[kenyan_cheena]

RAY OVERCOMES MCGIRT IN MIAMI

Thursday 17 October 2002

In a contest that was poised on a knife edge throughout Florida Alliance member James Ray scored a close unanimous decision victory over New York's James "Buddy" McGirt tonight at Miami's American Airlines Arena. Each judge scored the contest 59-57, Ray winning a close final round to secure the win. Amongst the second series of Welterweight regional qualifying bouts it had been hyped as a must-watch affair, James Ray having pushed Olympic Champion Ray Leonard to the brink of defeat before settling for a draw on debut while McGirt had dropped a split decision to Mississippi's Eddie Perkins. In addition, McGirt had lost out to Leonard in the Olympic selection trials back in 2000 and has made his intentions clear in recent months that revenge is on his mind.

These two talented youngsters produced a fantastic fight. McGirt came out smoking and caught Ray with a series of flush shots early in round one but Ray's response was brilliant and came before the bell had sounded to end the round. He staggered McGirt with a hard uppercut and then buckled his legs once more with a jolting right cross late in the frame. The rally was enough to convince each judge to score the round 10-10. After an uneventful first minute Ray had the better of round two, the 21 year-old hurting McGirt with a straight right at the midpoint and then backing him up with another thunderous cross as the stanza drew to an end.

McGirt produced his best work of the fight in the 3rd, pounding Ray with a trio of combinations late after Ray had started it solidly. The pace slowed in round four but the final two rounds of the bout proved fiercely competitive. The last minute of the 5th was heartstopping, Ray shaking McGirt's cage with a three-punch salvo before the New Yorker snapped his head back with a flush uppercut moments before the bell. McGirt was travelling well through the top half of the final round, finding the mark with another big uppercut early before working the body. But Ray finished with a flurry, some pinpoint combinations paving the way for perhaps the best punch of the fight, an uppercut thrown with impeccable timing that came close to sending McGirt to the canvas. His knee grazed the mat but he somehow stayed on his feet and stumbled back onto the ropes, Ray trying to finish him off but failing. When it was all over both men claimed victory, the packed arena on their feet applauding.

Bitter over the verdict, McGirt quickly congratulated Ray and departed the ring, shaking his head in disgust all the way back to the dressing rooms. He connected with 145 of 359 shots (.404), Ray 110 of 266 (.414).

"Ain't matter how many y'all land," said Ray, his cousin Elmer flanking him. "The brother just ain't good enough t' win rounds, see? He inconsis'ent. That's why he lose, no doubt."

"Big relief, y'all. Big relief," Ray said when asked how he felt about the win. "Feel like I let one slip 'way 'gains' Leonard. Ain't wanna see a repeat here, man, 'specially in front o' my peeps. Feels good, y'all, 'cause those two brothers maybe the toughes' in the group, see? Good to have them fights over 'n' done with."

***

In the Co-Feature, the man who has been picked by many to be crowned the IBL's inaugural World Welterweight Champion put on an outstanding show. Ray Leonard mesmorized, bamboozled and frustrated the Canadian Johnny Greco on the way to a dominant unanimous decision win (59-53, 60-52, 59-53). Greco tasted the canvas midway through the opening round and then again late in the 3rd. By the end of the 5th he was a thoroughly beaten man and only had some success in the final round because Leonard eased off completely.