Jesus Soto-Karass vs. Chris Smith, RIGHT NOW!!!

Telefutura.

3 rounds in the books.

Get on it! I expect an early finish. :good

 

Now I know I was telling every one how Karass was someone to watch; and this is a pretty decent action affair so far, but know that this isn't his typical speed and sharpness. The flaws that you're seeing here are pretty typical, however, unfortunately. If he was any good at controlling distance he'd probably have stopped Smith by now. As it is he's getting smothered way too much. His punches are often wide and telegraphed like they are here, too - but he usually snaps them out a bit faster and sits down on them more.

This is an okay night for him, not great. I was hoping for a great night, which would have meant a quick stoppage. As it is, I'm anticipating maybe the 9th.

 

Smith is actually getting the better of a lot of these exchanges, if he were young enough to sustain this the full ten he might get the nod. We have seen some vets get a hundredth wind this year..:think

Jesus is actually boxing and moving a little, which I do not agree with at this point. He needs to come on and try to land with authority.

 

I'm not surprised. I don't speak Spanish but the commentators sound impressed with him, they're saying his name every five seconds with a ":shock:" tone. :yep

 

Smith looks as tired as someone his age should in this situation. Soto-Karass, however, looks as tired as someone Smith's age should in this situation. Stamina hasn't really been a problem for him before. Weight issues? :huh

 

When JSK does THIS, like at the outset of the 8th - starts a combination up close, steps back to a more comfortable range and keeps punching, he has Smith flummoxed. When he stops and plants himself, he seems to lose his sense of purpose and ends up getting tagged and pushed back.

Smith for his part is very game and could be winning a lot of rounds...you can see that he was a pretty good fighter, but faded. He should really be out of there by now.

 

Suddenly Jesus has a twinkle-toe defense and some slick counterpunching up his sleeve. :think :yep

Man he looks gassed. Both guys throwing plenty but little to no steam. I wonder what the deal is?

 

Tenth and ultimo..

Smith charging in with his head down, throwing short but unoffensive punches; Karass trying to push back and get off some power, not finding the body that well...final minute...exchange on the ropes, Soto Karass lands the harder punches and pushes Smith back to center ring...they continue to trade back to opposite ropes, last ten seconds see big flurries both ways, pair of unanswered shots to Jesus' grill before the bell.

I really don't know what the judges are going to do here. :conf

 

98-92, 96-94x2 UD for...Jesus Soto Karass.

He's my guy, but 98-92 seems way too wide. He did not look his best tonight and Smith took advantage and pushed him around at times. Wasn't scoring so I don't know quite how to regard these cards.

 

Smith did probably do enough to win the 12th legitimately even without that stealing flurry at the bell, IMO. The other rounds, like I said, I didn't scrutinize from a scoring perspective - both guys did things right and wrong, there was ebb and flow almost throughout, and depending on favoring different styles you could interpret those rounds in different ways. I'm really surprised at 98-92..