Thanksgiving Tournament of the Turkeys

[mikehoudini]

Amos Lincoln (level 5) (5-2 4) vs. Johnny Risko (level 5) (4-1-1) - Lincoln had won a UD over Fres Oquendo. Risko had drawn with George Chaplin, then narrowly decisioned him. Risko, whose conditioning was always risky, came in in better tone than Amos, and danced his way to an 8-4 1^st. The Cleveland Rubber Man was tagged with some hooks and a solid cranium-crusher, but he kept on the offensive, his jabs & combinations accumulating enough points to possibly take the 2nd round, 12-11. Lincoln was cut above the right eye, and Johnny peppered it
after that.

The Big Train staggered Risko with a thunderous hook early in the 3^rd, and Johnny covered up, hurt. Lincoln couldn’t put him down, but scored enough points for an 11-4 round. The first minute of the 4^th was Lincoln throwing and Risko dodging. The two men bumped heads, and suddenly Amos was cut right on the left eyebrow. This was a bad cut, causing a temporary stoppage, and Risko took advantage of the blood running down to punch out a 9-3 round!

Lincoln’s cut above his right eye was reopened early in the 5^th. He landed a smashing hook, but Johnny was getting his lighter blows in. Amos fought a smart 3^rd minute, pulling away to an 11-6 round. It was a close match at the midway point.

Both men clinched in a th round Amos may have won, 6-4, but the crowd was booing. Amos opened the 7^th with some nice hooks, jumping to a 5-0 lead. Risko came back with a series of uppercuts, and one reopened Lincoln’s cut on the left eye, and the fight was halted. Allowed to continue, Johnny was relentless, and Amos couldn’t block his jabs and uppercuts. The cut worsened as the round was nearing an end, and the fight was again halted. This time, the damage was too much. Risko had been well ahead, 12-5, but the round would go to the scorecards as of the previous round.

Johnny had outlanded Amos, 149-118, at a 73% proficiency rate, but Amos had landed the power shots. I had it 58-57 for Amos. The judges scored the fight 58-56, 57-57 & 58-56, a majority decision for…Amos Lincoln! The two men saluted each other, both unhappy at how the fight ended, and Amos assured Johnny he’d be getting a rematch, as he didn’t want to win this way. A second level 5 man has now advanced to the Sweet 16! The Big Train is still chugging.

[mikehoudini]

Mike Weaver’s corner, working feverishly, had availed themselves of modern technology and had managed to fix his gash over the left eyebrow, so the two would tangle as the last fight of the night. Hopefully there would be a definitive end in this last segment of their quadrilogy. To quote the last of an epic Mad Max/Road Warrior trilogy, the sign said “Two men enter. One man leaves!” Infinity and PWillisTheMan were both in attendance, each with their cadre of supporters.

Rex had come in a bit soft, having been munching on Twinkies while Weaver’s cut was worked on. Mike came out fast, connecting on a jab and a hook, and Rex was on the defensive. In the second minute, Hercules saw an opening and delivered a freight train staright right that sent Layne careening into the ropes! Rex covered up as Weaver unleashed some bombs, and either Mike was overeager or Rex was suddenly a defensive wizard, as none of them landed, and Rex countered a few times to get to the final bell down only 10-3. Weaver had drawn figurative first blood because of Rex’s covering up! 10-9 Weaver.>>

The first minute of the 2^nd was quiet, each man stalking but neither landing. Layne missed on a cross and Weaver countered with a Thor-ian hook, and Rex dipped before regaining his balance! He caught an aggressive Weaver coming in with a few jabs and then with a sharp hook that backed Mike up. Rex’s hooks had stood him in good stead, and now he threw a sizzling straight right and Weaver was hurt! Mike avoided further punishment, but came out on the short end, 14-9. 19-19 on my card.

Layne landed a crisp left early in the 3^rd. Weaver came back with a series of hooks, the last having some steam on it. Rex rallied with a brilliant last minute, his fists flying. Weaver got in a few hooks, but Rex was landing, and a massive hook just before the bell staggered Weaver and probably sealed the round for Layne, 14-11. 29-28 Layne.

The fans were on their feet as Round 4 commenced. Weaver landed a jab and a hook, but Layne pasted him with a laser cross! Rex got a few hooks in, then Weaver responded with a booming left hook to the midsection that had Rex gasping! Rex landed a few more hooks, but Mike was connecting with the heavy artillery. A hard hook and right carrying him to an 18-12 round! 38-38.

