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(continuation)
ROUND TWO
Greb stays aggressive through the opening stages of the 2nd but doesn't land that many shots, Burley showing a cautious disposition and staying just out of range. As the stanza enters its bottom half Greb hits paydirt, connecting with a hard left hook and then rattling Burley with a smashing right cross, bringing shouts of delight from some sections of the crowd. Greb steps up his assault, peppering Burley with lefts and rights, one right hook bringing a concerned look to Burley's face. He's really struggling and not looking even close to getting into the fight, Greb now digging a left hook into his ribs.
Greb is working at an astonishing pace and if he keeps it up he'll win with ease. Late in the round he finds the target with another right cross and plants a straight right square on Burley's nose a second before the bell rings, ending a spirited exchange where Burley mananged to land a left hook. Greb glares at Burley for a couple of seconds before returning to his corner with an extra spring in his step.
***
I can't understate how impressive Harry Greb has been through those first two rounds. He has totally dominated Burley and the Bessemer-born slugger will have to produce in a major way just to avoid losing this bout. Many predicted a terribly close fight but it looks like being nothing of the sort right now.
***
My scorecard for round two: Greb 10-9
My scorecard after round two: Greb 20-17
Punch totals for round two
Harry Greb: 34/151 (.225)
Charley Burley: 8/42 (.190)
Punch totals after round two
Harry Greb: 64/252 (.254)
Charley Burley: 14/77 (.182)
ROUND THREE
As would be expected, Burley's trainer has given him a real spray during the intermission, telling the 20 year-old to get his act together. He's wearing a deer-in-the-headlights type expression as he sits on his stool, seemingly unable to handle the predicament he's in. But in what is an uneventful 3rd round Burley actually gets himself into the contest, finding the mark with some effective jabbing early on before landing a flush right hand late that clearly hurts Greb. For his part, I can't understand why Greb would have been content to sit back and let the round pass by like he did. He's in the driver's seat and the best way to stay there is to maintain his aggression, to keep his foot on Burley's neck. That was a slack effort and hopefully it won't come back to haunt him.
***
As I said, a round devoid of anything remarkable save for that nice right that Burley connected with near the end. He looked much more comfortable and if he can produce what he's capable of still has a reasonable chance to win.
***
My scorecard for round three: Burley 10-9
My scorecard after round three: Greb 29-27
Punch totals for round three
Harry Greb: 6/32 (.188)
Charley Burley: 14/41 (.341)
Punch totals after round three
Harry Greb: 70/284 (.246)
Charley Burley: 28/118 (.237)
ROUND FOUR
A fierce exchange only seconds after the bell has the crowd cheering, Greb coming out of it the better courtesy of a short right jolt that backs Burley off. Burley works the body nicely but Greb shakes him up a little with a short uppercut from in close, Burley inititating a clinch. Both men let their hands go once again and the crowd loves it. This is the most even round of the bout so far, without a doubt. Another ferocious exchange there! My, this is great stuff! A nice uppercut lands for Burley, snapping Greb's head back. Burley appears to be finally in the fight now. OH! Big uppercut from Burley there! Greb looks hurt! That shot was huge and I don't know how Greb is still standing!
Greb backs off and Burley doesn't immediately follow, wasting precious seconds where he could have consolidated on his good work. Greb fires away with a trio of jabs, two of them sneaking through Burley's defenses before a solid uppercut also lands, Greb looking fine now. The final stretch of the round is ticking away and Burley makes the most of it, connecting with a short left hook and then a right hand as he has Greb pinned in a neutral corner. The bell sounds and the crowd cheers, ecstatic after a fantastic round of boxing.
***
Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a contest! Charley Burley is back in the running after a dreadful start and Greb needs to do something in round five to halt his momentum. We're in for a fascinating finish, without a doubt.
***
My scorecard for round four: Burley 10-9
My scorecard after round four: Greb 38-37
Punch totals for round four
Harry Greb: 19/80 (.237)
Charley Burley: 33/67 (.493)
Punch totals after round four
Harry Greb: 89/364 (.245)
Charley Burley: 61/185 (.330)
(to be concluded! later today!)
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