Thanksgiving Tournament of the Turkeys

[mikehoudini]

It will be Luis Firpo versus Cedric Boswell for all the marbles. From a fan perspective, Bear versus Mark. It should be a good match, and does anyone care to guess how many rounds it’ll last?

Firpo floored Ed Mahone twice and got a TKO3, then got a KO4 over Gus Ruhder after being knocked down in R1. He kayoed Derrick Jefferson in Round 1, then fought a Wild Bull brawl with Jean-Francois Bergeron, scoring 5 knockdowns, but being knocked down himself 4 times. Firpo got a TKO in Round 8. Finally, he got a TKO in Round 11 against Mario Schiesser, who knocked him down twice!

Boswell opened with an 8 round unanimous decision over Jeremy Williams, notching 2 knockdowns to pull it out. He scored a TKO5 of Tommy Morrison, getting two more KDs. Knocked down in Round 4, he got a KO in Round 8 of Brian Nielsen. Next, Boswell got a KO4 over Olle Tandberg. He scored a 10th round TKO over David Bey, with 2 knockdowns, then pounded Stan Ward at the end for a KO11, getting 6 knockdowns before the KO.

So both finalists pack power in their fists. Who can take shots better, and who will land first? Maybe more importantly, who'll land last? We’ll soon know!

[Mad Bomber]

Okay, let me be the first to take a shot at this, and say I believe that Luis Angel Firpo will score a TKO at 2:18 of round nine.

Greg

[mark1529]

Originally Posted by Mad Bomber

Okay, let me be the first to take a shot at this, and say I believe that Luis Angel Firpo will score a TKO at 2:18 of round nine.

Greg

i got cb in 7

[mikehoudini]

Braves Field was packed on a lovely night in early May. A good number of the level 5 fighters were in attendance, scouting probable competition. Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis were also there, and the crowd went wild as each was announced.

The two finalists, Luis Angel “Wild Bull of the Pampas” Firpo and Cedric “the Bos” Boswell, entered the ring to the cheers of their respective fan contingents. Respected ringside expert Mad Bomber Greg from Toronto said that, while rooting for the underdog, Boswell, he thought Firpo would get the nod via TKO at 2:18 of the 9th. Greg was no blushing violet, picking the exact second when he felt the contest would end!

Newcomer Mark felt that his man, the Bos, would pull off an upset, predicting a stoppage in Round 7. The Bear was also in attendance, leading the Firpo Fan Fusillade Forum (the 4Fs), but refused to make any predictions, other than he expected his man to triumph.

Both men came into the ring in top shape, Firpo at 5-0 with 5 stoppages, Boswell at 6-0 with 5. No one expected this fight to go the distance, and Firpo was a clear favorite of the mythical bookmakers. Jersey Jim was there, taking in the betting. The fans were expectant, cheering as the bell rang to start the action.

Luis Firpo (5-0 5) vs. Cedric Boswell (6-0 5) – Firpo came out swinging, but Boswell beat him to the punch, landing a wild overhand right smack dab on the button, and Luis dropped like a pole-axed steer! His fans were stunned, but Bear led the cheers as he regained his footing at the count of 6! Then he shocked everyone, as he covered up, a strategy he had never employed in the tourney to date! Cedric tried to finish him off, but was a little overeager, and Firpo avoided further damage, though he lost the round, 9-0.

Charging from the gate to start the second, Luis slammed an uppercut home, and his followers were relieved to see him forcing the action. He connected on 9 crosses, but Boswell was effective as well, landing a booming left, then an uppercut, and finally a solid right. He connected on a series of combinations and uppercuts, and won this round as well, 17-10! So far Firpo hadn’t been able to slow him down, as he did most fighters.

The pace slowed a bit in the 3rd, Boswell taking the lead halfway through with a right hook that stopped Firpo briefly in his tracks. Firpo bored back in, landed some punches and finished with a wicked combination and sparkling left. Boswell outpointed him, 11-9, but Firpo seemed to be making some inroads.

The action began to pick up in the 4th. Firpo started it with a sweet cross, but Cedric came back with an uppercut and then a searing straight right. Firpo kept banging his crosses home, along with other punches, and a wicked combination at the end of the round made it clearly his, 19-12! Boswell’s left eye was beginning to swell as a result of the Firpo crosses.

