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CO-FEATURE

Floyd Patterson's performance in his debut bout last month was considered by many to be amongst the best of all the first series bouts. He totally dominated Rocky Jones, landing 158 punches to 81 (many of Jones's punches coming in the final round) and winning all but one round on one judge's scorecard.

Italian-born Pennsylvania native Tony Ross had gone into his debut bout against Jimmy Young as a huge underdog. The 113th seed in the tournament (and bottom seed in his group), Ross had not been expected to trouble Young, who was the 16th seed in the tournament and top seed in the group. Well, Ross shocked many people when he almost pulled out a victory against Young, whose unsound tactics during the bout were as much responsible for the drawn result as Ross's tenacity.

So, going into tonight's match-up, Ross had some reason for optimism. He knew that Patterson would most likely be a tougher proposition than Young, but he was still confident.

Many have said that Patterson - a native of Waco, North Carolina who has been living in New York City for the past five years - is now the favourite to finish atop of Group Sixteen. Against Ross, he started well, rocking him with a crushing uppercut 77 seconds into the bout. At the two minute mark, a hammer-like right hand landed flush on the chin, snapping Ross's head around. It was a minor miracle that he managed to stay on his feet. But then Ross rallied. A lead right pierced through Patterson's defense. Then, after blocking a Patterson hook, Ross landed with one of his own, cutting Patterson under the left eye. Ross crowded the 17th seed and pounded away at his mid-section, the two fighters embraced in a clinch as the round came to an end. Ross returned to his corner buoyed by the fact that he had opened Patterson up and the crowd showed their appreciation for an exciting, action-packed first round.

The second round was a quieter affair, with both fighters proving more watchful than in the opening stanza. It was, however, about as even as the first round, and going into round three, Tony Ross had given quite a good account of himself.

However, from that point on, it went downhill for him. Floyd Patterson showed some masterful defensive skills in the third round, avoiding a series of big shots, bobbing and weaving as Ross fired away. Patterson would counter with lead rights and left hooks, powerful punches that frustrated Ross.

The punishment continued into the fourth round, with Patterson now appearing to be firmly in control of proceedings. The cut that Ross had inflicted at the end of the first round seemed a distant memory, as Patterson pounded the Pennsylvania resident into submission with volume rather than power. A brief rally by Ross at the end of the round did little to slow Patterson down.

Despite his best efforts, Ross couldn't make any sort of impression in the fifth and sixth rounds. Patterson picked off his shorter opponent with ease, outlanding Ross at the rate of two to one. As the bell sounded to bring the bout to its finish, the two men embraced in the centre of the ring and the crowd applauded.

Patterson had put on another dominant performance, and the judges agreed, giving him the decision, 60-55, 58-56, 59-56.

"There's no question about it in my mind. Floyd Patterson is a better fighter than Jimmy Young," Ross said afterwards. "I've fought them both, and the difference is like night and day. Floyd's smarter, stronger and more aggressive. I have to take my hat off to him, he was far too good for me tonight."

Patterson was modest in his summing up of the fight.

"I could have done some things better," he said. "I could have been more careful, especially at the end of the first when he cut me. I'm actually surprised by the decision, because I thought it would be a little bit closer. Tony Ross is a very talented fighter. He'll cause some surprises before this tournament is over, I'm sure."

Patterson (2-0) is set to tackle Tom McMahon (1-1) in his next bout. McMahon, defeated by Elmer Ray earlier in the night, will surely be hungry for victory against the 17th seed in the tournament.

For Tony Ross (0-1-1), things might get slightly easier, as his next opponent is Connecticut's Nathan Mann (0-2). The 49th seed in the tournament, Mann has been a disappointment so far, losing against two fighters seeded lower than him. Ross will be hoping that he can continue that unfortunate trend when the two men clash in five weeks.