the what fights did you watch today\scorecard thread.

Pretty sure I also had that one as a draw. Even if you come out one point either way, there’s certainly a swing round or two that could shift it the other way or back to even. It’s that kind of fight, and just a beautiful display of skill on both sides. It’s what boxing is all about.

 

It was pretty fantastic. They had somewhat diverse styles but they were both fighting at such a high level.

 

I have other great fights on there too

 

Sandy Saddler W10 Charley Riley

Just browsing around for something unusual and found this interesting one in its entirety. It started out a bit of a stinker but ended up not altogether bad.

Riley was 5'3" and therefore had only to worry about Plan A against the praying mantis that was Saddler. He had to get inside and try to take the play away from him. For the first couple rounds it worked just fine, but it took that long for Saddler to settle into the occasion and begin to fight seriously. From then on, I awarded Riley only the sixth. Saddler's main weapon here was a scythlike left hook/uppercut, very reminiscent of another from that era; it looked very much in effect and presentation as the one Walcott employed to dispatch Charles in their third fight. Little shuffle left, weave, and BAM. He planted this punch into Riley's midsection time and again, diffusing some of the shorter man's efforts.

It's worth noting again, as I have before, that back then you had to really work as champion, even in non-title fights (which are from another era too it seems). Riley was no patsy, having challenged for a title not long before this, despite losing by KO to Pep. He could clearly fight and was a seasoned pro. Also, they fought in Riley's hometown of St. Louis, further complicating matters for Saddler.

1. Riley
2. Riley
3. Saddler
4. Saddler
5. Saddler
6. Riley
7. Saddler
8. Saddler
9. Saddler
10. Saddler

97-93 Saddler.

 

Felix Trinidad (Jr. Middleweight Champion) vs. Fernando Vargas (Super Welterweight Champion) on December 2, 2000.

Round 1: Trinidad 10-7 (Trinidad knocks down Vargas twice within the first forty seconds)
Round 2: Trinidad 10-9
Round 3: Vargas 10-9
Round 4: Vargas 10-7 (Tito lost a point for a low blow, but he was already down 10-8 because of getting knocked down by Vargas)
Round 5: Vargas 10-9
Round 6: Trinidad 10-9
Round 7: 9-9 Even (Another low blow by Tito lost him a point in a round he would've won)
Round 8: Trinidad 10-9
Round 9: 10-10 Even
Round 10: Trinidad 10-8 (This time, Fernando gets a point deducted because of a low blow)
Round 11: Vargas 10-9
Round 12: Trinidad knocks out Vargas

I had Tito beating Fernando 103-101 going into the twelfth.

 

Yeah, this is when everyone saw that Tito was basically cooked.

 

Sal, I really don't think they gave a damn. It was just another announcing gig for them. Lennon Sr created a template for entertaining the audience. He would create nicknames for the fighters, ingratiate himself with the Mexican fans, and of course, keep the audience on pins and needles when announcing the decision. He just made the effort. Eventually, and I'm sure TV producers copped on to it, they all started to fall in line. And today, it's the norm.

 

One modern twist I appreciate.

 

Nigel Benn (WBC Super Middleweight Champion) vs. Gerald McClellan (challenger) on February 25, 1995 in London, England at the London Arena

Round 1: McClellan 10-8 (McClellan knocked Benn out of the ring in the first thirty-five seconds)
Round 2: Benn 10-9
Round 3: McClellan 10-9
Round 4: Benn 10-9
Round 5: McClellan 10-9
Round 6: Benn 10-9
Round 7: McClellan 10-9
Round 8: McClellan 10-8 (McClellan knocks down Benn again)
Round 9: Benn 10-9
Round 10: Benn knocks out McClellan

I had McClellan winning the fight 86-83 before Benn knocked him out. An incredible fight and a top 10 fight of the entire 1990s decade, but one that is overshadowed by the tragedy surrounding it with McClellan being blind, partially deaf, troubled by short-term memory loss and needs a wheelchair to get around as a result of the beating he took in this fight.

 

Lennon Sr. is who I grew up with. I was so surprised and saddened to find that his way of doing things was not universal.

 

I may be the biggest Saddler fan on this board. I’ve never seen this fight. Have to check it out. Thanks!

 

If I were to watch this again, I’d have to find a version with Brit commentary because “Doctor” Ferdie Pacheco made an absolute ass of himself calling this fight.

The “doctor” practically made fun of McClellan blinking repeatedly after the head butt that damaged his brain without recognizing what was right in front of him — that kind of blinking is a symptom of neurological damage and brain trauma. I guess the “doctor” missed that day of medical school.

 

Sal, I scored this about a year ago. I love the Chillin Charley style of hustle and bustle, but Saddler was a tough hill to climb.

Sandy Saddler v Charley Riley (Midwest's 10 point system which is dividing the 10 points - 6-4 for the winner of a round, 5-5 for an Even)

Round 1: Riley
Round 2: Riley
Round 3: Saddler
Round 4: Even
Round 5: Saddler
Round 6: Riley
Round 7: Saddler
Round 8: Saddler
Round 9: Saddler
Round 10: Saddler

Total: 53-47 Saddler

Official scores were 53-47 and 56-44, both for Saddler and 50-50 for a majority decision win for Saddler. Riley started so fast keeping Saddler's back to the ropes and pounding away. But that took a lot of energy and once Saddler moved the fight to the middle of the ring he took over. Even his infighting improved once he was utilizing those uppercuts that Riley couldn't match. Charley kept it competitive the whole way, however, and it was an enjoyable fight.

 

Yeah, that stuff was hard to hear.

 

Oscar De La Hoya (WBC Light Middleweight Champion) vs. Fernando Vargas (WBA Light Middleweight Champion) on September 14, 2002 at the Mandelay Bay Events Center in Paradise, Nevada

Round 1: Vargas 10-9
Round 2: Vargas 10-9
Round 3: Vargas 10-9
Round 4: De La Hoya 10-9
Round 5: Vargas 10-9
Round 6: De La Hoya 10-9
Round 7: De La Hoya 10-9
Round 8: De La Hoya 10-9
Round 9: Vargas 10-9
Round 10: De La Hoya 10-9
Round 11: De La Hoya stops Vargas

I had the fight even at 95 before Oscar stopped Fernando. For me, this is Oscar's greatest moment. It's good that he got the W because Fernando's win would've been called into question because of the positive drug test that came to light after the fight. The fight absolutely lived up to the hype after all of the hate that had been brewing between these two men for years.