Luis took charge in the 5th, knocking Cedric down with a perfect uppercut, and the crowd hushed as Cedric lay there taking the count. Somehow, Boswell made it back up at the count of 8, so Firpo fired off and connected with a bunch of combinations and a jarring left., carrying the round easily, 20-3, and Boswell’s eye was swelling more! The momentum had clearly shifted.

Firpo’s followers were on their feet in the 6th as he pummeled poor Cedric, and many felt the fight was nearly over. Boswell’s eye was getting even worse, and he didn’t see a ferocious combination that dropped him, this time for a 5 count! Sensing that his opponent was nearly out, Firpo blasted home more punches, including a savage cross, but Boswell lasted the round, barely, losing 27-2. Could the end be near at the midway point? Many thought so, and Bear was jubilant. Mark was worried, as he’d predicted the 7th would be a banner round for the Bos, and instead he had barely survived the 6th!

To be continued, as the author is tired!

[mikehoudini]

Boswell had struck first in the fight with a knockdown to start the bout, but momentum had shifted on the basis of two huge rounds, each with a knockdown, by Firpo in the 5th & 6th!

Luis bulled in to start the 7th, hoping to end the contest. He walked into a massive uppercut, then was staggered by a lightning right! The Bos followed up with a ringing cranium-crusher, and Mark and the Boswell fans were cheering their man on! Firpo kept on the offensive, boring in, until he was dropped by a nasty combination! How quickly the fortunes of this fight had changed! Boswell had gone from ready to be stopped to being the man in charge, reversing the roles as Firpo struggled, barely getting to his feet at the count of 9! He banged his gloves together and charged, only to be floored again as the round was ending. Mark and company were cheering, but Luis made it to his feet, though he was wobbly and had to be led back to his corner! Boswell had outpointed the Wild Bull, 34-2, and possibly had tamed him a bit with his savage onslaught! Mark’s prediction hadn’t come true, but it had come oh so close!

The 8th was a round of respite for both warriors. They traded giant punches, and each was warned for holding and hitting. Boswell arguably won the round, 11-10, but it was virtually even, and his swollen eye was now even worse!

Firpo went all out for the KO in the 9th, and bulled in, pressing the action, seeming fully recovered from the knockdowns in the 7th. The Bos went for a KO as well, and the two collided, Bos suffering a cut over his right eye from an accidental head butt. Angry, he connected on a massive hook to the body. Firpo gasped for air, then somehow found the stamina to clobber Boswell with a combination, sending him to the canvas for the third time in the fight! Cedric was up at the count of 4, and more respectful of Firpo’s comeback capabilities as the round ended, being outpointed, 17-8. Greg’s prediction hadn’t come to pass, but the momentum had shifted yet again!

Firpo again went all out for the knockout, and Cedric decided to do the same. Who would land first? Firpo did, staggering Cedric with a sweet uppercut in the 10th, connecting on a few other punches as they traded blows, and things looked good when he hammered Boswell with a cranium-cruncher, causing Bos to wobble backwards. Firpo swarmed in for the kill, and Boswell somehow fired off a downstairs/upstairs combination, and Firpo was the one crashing to the floor, his fourth trip to the canvas! He made it to his feet at the count of 7, but this time it was the Bos who rushed in and staggered him with 2 beautiful uppercuts. It was a great ending to the round for Boswell, who took it, 19-16, and Firpo’s left eye was now beginning to swell.

The superhuman stamina of Firpo was gone in the 11th, and he was tired, but he still went all out. The two titans collided, and Cedric’s cut was reopened from another accidental head butt. Firpo held and hit once too often, and was warned. He took advantage of Boswell’s impaired vision and rocked him with a savage combination, then connected on more, though his strength was ebbing and they weren’t as powerful. Still, he clearly won the round, 11-2, and benefited when Boswell’s cut was worsened by another head butt, and this time the Wild Bull was warned!

The bell rang to start the 12th, a round no one expected to be taking place! Boswell’s cut had been closed by Al Gavin, but he fought to protect it, lashing out once to hurt Firpo with a ripping hook! Luis kept throwing bombs, but he was tired, and none landed. Boswell won the round by a whisker on my card, 6-4, as he blocked or ducked Firpo’s wild tosses, and Firpo often clinched.

