the what fights did you watch today\scorecard thread.

Showstopper, I did this one just a couple of months ago. We were very close in our scores. This is what I wrote:

Wilfredo Benitez v Roberto Duran (Jr. middleweight title)

Watched this live in a bar that had cable back in the day (sounds so quaint) and haven't seen it since. Probably because it was sad to see Duran so outclassed. But here we go.

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

Total: 148-139 Benitez (actual scores: 144-141, 143-142 and 145-141 all for Benitez)

First off, the scores I felt were ridiculously close. I was a big Duran fan but nostalgia doesn't creep its way into my score. I felt the wire services scores (AP - 147-138 and UPI - 148-139 both for Benitez) were far more relevant than the judges cards.

Secondly, Benitez was absolutely brilliant in this fight and it was amazing how as the fight progressed he actually had the effrontery of attacking Duran's body. Just a brilliant performance.

 

Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Williams

1 Eubank 10-8
2 Eubank 10-8
3 Williams
4 Eubank 10-8
5 Williams
6 Williams
7 Williams
8 Williams
9 Williams
10 Williams
11 Eubank 10-8 Wasn't a knockdown in my opinion
12 Eubank

113-111 Eubank

All i've got to say about this fight is that Eubank Jr is a clown.

 

Roberto Duran: The Lost Years

Chapter One

Duran vs. Nino Gonzalez, scheduled for 10 rounds at Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio, on Aug. 9, 1981.

I thought I'd undertake a little project to look at the period of Duran's career between his 'No Mas' loss to Ray Leonard in November of 1980 and his victory over Davey Moore in mid-1983 that revived his career and made him a championship fighter again.

It starts here, his first fight some nine months after he quit against Leonard.

Duran is 72-2 (55) and weighs 155 pounds (nine more than he did for Leonard II). The Panamanian is 30 years old.

Gonzalez is 24-1 (13) and weighs 152 pounds. The 22-year-old Puerto Rican is from Bayonne, NJ. He has avenged his lone loss, to NABF junior middleweight champion Steve Delgado, and is ranked No. 10 by the WBC. He sparred a few rounds with Duran before the first Duran-Leonard fight. His greatest claim to fame is winning the New Jersey state welterweight title.

Duran, according to his new trainer, Panama Lewis, has lost 30 pounds in three months. The fight was made a month earlier, although Duran had been in training after ballooning up to 185-ish.

CBS televises the bout, which is fought in front of a crowd of 8,328.

Cleveland uses the 5-point must system, so that's how I'll score it.

Round 1. Gonzalez 5-4: Duran looks rusty, Nino is busier and lands a couple more clean shots.

Round 2. Gonzalez 5-4: Again, more clean shots.

Round 3. Duran 5-4: Roberto lets his hands go, does some good body work and mixes in a few power shots to the end. Duran is cut by his left eye by round's end, but it doesn't become a factor.

Round 4. Duran 5-4: Sold three minutes of work by Duran, who works over Nino's body and gets through with a few solid rights.

Round 5. Duran 5-4: Roberto bullies his foe along the ropes and is more aggressive.

Round 6. Duran 5-4: More mauling along the ropes and more body work.

Round 7. Duran 5-4: More of the same but Nino tries to pick it up.

Round 8. Duran 5-4: Nino further accelerates but Duran's three minutes of work beats Gonzalez's work in spurts.

Round 9. Gonzalez 5-4: Nino opens up and unloads with everything he has, getting through with some very solid shots throughout the round.

Round 10. Duran 5-4: Toe to toe action for the full round. Roberto closes stronger to edge it.

My score: Duran 47-43. Official scores: 48-44, 48-45, 47-43, all for Duran for a unanimous decision. The New York Times scored it 46-45.

This is hardly vintage Duran, but it's his first step back. He shows flashes of brilliance but mostly gets by on guile and experience as he's clearly not in tip-top shape.

Duran says after he wants a rematch with SRL (not realizing, apparently, how much quitting hurt his image and killed demand for a third fight). His manager, Carlos Eleta, says Roberto will have one more tune-up and then challenge Wilfred Benitez for the WBC crown at 154.

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Adrian Hernandez vs Naoya Inoue

Inoue is just the real life iteration of Ivan Drago here. He's like an absolute machine. His accuracy is almost lazer like and he just walks through the very best punches Hernandez has to offer.

He lands time and time again, then finally in the 6th one of his shots drops Hernandez and the ref waves it off.

Inoue is probably the best LFLW in the world with this victory, but never unified or proved himself against the other belt holders.

