Zabdiel Judah vs. Cletus Seldin & James Anthony McGirt vs. David Papot RBR

McGirt vs. Papot was...better.

Seriously, even accounting for that being a feeling-out round, the 1st of McGirt vs. Papot edged it out in terms of entertainment value.

 

Round 2

Seldin is diving in with rights on the body, and trying as he straightens his legs to smash the underside of Judah's chin with an uppercut. Judah is playing keep-away, melting off the ropes after dipping his shoulder into them for buoyancy, and placing the right jab lightly between Seldin's eyes. Seldin loading up on big line drive right hands up top, banging into Judah's shoulder. Papot slaps him across the mouth with a looping right and Judah is knocked into the ropes. Clinch. Seldin working his free hand, which alternates left to right depending on which Judah has contained with his tentacles. Judah grinding his forehead down into the back of Seldin's head before the break.

10-9 Seldin

19-19

 

This is dogshit, as expected.

Although for some reason I was hoping it would exceed our expectations and produce fireworks. Eh, still ten left to go I guess, let's see if things improve..

 

Judah not reacting well to even light touches. I think his resistance is kaput.

 

Round 3

Seldin is keeping both hands busily kneading away on the face and midsection of Judah, reaching in as he must, clod-hopping along in pursuit. Seldin now turns southpaw and nudges Judah in the belly with some right jabs while feinting a chopping left up top, keeping Judah in a defensive shell in retreat. Seldin ROCKS Judah late with a heavy clubbing right as their ankles were crossed in the customary southpaw vs. orthodox fashion, and Judah performs a few steps of his patented chicken dance! Too little time on the clock for Seldin to capitalize..

10-9 Seldin

29-28 Seldin

 

I was on the fence heading in, because how much Judah had left at this point was an unknowable variable - but now, Seldin is going to KO him, for sure.

(unless Zab produces another come-from-behind miraculous 1-shot kayo, like against Kaizer Mabuza)

 

Last time I saw a light welterweight ex-champ do this much clinching was ...uh... Ricky Hatton, against Senchenko?

 

Round 4

Seldin is roughing up Judah on the inside. Judah doing nothing but clinch. Seldin is clanging his fists into the body, upside the head, whatever he can get a piece of. Judah trying his damnedest just to control Seldin's arms, push them down, negate the action. No counter punches. He's too slow and uncoordinated at this point to bother. When he opens up Seldin just tags him, and each shot hurts. Judah throwing as much of a wet blanket over Seldin as he can.

10-9 Seldin

39-37 Seldin