WSB (World Series of Boxing) - Season 3 ***Champions: Kazakhstan Astana Arlans***

It was a very lame attempt at humor referencing "hip" pop culture.

There's a novel that came out the last year or two about S&M that became all the rage among lonely housewives, called '50 Shades of Grey'.

 

Joseph Ward vs. Denys Solonenko, light heavyweight (80-85 kg)

 

20 year old Solonenko is a professional boxer, making his debut thirteen months ago and taking a 4-round MD but not competing since then outside WSB.

He is powerful but raw, still a work in progress.

 

Round 1

Solonenko is throwing uppercuts to the body wading in, failing to cover his head quickly enough after finishing his work. Ward is popping right jabs and sharp left crosses down the pipe while circling. Solonenko claps in with gong ringers to the side, but Ward is able to stay a step ahead and keep the jab on him. Lunging hook up top by Solonenko and Ward slips it with a quick rubberneck. Solonenko walks into a right hand. Solonenko jumps in and tags Ward with a left hand lead to the chin. Ward leans against the ropes and bounces off to avoid Solonenko's follow-up.

10-9 Ward

 

Judges 1 & 3 gave it 10-9 to Ward.

Judge 2 gave it 10-9 to Solonenko.

 

Round 2

Solonenko is throwing big right hands up top and getting pecked with counters as Ward steps away and drops into a wide and ready stance. A bit of trading on the inside, both bashing up top, but Ward inevitably gets back to moving and boxing on the outside. Solonenko is getting a bit overanxious coming in, missing widely.

10-9 Ward

20-18 Ward

 

All three judges gave it 10-9 to Ward.

Judges 1 & 3 have it 20-18 to Ward overall.

Judge 2 has it 19-19.

 

Round 3

Solonenko is lumbering in and catapulting slow right hands while Ward works in peppering combos to the head and body. Solonenko is tiring and drifting in with his guard lowered. Uppercut by Ward. Body shots put together in succession by Ward, landing most. Solonenko is winging his arms wide around the side and getting countered down the middle.

10-9 Ward

30-27 Ward

 

All three judges gave it 10-9 to Ward.

Judges 1 & 3 have it 30-27 to Ward overall.

Judge 2 has it 29-28 to Ward overall.

 

Playoffs, I guess.

 

Round 4

Solonenko is moving forward and taking long hauls with his right. Ward circles and works the jab. Solonenko manages to catch him a few times but Ward stands up to it and answers back with uppercut combos to the body. Nice left hook inside by Ward. Solonenko presses into him and they slug, both punching in slow motion. Clinch.

10-9 Ward

40-36 Ward