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(continuation of post #442)
ROUND THREE
During the intermission, Leonard's trainer Janks Morton has told his charge in no uncertain terms to get his act together. On the other side of the ring James Ray looks all hyper, as if he can't wait to get back into the action. The 3rd travels a path similar to round two, but if anything Ray only improves on his efforts while Leonard is strangely subdued. His trainer continues to encourage him, calling him "Sugar" Ray and imploring him to be more aggressive.
James Ray's highlights include a booming left-right combo a minute in, some effective body work and a series of pinpoint jabs that have Leonard on the back foot. Ray nods his head confidently and eyeballs the Olympic Champ following the bell, some in the audience applauding while others are somewhat stunned by the way the bout is progressing.
***
My, my, my. Is it possible that another Olympic Champion is going to taste defeat on debut? James Ray looks absolutely fantastic here through three rounds. Everything that has been written and said about him seems to be right on the mark. Ray Leonard is going to have to seize control of this contest immediately, even just to salvage a draw.
Roman's scorecard for Round Three: James Ray 10-9
Roman's scorecard after Round Three: James Ray 30-27
Punch Totals, Round Three
James Ray: 17/83 (.205)
Ray Leonard: 7/51 (.137)
Punch Totals after Round Three
James Ray: 46/230 (.200)
Ray Leonard: 24/158 (.152)
ROUND FOUR
Once again, Morton tears into Leonard, asking him if he's serious about winning the fight or not. The trainer's frustration is clear to see, Leonard looking perturbed. He comes out much more enthusiastic and aggressive in the 4th, an extra spring in his step. Perhaps a minute in Jimmy Ray connects with a hard uppercut, the shot forcing Leonard into a clinch. But from that moment on the Olympian controls the round, appearing to be "into" the fight to a greater extent than in any of the previous three rounds.
A nice pair of hooks sends the sweat flying from Ray's head, Leonard starting to get in a groove now. In contrast to the previous rounds he's now making James Ray miss, Leonard showing excellent evasive skills with, at times, his arms tauntingly at his side. He finishes the round with his best work of the fight, a solid right hand followed up with a smashing uppercut that stuns the Florida native for the first time in the bout. Leonard has him trapped in a neutral corner as the round draws to a close and tags him with a left-right combo just before the bell. The crowd is excited by Leonard's promising rally, many of them hopeful that he can get himself back in the contest.
***
A solid three minutes there for Leonard, easily his best of the fight. Not that it surprises me, as it would be an absolute shock to have seen him go through the bout without winning a round. It'll be interesting to see if he can build on this in the 5th. This fight is really at an interesting point because James Ray must know that a good finish will secure it for him while Leonard has to keep on pressing and maintaining the pressure.
Roman's scorecard for Round Four: Ray Leonard 10-9
Roman's scorecard after Round Four: James Ray 39-37
Punch Totals, Round Four
James Ray: 6/64 (.094)
Ray Leonard: 15/80 (.187)
Punch Totals after Round Four
James Ray: 52/294 (.177)
Ray Leonard: 39/238 (.164)
(to be continued)
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