At the final bell, the fans rose to their feet, saluting both combatants! Bear and the rest of the Firpo fan club were amazed that the fight had gone the distance, but cheered their man on, awaiting the judges’ decision. Mark and a loyal contingent of Bos fans were vocal as well. This was going to be a close call. Both men were exhausted, each looking like he had lost from the damage on his face. This truly had been a war where much heavy artillery was thrown, a battle more closely resembling a rock-em, sock-em robots fight, with Firpo the blue robot, going berserk when he saw red!

Greg noted that Firpo had outlanded Boswell, 285-200, but Cedric had landed more power punches, and had the advantage in knockdowns, 4-3! The crowd hushed as the decision was announced. “Ladies and gentlemen, the judges’ cards are in! Judge Robert Paolino scores the fight 112-110, Firpo!” His followers roared! “Judge Herbert Minn scores the fight 111-110, Boswell!” This time it was Cedric’s fans who cheered. “Judge James Jen-Kin scores the fight 113-108 for, the winner by a split decision and champion of the Fabulous Fours Tourney, …Cedric “the Bos” Boswell!”

What a fight! I had Boswell winning, 112-110. I can’t think of a better ending to this tournament! Things might have gotten ugly in the crowd, but Boswell went over and hugged Luis, and the two smiled at each other, Firpo congratulating the new champ! All the fans gave a standing ovation, which lasted for several minutes, for two men who fought a great fight! In the stadium were many scouts for the esteemed UTBA II league, and they has seen an eyeful! Bear congratulated Mark, and the fans left, many of them hoarse, their own adrenaline near the max! Congratulations to Cedric Boswell, the champion of the Fantastic Fours!

[mark1529]

yeah baby

[mark1529]

mike
excellent
well done
great write ups

[bear]

I shall be in my room pouting and sulking over this loss

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by mark1529

mike
excellent
well done
great write ups

Thanks, Mark. It was a great fight, one that was easy to write about. It probably helped that you and Bear were on opposing sides. I'll soon start the challenge matches that came up after close decisions or cuts losses. Now that Bear is a moderator, I might need to change the ending!!

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by bear

I shall be in my room pouting and sulking over this loss

Somehow, I think your sulk will be short-lived. Just for giggles, I've since fought them 100 times, Firpo having the edge, 57-40, in wins. There were, at most 10 fights that went the distance, and Firpo won the only SD!

[bear]

Originally Posted by mikehoudini

Somehow, I think your sulk will be short-lived. Just for giggles, I've since fought them 100 times, Firpo having the edge, 57-40, in wins. There were, at most 10 fights that went the distance, and Firpo won the only SD!

I can sulk for a real long time. Just ask my wife. LOL

[Mad Bomber]

Originally Posted by bear

I shall be in my room pouting and sulking over this loss

Outrageous, and I thought I had seen it all, oh well I'm sure it won't be the only bad decision we will see as time goes by.LOL

Highly entertaining Mike

Greg

[mikehoudini]

Thanks, Greg! The challenge matches are next!

[mikehoudini]

As in other tourneys, there were a number of challenges issued and accepted during this one. Five challenges were accepted from the box-in round, and these bouts were hld back in Fenway Park, the Sox being on the road.

Freddie Beshore (0-1-1) vs. Coley Wallace (2-1-1) – They had actually fought 4 times because of a computer glitch, with 2 being draws. In the official tourney, they had drawn, then Wallace won a close UD. Beshore came into this challenge heavy, surprising because he issued the challenge!

Wallace was sizzling in the 1st, landing several uncharacteristic power punches, a cranium cruncher, a cross that drove Beshore into the ropes, and a solid left! Coley won the 2nd decisively, then won a low-scoring 3rd. Beshore fired off a series of combinations that may have won him the 4th, 10-9.

Wallace pounded Freddie with uppercuts in the 5th, two that were awesome! He jabbed his way to take the 6th, as Beshore was tired. Freddie rallied to take the 7th & 8th, as Coley was just trying to avoid punishment. I had Wallace the clear winner, 77-75. The judges all scored the bout 78-74, a unanimous decision for Coley Wallace! Beshore did not impress!

