Navid Mansouri vs. Matthew Mallin II & Dave Fidler vs. Lee Noble RBR

Round 3

Shafiq is jabbing into the bottom tapering of Senkovs' glove tape, counter hooking around the arms when Senkovs tries an inside step on him. Body shots by Shafiq, warned for straying low as Senkovs bobs and lowers his elbows. Shafiq is shoulder-rolling and swaying clear of the slow overhand right Senkovs is now spamming. Underhanded shots below the elbows by Shafiq, delivered from angles while rolling at mid-range, keeping a responsible guard up when they close in but letting his gloves roam comfortably at his side positioned for unpredictable cobra strikes when beyond Senkovs' reach. Shafiq chases after Senkovs' head as he bows left, right, and straight down by the ropes, perhaps looking to make Shafiq over-commit and leave an opening. No such mistake to exploit. Shafiq is active but careful.

10-9 Shafiq

30-27 Shafiq

 

Round 4

Shafiq is now scoring with both hands putting straight pairs between the arms of Senkovs and slapping wide hooks on the hips. Left uppercut by Shafiq to set up a right hand on the chest. Senkovs is still blocking all but a few blows and throwing little in return but the disparity is shrinking as Shafiq takes a few more chances in the final minute, standing in closer to Senkovs and throwing mostly just power shots. Counter overhands by Senkovs, slow and primarily missing or grazing Shafiq with his own flashing arms partially deflecting.

10-9 Shafiq

40-36 Shafiq

 

The referee scores the contest 40-36 to Atif Shafiq.

 

There are two outcomes you should pretty much never count on with Senkovs: him getting knocked out, and him winning on points. :yep

Those outcomes have come about only a combined thrice in 76 bouts.

Iron chin + nonstop blocking, plus a minimalist work rate (with just enough pop to crack a glass jaw if someone is careless) make him as reliably predictable a distance-goer as you will find in the sport.

So failing to stop him - as have dozens of prospects - would not itself suggest that Shafiq was lacking in power.

Looking at the broader picture, the fact that he is now 9-0 with only a single knockout, however, does. :deal

 

Rod Smith vs. Max Maxwell, 6 rounds @ middleweight

 

Now, Max2 is a different sort of journeyman than Senkovs.

He is always game and looking to score an upset and every now and then actually does.

 

Round 1

Maxwell is jabbing and lobbing rights up at the head of Smith, then circling wide to his left. Hands down, Maxwell saunters along the length of the ropes, luring Smith in. Body shots and roundabout telegraphed/pushed hooks up top by Smith, barking as he throws. Maxwell counters with a flurry and hops backward, turning southpaw and dropping in a light right jab on the body as Smith comes forward. Maxwell is waiting on the ropes, covering up as Smith jabs his forearms and reaches with a hook, missing. Straight flurry by Maxwell jumping inside, rattling off six quick stabs alternating with both hands. Maxwell settles down and spins with his back to the ropes, waiting for Smith to advance on him. Counter right hand by Maxwell. Smith down!! Saved by the bell.

10-8 Maxwell

 

Round 2

Maxwell is leaning forward, shoulders up to cover his jaw and flurrying Smith into the ropes. Maxwell is standing in and chipping at the body. Smith places his palms to his face and grinds in on Maxwell, and lands a flush left hook to back Maxwell off. Long combos slung out by Smith walking forward. Maxwell covers up and waits on the ropes. Flurries backing up by Maxwell. Smith is pressuring, keeping his arms up to catch Maxwell's flurries, and landing long body shots.

10-9 Smith

19-18 Maxwell

 

Round 3

Maxwell is leading with the push-broom right hand into Smith's guard, then popping light flurries as he leans back, very loose and relaxed, arms dangling. Smith is waiting for Maxwell to relinquish the floor and making the most of his turn with body shots and chopping rights on the dreadlocks as Maxwell dips and dodges on the backfoot. A bit of showboating by Maxwell, turning southpaw and wiggling his right fist in circular motions, then feinting with it and backing away.

10-9 Smith

28-28

 

:huh

Jamie Moore somehow has Smith ahead.

Edit: never mind, he corrected himself. Level on his card now.

 

Maxwell actually had the 1st in the bag even before the knockdown - but it seems that was the only three minutes' worth of sustained effort in him tonight...

Smith probably coasts the rest of the way and takes it 58-55.