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IBF Title Fight @ Madison Square Garden, New York, USA

Champion Rocky Marciano, USA 19-2-0 (19) vs. #10 Gene Tunney, USA 16-2-0 (9)

Marciano looks to avenge a prior loss to Tunney. Both fighters are in excellent shape. Tunney lands a hard cross and out punches Marciano 26-14 in the 1st. Marciano is having a tough time trying to cut off the ring and Tunney lands more blows again, 2 rounds for Tunney. Neither fighter seems to want to mix it up in the third, we have Tunney taking ahead 30-27. Marciano seems a bit frustrated but does land a few good combos to win the 4th. I can see why Marciano lost the first fight. They say that styles make fights and Tunney’s style seems to be a challenge that the champ may not overcome. The ref warns the challenger for holding but Tunney takes another round from the champ with punches to start and end the round. The Brockton Blockbuster looks like a dud so far in this fight. The champ doesn’t land a single punch in the 6th and his corner is working to reduce some swelling by his eyes. Goldman is trying to inspire his fighter between rounds but it hasn’t worked so far for the champ. The frustration seems to have come to a climax as a point is taken from Marciano for a low blow in the 7th. That is too bad, because the 7th was the first round that Marciano seems to have won in my opinion. It looks like a sense of urgency has finally slapped Rocky in the face as he lands a hook followed by a smashing cross that staggers The Fighting Marine back into the ropes. The 9th is by far the most exciting round as both fighters exchange blows. Even round, Tunney ahead in fight. The champ lands a beautiful combination followed by a right hook that shakes Tunney. Rocky’s best round so far, as it looks as though his corner may have told him that he needs a KO to win the fight. Another round for the Rock, it seems he is getting stronger as the fight enters the “Championship Rounds.” Marciano scores 27 pts to 6, landing punch after punch. Both fighters have swelling around their eyes. Marciano is definitely closing the gap as we have him winning the last few rounds. Tunney takes the 13th 11-2, as the champ seems tired and takes the round off. Two rounds left and the champ needs to make something happen to keep the belt. Marciano lands a tremendous right hook that has Tunney stumbling backwards. The challenger survives the 14th. We believe that Tunney is ahead and Marciano may need a KO to win the fight. Tunney gets off first with a straight right, Rocky lands a cross as Tunney misses an uppercut, Rock lands a huge uppercut that staggers Tunney with 1:46 left in the round, another cross with :53 seconds left, and the bell sounds. We will have to go to the cards. 143-141, 142-142, 143-141, winner by majority decision (MDec15) and still IBF Champ, The Brockton Blockbuster, Rocky Marciano. Both judges who favored the champ had him winning all but one round from 8-15. The cards reflected our opinion at the beginning of the fight with Tunney winning five out of the first six on two cards and five out of seven on the third. Marciano’s hard training and conditioning regimen allowed him to get stronger in the later rounds. Marciano-Tunney III definitely looks like a possibility.