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

All three judges gave it 10-9 to Ward.

Judges 1 & 3 have it 40-36 to Ward overall.

Judge 2 has it 39-37 to Ward overall.

 

Round 5

Solonenko is pumping away with dogged persistence, reaching with his jab, right hand in tow. Solonenko throws combos off the lead left hook and hangs in the pocket waiting for Solonenko, cracking him across the face. Clinch. Solonenko feels Ward hit him on the break and makes a plaintive gesture while glancing at the referee. Ward nails him with a two-piece while his eyes are focused elsewhere! Shades of Mayweather vs. Ortiz there. Solonenko keeps pressing on and slapping over the top, missing and falling into clinches. Ward dances around and hacks a few times with a sloppy combo while crossing his feet and leading Solonenko on. Very light jab by Ward. Solonenko is breathing through his mouth, winding up big right hands and missing. Flurry by Ward.

10-9 Ward

50-45 Ward

 

Official cards:

50-45
49-46
50-45

UD for Joe Ward

 

The meet is knotted 2-2.

Heavies for all the marbles.

 

Ward says he knew Solonenko was tough but that speed, technique and movement would get him by.

He seems a nice, bright kid from the brief interview (although he was badly out of breath and clearly just being accommodating and not in the mood)

 

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Joseph Joyce, heavyweights (91+kg)

 

Round 1

Usyk is waving his right jab and springing back as Joyce tests out his straight right, measuring with it. Usyk trots clockwise around Joyce, then changes direction, back again. All feeling out and getting a sense of distance in the first minute, no serious punches from either. Joyce fires a right hand into the air as Usyk is circling wide. Joyce is throwing from too far away. Usyk is putting his right arm out to catch Joyce jabs like a horseshoe stake. Usyk uses his left glove to push off Joyce on the inside and pop him with right jabs while moving away. NICE overhand left by Usyk thrown blindly while tucking his chin and stepping out. Joyce drops the left jab on Usyk's chub lock.

10-9 Usyk

 

All three judges gave it 10-9 to Usyk.

 

Round 2

JOYCE CAUGHT USYK! Joyce chases Usyk to the ropes throwing hard jabs and big drilling right hands. Usyk is flipping up the right jab, grimacing as he looks to work his way off the ropes and defend. Diving left to the body by Usyk from outside, missing. Joyce paws the jab coming forward. Nice 1-2 by Usyk charging in up on the balls of his feet, knocking out Joyce's gum shield. Time in. Joyce reels out the jab and starts to build up a lather with straight combinations. Usyk is getting caught while circling at mid-range. Usyk tries pinning his gloves to his cheeks while staying low and moving in and out with body shots. Joyce brushes him with the jab. BIG LEFT HAND rocketing up to the chin from a crouch by Usyk. Another nice left, hooked around wide from down low under Joyce's field of vision. Nice finish by Usyk, tagging Joyce repeatedly with the left.

10-9 Joyce, but very close (Joyce early, Usyk late)

19-19

 

Round 3

Usyk is moving and stalking with easygoing crab steps to lull Joyce, then darting in with mercurial lefts to the body. Joyce keeps rowing with his left jab and trying to put together scooping combos to pick Usyk off in his circumnavigation. Usyk's defense is too tight, and he's too agile for Joyce to corner. Excellent footwork and accurate overhand lefts from the high guard by Usyk. 1-2 by Joyce and a counter left uppercut by Usyk.

10-9 Usyk

29-28 Usyk

 

All three judges gave it 10-9 to Usyk and have it 30-27 to Usyk overall.