Shannon “the Cannon” Briggs (1-1) vs. Cliff Etienne (0-1) – Briggs had won a majority decision the first go-around. Coming out with his cannon loaded, he fired a huge salvo, a left, to start this fight. He battered Etienne, who shocked many by covering up. They each got a big blow home in the 2nd, but Briggs was more active, landing 17 jabs and 46 punches in all.

The Rhino opened the 3rd with a savage cross, and later blasted an uppercut home. Briggs stood his ground and countered with a jarring cross, but Etienne’s bombs had carried the round. Shannon smashed a hook to the body in the 4th. Cliff was hurt, but answered with a nice combination. Briggs came back with a jolting cranium-cruncher, and Etienne’s right eye was swelling badly. Cliff connected on an even better combination, followed by a hard hook, then threw a cross that flattened Briggs! Shannon could not beat the count, and Etienne was the winner by a KO at 2:59 of the 4th! Etienne was the first challenger to prove his point!

[mikehoudini]

Curtis Sheppard (2-1) vs. Agile Andre Anderson (0-1) – Curtis had won a close split decision. Andre landed a straight right early on in this one, but Curtis found the range with a booming uppercut. His hooks were a bit more effective than Andre’s crosses, and he won a well-contested opening round.

Anderson was cut above the right eye by an accidental head butt in the 2nd, a round he rallied to tie 8-8 with a solid round-ending combination. His cut was reopened and checked by the doc in the 3rd. He may have won the round, 7-6, but Sheppard rallied at the end, and who knows how the judges would see it?

Still bleeding as the 4th started, Andre was a dervish in the 4th, landing 19 hooks and 30 other punches to shut Sheppard out, 22-0! The 5th was a slow, desultory round, but a booming jab won it for Anderson. Eraly in the 6th, Anderson’s cut was reopened and the doctor said the fight had to be stopped! It went to the judges’ cards through round 5. They had it 48-47 Sheppard, 50-45 Anderson (not sure what fight he was watching) & 48-47 for, the winner by a split decision in 5 rounds, Agile Andre Anderson! I had Anderson winning, 49-46, and guest commentator Danny Cahalin scored it 48-47, Anderson! He was more agile, and landed a bit better, too!

It was now 2 to 1, in favor of the challengers, after this fluke ending!

[mikehoudini]

Fabio Moli (6-3-1 3) vs. Billy Walker (1-1-1 1) – Walker had won on a 3rd round TKO on cuts, and Moli had something to prove! The first 3 rounds were close but dull, Moli being very defensive-minded. He may have won the 2nd, but the others were dead even.

Moli pressed the attack in the 4th, banging home 52 punches, though Billy slowed him down at the end with a straight right! Moli started well in the 5th, getting a big cross in, but Walker cut him under his right eye and poured it on, landing 61 times, 21 being hooks. His right eye was beginning to swell, but the crowd was vocal after these two action-packed rounds!

Walker took advantage of Fabio coming out for the 6th with his hands low, hooking him 11 times and landing enough to win, 13-11, but his swelling was getting worse. Moli arguably won the 7th, 8-6, but his cut was reopened and Walker’s swelling worse!

The 8th was a nothing round, but Walker landed a few blows, which earned him a 77-77 draw from me. The judges scored it 77-75 Walker, 76-76 & 76-76, a majority draw! Walker outlanded Moli, 219-196, and the level 3 challenger lived to fight a rematch!

Walker was a new man in the rematch, beating Fabio to the punch in the 1st, rocking him with 2 of the 13 hooks he landed, winning easily. He continued to bully Moli in the 2nd, landing 14 hooks, and Fabio’s right eye was swelling. The 3rd & 4th were similar, Moli getting some blows in, but Walker outpunching him and picking on that eye!

Fabio landed a ferocious hook to the midsection in the 5th, but that didn’t slow Billy up, as he connected 42 times in winning the closest round to date, 13-11. In a fast-paced 6th, both men connected on two solid shots, but Walker was much more effective otherwise, pouring 51 punches home!

Moli tried to press the fight in the 7th, countering a booming cross from Walker with a solid left, but he came out on the short end, 13-10, and his eye was now a major mess! Billy took a right in the 8th, but saw his chance and floored the visually-impaired giant with a laser cross. Fabio was up at the count of 3, but everyone knew it was to no avail!

