ESPN2 FNF: Vernon Paris vs. Manuel Perez & Lonnie Smith vs. Cornelius Lock RBR

Round 3

Lock is circling to his left and swinging his arms in and out, catching Smith's jabs and rights from outside. Nice long body shots by Lock. Smith squats and reaches out with a jab to the belt line. Lock pulls back, drifts a little to get Smith pivoting, and attacks with a pinball launcher left. Lock is taking large steps to his left and feinting, then letting the left hand fly every few rotations. BIG left uppercuts to the body by Lock circling in close. Lock ducks a Smith jab and slides out. Right jabs by Lock. Smith jumps in and ties up. Break. Smith ducks a right jab. Smith comes up flurrying, and Lock ducks everything. Clinch. Smith ducks a Lock left and resurfaces under him, trying to lift him on his shoulders like Dawson vs. Hopkins I.

10-9 Lock

30-27 Lock

 

Yeah, he is - and has been around forever, and consistently entertaining between his power & aggression (without being reckless, possessing some skill) and vulnerability. Like a poor man's Jhonny Gonzalez.

Lock has been in numerous top-5 FOTY contenders over the years.

This here tonight against Smith, is the most boring Lock can be. (and it still ain't bad)

 

Round 4

Lock is circling left, putting up a high 1-2, then fading right. Smith follows, rolling his arms in their sockets. Lock is dropped by a long right hand while leaning over to try and slip it. He gets up and sticks the right jab into Smith's ribs, then falls in throwing a southpaw 1-2, lifted in the air as Smith catches him. Break ordered. More wrestling. Right hook by Lock as Smith leans in further. Another break. Lead left, right jab, left hand by Lock, mostly blocked. Smith is bowing forward behind his guard, letting Lock flurry against it and then grinding in on him and grabbing his arms to yank them around. 1-2 by Lock; Smith's gum shield is out before the bell.

10-8 Smith

38-37 Lock

 

Round 5

Lock is catching Smith with uppercuts laying traps for him on the ropes, but getting caught with the left hook. Uppercuts traded as they circle from mid-range and Lock is scoring with straights mixed in on the extra step he's taking. Body shot by Smith, Lock down again. Another bizarre flash knockdown. Lock's balance seems wonky tonight. Smith shoves in against Lock's chest and stiff-arms him to the ropes. Body shots by smith. Lock places his palms on Smith's shoulders and pushes off. Right jabs by Lock. Smith hunts him down, slipping jabs with his chin tucked and upper body swooning down and aside. 1-1-2 by Lock, missing the jabs and grazing with the left cross as Smith rolls to the side.

10-8 Smith

47-46 Smith