[kenyan_cheena]

* * *

HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
THE MILLENIUM DOME, LONDON, ENGLAND
WEDNESDAY 3 JULY 2002

THE MAIN EVENT

SAM LANGFORD (CANADA)

5-0-0(1)
184 lbs, 5'8"
#9 seed in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's
World Championship tournament

vs

TOM SHARKEY (IRELAND)

3-0-2(2)
189 lbs, 5'8"
#24 seed in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's
World Championship tournament

* * *

(Ringside observations from the London Herald's boxing writer Douglas Bates)

ROUND ONE

The bell rings to start this eagerly awaited bout, bringing us across the border between anticipation and arrival. Langford starts out in a busy fashion, flicking out a series of sharp jabs with those long arms of his. But it's the Irishman who lands the first good shot of the bout, a flush left hook thirty seconds in that brings a chorus of approval from his many supporters in the crowd. It doesn't back Langford up, but he nods acknowledgement before going back to work, peppering Sharkey with that jab, pressing the action.

As the round progresses its clear that Langford is the aggressor, throwing a lot of punches, some simply range-finders, others landing cleanly. Sharkey is cautious, right hand cocked but Langford's workrate is keeping him on the defensive and on the backfoot. It's impressive to observe the Canadian in the flesh. He's everything that people have said about him: professional, aggressive and skillful.

Langford hurts his man for the first time in the fight late in the piece, a straight right snapping Sharkey's head back and sending him against the ropes. Langford swarms, rapid-fire lefts and rights catching Sharkey, concerned reports amongst the audience. He covers up and fires back, manages to squirm his way off the ropes and is on the retreat as the round ends.

*

Without a doubt, Langford has taken that first round, not only outworking Sharkey but also hurting him. He received a warm round of applause as he returned to his corner, this crowd more than just one-eyed Irishmen.

My scorecard: Langford 10-9

Punch totals for Round One

Langford: 26/61 (42.6%)
Sharkey: 7/22 (31.8%)

ROUND TWO

Sharkey is nodding as he moves forward to meet his opponent at the start of the round, perhaps some kind of resolution he's made with himself? Likely, as the Irishman shows twice the aggression in this stanza, a great round that has the crowd on their feet for sustained periods.

Letting his hands go early, Sharkey is apparently prepared to walk through Langford's jabs to land a telling blow. He muscles his way inside and catches the 9th seed with a crunching uppercut, portions of the audience howling their delight. Langford's response is immediate and effective, a left-right-left salvo backing Sharkey up.

Pandemonium errupts midway through the round as they stand toe-to-toe "swinging for the fences", as the Americans would say. It's an admirable battle of wills and manhood as these two finely-tuned combatants go all out just to see who will blink first ... and surprisingly it's Langford that does the blinking! A left hook followed by a straight right wobbles him briefly and he backs off to regather himself.

Sharkey is confident now and he seals an excellent round by catching his man with a right hook on the forehead moments from the bell. Sharkey shouts and pumps his fist towards the crowd, rapid steps taking him back to his corner.

*

If that round is anything to go by, it looks like we have an absolute classic ahead of us. Sharkey has thrown down the gauntlet, showing that he will be exactly what the experts predicted.

My scorecard: Sharkey 10-9
(19-19 after Round Two)

Punch totals for Round Two

Langford: 19/43 (44.2%)
Sharkey: 29/84 (34.5%)

Punch totals after Round Two

Langford: 45/104 (43.3%)
Sharkey: 36/106 (33.9%)

(to be continued)