I scored the fight 80-71, Walker pitching a shutout, and the judges agreed! Billy outlanded poor Fabio, 327-120, connecting on 96 hooks and 94 crosses. He was clearly the better man in the second bout, proving the TKO was no fluke!

[mikehoudini]

James Beattie (5-4-1 5) vs. Boone Kirkman (1-1) – They had fought a rock-em, sock-em battle, Kirkman being the winner by a split decision. The opening round was even, but Boone threw a wild overhand right toward the end that landed flush on Beattie’s jaw, and he dropped, barely making it back to his feet at the count of 8! Beattie rebounded in the 2nd, firing a laser right to start the round, later nailing Boone with an uppercut and a hard cross. Through 2, it was just like their previous fight!

Kirkman landed first in the 3rd with a jolting hook. Boxing cleverly, he nailed Beattie 40 times, winning the round easily. He won an 11-7 4th, hooking nicely and avoiding Beattie’s bombs. Beattie connected a bit more in the 5th, but Kirkman had solved his defense, connecting 49 times, crosses being his main weapon, to dominate. Beattie needed a big comeback at this point.

Beattie took the fight to Kirkman in the 6th, and they traded big shots, but Boone again boxed well. At the end of the round, he saw an opening and floored the larger man with a wicked combo. Beattie was back up at the count of 5, but his left eye had quickly swelled up to an alarming rate!

Boone again chose to box in the 7th rather than trade punches, yet he landed several power shots in controlling the action, and Beattie’s eye was almost swollen shut from the accumulated blows. Beattie backed Boone up in the 8th with a jarring jab, but couldn’t capitalize, and Kirkman again outboxed him for another easy round. I had Kirkman the easy winner by a 79-71 margin. The judges scored the fight 78-72, Boone Kirkman the winner by a unanimous decision. Kirkman cut Beattie down to size this time by boxing rather than attempting to slug it out.

So two of the five challengers at this level won, the others going quietly into the night!

[Mad Bomber]

Originally Posted by mikehoudini

Curtis Sheppard (2-1) vs. Agile Andre Anderson (0-1) – Curtis had won a close split decision. Andre landed a straight right early on in this one, but Curtis found the range with a booming uppercut. His hooks were a bit more effective than Andre’s crosses, and he won a well-contested opening round.

Anderson was cut above the right eye by an accidental head butt in the 2nd, a round he rallied to tie 8-8 with a solid round-ending combination. His cut was reopened and checked by the doc in the 3rd. He may have won the round, 7-6, but Sheppard rallied at the end, and who knows how the judges would see it?

Still bleeding as the 4th started, Andre was a dervish in the 4th, landing 19 hooks and 30 other punches to shut Sheppard out, 22-0! The 5th was a slow, desultory round, but a booming jab won it for Anderson. Eraly in the 6th, Anderson’s cut was reopened and the doctor said the fight had to be stopped! It went to the judges’ cards through round 5. They had it 48-47 Sheppard, 50-45 Anderson (not sure what fight he was watching) & 48-47 for, the winner by a split decision in 5 rounds, Agile Andre Anderson! I had Anderson winning, 49-46, and guest commentator Danny Cahalin scored it 48-47, Anderson! He was more agile, and landed a bit better, too!

It was now 2 to 1, in favor of the challengers, after this fluke ending!

Was judge number two either Jo Jo Guerra or Eugenia Williams. LOL


Greg

[mikehoudini]

There were many who clamored for a rematch from the opening round results, and many wishes were granted. The forum again was Fenway Park. Here are the results, generally in two fight sets:

Rob Callaway (0-1) vs. Red Burman (2-1 1) - Red had won a majority decision in the first fight. He took the advantage in the opening round, then landed a searing hook and huge cross to win an action-packed 2nd. The 3rd was dead even, though Calloway landed a monster cross of his won. Rob won the 4th with a lot of combinations finding their target, but Burman bulled inside and pounded him in the 5th, landing several potent shots.

Burman won a quiet 6th, then hooked his way to win the 7th, as Calloway’s endurance was gone. Not content to win a majority decision, Red took two big shots in the 8th, then equalized them with a hook that sent Rob down for a 6 count! They both threw bombs in the 9th, which ened up even, then Burman cinched it, at least in my mind, with a 3 count KD in the 10th on an uppercut. He went all out for a KO, even though he was leading big.