The 5^th began quietly, Hercules landing a bit more. In the second minute, he blocked a Layne haymaker and smashed home a cross, followed by a jarring combination, and Layne looked like he had been stunned! Weaver stalked patiently, cornering Layne. He saw an opening and fired a ferocious combination, and Rex sagged against the ropes before falling! Rex was hurt, but he got to one knee at 6, stood up at 9 holding on to the ropes, but he couldn’t quite make it, and was counted out! Mike Weaver wins by a KO at 2:34 of the 5^th!

It was an exciting contest, and a 3^rd Level 5 fighter, the champion, has now advanced. The fight had been dead even, Weaver landing 119 times to Layne’s 96. The fight crowd cheered both men, and now the only question is whether there will be a 5^th matchup? Infinity need not hang his head, and the decision may well be between him and PWillis if these two titans will tangle again!

[PWillisTheMan]

And there you have it, team Weaver never had a doubt.

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by PWillisTheMan

And there you have it, team Weaver never had a doubt.

Then you'll no doubt grant a rematch! How far can he go? Krasniqi is up next!

[mikehoudini]

Hubert Hilton (level 5) vs. Johnny Arthur, Hilton KO4
Lou Savarese vs. King Levinsky, Savarese MD
Vasily Jirov vs. Larry Donald, Jirov SD
Oleg Machaev vs. Charlie Retzlaff, Machaev TKO4

Pat McMurtry vs. Corrie Sanders, McMurtry UD
Kirk Johnson vs. Renaldo Snipes, Sniped UD
Harry Thomas vs. Simon Samil Sam, Thomas UD
Seignuei Lyakhovich vs. DaVarryl Williamson, Williamson ud

Rex Layne (level 5) vs. Mike Weaver (level 5 champion), TD3, KO5
Luan Krasniqi vs. Nathan Mann, Krasniqi TKO10 Injury
George Godfrey vs. Mike Evans (level 5 runnerup), Godfrey KO8
Vaughn Bean vs. Bruce Woodcock, Bean TKO8 (losing big time)

Ted Lowry vs. Billy Daniels, Lowry SD
Joe Mesi vs. Phil Jackson, Jackson KO3
Francesco Damiani vs. James Braddock, Damiani UD
Amos Lincoln (level 5) vs. Johnny Risko (level 5), Lincoln UD6

[mikehoudini]

Hubert Hilton (level 5) vs. Lou Savarese
Vasily Jirov vs. Oleg Machaev

Pat McMurtry vs. Renaldo Snipes
Harry Thomas vs. DaVarryl Williamson

Mike Weaver (level 5 champion) vs. Luan Krasniqi
George Godfrey vs. Vaughn Bean

Ted Lowry vs. Phil Jackson
Francesco Damiani vs. Amos Lincoln (level 5)

Who looks like The Man?

[Infinity]

Originally Posted by mikehoudini

Mike Weaver’s corner, working feverishly, had availed themselves of modern technology and had managed to fix his gash over the left eyebrow, so the two would tangle as the last fight of the night. Hopefully there would be a definitive end in this last segment of their quadrilogy. To quote the last of an epic Mad Max/Road Warrior trilogy, the sign said “Two men enter. One man leaves!” Infinity and PWillisTheMan were both in attendance, each with their cadre of supporters.

Rex had come in a bit soft, having been munching on Twinkies while Weaver’s cut was worked on. Mike came out fast, connecting on a jab and a hook, and Rex was on the defensive. In the second minute, Hercules saw an opening and delivered a freight train staright right that sent Layne careening into the ropes! Rex covered up as Weaver unleashed some bombs, and either Mike was overeager or Rex was suddenly a defensive wizard, as none of them landed, and Rex countered a few times to get to the final bell down only 10-3. Weaver had drawn figurative first blood because of Rex’s covering up! 10-9 Weaver.>>

The first minute of the 2^nd was quiet, each man stalking but neither landing. Layne missed on a cross and Weaver countered with a Thor-ian hook, and Rex dipped before regaining his balance! He caught an aggressive Weaver coming in with a few jabs and then with a sharp hook that backed Mike up. Rex’s hooks had stood him in good stead, and now he threw a sizzling straight right and Weaver was hurt! Mike avoided further punishment, but came out on the short end, 14-9. 19-19 on my card.

Layne landed a crisp left early in the 3^rd. Weaver came back with a series of hooks, the last having some steam on it. Rex rallied with a brilliant last minute, his fists flying. Weaver got in a few hooks, but Rex was landing, and a massive hook just before the bell staggered Weaver and probably sealed the round for Layne, 14-11. 29-28 Layne.

The fans were on their feet as Round 4 commenced. Weaver landed a jab and a hook, but Layne pasted him with a laser cross! Rex got a few hooks in, then Weaver responded with a booming left hook to the midsection that had Rex gasping! Rex landed a few more hooks, but Mike was connecting with the heavy artillery. A hard hook and right carrying him to an 18-12 round! 38-38.

