Ricky Burns vs. Paulus Moses & Paul Appleby vs. Stephen Ormond RBR

Round 4

Simmons is sticking the jab and keeping Rasani backing up and hugging the ropes. A few long jab/overhand combos lobbed out by Rasani while skirting to his left. Rasani is keeping his arms down and whipping up loose jabs while trotting backward. Simmons keeps marching in on him, slamming left hooks to the hip from outside and then digging right hands to the body up close once he pushes Rasani into the ropes. A few wavy jabs rolled in over the top by Rasani while backing up. Rasani is scoring a bit, but Simmons' shots are heavier. BIG OVERHAND RIGHT BY SIMMONS!! Rasani is rocked very badly. Hold. Break. Simmons 1-2, uppercut while Rasani flurries back at him and then holds again. Jabs by Simmons.

40-36 Simmons

 

Good defensive work can be interpreted a few different ways.

There's good defensive work that helps you actually be effective and win (see Pernell Whitaker, Floyd Mayweather Jr. etc).

Then there's good defensive work that just prevents you getting KTFO while losing every round (see Kevin Johnson against Vitali Klitschko, Joshua Clottey against Manny Pacquiao, Julio Ler against Jorge Arce etc.)

 

Round 5

Simmons is pushing ahead, chopping with the heavy right hand behind his jabs and sweeping left hooks. Rasani is backing up to the ropes, hurling himself in and grabbing, breaking when told to, and starting all over again. Simmons jabs at his head and catches only throat as Rasani rolls his head and dips to either side on the back foot. Big right by Simmons. Rasaniis pushed back on the ropes as Simmons unloads with many body shots, almost shoe-shining. BIG left hook down low by Simmons. Rasani backs up and hooks into Simmons' guard. Clinch and spin.

50-45 Simmons

 

It looks like we're headed to decision loss #43 for Hastings, unless Stephen has an ace in the hole. (or undergoes a complete epic meltdown and somehow botches this :yep)

 

As good a cheen as someone can be said to have with 23 stoppage losses, aye. :yep

(to be fair, most of those have been "technical KOs" or cuts or corner retirements...not clean ten-count out-cold knockouts...)

 

Round 6

Simmons is curling his shoulders forward, posture hunched and tense as he hunts for the KO with his lead left hook. Rasani isn't keen to oblige, backing up with a few bouncing hops every time he gets hit cleanly and flipping out jabs as he navigates around the ring. Rasani tries to circle in and hold, but walks into a BIG RIGHT HAND! Rasani's head snapped back like a palm tree in a tropical storm!!! BADLY STUNNED!! Simmons flurries, body shots, uppercuts!!! Rasani can't hold on to him!!!

Ref calls it as Rasani is spilling to the canvas by the ropes! No count!

TKO!!