the what fights did you watch today\scorecard thread.

This isn't as close as Kovalev Vs Ward for me. I mean Canelo finished really well and showed true grit and determination to slug out those last 3 rounds, but the biggest issue for me is you can't win a fight on the back foot when the guy your facing has a superior jab.

Golovkin completely bossed the first 2/3 of this fight imo and was quite clearly the ring general. Kov Vs Ward was very much a fight of two halves, this wasn't.

Canelo did better than many expected and he finished stronger than even his most ardent fans would have hoped for, that being said he was the inferior fighter here.

Don't get me wrong, he has 4 clear rounds in the bag and if you really wanted you could argue 2 and 3 for him to score it a draw, but you could argue 6 rounds for Chavez against Pea as well, there is no doubt in my mind that Golovkin left the ring as he entered it, the best MW in the world and one of the best in history.

The way he lost the last 3 rounds so clearly is troubling though, was this his last great hurrah, will Canelo start the rematch were he ended it, it's hard to say.

But this was a fight in glad I rewatched. A draw isn't a horrific result but it's not representative of the fight I saw.

 

Ishimatsu (Guts) Suzuki vs. Ken Buchanan

Here's a fight I always wanted to check out. I obviously differ from the official scores, but I think Buchanan's neat boxing was largely ignored in this fight. The crowd screamed at anything Suzuki threw and it may have intimidated most. Regardless, this is the way I scored it.

Round 1: 10-9 Buchanan
Round 2: 10-10 Even
Round 3: 10-10 Even
Round 4: 10-9 Buchanan
Round 5: 10-9 Suzuki
Round 6: 10-9 Buchanan
Round 7: 10-9 Buchanan
Round 8: 10-9 Buchanan
Round 9: 10-9 Suzuki
Round 10: 10-9 Buchanan
Round 11: 10-9 Buchanan
Round 12: 10-9 Suzuki
Round 13: 10-9 Suzuki
Round 14: 10-9 Suzuki
Round 15: 10-9 Suzuki

144-143 Buchanan

Sweet Scientist scored this bout some time back and I believe he had an identical score but for Suzuki. I think we agreed on almost everything except the 4th round which I scored for Buchanan and he gave to Suzuki. That's good tight scoring.

 

Ruben Olivares v Art Hafey II

I've seen this fight before and I never knew what the beef was on this one. I know Richard Steele's score came under fire but I can see his score. This is California scoring, one point for a round, none for even and an extra point for a knockdown.

Round 1: Even
Round 2: Olivares
Round 3: Olivares
Round 4: Olivares
Round 5: Olivares
Round 6: Olivares
Round 7: Olivares
Round 8: Even (I think I scored this round even because Art was getting closer and I was getting embarrassed scoring all these for Ruben LOL)
Round 9: Olivares
Round 10: Hafey (scores a knockdown)
Round 11: Hafey
Round 12: Olivares

Total: 8-3 Olivares

I thought Ruben fought a brilliant fight where he turned matador. After getting knocked out by Hafey previously he demonstrated that he wasn't just a banger and he came prepared for this one. He really was so versatile and so very underrated at 126.

 

I saw this fight a few years ago and thought Suzuki won it. I thought it was a real stinker of a fight though, a real clash of styles.

 

From memory I think that is exactly how I saw it.

 

I commented on the fight a few pages back and I agree that Golovkin took this one. The fight a second time around didnt have great rewatch value. I think Golovkin would do well to box a little more and make Canelo try to come to him. I think Golovkins biggest weakness in general is counter punching. yes he has knocked guys down and also out throwing with them and landing while being hit like vs Wade and Geale specifically but when thrown at he typically backs out of range rather than stand and counter and this was evident vs Stevens and also in this fight.

It felt like Golovkin did all this great work to get Canelo to the ropes but once he had him there he struggled to get much done. Canelo's head movement really befuddled Golovkin who seemed to have to take steam off his shots to land power punches and he really didnt go to the body despite having a hard time hitting the head and had Canelo stationary on the ropes a lot. Canelo to his credit saw most of everything coming so he took everything well and evaded well. I do think he was hurt in round 9 but Golovkin failed to really capitalize. The last 3 rounds I thought Canelo took but Golovkin didnt do awful in the rounds.

