[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

ROUND FIVE

Leonard looks so much more confident as he comes out for the 5th, as if all he needed was that good effort in round four to kick himself into gear. The round opens slow, neither man prepared to launch any offense of note before Leonard finds the target with a winging right, snapping Ray's head around. But the 21 year-old fires back immediately with a straight right, catching Leonard square on the nose.

Ray challenges Leonard to move in and when the Marylander does he tags his man with a stiff jab, Ray's head jolting backwards. My, Leonard is a different fighter to those opening rounds and James Ray better keep his wits about him if he wants to avoid disaster. Leonard catches him with a huge uppercut! That was the biggest punch of the fight, without doubt! Ray is staggered and he backs off! He's definitely shaken and Leonard fires out a trio of jabs, the final two landing. James Ray shakes his head and flicks out a couple of jabs of his own.

The round is winding down and Leonard lets his hands go now, a left and a right scoring and a hard left hook bouncing off Ray's head! This fight has finally exploded here in round five and the crowd are loving it! The bell sounds and Ray Leonard walks back to his corner with both hands raised.

***

There's no doubt about it, Ray Leonard is in this fight up to his eyeballs. James Ray looks to be tiring now, either that or he thought it was all over after the 3rd because both of these men have taken a 180 degree turn in the last two rounds. Having appeared so in control in round three, Ray now looks frustrated, perplexed. He shouldn't be because he fought a great fight through those first three rounds. If he can get back to that in the final stanza he should win but Leonard will be carrying a load of momentum with him into the 6th.

Roman's scorecard for Round Five: Ray Leonard 10-9
Roman's scorecard after Round Five: James Ray 48-47

Punch Totals, Round Five

James Ray: 12/34 (.353)
Ray Leonard: 27/71 (.380)

Punch Totals after Round Five

James Ray: 64/328 (.195)
Ray Leonard: 66/309 (.214)

ROUND SIX

Another indication of how much this fight has turned. Early on it was Leonard's trainer berating his charge, now Ray's trainer and father Marlon is the one doing the pleading. "Don't you let this one get away from you, Jimmy Ray," he says sternly. The two fighters touch gloves to start the final round, the crowd on their feet in ovation. The action is fast and frantic, both men clearly going all out in this final stanza. Leonard finds the mark with a flush left hook early before Ray plants a right hand square on Leonard's chin about a minute in.

Ray steps in and connects with a hard uppercut, a mask of determination showing on the Florida slugger's face. Both men are throwing now, standing toe-to-toe in the centre of the ring and it's Leonard who emerges from the exchange with the advantage! As the final minute of the fight dawns Leonard snaps the jab out, a pair of shots on target. The crowd is in heavy voice, cheering for whoever they're supporting in this thrilling contest. Once again Leonard is able to land that jab, James Ray's defenses not what they were earlier in the fight.

It appears that Leonard is the one finishing the stronger, Ray only able to poke out his jab while Leonard is looking to land the harder punches. He works the body and then tags Ray with a jolting right cross. The timekeeper signals the final ten seconds but Leonard doesn't back off. He swings for the fences one last time, a big uppercut missing Ray's chin by an inch. The final bell tolls and the two combatants embrace, exchanging words of admiration and respect. The crowd are up on their feet applauding as the two corner crews and media representatives flood the ring.

***

I'm sorry to say this about James Ray but I think he's blown it. Ray Leonard took that final round in a manner every bit as convincing as his efforts in the 5th, so as far as I can see this bout is going to be a draw. However, the judges might see those earlier rounds as being closer than I did, so you never know. What a great fight. Maybe some people will look at the punch totals and say it wasn't anything special, but they'll be missing the point entirely. We can only hope that these two young men go deep into the World Championship tournament because a twelve or even a fifteen rounder between them would be something to see...

Roman's scorecard for Round Six: Ray Leonard 10-9
Roman's scorecard after Round Six: 57-57, a draw

Punch Totals, Round Six

James Ray: 11/83 (.133)
Ray Leonard: 27/102 (.265)

Punch Totals after Round Six

James Ray: 75/411 (.182)
Ray Leonard: 93/411 (.226)

(to be continued)