 

Omar Narvaez vs Naoya Inoue

Naoya moves up 2 divisions within 12 months of knocking out Hernandez to challenge the number 1 ranked SFL, but already he looks like the bigger man here as he just cuts through master technician Narvaez like a knife through butter. Utter dominance for a 2nd round body shot ko which succeeded 3 previous knockdown.

 

John John Molina v Bernard Taylor (jr. lightweight title)

This was an extremely fast-moving fight against a very hot Molina and a 36 year old veteran. But Taylor didn't show up as an opponent. He was in there firing fast and hard combos. It's just that Molina was faster with an immense workrate. It really was quite a fast fight. Over before I knew it. Molina was catching Taylor with these sizzling uppercuts which were having an effect on the veteran and finally put him in such distress in the 8th round that the ref, quite rightly, stopped it. Won't run a card here. I only gave Taylor a share of the first for a score of 70-64 for Molina (actual scores through 7: 69-64, 70-63 and another 70-63 all for Molina). If you like speed, you'll like this one.

 

I've only seen Bernard Taylor fight twice, vs McGuigan and Pedroza. And he looks the part quick hands quick feet, but for me he moved too much. And didn't stand his ground and fight enough from the fights I saw.

 

Henry Cooper vs Joe Bugner

1 Even
2 Bugner
3 Cooper
4 Bugner
5 Cooper
6 Cooper
7 Bugner
8 Cooper
9 Bugner
10 Cooper
11 Cooper
12 Bugner
13 Cooper
14 Cooper
15 Bugner

144-142 Cooper

This was an intriguing fight the early rounds were very close and hard too call, Bugner at times outjabbed Cooper with his quicker jab. And also hurt Cooper a few times to the body, Cooper was the aggressor also landing his solid jab, but he wasn't doubling up on it like Bugner. But Cooper was able to land some sneaky left hooks on the inside to the body and head.

I think the big talking point of this fight was after the 9th round, i felt like Cooper dug deep and stepped up the pace. And won a majority of the later rounds, Cooper also unlike earlier was starting to double up on the jab. And close the distance and land some solid shots on Bugner.

Bugner probably sensing the fight had slipped away from him, went all out in the 15th round to try and make something happen, and even though Bugner had his best round of the fight in the 15th, for me it wasn't enough and i felt like Cooper was a little hard done by.

Overall i felt like the first 9 rounds were close and quite tough to score, but every round after that was pretty clear and easy to score. I feel like the way Cooper fought the last 5 rounds or so, that he deserved to win for showing he wanted it more. Bugner for me didn't do enough down the stretch apart from having good 15th round.

Not quite the robbery it's made out to be, it was a very competitive fight. But i would find it a bit of a stretch, for someone to have Bugner winning this based on the last 5 rounds.

 

Jel, I think it was your post here that had me jotting down Moore-Macklin to view. Let me just preface this scorecard by saying, 'WOW!'

Jamie Moore v Matthew Macklin (for Moore's British jr. middleweight title)

Round 1: 10-9 Macklin
Round 2: 10-10 Even
Round 3: 10-9 Macklin
Round 4: 10-9 Moore
Round 5: 10-9 Macklin
Round 6: 10-9 Moore
Round 7: 10-9 Macklin
Round 8: 10-9 Moore
Round 9: 10-10 Even
Round 10: Moore KOs Macklin

Total through 9 completed rounds: 87-86 Macklin (official scores unknown)

Again, WOW! What a fight! These two guys gave it their all and that 9th round was fought with pure heart from both. Never saw anything like it. But despite keeping that 9th nip and tuck, Macklin was starting to fray at the seams and Moore took full advantage to end the fight in the 10th with Moore having just a bit more in the tank to do so. A few scary scenes afterwards with Macklin stretchered off, but he gave the thumbs up to the crowd, going out on his shield.

It's funny how boxing careers and fortunes change. On this telecast a euphoric Moore gave a post-fight interview in his dressing room with Frank Maloney at his side and he stated that he's giving up his British 154 lb. belt because he is simply done at that level and with Maloney's help he's going for European and world honors next. He also threw out there that he could see Macklin eventually fighting for British jr. middleweight title again. With how the fight ended, I don't think anyone would have disputed Moore's aspirations but may have called time on Macklin's career after the KO. But nothing worked out quite like it was expected. Moore actually kept his 154 title and did win the Euro 154 title, but he never progressed any further. The furthest he fought from home was venturing once across the Irish sea to Ireland. And the highest he progressed was a final eliminator for the WBC title where he was stopped by Ryan Rhodes, losing his Euro title in the process. Meanwhile, Macklin went on to win the British and Euro 160 lb titles, competed at world class level against GGG, Sergio Martinez, Felix Sturm and Yori Boy Campas, while fighting in Madison Square Garden, Las Vegas, Germany and Spain. Again, it's amazing how fortunes can change.