I wonder if Canelo learned enough of how to fight Golovkin late to take with him or if Golovkin was just tired or coasting. After Ward won the first fight (officially at least but not in my eyes) I immediately said Ward would win the rematch and maybe easily. After this fight I have the sinking feeling Golovkin loses the rematch legitimately on the back of Canelo being younger and now more confident having seen the monster and coming away strong. His body language post fight to me was of a beaten man and I agree with Rummy that Golovkin has more room to improve given some of things I mentioned before. I kind of felt he fought dumb fights vs Canelo and Jacobs for that matter but still won in my eyes both matches. I do agree a lot with Sanchez though that if Canelo decides to trade or fight more he will be punished. But can he eek a close one given his favor-ability with the judges

I really look forward to this fight because its really a toss up and during the May-Pac era we had so many PPV fights that were these predetermined affairs and over priced exhibitions. We have been treated to close and competitive high skilled PPV's lately like this fight the first fight and the Kovalev vs Ward fights

 

Wilder vs Washington

1-Wilder
2-Washington
3-Washington
4-Wilder
5- Wilder KO

A lot of fans we saying Wilder was exposed and Washington fought this great fight. I thought Evander summed it up right at the end. When you have power and patience like Wilder some times you can wait and capitalize even if you have a slow start or at least something of that nature.

To me Washington landed some eye catching jabs and some decent body work but felt overall that once Wilder decided to let his hands go that was it. He wrecked him with the first real good right hand he landed. Wilder did windmill 2 shots as the ref stepped in. One day that could eventually back fire if in with a guy playing possum or a guy who just hangs in and throws a brave shot while in big trouble

 

Yeah I totally agree. I think Golovkin is a superior technician to Canelo and that's something he needs to focus on. he could win behind the jab alone imo.

 

I thought going in he would fight him like lemiuex, hang back and jab the shorter man and make Canelo who to me is uncomfortable leading lead but I guess that might let Canelo get confident or do even better on the cards

 

Here is an oldie for us from the '67 heavyweight tournament. Ernie Terrell vs. Thad Spencer. I recall reading something (I think from Red Cobra) about a 5th round knockdown scored by Terrell. I knew of no such knockdown by Terrell only the one scored by Spencer. But rather than just watch the 5th round I watched and scored the fight as well. BTW, that was as perfect a knockdown as one could score, but for whatever reason, the ref did not score it as such. Maybe he was at a bad angle, but Spnecer's body language on the canvas was self-explanatory. The ref blew it. Anyways, it wouldn't have effected the outcome and here is how I saw it.

Round 1: 10-9 Terrell
Round 2: 10-8 Spencer (Spencer scored a knockdown)
Round 3: 10-10 Even
Round 4: 10-9 Spencer
Round 5: 10-9 Terrell (should be 10-8 but the ref disallowed the knockdown)
Round 6: 10-10 Even
Round 7: 10-9 Terrell
Round 8: 10-9 Spencer
Round 9: 10-9 Spencer
Round 10: 9-8 Spencer (I scored the round 10-9 Terrell, but the ref deducted 2 points from him for low blows)
Round 11:10-9 Spencer
Round 12: 10-9 Spencer

116-111 Thad Spencer

 

Here are two Juan LaPorte fights who i always felt was better at 130 than he was at feather. He did well against two legends.

Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Juan LaPorte

Always heard what a tight decision this was and I also remember Flash Gordon's old publication screaming that LaPorte was robbed. So here we go.

Round 1: 10-9 LaPorte
Round 2: 10-9 Chavez
Round 3: 10-9 LaPorte
Round 4: 10-10 Even
Round 5: 10-9 Chavez
Round 6: 10-9 Chavez
Round 7: 10-10 Even
Round 8: 10-10 Even (Chavez was winning this round until LaPorte really came back at the end to even it)
Round 9: 9-9 Even (Chavez was winning but was penalized a point for a low blow)
Round 10: 10-9 Chavez
Round 11: 10-9 Chavez
Round 12: 10-9 Chavez

Total: 117-113 Chavez

Never had so many even rounds. Great fight and the 11th and 12th were outstanding. LaPorte was the harder hitter and Chavez the sharper and busier. That was always the problem with LaPorte. You needed to set a fire under his stool to get him to throw punches. He could have taken this and I don't have an issue with people griping on the decision. Regardless of my score, it was damn close.


Azumah Nelson v Juan LaPorte

Round 1: 10-9 Laporte
Round 2: 10-9 Nelson
Round 3: 10-9 Nelson
Round 4: 10-9 Laporte
Round 5: 10-9 Nelson
Round 6: 10-10 Even
Round 7: 10-9 Nelson
Round 8: 10-9 Nelson
Round 9: 10-9 Laporte
Round 10: 10-9 Nelson
Round 11: 10-9 Nelson
Round 12: 10-10 Even

Total: 117-113 Nelson

Round 6 and 12 really exemplify what Laporte was all about. I would always get infuriated with the way he would go into a trance round after round and the only thing that would wake him up is if he momentarily stunned his opponent. In rounds 6 & 12 he was in la-la land for most of the round until suddenly catching Nelson with something. I didn't feel it was enough to take the round after Nelson carried the freight most of the round, but he garnered a share in both instances.