I had Red winning, 99-91. The judges scored the fight 95-93, 96-92 & 97-91, a unanimous decision for Red Burman! The Baltimore boy done good, his combinations and uppercuts being effective throughout the fight!

Leon Spinks (3-1 2) vs. Boone Kirkman (2-1) – Leon had been losing the first time, then knocked Boone out in the 5th. Boone boxed well to win the first 2 rounds, using his hooks to advantage. Leon landed a gonzo hook to start the 3rd, then was more effective as both men went after each other. He did receive a gash under his right eye, but clearly won the round. The 4th was another good, close round, but Leon landed enough hooks to win it, barely, on my card.

Boone won a decisive 5th, landing 40 punches, but Leon outpunched him in the 6th, a round where they traded savage combinations! The 7th & 8th were rounds where both fighters seemed to rest, each winning one, so I had the fight all even through 8, or with Leon possibly down a point! Kirkman landed a nice uppercut early in the 9th, Spinks came back with 2 equally powerful shots, and banged home 15 hooks, 39 punches in all, to win a hotly-contested round that had the fans on their feet!

Leon landed a winging right in the 10th that shook Boone up, so he fought from a covered up position, and Spinks won the round easily. In my book, he won the fight, 96-95, the last 2 rounds being the deciding factors! The judges called it 97-94 Kirkman, 96-95 Spinks & 96-95, the winner by a split decision, Boone Kirkman! There is no way Spinks deserved anything worse than a draw, and the crowd booed this upset. Evem Kirkman seemed a little sheepish, winning it when he covered up in the last round. The fans booed the decision, rightly!

Still, the challengers had their first win.

[mikehoudini]

Heinz Neuhaus (0-1) vs. John Lester Johnson (1-1) – J.L. had won a narrow split decision, and came out hard in this one, landing a hook at the fight start that floored Neuhaus for a 2 count. He couldn’t put Heinz away, but continued to punch away, winning the 2nd on a series of hooks and crosses. Neuhaus came to life, taking the 3rd as he peppered Johnson with 39 punches, while Johnson went scoreless. Johnson connected on a sweet hook and laser left to rule the 4th, but Neuhaus kept the fight close, winning a desultory 5th, a good round for the fans to go get refreshments!

Johnson was leading in the 6th, having landed a thudding hook and a number of other shots. At the end of the round, he rocked Heinz with a five punch combination, and Heinz was turned into ketchup, just lying there after the bell sounded as the ref counted him out. Johnson took the guess work out of the rematch with a KO at 3:00 of the 6th!

George Chaplin (2-1-1) vs. Tom Kennedy (0-1-1) – Chappy had drawn with Kennedy, then got a majority decision. He would jump into a lead and then get defensive. Chaplin opened this time with a picture-perfect 1st, shutting Kennedy out, 17-0, landing 34 times, including a jolting uppercut and a nice right. Kennedy began to find the range in the 2nd, but George kept connecting on his punches, winning handily & cutting Tom above the left eye, to boot!

The 3rd & 4th were very close rounds, Chaplin maybe scoring a bit better in the 4th as he was effective with his counterpunches. Kennedy stormed back to dominate the 5th, jabbing well and landing 42 times. He connected 48 times in the 6th, 12 being jabs, and won, as his punching was more effective than Chaplin’s counters. I had it even at this point!

Chaplin landed 2 sweet hooks in the 7th, tiring Kennedy out, but Tom rallied in the last 30 seconds with some uppercuts to make the round close. Kennedy went for the KO in the 8th, and did land a nice cross, but George moved and dodged and reached Kennedy with a series of punches to take the round. The 9th was Kennedy throwing bombs, one of which landed below the belt, and arguably winning a low-scoring round, though his cut was reopened.

Kennedy used his best weapon, the low blow, in the 10th, and the referee deducted a point for his foul. Chaplin pecked away when opening presented themselves, ducked otherwise, and won it, 8-4. I scored it 97-94 Chaplin, the last round sealing the victory. The judges saw it a bit differently, going for Chaplin, 98-91, 97-92 & 97-92, a decisive win. As a side note, both men landed the same number of punches!