 

Roberto Duran: The Lost Years

Chapter Two

My exploration of Duran’s career in the space between his ‘no mas’ loss to Ray Leonard and his revival win over Davey Moore continues with his second comeback fight after taking off nine months following the events of New Orleans.

Roberto Duran vs. Luigi Minchillo, scheduled for 10 rounds on Sept. 26, 1981, at Caesars Palace Outdoor Arena in Las Vegas.

This comes seven weeks after his win over Nino Gonzalez in his first fight back and, ironically, 10 days after Leonard beats Thomas Hearns to unify the welterweight championship in the same ring outside the Caesars property (Leonard-Hearns took place on a Wednesday night). Held in 90-degree summer heat, this fight draws about 2,000 spectators for a CBS-televised fight.

Duran, 30, is 73-2 (55) and ranked No. 2 at welterweight by the WBC. He weighs 154 and looks slimmer and more solid than he did vs. Gonzalez.

Minchillo, 26, is 35-1 (22) and ranked No. 16 at junior middleweight by the WBC. He weighs 153 1/2 and is the European champion at 154.

1. 10-9 Duran (close)

2. 10-9 Duran

3. 10-9 Duran

4. 10-9 Minchillo

5. 10-9 Duran

6. 10-9 Duran

7. 10-9 Duran

8. 10-9 Duran

9. 10-9 Duran (close)

10. 10-9 Duran

My score: 99-91 Duran. Official scores, all for Duran: 100-90, 100-91 and 98-92.

This version of Duran isn’t far off from the one we will later see vs. Davey Moore or Iran Barkley, honestly. He’s so much sharper than in the Gonzalez fight, where he looked rusty. He works angles, is effective inside and out, does great body work and lands explosive shots to the head. He gets savage a few times trying to turn up the heat and force a stoppage but also just does some gorgeous boxing.

Minchillo is just one tough customer. He is aggressive and throws a lot of punches, although for portion of some rounds he tries to box and just gets eaten alive. He works head and body but just doesn’t have Roberto’s snap, variety or guile and experience.

The main point of drama comes with a nasty cut over Duran’s right eye that occurs in the third round. His corner handles it, but it opens again in the ninth. Minchillo’s left eye is near closed late and the right one is puffy.

Gil Glancy (and some written accounts) note that Duran’s shots just don’t do the same to opponents at junior middle as they did at lighter weights, but Minchillo is an unknown quantity in America at this point — he will later go the distance with Thomas Hearns in another bid for junior middle gold and complete 13 with Mike McCallum before his corner stops it between rounds in a second and final bid for a championship.

No Minchillo is not Four Kings material but he’s a game, rugged and durable fighter (who will later beat Maurice Hope for his biggest career win) who’s not intimidated and brings everything he has for the full 10 rounds. It’s a good test of where Duran is at, and he’s frankly better here not only than he was against Nino, but against Zeferino Gonzalez or some of his other pre-Leonard fights when he was moving up from lightweight. You can see him relish the combat here and it’s fun to see him do his thing.

There’s mention here of another tuneup planned before Duran takes on Wilfred Benitez for junior middleweight gold, but the cut probably prompted a change in that plan. As it happens, we’ll see Roberto back in the ring about four months later vs. Benitez.

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If you want some more good domestic fights i recommend.

Paul Ingle vs Colin McMillan
Spencer Oliver vs Patrick Mullings
Michael Brodie vs Neil Swain
Mark Prince vs Michael Gale
Jamie Moore vs Michael Jones 3rd fight
Jamie Moore vs Ryan Rhodes

Jamie Moore was in a few FOTY candidates not just the one vs Macklin.

And if you ever find it i recommend Matty Clarkson vs Travis Dickinson, i've never seen the fight posted online since i watched it live on TV which is a shame. But it's a candidate for the best domestic fight of the last decade.

 

Expectations: The boxrec description sounds pretty fantastic, and Basilio was almost always in great fights, so I am expecting great things.

Description:
1. Basilio.
2. Langlois.
3. Very eventful round beginning with Basilio driving Langlois into the ropes with body shots. Langlois appeared unhurt, and promptly pinned Basilio on the ropes, and the two exchanged effectively. Later they traded big right hands, Langlois' stunning Basilio. Langlois.
4. Langlois.
5. Langlois.
6. Langlois.
7. Langlois.
8. Basilio finally getting the better of an exchange-packed round as Langlois began to tire. Basilio.
9. Basilio was succeeding on the strength of his aggression and body punching, but Langlois still continued to land some good jabs and counterpunches. With 15 seconds left to the round, Basilio missed a right hand and Langlois countered, landing some left's and right's on a bobbing-and-weaving, rope-trapped Basilio, who was tossed to the canvas seconds later. Basilio.
10. An absolutely hectic finale with Basilio legitimately knocked through the ropes from a couple of shots, but getting off the hook with the referee. Langlois.