 

SERGEI ARTEMIEV vs KENNY BAYSMORE

ROUND 1 ARTEMIEV 10-9 BAYSMORE. Huge pace set at the start of this rounds by Artemiev and great work leading in and starting combinations with hooks to the body. He throws a really awkward looking right cross he brings it up real high and really rolls his shoulder into it.Both men have really good and interesting punching mechanics especially with their straight punches. Artemiev lucky to not have a point taken away from him near the end of the round as he gave Baysmore a good few hits on the ground as he slipped. Thought Baysmore was in big trouble right at the end of this round and dont think even the commentators really copped it. Felt like if Artem could land a semi decent clean flush punch he wouldve sent Baysmore to the canvas.

ROUND 2 ARTEMIEV 10-9 BAYSMORE. Artemiev is really good at anticipating Baysmores next move its similar to what youd see Rigondeaux do early in his pro career, he just knows what side of the ring Baysmore is moving to before Baysmore does.

ROUND 3 ARTEMIEV 9-10 BAYSMORE. Some decent mid range shoot outs this round. Baysmore does well sporadically stopping Sergei getting anything started by just keeping him at bay with straights. Having said that Artemiev did have pretty decent success with combinations when he could get them off.

ROUND 4 ARTEMIEV 9-10 BAYSMORE. Another shoot out round,good stuff. Baysmore really impressed with his straight right this round especially in the first half. On a side note the ref(Earl Morton) is doing a real shoddy job of officiating this and its not even him making bad decisions its just how needlessly hes manhandling fighters to get them break etc. Al Bernstein is letting him have it on commentary lol.

ROUND 5 Artemiev sends Baysmore to the canvas just on the cusp of 30 seconds into the round from a great standing left hook, he gets up just about and takes the count and slips to the floor taking Artemiev with him, Earl Morton gives Baysmore another count for some reason. Artemiev unloads with some flurries and Morton steps in and stops the bout.

OFFICIAL DECISION: SERGEI ARTEMIEV WINS BY TKO8

Good little scrap somewhat marred by questionable officiating. Sad to read Sergei's career was cut short because he was great to watch really great punch choices,combinations and anticipation.

 

KENNEDY McKINNEY vs EDEL GERONIMO

ROUND 1 MCKINNEY 10-9 GERONIMO. Pretty typical 1st round,lot of posturing mostly. McKinney doing a good job of send Geronimo back on his backfoot everytime he tries to come in and get a body assault going.

ROUND 2 MCKINNEY 10-9 GERONIMO. McKinney round just barely. Pace is upped a bit in this round,McKinney showed off his straight right well in this round.Geronimo struggling to get any decent lead ins with his straight punches,Mckinney is hard to jab with and Geronimos straight rights are easily deflected.

ROUND 3 MCKINNEY 10-9 GERONIMO. Thought Geronimo was having a bit more success at the start of this round he was counter punching well and getting some decent 1-2's to the body but started slowing down half way through the round due to the very bouncey way he navigates around the ring. McKinney turned the tide well and started really hitting home with the right hand and landed strong 2 punch combinations. Never really jabbing more so using his left to navigate home for his right.

ROUND 4 MCKINNEY 10-9 GERONIMO. Much of the same this round.Geronimo finding it hard to get anything going he wont have much luck from mid-range and McKinneys jab was too sharp this round for him to ever get in close.McKinney mostly happy leading Geronimo around the ring and popping the jab, occasionally hitting a 2-3 punch combination if Geronimo finds himself getting within range.Geronimo was having some success with the straight right in the earlier rounds but seems to have abandoned it in favour of trying to jab with Kennedy,bad move imo.

ROUND 5 First 2 minutes are pretty uneventful. Mckinney launches into some combinations,taking it out of Edel.Kennedy backs him up against the ropes throws a good straight right and Edel goes down off of it.Geronimo takes the count well but the ref doesnt see him fit to continue and intervenes and stops the bout.Looking at the replays Geronimo did take 2 hard right hands that sent him down but i think the ref wouldnt have made a terrible decision letting him continue but Geronimo himself didnt seem too sad about the stoppage.

DECISION: KENNEDY McKinney WINS by TKO5

Decent early outing from Kennedy he was still learning the pro game at this point,fighting at the pace he seen fit,not doing anything too brave or taking any big chances.Have always liked watching Kennedys fights think he does the basics really well,used to always watch him before going to training and would encourage budding amateurs to watch him.