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kenyan_cheena · 03-01-2008, 01:37 AM

(continuation)

"Guess I was just more battle-hardened," replied Toles, when asked how he pulled it off. "I've been through some real struggles these last four or five months, both in and out of the ring. Maybe that prepared me for tonight. Have to say I'm feelin' some sorrow for Leotis 'cause he made it all this way without losin'. I'm hopin' he can keep it goin' in the QL, for sure."

Punch totals

Rosco Toles: 224/352 (.636)
Leotis Martin: 155/443 (.350)

Toles has earned himself a place in the World Ranking tournament while it's quite possible Martin could end up being the #1 seed in the Qualifying League as, to date, he's the only fighter in these feeder leagues to take a perfect record into their respective tournament final and lose.

***

THE STAPLES CENTRE UNDERCARD

Opening Bout

As he'd done before his debut five weeks ago, Indiana's Mike Hanson had talked a big fight in the days leading up to tonight's event. He'd said the plan was to finish off his opponent Antonio Serioux inside of three rounds, claiming that he was quicker and stronger than he was on debut. Despite scoring a comfortable, impressive win in his first outing many observers were disappointed that he had not been more, well, explosive. The man had spoken of destroying the Frenchman Sylvain Ribery and while he gave him a good beating and floored him three times, the final outcome left a sour taste in some quarters. Of course, there were many of the opinion (Hanson included) that the referee had done a poor job officiating the bout, with Hanson claiming the fight should have been stopped in the 4th round.

There was also the matter of the latest war of words he'd set off with the Florida Alliance last Friday, something that would not have benefitted his mindset on the eve of his sophomore outing. It seemed that way when Hanson was evasive during a radio interview on Sunday, the big slugger prefering to focus on his opponent Antonio Serioux than to talk about his comments on the Alliance.

So after underwhelming much of the boxing world on debut, what did Hanson produce in his second outing? To be perfectly honest, his performance tonight was inferior to his debut. Not that that's a bad thing. He'd shed five pounds in the five weeks since that Las Vegas outing and was once again victorious by unanimous decision (59-55, 58-56, 59-55) but finished the bout in a less than convincing fashion.

After an even opening stanza Hanson controlled rounds two and three and then dominated the 4th, hurting Serioux with a series of bone-rattling combinations. But through it all the Canadian stayed on his feet and then, after Hanson had continued the punishment through the first two minutes of the 5th, he put on an extraordinary rally. Serioux tagged Hanson with a pair of combinations and a smashing straight right, bringing the crowd to their feet.

Hanson looked frustrated and irritated as the 6th started, Serioux enthusiastic and on his toes despite being so far behind. He dominated the round, catching the Indiana native with a succession of jabs and combinations, Hanson shaking his head. He was angry and put all of that into a huge right hand that staggered Serioux shortly before the bell. But Serioux survived, Hanson spitting his mouth guard out in disgust as he returned to his corner.

Punch totals

Mike Hanson: 118/235 (.502)
Antonio Serioux: 104/324 (.321)

"Think I'm just gonna have to shut my mouth next time," said Hanson, smiling and laughing. "You know, it's a win and I'm happy about that but I should have finished him off in the 4th there. I don't know, maybe my power ain't what I think it is."

The commentator suggested that, as in his debut, Hanson didn't throw enough punches.

"Yeah, under 250 again," Hanson agreed, shaking his head. "I guess my ring movement is something I have to work on. Hard to land punches when you're always out of range."

Hanson was asked if he had anything to say about the Florida Alliance.

"Think I'll just wait and see what happens with Alvarez," was his reply, smiling.

Perhaps the fact that he hasn't quite lived up to his own expectations in his first two bouts will lead to a more subdued Mike Hanson in the future. However, the man is 2-0 and he could not have done any better than that.

(to be continued)

03-01-2008, 01:37 AM	#1682 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,311	(continuation) "Guess I was just more battle-hardened," replied Toles, when asked how he pulled it off. "I've been through some real struggles these last four or five months, both in and out of the ring. Maybe that prepared me for tonight. Have to say I'm feelin' some sorrow for Leotis 'cause he made it all this way without losin'. I'm hopin' he can keep it goin' in the QL, for sure." Punch totals Rosco Toles: 224/352 (.636) Leotis Martin: 155/443 (.350) Toles has earned himself a place in the World Ranking tournament while it's quite possible Martin could end up being the #1 seed in the Qualifying League as, to date, he's the only fighter in these feeder leagues to take a perfect record into their respective tournament final and lose. * THE STAPLES CENTRE UNDERCARD Opening Bout** As he'd done before his debut five weeks ago, Indiana's Mike Hanson had talked a big fight in the days leading up to tonight's event. He'd said the plan was to finish off his opponent Antonio Serioux inside of three rounds, claiming that he was quicker and stronger than he was on debut. Despite scoring a comfortable, impressive win in his first outing many observers were disappointed that he had not been more, well, explosive. The man had spoken of destroying the Frenchman Sylvain Ribery and while he gave him a good beating and floored him three times, the final outcome left a sour taste in some quarters. Of course, there were many of the opinion (Hanson included) that the referee had done a poor job officiating the bout, with Hanson claiming the fight should have been stopped in the 4th round. There was also the matter of the latest war of words he'd set off with the Florida Alliance last Friday, something that would not have benefitted his mindset on the eve of his sophomore outing. It seemed that way when Hanson was evasive during a radio interview on Sunday, the big slugger prefering to focus on his opponent Antonio Serioux than to talk about his comments on the Alliance. So after underwhelming much of the boxing world on debut, what did Hanson produce in his second outing? To be perfectly honest, his performance tonight was inferior to his debut. Not that that's a bad thing. He'd shed five pounds in the five weeks since that Las Vegas outing and was once again victorious by unanimous decision (59-55, 58-56, 59-55) but finished the bout in a less than convincing fashion. After an even opening stanza Hanson controlled rounds two and three and then dominated the 4th, hurting Serioux with a series of bone-rattling combinations. But through it all the Canadian stayed on his feet and then, after Hanson had continued the punishment through the first two minutes of the 5th, he put on an extraordinary rally. Serioux tagged Hanson with a pair of combinations and a smashing straight right, bringing the crowd to their feet. Hanson looked frustrated and irritated as the 6th started, Serioux enthusiastic and on his toes despite being so far behind. He dominated the round, catching the Indiana native with a succession of jabs and combinations, Hanson shaking his head. He was angry and put all of that into a huge right hand that staggered Serioux shortly before the bell. But Serioux survived, Hanson spitting his mouth guard out in disgust as he returned to his corner. Punch totals Mike Hanson: 118/235 (.502) Antonio Serioux: 104/324 (.321) "Think I'm just gonna have to shut my mouth next time," said Hanson, smiling and laughing. "You know, it's a win and I'm happy about that but I should have finished him off in the 4th there. I don't know, maybe my power ain't what I think it is." The commentator suggested that, as in his debut, Hanson didn't throw enough punches. "Yeah, under 250 again," Hanson agreed, shaking his head. "I guess my ring movement is something I have to work on. Hard to land punches when you're always out of range." Hanson was asked if he had anything to say about the Florida Alliance. "Think I'll just wait and see what happens with Alvarez," was his reply, smiling. Perhaps the fact that he hasn't quite lived up to his own expectations in his first two bouts will lead to a more subdued Mike Hanson in the future. However, the man is 2-0 and he could not have done any better than that. (to be continued) __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond...