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(conclusion)
ROUND FIVE
The 5th starts slowly and through its first ninety seconds Greb holds a slight edge, although only connecting with some solid jabs. There's a sense in the air that the verdict is balanced on a knife's edge right at this moment and when Burley unleashes a smashing uppercut it looks like the outcome may have tipped in his favour. Greb is hurt by the punch, stumbling backwards into the ropes, the audience in an uproar. Burley hunts him down and lands a trio of solid shots, Greb covering up.
Burley scores with a hard right and Greb wraps him up, really looking in trouble now. His corner is imploring him to be aggressive but being honest, he appears to be out of gas. The bell sounds and Burley pumps his fist in the air as he returns to his corner.
***
The comeback is now complete. Charley Burley has made one of the most extraordinary rallies I've seen in either the HBF or IBL to put himself in a position to win this bout. It's clear now that throwing 256 punches in the first two rounds was not a good idea for Greb because he hasn't been the same fighter in the three rounds since. I'm almost certain that Burley is going to finish strongly and claim an outstanding victory.
***
My scorecard for round five: Burley 10-9
My scorecard after round five: 47-47
Punch totals for round five
Harry Greb: 9/51 (.176)
Charley Burley: 22/46 (.478)
Punch totals after round five
Harry Greb: 98/415 (.236)
Charley Burley: 83/231 (.359)
ROUND SIX
Greb is wearing an almost resigned gaze as he sits on his stool throughout the intermission. Truly, he looks exhausted which is quite surprising really. One would have thought he'd be ready to produce six strong rounds. The two combatants touch gloves for the start of the final stanza, the audience on their feet applauding. Burley's appearance is in sharp contrast to Greb's as he moves forward aggressively, peppering Greb with a series of pinpoint jabs. After a minute he's already on his way to securing the round as Greb is putting everything he has left behind the occasional big left or right and missing.
Oh! A big left hook from Burley sent the sweat flying from Greb's head! What a thunderous blow! Burley is pumping that jab into Greb's face beautifully, keeping him off balance, his eyes alive with determination. He works the body and then goes upstairs, the right hand bouncing off Greb's forehead. I'll say it now before it's too late: Harry Greb is done. He's got nothing left in this fight and when Burley connects with a knee-buckling uppercut it's crystal clear. There's a minute left in the contest but I'm not sure if Greb will make it to the bell. Most of the crowd is behind Burley now, calling for a knockout or at the least a knockdown.
Jab-jab-right hand! Burley is on fire now and he collects Greb with another smashing uppercut, referee Montero watching very closely. Greb leans on Burley to keep himself upright, only seconds left in the bout now. When Montero separates them Burley steps in and unloads! Oh, my! Left-right-left-right-left! Greb collapses to the canvas in a heap! The count is at three, four, somehow he's getting up, the bell sounding but if he doesn't beat the count it'll all be over. Greb is up at eight and that's it, folks. The fight has gone the distance and now it's in the hands of the judges. Greb and Burley embrace in the centre of the ring, one almost forgetting during the past half hour that they're good friends.
***
What a fantastic finish from Charley Burley! Incredible! I know I expected it but he went beyond what I thought would be possible. This will be a great win for Burley and something that's going to give him a huge confidence boost for the remainder of the tournament.
***
My scorecard for round six: Burley 10-8
My scorecard after round six: Burley 57-55
Punch totals for round six
Harry Greb: 3/20 (.150)
Charley Burley: 46/90 (.511)
Punch totals after round six
Harry Greb: 101/435 (.232)
Charley Burley: 129/321 (.402)
***
Ten minutes after the final bell announcer Sam Taub climbed into the ring with the scorecards in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the judges have tallied their cards for tonight's fantastic main event and here is your decision," he said. "Judge Clark Sammartino scores the bout 57-55 to Charley Burley. Judge John Femia sees it 56-56, a draw. Judge Jose A. Torres sees it 57-55 to the winner, by majority decision, Charley Burley!"
Burley's supporters erupted the moment Taub started saying "to the winner", ecstatic over their man's triumph. Burley shook Greb's hand and embraced him once more. When he stepped away from his friend he let out a jubilant shout and punched his right fist in the air, moving to each side of the ring and smiling and waving out to the crowd. He applauded their support, pumping his fist once again.
"I really can't believe it, to be honest," said an overwhelmed Burley. "I wasn't even in the building for those first two rounds and I don't know how I turned it around after that. I didn't have any margin for error but I pulled through and I'm shocked. Maybe Harry went out a bit hard there but he was still throwing punches in that fourth round. That's where it turned around I think, 'cause I made him miss with a lot of shots and maybe that frustrated him. I don't know. I can't believe that I've done it!"
Greb gave all credit to Burley, making no excuses.
"The guy was just better than me," he said, shrugging. "I don't think I came out too fast at all. I was in control after those first two rounds but he was never out of the fight and he was good enough to overcome that and win. Everyone knows he's my buddy but he's got even more of my admiration after this. In my opinion he should o' been the favourite to win the title from the beginning so maybe after this people will change their opinion on him."
When their media commitments were completed Greb and Burley made a round of the ring side by side, Greb holding the victor's hand aloft in recognition of his performance. It was a wonderfully sporting way to end what had been an incredible night of boxing...
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