The 5^th began quietly, Hercules landing a bit more. In the second minute, he blocked a Layne haymaker and smashed home a cross, followed by a jarring combination, and Layne looked like he had been stunned! Weaver stalked patiently, cornering Layne. He saw an opening and fired a ferocious combination, and Rex sagged against the ropes before falling! Rex was hurt, but he got to one knee at 6, stood up at 9 holding on to the ropes, but he couldn’t quite make it, and was counted out! Mike Weaver wins by a KO at 2:34 of the 5^th!

It was an exciting contest, and a 3^rd Level 5 fighter, the champion, has now advanced. The fight had been dead even, Weaver landing 119 times to Layne’s 96. The fight crowd cheered both men, and now the only question is whether there will be a 5^th matchup? Infinity need not hang his head, and the decision may well be between him and PWillis if these two titans will tangle again!

After the fight, Layne blasted himself, saying his lax training was what cost him the fight. He said that Weaver, while a worthy opponent wouldn't be able to stand up to him in top form, and demanded yet another fight!

[Infinity]

Originally Posted by mikehoudini

Hubert Hilton (level 5) vs. Lou Savarese
Vasily Jirov vs. Oleg Machaev

Pat McMurtry vs. Renaldo Snipes
Harry Thomas vs. DaVarryl Williamson

Mike Weaver (level 5 champion) vs. Luan Krasniqi
George Godfrey vs. Vaughn Bean

Ted Lowry vs. Phil Jackson
Francesco Damiani vs. Amos Lincoln (level 5)

Who looks like The Man?

Only 3 of my Sweet 16 predictions are still alive... Jirov Vs Machaev being fir first 2 of them along with Renaldo Snipes. With Braddock out, I don't see anyone beating Jirov!

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by Infinity

After the fight, Layne blasted himself, saying his lax training was what cost him the fight. He said that Weaver, while a worthy opponent wouldn't be able to stand up to him in top form, and demanded yet another fight!

That sounds like a fair request to me! I'm sure PWillis will agree to it.

[CONN CHRIS]

Hey Mike, do you have any cummulative standings after all these lower third of the barrel fights that could be posted or are they all one-offers?

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Hey Mike, do you have any cummulative standings after all these lower third of the barrel fights that could be posted or are they all one-offers?

It'll take a bit of backtracking, but I think I can do it. Some of these guys, particularly the ones who did well when they went to the next level, have a lot of bouts. Mike Weaver and Cedric Boswell come to mind. And I'm pretty sure Danny Wofford and Mel Turnbow have notched a few wins. I'll look into it, as i sort of planned to go back and have each level fight some more.

[CONN CHRIS]

Danny Wofford has become almost as big an icon to TBCBers as Mel. Of course, Mel can never ever be surpassed though.

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Danny Wofford has become almost as big an icon to TBCBers as Mel. Of course, Mel can never ever be surpassed though.

There is only one Mel, though Danny Wofford is almost heavy enough to be two!

What I think I'll do is publish, by fighter level, the records of the leaders. I should indicate those that advanced to fight in the next level(s). That seems doable.

[mikehoudini]

Hubert Hilton (level 5) (6-2-1 2) vs. Lou Savarese (2-0) – Hilton had KOd Johnny Arthur in 4, while Savarese had barely beaten King Levinsky via a majority decision. Bear figured his man would stop Hilton’s surprising run. Lou started strong, landing a crushing hook and whistling uppercut, pulling away from a slightly-dazed Hilton, 12-4.

The Happy Wanderer came back in the 2nd, landing a hard left as a counter to a Savarese hook, and showing good ring speed as Lou looked clumsy with his attempts. Hubie won it, 6-2, and then brought it to his bigger opponent in a startling 15-2 3^rd. He landed three sizzling hooks, and Lou was stumbling around at round’s end.

Savarese was more defensive-minded in the 4^th, and his head cleared as he built a small lead at the two minute mark. In the last minute, he bulled into and all over Hilton, hammering him with jabs and combinations, banging out a convincing 18-4 margin!

Lou stayed on the inside in the 5^th, and Hilton didn’t seem to have the strength to keep him away. Savarese rocked him with a right, then followed with another shot and a wicked combination. His jabs & crosses beat a tattoo on Hubie, who covered up and was demolished, 27-2! Hilton needed a recovery round bad.

Instead, Savarese kept pounding away on the inside, hurting a now-exhausted Hilton with a sledge-hammer cross and uppercut. This round went 18-8, and how much more punishment could Hilton take?

