Let's score this ultra-controversial fight together (videos inside)

I just rewatched round three about 10 times. Everyone seems to give this round to Gavilan. He did push the full three minutes, but Graham responded with jabs and counters. Graham was a very elusive target. If you give this round to Gavilan, it would have to be on the basis those wide left swings to the body. I thought Gavilan was ahead the first half of this round until Graham opened up with a five punch combo at about the 1:40 mark. The middle left-right combo looked to be sharp scores. When Gavilan came forward and dropped his left to go to the body, Graham would score repeatedly with jabs. Gavilan pressed hard but I saw him generally missing his head punches while throwing a lot into that arm defense. Graham jabbed and countered very well. Two late overhand rights, one at about the 20 second mark and a very good one near the bell swung this round to Graham in my judgement.

Graham on the basis of superior defense and sharper punching overcoming Gavilan's "work" and aggressiveness.

 

Round 3 Gavilan pressed for three minutes, but I thought got outboxed. In round 5 he didn't do an awful lot for the first two minutes. Graham was scoring with the jab. I didn't see Gavilan score at all in the second minute of that round while Graham worked his jab and scored by my count eight clean jabs. Just before they reached the two minute mark, Gavilan dropped his right and waved it for a bolo. He didn't hit Graham at all in the following exchange though, while Graham countered with a left and right to the body. This brought it about to the two minute mark and Gavilan picked up the pace. This was again a very hard round to score as Gavilan pressed and threw punches but missed a lot while Graham jabbed well now and then and had two strong right counters at about the 2:20 mark. I called this round the first time for Graham and I don't think that is unfair--so did the New York Times--but I can understand giving it to Gavilan.

The sixth was also very close, and could be scored either way. Through 6, I have it even.

 

Finally got a chance to sit down and watch this. I can understand why so many people come up with something different on this fight, the fight gets perplexing due to the torrid infighting. Are you favoring Graham's heavier blows or Gavilan's sharper blows? I had it even after 10 rounds but after 10 Gavilan begins to get ragged and flails rather than targeting as he did earlier in the fight. At the end of 15 I had it 8-4-3 Graham. A very entertaining but subjective match.

Scartissue

 

I've never understood the controversy around this fight. Even though I am a huge admirer of Gavilan, I can see from an unbiased view that he wins at least 9 rounds. I scored ten in favour of Gavilan, but only because I try not to score even rounds.

 

Since we're coming up with varied scorecards, one has to consider we're also watching a bit of a grainy film. We're probably missing some impact of punches as well. It would be great to see this on a Hi-def screen in living color because it was a terrific fight. Nevertheless, I was curious how writers of the day viewed this fight. I don't know Ring magazine's take on it but a little research gleaned this. The AP scored the fight 7-5-3 Graham. The UP scored it 8-6-1 Graham. One publication polled 13 ringside reporters. 10 favored Graham and 3 favored Gavilan. Another publication polled 15 ringside reporters and they reported 12 favored Graham. They don't state how the other 3 scored but let's assume there were no draw scorecards and all 3 were for Gavilan. Again, very subjective and the fact that their first two fights were also split decisions shows that their styles made for a tough decision to be rendered. Apparently only their 4th fight was clearcut for Gavilan. Great fight though.

Scartissue

 

What a great fight this was considering the departure of robinson from the division.

I think kid takes it 9-6 but there are a fair few swing rounds.

 

Love watching this fight.