Final score: 7-3 for Langlois. And none of the rounds were close. It was practically a wash-out for Langlois.

Verdict: An all-action tribute to the sport of fisticuffs. Definitely give her a chance.

 

Michael Ayers was in some good ones. I’ve been looking for his 1996 fight with Colin Dunne for years.

 

Jimmy Paul vs Todd Foster

1 Even
2 Foster
3 Foster
4 Paul 10-8 knockdown
5 Paul
6 Paul 10-8 knockdown
7 Paul wins by TKO Foster quits

58-55 Paul

My first time seeing both fighters, i enjoyed this fight both men came to fight. The 1st round both men were exchanging jabs at will and i couldn't split them in that round.

The 2nd and 3rd round both men continued trading jabs, but now they were mixing in some power punches aswell. I thought these rounds were also very close, but i felt like Foster was a bit more accurate with his jab and was throwing more power punches.

The 4th round the fight changed dramatically as Paul dropped Foster with a hard right hand, and Foster now had pretty nasty cut in a bad place.

From then on Paul looked relaxed and in charge, i actually thought Foster was pretty competitive in the 5th round. But you could see the cut was bothering him, and Paul was starting to land some clean right hands. And you could see the writing was on the wall for Foster.

The 6th round Paul landed a good hard counter left hook, and Foster went down heavy. Foster got up shakily then proceeded to take a beating on the ropes, and i actually felt like Steve Smoger should of stopped the fight. Foster went back to the corner very wobbly, and the corner shouldn't of allowed Foster to come out for the 7th round.

Foster came out for the 7th round still very hurt and dazed, he took one right hand from Paul and then quit, and i don't blame him the referee or the corner should of done their job. Foster also said in the interview after he was worried about his eye.

Overall it was a pretty good fight, my first time seeing Jimmy Paul and i liked what i saw. Good jab, good right hand, nice left hook, smart fighter with good countering abilities.

 

Jimmy Paul vs Harry Arroyo

1 Arroyo
2 Paul
3 Paul 10-8 knockdown
4 Arroyo
5 Paul
6 Paul
7 Paul
8 Arroyo
9 Arroyo
10 Paul 10-8 knockdown
11 Paul
12 Paul
13 Paul 10-7 knockdown and a standing 8 count
14 Paul
15 Paul

146-135 Paul

So this fight was basically a battle of the right hands, both men fought most of the fight in the middle of the ring. But the problem was for Arroyo was that Paul had the better stronger right hand, Paul also had the better defense he was able to take the sting out of Arroyo's right hand with his shoulder.

I thought the first 9 rounds of the fight was very much in the air, Paul had the better of it early on. As the fight was fought tactically in the middle of the ring with both men trying to establish the right hand. Paul was having the better of the battle with the right hands, and he knocked Arroyo down in the 3rd with a counter right hand.

The fight continued in the same pattern fought in the middle of the ring, with Paul winning the battle of the right hands. But then in the 8th round Arroyo changed tactics and instead of standing off trying to exchange right hands with Paul, he took the fight to Paul and was able to for the first time in the fight win the exchanges, and actually land his own right hand. The fight had now turned into a brawl and it seemed to be working in Arroyo's favour.

After Arroyo had success in the 8th and the 9th round turning the fight into a brawl, making it a pretty close fight. The fight suddenly change momentum yet again as Paul landed a very hard right and dropped Arroyo heavily, Paul then proceeded to punish Arroyo along the ropes. but credit to Arroyo as he showed defiance not giving up and survived the onslaught.

From that point on it was all Jimmy Paul as he controlled the fight in the middle of the ring, Paul managed to heavily floor Arroyo again in the 13th with a picture perfect right hand. And i didn't think Arroyo was going to get up, but credit to him for showing alot of bravery in getting up from that heavy knockdown, Paul proceeded to hammer Arroyo then the referee gave a standing 8 count to Arroyo. Which i think was a little unfair to Paul, as it stopped Paul from having the chance to score a KO, and it gave Arroyo the vital rest he needed to survive the round.

The final 2 rounds Paul wasn't able to find the finishing touches, despite landing a few good right hands. And Arroyo was able to just about last the distance.

Overall a pretty good fight it had a few momentum swings, with round 8 being the best round of the fight in terms of two way action. But in the end it was pretty one sided as Arroyo took quite a beating but showed tremendous bravery going the 15 rounds.