Lucian Bute vs. Jesse Brinkley - live on ESPN3.com! RBR here

Round 5

Diaconu strings together long sequences of punching, with the left hook met by a curving right hand at the corner of Sheika's chin. Diaconu is very busy and slapping a lot of leather home while on the move but not really hurting Sheika. They trade a bit but Diaconu has the longer and faster combos as Sheika stalks but doesn't look comfortable from his position in getting off.

 

He hasn't been dominating them, but he's won every round except the 2nd on my card.

 

Round 6

Diaconu is throwing harder now. Right hands are swerving into the side of Sheika's head bluntly. Sheika is letting Diaconu be first and last and has an ever reddening face to show for it. Diaconu is simply outworking and outboxing Sheika, sliding his feet in short and economic half-strides and jabbing to set everything up. Sheika loosens his guard to try and open up and is countered with a good left hook, and a clubbing right a few moments later.

 

Yeah, even that 2nd round was on its way to being his.

 

Round 7

Diaconu is jabbing hard and looking to follow with right crosses. Sheika is smacking him on the inside with his wrists turned in. Diaconu is pushing away with his forearms and trying to land long shots. His most effective work, however, are short little hooks to the cheek on the inside. Sheika misses with a few hooks and a right hand and then slips several Diaconu jabs.

 

Why do you wonder that? We're entering the 8th round of a 10-round co-feature, and the main event is next.