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kenyan_cheena · 02-18-2005, 08:13 AM

26/01/2002
JACK JOHNSON VS JOE BECKETT
HSBC ARENA, BUFFALO, NEW YORK, USA
ROUND-BY-ROUND ANALYSIS

provided by Peter Roman of the New York Sun

Tale of the Tape

Height - Johnson: 6'1" Beckett: 5'9"
Weight - Johnson: 206 lbs Beckett: 197 lbs
Reach - Johnson: 74" Beckett: 71"

Well, the hype surrounding this bout has so far only been exceeded by the happenings before the Elmer Ray-Buddy Baer fight, back during the HBF's first week of competition. More than any of the bottom-seeded boxers, Joe Beckett has really been able to make believers out of a number of experts with his positive, resolute outlook. Couple that together with the fact that Jack Johnson (and his supersized ego) appears to have been more concerned with being famous than with being ready for tonight's bout, and it's easy to see why some give Beckett an outside chance.

The crowd at the HSBC Arena is beside themselves with anticipation in the minutes before the fighters are introduced.

Suddenly, the arena is filled with the cacophany that is "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba. Moments later, Joe Beckett and his small team, decked out in simple black and white, are making their way to the ring. They are greeted by a thunderous round of applause, and the repetitive chant of "GO JOE!!!" eminates throughout the audience. In the ring, Beckett looks deadly serious, something that could only be described as the exact opposite of a smile plastered on his face. It is a mask of cold, intense concentration, complete with a slick film of sweat.

A pair of horn stabs and some funky bass herald in the arrival of Galveston's Jack Johnson, accompanied by an apt selection, James Brown's "Super Bad." Johnson's dozen-strong entourage surrounds the Texan, the cornermen and Johnson himself dressed in near-identical stylish outfits that are a combination of sky blue, navy blue, black and white in colour. Johnson's robe is particularly impressive. The other men in the group are all dressed in black suits with fedora hats, as if they've stepped right out of 1930's Chicago. Johnson appears laid-back and relaxed, smiling and winking to the crowd, a complete contrast to Beckett.

Listening to the crowd's reactions, I have to say that Beckett did receive a healthier round of applause. The Englishman's eyes do not leave his charismatic opponent as Johnson climbs in the ring, letting out a "Wooo!" as he flips his hood back.

Announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. refers to Beckett as "The Angry Englishman" and to Johnson by the nickname he's been bestowed with since October, "The Galveston Giant." Johnson is really playing up to the crowd, doing a reasonable impersonation of James Brown's dance floor moves. He shows what some take as disrespect towards his opponent and receives a few boo's as a result. Beckett ignores his antics and Johnson playfully pleads his innocence to the crowd, removing his robe to reveal that, yes, indeed, he is not as fit as he was in October. However, he is wearing a pair of trunks that are pleasing to the eye. The main body of them are navy blue, with a trio of thin white, black and sky blue stripes running up and down each side and a sky blue waist band, his name stenciled on it in black print.

Referee Jose Medina-Solar calls the two men together in the centre of the ring, and it is only at this point that Johnson appears to be taking the event seriously. He returns Beckett's scowl with a glare, but one gets the feeling that he is moments from bursting out laughing. As the two men return to their corners, Johnson encourages the crowd, who respond in kind...

02-18-2005, 08:13 AM	#86 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,178	26/01/2002 JACK JOHNSON VS JOE BECKETT HSBC ARENA, BUFFALO, NEW YORK, USA ROUND-BY-ROUND ANALYSIS provided by Peter Roman of the New York Sun Tale of the Tape Height - Johnson: 6'1" Beckett: 5'9" Weight - Johnson: 206 lbs Beckett: 197 lbs Reach - Johnson: 74" Beckett: 71" Well, the hype surrounding this bout has so far only been exceeded by the happenings before the Elmer Ray-Buddy Baer fight, back during the HBF's first week of competition. More than any of the bottom-seeded boxers, Joe Beckett has really been able to make believers out of a number of experts with his positive, resolute outlook. Couple that together with the fact that Jack Johnson (and his supersized ego) appears to have been more concerned with being famous than with being ready for tonight's bout, and it's easy to see why some give Beckett an outside chance. The crowd at the HSBC Arena is beside themselves with anticipation in the minutes before the fighters are introduced. Suddenly, the arena is filled with the cacophany that is "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba. Moments later, Joe Beckett and his small team, decked out in simple black and white, are making their way to the ring. They are greeted by a thunderous round of applause, and the repetitive chant of "GO JOE!!!" eminates throughout the audience. In the ring, Beckett looks deadly serious, something that could only be described as the exact opposite of a smile plastered on his face. It is a mask of cold, intense concentration, complete with a slick film of sweat. A pair of horn stabs and some funky bass herald in the arrival of Galveston's Jack Johnson, accompanied by an apt selection, James Brown's "Super Bad." Johnson's dozen-strong entourage surrounds the Texan, the cornermen and Johnson himself dressed in near-identical stylish outfits that are a combination of sky blue, navy blue, black and white in colour. Johnson's robe is particularly impressive. The other men in the group are all dressed in black suits with fedora hats, as if they've stepped right out of 1930's Chicago. Johnson appears laid-back and relaxed, smiling and winking to the crowd, a complete contrast to Beckett. Listening to the crowd's reactions, I have to say that Beckett did receive a healthier round of applause. The Englishman's eyes do not leave his charismatic opponent as Johnson climbs in the ring, letting out a "Wooo!" as he flips his hood back. Announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. refers to Beckett as "The Angry Englishman" and to Johnson by the nickname he's been bestowed with since October, "The Galveston Giant." Johnson is really playing up to the crowd, doing a reasonable impersonation of James Brown's dance floor moves. He shows what some take as disrespect towards his opponent and receives a few boo's as a result. Beckett ignores his antics and Johnson playfully pleads his innocence to the crowd, removing his robe to reveal that, yes, indeed, he is not as fit as he was in October. However, he is wearing a pair of trunks that are pleasing to the eye. The main body of them are navy blue, with a trio of thin white, black and sky blue stripes running up and down each side and a sky blue waist band, his name stenciled on it in black print. Referee Jose Medina-Solar calls the two men together in the centre of the ring, and it is only at this point that Johnson appears to be taking the event seriously. He returns Beckett's scowl with a glare, but one gets the feeling that he is moments from bursting out laughing. As the two men return to their corners, Johnson encourages the crowd, who respond in kind... Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 04-29-2005 at 06:18 PM.