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bigMatt · 06-17-2006, 03:20 PM

The second round in the Phoenix Boxing Federation's first Heavyweight championship tournament continues with round 2.

Muhammad Ali v. Teofilo Stevenson
Every fighter hoped to avoid Ali in this tournament. But to win the event, the path almost certainly would go through Ali sooner or later. For Stevenson, whose heartbreak loss to Dick Matthews in a PBF bout last month dropped him down to 7th seed, his appointment with Ali was a 12 round matchup in round two of the tourney.

The fighters entered the ring in good shape, although Ali was said to have been undertrained for today's contest. When the bout started, the rumor appeared to be validated, as a sluggish Ali seemed slow on the draw time and again. Stevenson scored frequently and at will early in the contest, catching Ali with power shots at an alarming frequency. After the first 4 frames were in the books, anyone but the most optimistic Ali supporter would give Ali more than a minimal chance against the dominating Stevenson.

In round 5, ringsiders noted a rising lump under the left eye of Ali, a knot of swelling that continued to grow over the next three rounds as Stevenson repeatedly targeted it. In rounds 6 and 7, Ali rallied, showing the heart of a champion even as his endurance continued to languish.

Stevenson returned to form in round 8, continuing to target the now ugly mass of swelling under Ali's left eye. Ali appeared fatigued, a tired and beaten fighter.

Round 9 began as round 8 ended, with Stevenson imposing his will on Ali, who held his opponent whenever possible and employed his superior defense to minimize the damage caused by Stevenson's assault. Stevenson was looking to end the fight right then, going for a bout-ending KO to ensure no shenanigans on the Judges' part. But by mid round, it was evident that Stevenson was tiring, his punches lacking the steam of earlier rounds. It's a dangerous time for a fighter when he seeks a KO yet no longer has the energy to pursue it with vigor. He tends to get careless, especially when his opponent offers minimal resistance. It was just such a moment in the bout for Stevenson, who came at Ali intending to put his opponent on the canvas. But it was also the moment Ali was evidently awaiting, for as Stevenson swung, Ali unleashed a crippling uppercut straight to the chin of the Cuban, who dropped to the mat as if poleaxed. Fans sat in stunned silence as Stevenson, leading handily on all cards through the first 8 rounds, was counted out at 1:02 in round 9.

With the KO victory, Ali escapes the impressive Stevenson to await the victor of the Corbett/McCaffrey battle.

06-17-2006, 03:20 PM	#46 (permalink)
bigMatt Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 2,353 Thanks: 13 Thanked 11x in 5 posts	The second round in the Phoenix Boxing Federation's first Heavyweight championship tournament continues with round 2. Muhammad Ali v. Teofilo Stevenson Every fighter hoped to avoid Ali in this tournament. But to win the event, the path almost certainly would go through Ali sooner or later. For Stevenson, whose heartbreak loss to Dick Matthews in a PBF bout last month dropped him down to 7th seed, his appointment with Ali was a 12 round matchup in round two of the tourney. The fighters entered the ring in good shape, although Ali was said to have been undertrained for today's contest. When the bout started, the rumor appeared to be validated, as a sluggish Ali seemed slow on the draw time and again. Stevenson scored frequently and at will early in the contest, catching Ali with power shots at an alarming frequency. After the first 4 frames were in the books, anyone but the most optimistic Ali supporter would give Ali more than a minimal chance against the dominating Stevenson. In round 5, ringsiders noted a rising lump under the left eye of Ali, a knot of swelling that continued to grow over the next three rounds as Stevenson repeatedly targeted it. In rounds 6 and 7, Ali rallied, showing the heart of a champion even as his endurance continued to languish. Stevenson returned to form in round 8, continuing to target the now ugly mass of swelling under Ali's left eye. Ali appeared fatigued, a tired and beaten fighter. Round 9 began as round 8 ended, with Stevenson imposing his will on Ali, who held his opponent whenever possible and employed his superior defense to minimize the damage caused by Stevenson's assault. Stevenson was looking to end the fight right then, going for a bout-ending KO to ensure no shenanigans on the Judges' part. But by mid round, it was evident that Stevenson was tiring, his punches lacking the steam of earlier rounds. It's a dangerous time for a fighter when he seeks a KO yet no longer has the energy to pursue it with vigor. He tends to get careless, especially when his opponent offers minimal resistance. It was just such a moment in the bout for Stevenson, who came at Ali intending to put his opponent on the canvas. But it was also the moment Ali was evidently awaiting, for as Stevenson swung, Ali unleashed a crippling uppercut straight to the chin of the Cuban, who dropped to the mat as if poleaxed. Fans sat in stunned silence as Stevenson, leading handily on all cards through the first 8 rounds, was counted out at 1:02 in round 9. With the KO victory, Ali escapes the impressive Stevenson to await the victor of the Corbett/McCaffrey battle.