Thrilla in Davao: Ronald Clyde Johnson vs. Saúl Becerra Gil & Roy Nagulman vs. Aries Buenavidez RBR

Johnson in blue & white, Becerra Gil/Farah in black trunks..

 

Round 1

They circle and size each other up with jabs. First right cross thrown by Johnson has Becerra Gil splattered into the canvas with a loud wet smack!! Amazingly, the Bolivian pulls himself together and beats the count. Another big 1-2 by the American, down goes Becerra Gil, splashing into another puddle sprawled on the canvas. He gets up AGAIN! They resume a light pace of circling and jabbing as though none of that drama had just happened. Nice right hand on the body from Becerra Gil. Johnson presses him across the ring, dashing in and leaning to his left to dig hard left hooks on the gut.

10-7 Johnson

 

Round 2

Johnson is tossing a light lead left hook on the way in, eschewing the jab and preferring to circumvent Becerra Gil's right glove and tap him on the cheek. BIG COUNTER from Becerra Gil, halting Johnson's advance momentarily with a can opener right. They circle warily, neither opening up. Jab on the body from Becerra Gil. They clinch. Johnson is carrying both arms down by his thigh. Up-jabs on the face by Johnson, now a big clubbing right hand as he drives forth, and is caught in another clinch, Becerra Gil flypapering with his flabby arms. Johnson grinds up against him and they swap big uppercuts at point blank. HUGE right up top by Johnson, missing by an inch past Becerra Gil's head, as they collapse into a clinch. Johnson walking Becerra Gil down with the jab and then getting overeager jumping into clinches off missed right hands.

10-9 Johnson

20-16 Johnson

 

The first was an unmitigated disaster, he was down twice, HEAVILY, but yeah, just shrugged it off & back to work.

They've both clearly gotten up for this opportunity - the first "world heavyweight title bout" in the Philippines since that other one, uh, whatsisface versus thingamabob.

 

Round 3

Becerra Gil is clinching frequently, clearly intent on making this a slow-paced fencing duel. The jabbing is about even, surprisingly. Becerra Gil looking sharp despite the knockdowns, appears to have shaken off all the cobwebs. Becerra Gil actually doing some nice work, playing the spoiler, boxing at distance and tying up as soon as Johnson gets in close.

10-9 Becerra Gil, close

29-26 Johnson

 

Round 4

Becerra Gil is pawing a backhanded jab off his lead hip, inching away from Johnson who is creeping behind his own lightly karate-chopped jab from the chest. Becerra Gil is whipping an underhanded left hook flush on the jaw when Johnson tries cheekily diving in with both arms down to shred the body. Johnson now thinking better of that strategy. Nice check hooks from Becerra Gil as Johnson pressures him, not punching aside from a few lunging jabs on the face, which Becerra Gil is able to slip with a surprisingly agile backward lean. Johnson now leaping upward and slightly inward every time he jabs, hopping along in pursuit but wary of that counter hook.

10-9 Becerra Gil

38-36 Johnson

 

I'm honestly flabbergasted at how well Saul is doing as this drags on. Idk what Johnson's gas tank is like but this could end up being a huge upset..

 

Round 5

Becerra Gil is getting backed up by that left hook on the rib cage as Johnson dashes in on him. Johnson can only do that move a couple of times per minute, however, as it seems to expend lots of energy and is usually followed by a rest period. Becerra Gil is sneaking in his own body shots from outside, exploiting his reach, and tapping Johnson on the face with some quick jabs and rights to punish him for the low-handed stance. Round is up for grabs with a minute left. Clinch. Separation. Uppercut by Johnson swooping in. A triple jab by Johnson backs up Becerra Gil, who is now blowing hard and in need of a reprieve.

10-9 Johnson

48-45 Johnson

 

Imagine this goes the distance?

 

Round 6

Becerra Gil is clinching and evading now, and that's all he seems capable of. Johnson is attacking ineffectively from outside, falling in with superman punches with the right hand, allowing Becerra Gil to either sidestep or grab him, but Johnson is the only man working to score points in there. A few jabs getting through. Ugly round.

10-9 Johnson

58-54 Johnson

 

In his defense, this is Johnson's first match in two years...and just his fifth since 2009.

 

Round 7

Becerra Gil is flicking up jabs at the face and thwarting Johnson's attempts to rush him, but not dissuading him for long. Becerra Gil having to constantly shuffle in reverse, yanking back with his neck muscles liquefied to slip the double & triple jabs of Johnson reaching across for him. Johnson tapping Becerra Gil on the side of the head with a line drive right hand jumping in. Becerra Gil putting the octopus tentacles all over him up close, but Johnson able to rip a few hard body shots, eliciting praise from his coach.

10-9 Johnson

68-63 Johnson