01.05.06 – By Wray Edwards: Photos © Wray Edwards — click here to view photo gallery — “I got nothing to say.” Those were Raheem’s first words after Freitas’ ten minute speech at the news conference after the fight. He was, however, convinced to express his sentiments as seen below. Those thoughts were about a mediocre fight which took place before a packed house in the Bingo Hall of Foxwoods Casino Resort in Ledyard Connecticut. The round card girls saved the day…don’t miss the photo gallery!
Both fighters seemed unwilling to leave it all in the ring. Raheem threw few combinations and pretty much stumbled into a grapple after each assault. Freitas attempted to keep his distance and box, but due to Zahir’s reach advantage, Acelino was forced to lash out from too far off…missing wildly much of the time. The two went down in a heap two or three times as the one grabbed tried to pull away, causing both to lose their footing. Referee Steve Smoger will probably have sore triceps in the morning from prying the two apart.
After the first round of getting to know you doldrums, every round after that was pretty much the same.
In going over the photos the writer kept wondering if he had skipped back a row during the editing process. It wasn’t that…it was just that every round was just like the last. Not as bad as Jones-Tarver III…but almost. It seemed that neither boxer wanted to leave it all in the ring in order to risk defeat to achieve resolute victory. It was a “survival match” not a boxing match. As someone yelled from the crowd, “Come on…make it interesting!!” the ringsiders all laughed in agreement.
There were a couple of head clashes which Freitas seemed to overly dramatize reminiscent of a kicker who theatrically goes down after a slight bump from a rusher. Neither was cut and the “fight” continued. One or the other boxer was always stumbling into an awkward head-lock, waist grapple or goofy entanglement which Smoger constantly had to untangle so that the “match” could continue.
This was caused by both boxers staying so far out of boxing range that they had to lunge, off-balance if any contact was to be made at all.
Occasionally (not often) they stepped in range and one or the other would pull the trigger first and get one or two in. Raheem favored double jabs while Freitas got off one or two combos each round. Even then the contact was made at the extreme end of the striking motion preventing either boxer from “sitting down” on their hits. The majority of contacts were from the waist or even arm punches.
Smoger commented to ESB, as he stepped away from the arm-raising poses, the word “weak”. Still haven’t figured out whether he was expressing an editorial on the fight or describing his fatigue after having to jack the two apart for twelve rounds. Both inferences are probably apt. Raheem did crack a reasonably effective left about two-thirds of the way through round eleven but did not follow up. Freitas did the same once or twice and also failed to follow up.
The contest could more appropriately be called a scuffle. The two styles and attitudes just didn’t mesh. The Judge’s split decision composed of a 113/115 score in favor of each boxer, and the rather severe 116/112 awarded to Freitas by Feldman just served to continue the inconclusive nature of the event. The Freitas camp and his Brazilian fans in the crowd went nuts as the vacant WBO Lightweight title was conferred on Acelino while Raheem sulked under a pitiful looking white paper crown trimmed in gold foil.
Zahir’s camp had raised him up before the results were announced, but now they stood, forlorn, holding his white, furry-collared, royal cloak which will have to be stored for another day. The author also had it 115/113, but just barely. Freitas’ now holds the WBO belt, but it doesn’t weigh much so to speak. There are three or four others in the class who would easily relieve him of it if given the chance. Corrales may come looking for it if Castillo gets serious in their number three.
The under card was quite good with a nice mix of TKOs, KDs, Quits and UDs. Undefeated Middleweight Andre Ward (8-0, 4) from Oakland, CA stopped a bloodied and, ‘till then, undefeated Andy Kolle (9-0,7) from Fergus Falls, Min. in the eight-round co-feature. Two hundred and fifty-five pound Heavyweight Alonzo Butler (21-0-1, 16) from Chattanooga, Tenn. stopped two hundred and two pound Zach Page (10-6, 4) from Warren, OH. Wonder if the FIFTY-THREE pound difference had anything to do with the outcome?
Movie star and avid boxing fan David Keith was in the crowd and permitted ESB a friendly pose pic. Peter Manfredo stopped by to hug the round card girls…lucky dog. And guess who was there add color to HBO’s TV outing.
When convinced to say something at the news conference, Raheem mused that he thought he had done enough, and if not what was needed? More punches? Duh. Called Freitas’ style “awkward in combination with his” and characterized the fight as “boring.” Pretty close. Zahir said he would consider a rematch. Freitas avoided predictions of future opponents saying he was going to “go home and spend time with his family”.
The Foxwoods Casino Resort provided the media with a sumptuous buffet before the fight and presented the most astounding duo of round card girls in the history of the sport (see picture gallery…easy now big fellas). Carol Boyd and Larry Byron must be graciously thanked for managing the event so well and giving East Side Boxing generous and patient access to the festivities. Enjoy the pics. See you at the fights.