Crolla beats Rees by a controversial decision

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In a highly controversial decision, Anthony Crolla (26-4-1,9 KO’s) labored to a 12 round majority over Gavin (37-3-1, 18 KO’s) to grab the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title at the Bolton Arena, Bolton, Lancashire, United Kingdom. The judges scores were 115-113 and 116-113 for Crolla, and 115-115 even. This was a really strange fight, because I’ve never seen a fighter get out-landed and outworked as much as I saw Crolla, and yet still win the fight. Talk about your controversial decisions.

It was a very questionable decision in that Rees landed more shots in every round of the fight, was the much busier guy in every round, and landed the cleaner shots. I saw Rees winning almost the rounds. The only rounds I could give Crolla were the 3rd and 11th, and even in those rounds, Rees outlanded him.

Crolla had the crowd in his favor big time in this fight, and the outcome was not surprising. Crolla was getting cheered even when he missing shots; whereas the crowd was deathly silent each time Rees landed, which quite often.

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Mora decisions Proksa in ugly fight

mora1Sergio Mora (24-3-2, 7 KO’s) defeated Grzegorz Proksa (29-3, 21 KO’s) tonight by a 10 round unanimous decision in a pot shot fight at the Veteran’s Coliseum, in Jacksonville, Florida. The judges scored it 96-94, 96-94, and 98-92. The 96-94 scores seemed fair. The 98-92 score was out of touch with the reality of the fight.

Mora won, but it was close and it was very ugly because both of these guys were throwing mostly single shots all night. It was a lot of defense, and lot of head movement without a lot of power. Proksa came into the fight with a reputation for being a hard puncher, but he didn’t look very power tonight, and of course neither did Mora.

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No Surprise – Adrien Broner the Farce Wins over Paulie Malignaggi

malig55About the only thing(s) close to being a surprise was that Paulie Malignaggi went the distance and one judge thought he won the fight? Not much doubt who won. Paulie Malignaggi displayed even less “pop” than usual on his punches. In a way, you have to admire Paulie. it’s must take a lot of courage for Paulie to enter the ring unarmed, knowing that he can’t hurt his opponent. It’s a shame, because “The Magic Man” could be one helluva fighter if he had a punch.

The fight itself was predictable and silly at times. Adrien Broner was the farce, jester or wag. He has no class. He acts the fool, or maybe he’s not acting. One wonders if there’s a worthwhile thought that passes through his brain? If there is, it departs faster than his lead right. He always seems to get away with questionable tactics, not unlike someone else fans know without naming names. He uses his forearm and left elbow as weapons, and on one occasion actually kneed Paulie.

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Plenty To Talk About After Broner-Malignaggi Scrap

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Judging by the number of comments ESB readers have been posting with regards to last night’s 12-round SD win Adrien Broner scored over Paulie Malignaggi, the fans have plenty to say and discuss about the fight and the whole event. Firstly, Broner, the new WBA welterweight champ, has further alienated many fans with his crass behaviour, both in and out of the ring – hitting on the break, disrespectful showboating and, worst of all, kicking during the action – and “The Problem” shows no signs of ever earning the respect of many of these fans.

Last night’s split decision, which came as quite a shock, especially to those “experts” who “knew” Broner would KO Malignaggi, has also caused some talk. Broner deserved the win, but what would have happened if referee Benjy Esteves had taken a point or two away from Broner for his many infringements? Can Malignaggi, who said he felt the fight was close and could have gone either way, be justified in complaining over how the split decision handed in by the three judges didn’t wind up being a draw or even a win for him? (had a point been taken away from Broner for his classless kicking stunt, Malignaggi would have got a draw on two cards, thus retaining his belt and scoring a major upset to the Broner applecart.)

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Broner decisions Malignaggi; Bika tops Periban; Mitchell defeats Banks

broner45499Adrien Broner (27-0, 22 KO’s) defeated WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi (32-5, 7 KO’s) by a 12 round split decision at the on Saturday night to win his WBA title at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York, USA. The judges had it 115-113, 117-111 for Broner, and 115-113 for Malignaggi.

You can make an argument that the fight should have been scored a draw, as Broner did little in the first 5 rounds of the fight other than covering up in the turtle shell defense.

