Thiranan Matsali vs. Edison Berwela RBR

Yes, that's right, Ch7 producers - very old men standing in harshly lit areas wearing improperly placed lavalier mics (or with omnis waved unprofessionally under their chins like a randy quarterback attempting to woo his prom queen into taking "just the tip" in her mouth) talking in breathless monotones about boxing is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more interesting than men half their age in the ring, actually... boxing.

 

I think more fighting might be about to happen? Maybe?

 

Everybody puts their palms together and bows. Everyone is humble. Respect and gratitude are wonderful things appreciated by all. Kumbaya.

Now, um, not to be "that guy" but the schedule does say there is supposed to be some boxing on...

 

They're introducing WBC officials, I think main event is next.

 

Middle-aged men dressed like schlubby grocery store managers standing on overcrowded podiums stuttering through a speech - YASSSS QUEEN. This is what gets the blood flowing for fisticuffs.

These guys really have it all figured out. Take notes, HBO.

 

Twenty minutes since the first match, which lasted...twenty minutes. If one more person starts talking we officially will have seen more gab than jab.

 

Thiranan Matsali vs. Edison Berwela, 12 rounds @ bantamweight

 

Matsali has fought thrice before against Filipinos, interestingly all in 12-rounders (this is the fifth of his career, the previous one versus an Indonesian), beating each by UD.

Berwela meanwhile is 0-7-1 against Thais, including about half of his stoppage defeats...

 

@CST80 you already snoozing? First bell just rang..

 

Round 1

Matsali is feeling out Berwela, dropping in jabs from long-range, very loose & lackadaisical. Matsali even stopping to put his thumbs in his waistband to pull up his trunks as they slide down his narrow hips from his lateral shimmying and posturing with feints behind the jab. Berwela is flinching away from jabs with neck-jerks and rowing out the right jab more as countermeasure than with any intent to land it. Matsali tossing a few straight right hand leads on the chest, grazing. Neither really dialing it up yet. Sluggish action, sort of as though both were bogged down by overwhelming heat.

10-9 Matsali

 

Ah, sure enough, according to Google the current temp in Pathum Thani is 92°F - and they had to stand there sweltering during the anthems, plus all the other ceremonial pomp before that.

 

Round 2

Matsali is tossing his right hand on a diagonal plane, from his own chest to Berwela's navel. Berwela is trying to time him with a big looping left from behind the back, but Matsali figures out his pattern and after taking a first few glancing blows on the jaw is able to widen his stance and scissor his legs out of harm's way before Berwela can unload. Speed advantage becoming clearer now that Matsali is fooling around less, throwing with conviction. Nice jabs from Matsali. Berwela is pumping slow left hand leads into the guard, gauging the defenses of Matsali. They both throw straights just before the bell and their fists collide, jarring both off-balance.

10-9 Matsali

20-18 Matsali