[GForce]

March Title Fight Recaps Cont.

IBF Middleweight Title Fight: Bernard Hopkins (5-0, 3 KO) vs Robert Allen (1-1-1)

Allen comes to fight, and combined with Hopkins' tendency not to get going until several rounds into the fight, this one looks interesting from the get-go. Allen bangs with Hopkins for the first three rounds, taking everything Hopkins dishes out and answering it. Allen also isn't taking Hopkins' testing of the rules lightly, as he hits on the break in the third shortly after Hopkins does the same. Hopkins dominates round 4, but Allen responds well in the fifth, finding a surprising amount of holes temporarily in Hopkins' defense. Hopkins' corner rips him apart after the round, and he takes it to heart. Hopkins executes perfect for the next three rounds, leaving Allen unable to land as he was earlier, and slowing down from the punishment of Hopkins' shots. After roughly 8 1/2 minutes of watching Allen get beaten without landing more than a single meaningful shot at once, ref Jorge Padilla jumps in to call a halt to the bout. At some point, turning it on like a switch may cost Hopkins, but until it does bet on him to keep doing it.

Bernard Hopkins TKO 8 Robert Allen

WBA Welterweight Title Fight: Luis Rodriguez (3-0-1, 1 KO) vs Vernon Forrest (3-0-1)

After their initial draw, Rodriguez and Forrest get together to fill the only remaining vacant FBA belt. Forrest insists the gash on his head suffered in their first fight won't be a problem, and that there will be a champion decided here.
It looks to be a quick night from the opening bell, as Rodriguez just smothers Forrest, blasting him into the ropes quickly and pouncing. Forrest clinches to survive the round, but looks hurt already. He spends much of round 2 moving or holding onto Rodriguez, not doing much, still looking quite shaken from the opening round attack.
Forrest gets his bearings in the third and the two begin a 7-round stretch of very even rounds, each judge either 2 or 3 of the rounds even. Forrest is working the body well, but Rodriguez is throwing more punches and still landing at a higher clip. Forrest's shots appear to have a bit more steam on them however, a big turn from the opening rounds. Rodriguez punctuates an even 10th round with two straight rights and a hook that dazes Forrest at the bell. The two swing wildly as the bell sounds and, driven by three warnings and a point deduction - all against Rodriguez - the bad blood seems to be brewing hotter by the round.
As round 11 opens up, it appears Forrest has gotten a fire lit under him. The two exchange straight rights before a counter left hook from Forrest snaps Rodriguez's head back. He lands a short, clean right and then an uppercut, and the crowd is buzzing as Rodriguez looks in trouble. Forrest lands a straight right again and Rodriguez is backed into a corner. But when Forrest comes after him, Rodriguez clamps his arms. THis happens three times, Forrest growing visibly incensed each time. BUt Rodriguez has done his part, stalling Forrest's attack. Rodriguez lands a counter right hook that freezes Forrest, then a straight right hand and a pair of uppercuts, the last of which put Forrest on the seat of his pants. He's up quickly, but Rodriguez in a matter of seconds completely flipped the momentum of the fight.
THe 12th is an even, uneventful affair that brings us to round 13. Here, Rodriguez starts out much as Forrest did the 11th. Everything he's throwing lands, and Forrest can't escape the pursuit. Rodriguez is just ripping hooks at Forrest and scoring well. Forrest musters a clinch, and right out of it he lands a solid hook. The two are inside, and seem to be doing more pushing and roughhousing than boxing. That changes when Forrest lands a hard uppercut. Rodriguez is wobbled, but fires back with a jab that finds the mark. Forrest continues ahead though, and lands an overhand right in the closing moments that leaves Rodriguez hanging onto the ropes. Unfortunately for Forrest, the bell sounds and Rodriguez gets a minute break. And that's all he would need.
Rodriguez recouperates and keeps Forrest at bay in the 14th, picking him apart with good movement and defense that Forrest can't answer. He then coasts through round 15 and to the bell. Forrest is none to happy when Rodriguez comes to congratulate him after the bout, Rodriguez's fouls and headwork not sitting well.
Forrest had to hope those even middle rounds went largely in his favor...

147-139...

144-141...

146-140...







for the winner....and NEW WBA Welterweight Champion of the World









LUIS RODRIGUEZ!!!!

It took two times, but the belt can now be worn. And the FBA Title Bouts, both for the tournaments and the month of March, have been completed. With no titles changing hands in January or February, two change hands in March, and the last vacant belt is awarded.

We'll see what happens in April!!!

Luis Rodriguez UD 15 Vernon Forrest

GH