The 7^th was a Savarese slaughter, as he decked the hapless Hilton for a 7 count with a cross, then sent him flying across the ring with a savage uppercut. The points were 25-0 when the ref stopped the fight to rescue the helpless Hilton. Savarese won decisively (for the first time) with a TKO at 1:54 of the 7^th! Hilton had been on Bink Street for most of the round, and now passed the torch for the Level 5 fighters to Mike Weaver and Amos Lincoln. Bear was jubilant, his curse potentially broken!

[mikehoudini]

Vassiliy Jirov vs. Oleg Mashaev – Jirov had barely won a split decision over Larry Donald, while Mashaev had TKOd Charlie Retzlaff in a the 4^th in a crowd-pleasing bout. The two warriors from Kazakhstan were set to meet for bragging rights! Infinity figured Jirov would win in a cakewalk!

From the opening bell, this was a donnybrook. Jirov landed more punches in the 1^st, 30-24, but Oleg landed the heavier shots, an uppercut, combination and hook, and he seemed to take the round, 14-11.

Mashaev built a 10-6 lead at the 2 minute mark in the 2^nd, helped by a hard hook, but then Jirov rallied with a series of punches, swarming allmover Oleg and taking the round, 15-10, and Mashaev’s right eye was swelling up quite a bit, to boot. Me: 19-19.

After a slow opening minute in the 3^rd, Jirov asserted himself, a searing straight right seemingly dazing Mashaev. He poured it on, worsening the swelling on Oleg’s eye, so it was beginning to look bad, pounding out a 19-6 round. Infinity was smiling. 29-28 Jirov

Jirov opened the 4^th with a booming hook, and seemed poised to dominate the fight. He rushed inside and ran straight into a dynamite shot, crashing to the canvas! He was up at the count of 7, wobbly, and covered up to prevent more damage. Mashaev nearly floored him again with a freight train right, and coasted to a 16-6 round. If it wasn’t before, the battle was now joined! 38-37 Mashaev

They went after each other in the 5^th, Oleg opening with a straight right, Jirov answering with a sharp uppercut and some excellent, albeit illegal, kidney work. The pace slowed, as Oleg picked his shots, landing a bunch of uppercuts and a jolting right. Jirov was frustrated, and could generate no offense of his own, losing the round, 16-6. 48-46 Mashaev

Vassiliy looked tired coming out for the 6^th, and a distraught Infinity watched as Mashaev tagged him with a smoking uppercut. Dazed, he lashed out with a laser left and caught Oleg clean on the chin, and now Mashaev was in trouble! Jirov threw a hard left over the ducking Mashaev, who then fired a wild overhand right that landed flush on Jirov’s jaw, and he was down again! He jumped up at the count of 3, only to be pasted by a series of blows, ending with two sizzling combinations. The last one was too much, and he dropped again, as the bell rang. He hopped up at the count of 1, having lost decisively, 27-7, and now his right eye was swelling worse than Mashaev’s! 58-54 Mashaev

There was no quit on Jirov, and he brought his fans to their feet with his efforts. Oleg landed early with a combination and thundering hook, but then Jirov went toe-to-toe giving as good as he got. It was a dubious strategy, as, while he landed more frequently, Mashaev’s shots carried more firepower. Oleg won the round on my card, 15-10, and now Jirov’s left eye was swelling quite a bit! 68-63 Mashaev

A desperate Jirov fought a brilliant 1^st minute in the 8^th. He landed a combination and nasty uppercut, and seemed to have Mashaev on the ropes! Oleg, his eye getting half-shut, landed a searing uppercut to slow the flow, but Jirov kept landing, taking a needed round, 15-9! 77-73 Mashaev

Jirov rushed out for the 9^th, right into a cross that bloodied his nose! He backed away for a minute, then signaled to Mashaev to bring it on! Oleg did. He worsened the bloody nose with a combination, then battered away at Jirov, landing 41 times in all in a 22-4 round! Now Jirov’s right eye was half-shut, and his left wasn’t too much better! 87-82 Mashaev

Jirov stunned the crowd, not to mention Mashaev, with a ferocious uppercut to start the 10^th! Throwing caution to the winds, he charged after his foe. Caution fled elsewhere, but not Oleg, who nailed him with a crisp uppercut, scoring a 4 count KD! Jirov was wobbly, and a Mashaev uppercut, seeming a déjà vu, sent him down for another 4 count! His eye was over half-closed as Mashaev landed a hard left hook to the body, a wicked right hook to the head, all the while appealing to the ref, who turned a blind eye. Mashaev shrugged, then threw a lightning combination that sent a gallant Jirov head-over-hills as the bell sounded. Jirov was saved by the bell, and it took him several minutes to get back on his feet after absorbing a 39-5 shellacking. Me: 97-88 Mashaev

Indeed, the announcer had to wait for him to get vertical before announcing the decision, a 97-87, 96-88 & 97-87 unanimous decision for..Oleg Mashaev! Jirov had had his moments but, starting with the 4^th round KD, Oleg had turned the tide in this fight. Jirov had taken an unbelievable amount of punishment. Scoring 6 KDs, Mashaev had put on an impressive performance. Bear gulped nervously at the prospect of his man taking him on next!

