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kenyan_cheena · 03-06-2005, 02:48 AM

THE PORTLAND UNDERCARD

OPENING BOUT

The night got off to an electrifying start, when 23 year-old Olle Tandberg of Sweden and 27 year-old Tom Kennedy of Woodland Hills, California fought themselves to a standstill in a 1st Defense tournament bout, the final result being a draw. The two men put on a great show, with Kennedy landing 140 punches and Tandberg 129. One judge felt that Tandberg had done enough to win, scoring the fight in his favour 58-56. However, the other two judges scored it 57-57.

PRELIMINARY 1

18 year-old Don Cockell is the 18th seed in the 1st Defense tournament. A native of London, England, he scored a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over his Welsh opponent, 20 year-old Dick Richardson. After struggling through the first half of the bout, Richardson came to life in the fourth round, trading heavy shots with Cockell in what must be a contender for best round of the tournament to date. Fittingly, each judge scored the round 10-10. Richardson finished the bout strongly, landing a number of big shots on Cockell in the final round. Unfortunately, it would prove to be the only round that he won in the fight. Cockell outlanded Richardson 175-134, and took the verdict by identical scores of 59-56 on all three cards.

PRELIMINARY 2

In the first World Championship tournament bout of the night, Canada's Earl Walls managed to claim a unanimous decision victory against his determined Californian opponent, Mac Foster. Walls is the 58th seed in the tournament and climbed off the canvas in the opening round before returning the favour to Foster in round two. 74th seeded Foster tasted the canvas for a second time in the fifth round. The sixth round was the best of the fight and a great way to bring the bout to a close, with both men trading shots and refusing to take a backward step. Walls took a close decision, 56-55, 57-54, 56-55.

SUPPORT BOUT

Hard-hitting 21 year-old Englishman Frank Bruno impressed many observers during the HBF's October auditions with his power (but not much else). At 6'3" and 217 pounds, the Hammersmith-born 42nd seed cut an imposing figure as he entered the ring against Canada's Jack Renault. However, contrary to his appearance, Bruno struggled against Renault. But in a decision that defied belief and was, without a doubt, the worst given so far in the HBF tournaments, Bruno was awarded the fight by unanimous decision, 58-57, 59-57, 59-56. Most ringside observers felt that Renault was the superior fighter in each of the final four rounds, yet only a single judge scored the fight in his favour during this period. The 25 year-old Canadian could not contain his frustration after the decision was announced, and gave the judges a victriolic spray. So angered was he that he could not help but banter his opponent about the fairness of the decision. It's possible that we might hear more from Jack Renault in the days to come.

CO-FEATURE

20 year-old Italian-American Roland LaStarza is a product of the Bronx in New York. Tough and uncompromising, this young man was relentless in his professional debut, taking a unanimous decision victory over German-born Milwaukee resident Willi Besmanoff. The judge's final cards of 59-55, 58-56 and 58-57 did not really do justice to the quality of LaStarza's performance, as he dominated his opponent for most of the fight. By far, LaStarza is not one of the strongest men in this tournament. But he more than made up for that with his aggression and tenacity. He simply overwhelmed Besmanoff. The 26th seed in the World Championship tournament, LaStarza showed that he will present a fierce challenge to Young Stribling for top spot in Group Seven.

03-06-2005, 02:48 AM	#102 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,311	THE PORTLAND UNDERCARD OPENING BOUT The night got off to an electrifying start, when 23 year-old Olle Tandberg of Sweden and 27 year-old Tom Kennedy of Woodland Hills, California fought themselves to a standstill in a 1st Defense tournament bout, the final result being a draw. The two men put on a great show, with Kennedy landing 140 punches and Tandberg 129. One judge felt that Tandberg had done enough to win, scoring the fight in his favour 58-56. However, the other two judges scored it 57-57. PRELIMINARY 1 18 year-old Don Cockell is the 18th seed in the 1st Defense tournament. A native of London, England, he scored a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over his Welsh opponent, 20 year-old Dick Richardson. After struggling through the first half of the bout, Richardson came to life in the fourth round, trading heavy shots with Cockell in what must be a contender for best round of the tournament to date. Fittingly, each judge scored the round 10-10. Richardson finished the bout strongly, landing a number of big shots on Cockell in the final round. Unfortunately, it would prove to be the only round that he won in the fight. Cockell outlanded Richardson 175-134, and took the verdict by identical scores of 59-56 on all three cards. PRELIMINARY 2 In the first World Championship tournament bout of the night, Canada's Earl Walls managed to claim a unanimous decision victory against his determined Californian opponent, Mac Foster. Walls is the 58th seed in the tournament and climbed off the canvas in the opening round before returning the favour to Foster in round two. 74th seeded Foster tasted the canvas for a second time in the fifth round. The sixth round was the best of the fight and a great way to bring the bout to a close, with both men trading shots and refusing to take a backward step. Walls took a close decision, 56-55, 57-54, 56-55. SUPPORT BOUT Hard-hitting 21 year-old Englishman Frank Bruno impressed many observers during the HBF's October auditions with his power (but not much else). At 6'3" and 217 pounds, the Hammersmith-born 42nd seed cut an imposing figure as he entered the ring against Canada's Jack Renault. However, contrary to his appearance, Bruno struggled against Renault. But in a decision that defied belief and was, without a doubt, the worst given so far in the HBF tournaments, Bruno was awarded the fight by unanimous decision, 58-57, 59-57, 59-56. Most ringside observers felt that Renault was the superior fighter in each of the final four rounds, yet only a single judge scored the fight in his favour during this period. The 25 year-old Canadian could not contain his frustration after the decision was announced, and gave the judges a victriolic spray. So angered was he that he could not help but banter his opponent about the fairness of the decision. It's possible that we might hear more from Jack Renault in the days to come. CO-FEATURE 20 year-old Italian-American Roland LaStarza is a product of the Bronx in New York. Tough and uncompromising, this young man was relentless in his professional debut, taking a unanimous decision victory over German-born Milwaukee resident Willi Besmanoff. The judge's final cards of 59-55, 58-56 and 58-57 did not really do justice to the quality of LaStarza's performance, as he dominated his opponent for most of the fight. By far, LaStarza is not one of the strongest men in this tournament. But he more than made up for that with his aggression and tenacity. He simply overwhelmed Besmanoff. The 26th seed in the World Championship tournament, LaStarza showed that he will present a fierce challenge to Young Stribling for top spot in Group Seven. Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 04-29-2005 at 06:30 PM.