Broner failed to set himself apart from Malignaggi in terms of talent in this fight because he just didn’t work hard enough.

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Caleb Truax Stops “Da Bomb” in the Sixth Round

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There’s been a bit of a drought in Minnesota when it comes to victories on the big stage. For a while there, it seemed like it would never happen. ESPN2 analyst and famous trainer Teddy Atlas reminded fans right away of that fact. He has a habit of pointing out what he thinks might be padded records. In Caleb “Golden” Truax’s case, Teddy explained that most of Caleb’s victories took place in his own backyard. It wasn’t hard to figure out what he was implying. He further explained that Caleb blew his big chance against Jermain Taylor on 4-20-12 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Except for a ninth round knockdown of Taylor, Caleb was pretty much shutout. Caleb 22-1-1 (13KOs) was determined to not let that bad memory repeat itself.

Caleb managed to get Don “Da Bomb” George 24-3-2 (21KOs) in trouble right away in the first round. Caleb quickly figured out George was not a counter puncher, and didn’t use his legs much for anything other than moving straight ahead. Consequently, Caleb started teeing off. He was using a hard jab to set things up and then pounded in with good three punch combinations. George’s idea of a guard was easily exploited by Caleb. The 29 yr old kid from Osseo, MN didn’t have to rely on his college degree to realise he could slam shots right into George’s guard without retaliation.

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ESPN2 Friday Night Fights Recap from Minneapolis

In what was a shorter than expected main event IBF Title Eliminator from the Minneapolis Convention Center which was broadcasted by Espn2 and Espn Deportes. Rances Barthelemy scored a 2nd round knockout with shots the body that put Fahsai Sakkreerin on the floor for the full 10 count. Fortunately Sakkreerin was able to get up after a being tended to by the ringside doctor.

Rances controlled the 1st round with lead left hooks and counter right uppercuts on the inside. Fahsai landed his left early in the round but Barthelemy’s ability to roll his punches enabled him to land anything clean.

In the second round Barthelemy stuck his long jab in Fahsai’s face than followed it up with solid shots to the body and head. The fighters exchange body shots a few times in a row but it was Rances bigger, more accurate shots that ended the night. The win moves Barthelemy’s record to a perfect 19-0(12Ko) and puts him in prime position in the IBF rankings.

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Results of ESPN fight card from West Orange, N.J.

By: Lou McLaughlin -ringside – Boxing returned to West Orange, N.J. at the Richard J. Codey Arena (formerly South Mountain Arena) this past Friday night June 14 after an absence of 20 years. The bouts were brought by Greg Cohen Promotions and Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions. Gabe LaConte has been a force in New Jersey boxing for decades. Gabe was inducted last year into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame for his many years work as a promoter in the Garden State. Three of the fights were telecast live by ESPN.

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Mikey Garcia destroys Lopez; Crawford stops Sanabria

Mikey Garcia (32-0, 27 KO’s) put on a jabbing and counter-punching clinic in destroying a once good fighter Juan Manuel Lopez (33-3, 30 KO’s) by a 4th round TKO tonight at the American Airlines Center, in Dallas, Texas, USA. Mikey, 25, knocked Juanma down twice in the fight, once in the 2nd from a right hand, and a final time in the 4th with a tremendous left hook. Official time of stoppage was 1:35.

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Kovalev defeats White; Jennings stops Fedosov

656Russian knockout artist Sergey Kovalev (21-0-1, 19 KO’s) obliterated Cornelius White (21-2, 16 KO’s) by a quick 3rd round TKO on Saturday night at the Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA. Kovalev really went after White, battering him in the first two rounds with big power shots, and then knocking him to the canvas three times in the 3rd round.

Kovalev knocked White down with a left hand for the first knockdown of the 3rd. White got back up and was hit with some hard combinations from Kovalev and then knocked down a second time in the round.

White was really hurt after getting from this knockdown, but the referee allowed the action to continue. Kovalev then steamed forward and landed a brief flurry that ended with a nice left hook that knocked White down for the third and final time in the round. The referee then halted the fight.

Kovalev mentioned after the fight that he’d like to face IBF light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins next if possible. He’s hoping Hopkins will want to fight him.

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