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

Also he only has four kayos in 16 bouts..

 

Round 8

Becerra Gil is leaning back, hoping to bait Johnson in and crash a big counter left hook into the side of his skull unseen - but Johnson is too savvy, ducking in to poke the belly with a jab or ax up top with a right hand but then quickly slinking outside again. Both setting traps for each other and neither man falling prey. Cagey & tactical - exactly what I never expected this fight to be.

10-9 Johnson, close

78-72 Johnson

 

Round 9

Becerra Gil is throwing a wet towel over the proceedings. The pace has slowed considerably. Johnson is still landing the best stuff during the brief periods of activity between clinches. Jabs connecting at less than half, more like quarter, and right hands an even lower clip, a few body shots - but nothing from Becerra Gil.

10-9 Johnson

88-81 Johnson

 

Round 10

More of the same. Becerra Gil just surviving, using a modified Philly shell, backhanding jabs up from the hip and tiptoeing away. Johnson is doing his best to get off as many shots as he can before the Venus fly trap opens up and swallows him.

10-9 Johnson

98-90 Johnson

 

Round 11

Becerra Gil is extremely negative, using all his remaining vestiges of strength to just push down on Johnson's arms. No more leaping jabs or superman punches from outside by Johnson, himself quite fatigued and sort of just rolling into Becerra Gil's orbit as though on a conveyor belt or tractor beam. Very sloppy infighting by either man, just rubbing their fists against each other, more a two way massage than a fight.

10-9 Johnson, close

108-99 Johnson

 

Round 12

Becerra Gil is low-blocking with his wrists crossed over his belly as Johnson throws Ric Flair chops downstairs while crabbing in on him. Long clinch. The ref has all but given up on maintaining order, pleading "break" in barely a whisper, not expecting much compliance. Becerra Gil still manages to find enough of a second wind to use some quick nimble footwork in skittering away from the ropes so as to not get pinned there. Both just tentatively jabbing. A solo blast up top by Johnson with the right hand, missing. He falls in with some overhands and misses, Becerra Gil tapping him lightly on the face with a counter hook before tying up. Johnson plugging away, rights at the head. Becerra Gil shoves him up against the ropes.

10-9 Johnson, close

118-108 Johnson

 

Started with a bang and got boring, exactly contradicting my expectation.

 

Official cards:

118-108
120-106
116-110

UD for The American Dream