Xiong Zhao Zhong vs. Oswaldo Novoa RBR

It's too bad Singwancha has fought such poor opposition the last several years (mostly novices) - he does have some nice skills intact after twenty years in the ring and they're essentially going to waste. He is a former two-division world titlist - yes, real titles, unlike the bauble he is wearing now, holding the WBC green belt at both 118lbs in the 90's and 130lbs early in the last decade.

A clash with Yoshihiro Kamegai for the Oriental & Pacific 147lb title would be a great chance to reclaim some glory in his twilight, and would be a great styles match-up and guaranteed entertainment.

 

Main event!

 

Anthems.

 

The classy Jimmy Lennon Jr. makes the introductions, proclaiming "it's...SHOWTIME!"

 

Weird variety in the crowd, usually not seen at ringside. Little kids, grandmotherly old ladies - this seems to be a big cultural event uniting people from outside the customary boxing demographic.

 

Round 1

Zhong is jabbing Novoa in the face, darting in and out. Novoa is leading with wide left hooks, hitting the arms as Zhong pulls his top half away and backpedals. Zhong close in with a jab on the chest and ducks a sweeping Novoa hook, back on the outside. They are establishing a pattern here of what each is looking to do for the night.

10-9 Zhong

 

Round 2

More wide lead hooks by Novoa marching up to Zhong, shoveling big underhanded combos into the body. Zhong slides his feet back, tucking his elbows to catch some of the punches and popping an up-jab into Novoa's mouth. Zhong is getting pushed onto the ropes by the heavy pendulum combos of Novoa, but not much getting through cleanly. Pecking counter jabs up top by Zhong.

10-9 Zhong

20-18 Zhong

 

Round 3

Zhong is crouching in and doubling his jab up at Novoa, then backing out and looking to set traps with big lacrosse-stick right hands as Novoa comes to him. Novoa is pitchforking with his long jab and then whipping uppercuts onto Zhong's sides while still at distance. Right hand upside the head by Novoa as Zhong backs up.

10-9 Novoa

29-28 Zhong

 

Round 4

Zhong is rolling his fists around each other as Novoa walks him across the ring. 1-2 dropped in by Novoa, Zhong wending his head in between Novoa's arms and grabbing him around the waist, pushing him to center ring in the clinch. 1-2 by Novoa, deflected with Zhong's raised left glove as Zhong again dives in to hold. Time out, warning to Novoa for straying low with his shovels to the body.

10-9 Novoa

38-38

 

Round 5

Zhong is backed up to the ropes where Novoa puts together several overhands and uppercuts reaching down for him. Every time Zhong slips a punch another connects. He needs to get off the ropes. He ducks and steps out and Novoa immediately cut the ring off. Zhong dive in and holds. Headhunting jabs and long body uppercuts by Novoa continuing to harry Zhong around the ring. Clubbing right forearm by Novoa bursting free of a hold attempt by Zhong and knocking the champion on his heels. Novoa is throwing nonstop as Zhong looks to escape and ride out the clock with only moments remaining. Novoa keeps finding him with both hands, steamrolling him. The ref stops it!

TKO5!!

 

...and the new WBC strawweight champion of the world: Oswaldo Novoa!! :shock:

 

Per open scoring, Novoa was up 39-37 on the cards entering the fifth.