True4U: Tasana Salapat (aka Petch CP Freshmart) vs. Chēnghào Luō RBR

WBC open scoring through four:

39-37
38-38 x2

Interestingly, the card they held up with the judges' tallies listed the challenger in the right column - meaning Luō is the one that is up 39-37 on that one card (Salapat is the reigning defending WBC bantamweight Asian champion). Maybe a mistake?

 

Round 5

A brawl is developing now. Luō is still moving, now clockwise, and skirting the ropes, but Salapat is coming to him a bit more ruthlessly now, hunched forward and pumping out hard combinations, and Luō is obliging him more and more. Both slinging power shots from a couple paces apart. Very frequent melees, Salapat always getting the better of them, throwing more volume and with more venom.

10-9 Salapat

49-46 Salapat

 

Round 6

Luō is sweeping out side to side a few steps at once, trading head jabs with Salapat, both of their heads snapping back upon contact. Salapat is first to break the siren's lullaby pattern and step in with a heavy 1-2, narrowly sidestepped by Luō. Nice quick high whipping right hook by Luō while circling to his right. Salapat marches up to him and uncorks his own less fast & flashy but very meaty right hook, partly blocked but freezing Luō in place for a straight combo that penetrates his guard.

10-9 Salapat, better round than Luō's had in a few, but still can't solve the puzzle.

59-55 Salapat

 

Round 7

Luō is jogging to either side briefly before changing directions, slicing up with cheeky right hookercuts or flicking a jab to cover his tracks. Salapat stays laser focused, patient and poised, jabbing to head and body, sometimes ducking in place under a Luō right hook and plowing into his waist with a left hand. Good right hook and axing left combo by Luō pivoting around Salapat in the middle of the ring, gets the commentators' attention. Jabs for Salapat chipping away on the guard of Luō, clearing a path for the heavy 1-2.

10-9 Salapat

69-64 Salapat

 

The between rounds music reminds me of this mobile tank fighting game Lil Butt used to be obsessed with in kindergarten.

 

Round 8

Luō is holding up the goalposts, hoping to screen out jabs while creeping in a close spiral near Salapat. Luō with right hooks as Salapat is retracting his jab, but getting caught on the back of Salapat's left wrist. Nice crisp 1-2s between the guard by Salapat. Luō reacts to a jab feint, starts moving in past it to counter, but Salapat zaps him with a ready & waiting left. Triple jab into the air by Luō, carving a way past Salapat, and slipping a jab himself. They both miss a few more jabs at the bell, each man concentrating more on defense.

10-9 Salapat

79-73 Salapat

 

Where's that second batch of WBC open scoring? It's supposed to be after the fourth and eighth.

 

Round 9

Luō is moving right, picking off double jabs and steering clear of that left cross. Salapat occasionally taking an extra long step inside and turning over a right hook just to dissuade Luō from any chicanery. Luō still can't resist now and then barreling in low with a few hooks climbing up from the hip to shoulder of Salapat. Luō with a stiff jab, knocking Salapat's neck erect. Salapat answers with his own and they swap at the bell.

10-9 Salapat, closer

89-82 Salapat

 

Whenever they show the slow motion replays of exchanges it's always just both guys taking shots on their shoulders or deflecting off their forearms. Good display of defense all-around today.