[kenyan_cheena]

The Cintas Center was abuzz with excitement in the moments before the announcement of the judge's decision. There were many who had arrived at the arena eager to see George Chuvalo, but who had become fans of the determined Englishman Brian London during the course of the bout. It really was a difficult fight to call, and more than a few people thought that, despite being knocked down, London had done enough early in the fight to take the victory.

The punch totals for the bout provided a good case for both of the fighters:

CHUVALO - punches thrown: 335 punches landed: 143
LONDON - punches thrown: 229 punches landed: 150

Chuvalo had been more active, but London had been much more accurate with his punches.

Ring announcer Glen Muller took the microphone and addressed the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'll now announce the result of tonight's exciting main event. The judges have tallied their scorecards, and we have a split decision."

A wave of shock and excitement rippled through the audience. This meant that AT LEAST one judge had felt that Chuvalo had lost and London had won.

"Judge Gus Mercurio of Australia has scored the fight 58-55 to George Chuvalo. Judge Roger Tilleman of Belgium has scored the fight 57-56 to Brian London."

The anticipation in the audience had built to a fever pitch, and Muller milked it for all it was worth.

"And Judge Albert Bennett of the USA, has scored the fight 57-56, to the winner ... George Chuvalo of Canada!"

The crowd erupted, an even mixture of delighted applause and unhappy boo's filing the arena.

Chuvalo lifted his arm, but did not look as excited as he would have been if the result had been more comprehensive. It was obvious that he knew he'd dodged a bullet. In his corner, London shook his head, a sullen expression showing on his face. He left the ring quickly, staring daggers at the judges on the way out. A number of people from the audience offered him respectful pats on the back and handshakes as he disappeared up the main tunnel.

"Well, George, that was a hell of a debut for you, wouldn't you say?" said ESPN's Bill Farris.

Chuvalo smiled and nodded. "Have to agree with you, Bill," he said. "Brian London really gave me all I could handle tonight."

"Now, that was an incredibly tight decision. I believe I'm right in saying that if you hadn't knocked him down in the fourth, this fight would have been a draw."

Chuvalo shrugged. "Well, I hadn't really looked at that, but yes, it was a very close fight. Quite a struggle."

"I think everyone in the arena here tonight would have to say that they'd pay good money just to see the two of you go at it again. That was a hell of a fight."

The crowd responded with a uniform round of applause.

Chuvalo laughed. "Well, thank you. But, you know, the HBF is in control of that. The way this tournament is structured, it's unlikely that any two fighters will fight each other twice. Still, it was a hell of a fight, I can't deny that. I'd like to congratulate Mister London for a great performance."

"Well, unfortunately, he's already left the ring," said Farris. "I'd say that he's more than a little bit unhappy to have lost the decision. Do you think you were lucky tonight?"

"It was a tough fight," Chuvalo said. "And close. But, I did knock the guy down, so obviously that had an effect on the scoring. I think that I was lucky that I woke up in the fourth round there, really."

This brought a warm series of laughter and applause form the audience.

"Really. Brian was just kicking my backside there during the first three rounds," said Chuvalo. "I don't know why so many people would be surprised if I lost. I think others have said it about this tournament, I think my pal Sammy Langford was one of them. The seedings really mean nothing. None of us have done anything in the ring to prove that we deserve to win. We've all been placed in this tournament based on how we performed in auditions. There's a big difference between an audition and strapping up the gloves and climbing into the ring. Really, I think that the only thing that these seedings have done is make the lower seeded guys even more determined to win. They want to show everyone that the HBF got it wrong in some cases. Look at what happened with Jimmy Young last week? He was lucky to escape with a draw, and he's the sixteenth seed."

"So do you think that it's possible that we will see a number of upsets and close decisions like tonight as the tournament progresses?"

Chuvalo nodded. "Most definitely. I don't doubt it. It's going to be exciting to watch, I guarantee you."

"Well, George, congratulations on a hard-fought victory tonight, and good luck for the rest of the tournament."

"Thanks."

Chuvalo shook Farris's hand and left the ring with his training team, the audience giving him a final round of applause before he disappeared up the tunnel...