ShoBox: Thomas Mattice vs. Isaac Jonathan Cruz González RBR

Round 3

Mattice is getting backed straight up into the ropes, catching a Cruz jab on his wrists forming an X, but having to sink bodily into the uppermost rope and sag to ride a big follow-up Cruz overhand right. Mattice is getting plugged beneath his elbows with straight thrusts, countering with the odd jab and uppercut combination on the backfoot. Cruz throwing in threes and fours, Mattice in ones and twos. Now a nice sequence of body shots for Mattice, and Cruz seems hurt, backing into the ropes himself. Mattice smells blood and comes jabbing into the brow of Cruz. Heavy looping right up top by Cruz, desperate to not get trapped by the leaner-muscled and much taller man.

10-9 Mattice, turning around what had been a clear round for Cruz as of the 90 second mark

29-28 Mattice

 

Steve Farhood gave Cruz the first two, and has it 29-28 for him through now. (fair, the first was close)

 

Round 4

Mattice is coasting behind the long jab instead of picking up where he left off in the previous frame. Cruz is given a chance to recuperate and start applying pressure again, lunging up on his toes and hurling overhands, but not really showing any variety in his offense. Mattice able to keep things well in hand by cruising, jabbing & grabbing. Mattice in control despite renewed vigor from Cruz.

10-9 Mattice

39-37 Mattice

 

Round 5

Mattice is circling and throwing jabs and 1-2s, stepping in with timely clinches when Cruz threatens crimping the gap. Mattice is brushing Cruz's right cheek with a fluttering double jab and then firing a change-up right cross that scythes at the very end and wraps around into Cruz's left eye. Mattice is dancing around, throwing pot shot jabs and getting swiped on the body as Cruz stomps in lunging with both hands.

10-9 Mattice, closer

49-46 Mattice

 

Round 6

Mattice is lining up hard counter rights on the kisser as Cruz barges in, willingly gobbling them up like pellets in Pac-Man as the sunk cost to eventually catch that ghost. Mattice is landing 1-2s more or less with abandon while circling to his right, not being made to pay for it as Cruz simply isn't getting within range to get to him. They close together as Mattice slows and Cruz shoves his left forearm up into Mattice's throat. Weak flurries by Mattice, jumping into a clinch. Cruz is bobbing and weaving on the way in, slipping jabs. Mattice grazes him with a right on the head as Cruz tries a left downstairs and they end up clinched. Wide body slaps by Cruz walking in, and Mattice backs up and counters with a straight right.

10-9 Mattice

59-55 Mattice

 

Steve Farhood has it dead even; Barry Tompkins has it by a point for Cruz; Dinamita Raúl Márquez has it for Cruz by two.