jab. Hammer is taking half-steps in and then freezing up, placing his guard protectively in front of his face and still permitting entry to Johnson's left jabs. Hammer tries a few jabs down low but Johnson is backing away, on his toes, before settling down and moseying in his circle again.

10-9 Johnson

39-37 Johnson

 

Round 5

Johnson is chopping at the side of Hammer's neck with his right hand and then leaning back as he sidesteps out of the pocket and skirts the ropes.
Johnson is shuffling away, poking Hammer in the belly with jabs and then showing the jab up top to make Hammer lift his arms and expose the belly before quickly popping it and moving again. Hammer is walking forward throwing lead left hooks and trying to build into a flurry but can't trap Johnson. Stabs at the body by Hammer miss.

10-9 Johnson

49-46 Johnson

 

The EuroSport commentator has it 49-47 to Hammer. :huh