The two fighters hugged in a great show of sportsmanship. Mashaev, who had outlanded his game foe 276-232, promised a rematch. Jirov replied that he wasn’t sure he wanted one!

[bear]

Woo-Woo

and

Huzzah, for Lou

[CONN CHRIS]

Isn't Lou about due to come out of retirement again?

[mikehoudini]

Pat McMurtry vs. Renaldo Snipes – McMurtry had decisioned Corrie Sanders, while Snipes had done the same with Kirk Johnson. Will it be Irish Pat or Mister Snipes? Round 1 set the tone for the fight, as these clever boxers had several lively exchanges. They both used their rapier-like jabs, and Snipes also was banging with his crosses. A hard one at round’s end won it for him on my card, 13-8.

Pat landed the best shot in the 2^nd, a jolting uppercut. Again, they both jabbed well. McMurtry was effective with his hooks, and, while Snipes landed more punches, Pat had a narrow points margin, 11-10! McMurtry was dazzling in the last two minutes of the 3^rd. Landing 50 times in all, with 16 jabs & 13 hooks, he made a statement, 17-4!

Mister Snipes turned the tables in the 4th. He hurt Pat with a sharp cross, then decked him with a shot to the body. Pat was up at the count of 7, with a lot more respect for Snipes’ power! Renaldo peppered a covering up Pat with jabs and crosses. He couldn’t land the finishing blow, but won emphatically, 18-4!

The pace slowed a bit in the 5^th, but they traded punches. McMurtry got the last one in, possibly giving him a 10-8 round. It was very close at the halfway point! They dueled like chess masters for two minutes of the 6^th, and then the fists were flying. Snipes landed 30 times, mostly jabs and crosses, but Pat was even more active with 38 blows, a sweet hook giving him the advantage, 14-8!

Snipes’ jabs & crosses gave him the lead at the two minute mark of the 7^th. All told, he landed 40 times in the round. McMurtry put on a clinic in the last minute, hooking and jabbing like a madman. He also ended with 40 punches, but a sizzling right and flying fists at the end pulled it out for him on my card, 16-13. Renaldo developed substantial swelling in his left eye as a result of Pat’s pinpoint attack!

Renaldo rebounded in the 8^th. He landed a huge hook, in addition to many jabs & crosses, and took it handily, 12-4. Irish Pat was tired and couldn’t connect against the speedy Snipes. The fight was very close at this point, and Snipes had surprised me by making it an entertaining bout as the two men dueled back and forth.

Pat brought out the heavy artillery in the 9^th, going for broke. He landed a savage combination, then a nifty left hook to the midsection that took the wind out of Renaldo’s sails. His jabs had worsened the swelling in Snipes’ eye, and a big uppercut made Snipes back up, hurt and tired. All told, it was a 16-4 shellacking for McMurtry!

They circled each other in the pivotal 10^th, each looking for an opening. McMurtry landed a sweet cross and some lighter blows to take the lead. Snipes connected on a sledge-hammer left, sending Irish Pat reeling into the corner! Pat slipped and blocked Snipes’ bombs, then fired a quick and deadly combination just before the fight ended. That combination sealed the round for him, 12-7.

The fans were all on their feet, cheering both men in a classic pugilistic contest! Crimson, chief advocate for Mister Snipes, was on tenterhooks awaiting the decision! It was an extremely close contest. McMurtry had outlanded Snipes, 306-278, but Renaldo landed with a higher frequency, 46% as opposed to 33%. His impressive last 2 rounds had me giving the nod to McMurtry, 96-95. Then again, I’m part-Irish! The color commentator had it 96-95, in favor of Snipes.

The announcer called out the judges scores. 96-94, 95-95 and …96-94 for, the winner by a majority decision…..Irish Pat McMurtry! Snipes was distraught, and stalked off and demanding a rematch. The Irish were busy toasting their hero! Crimson just missed in his prediction of Snipes making it to the Elite Eight!

[mikehoudini]

Harry Thomas vs. DaVarryl Williamson – Thomas jump-started the fight with a busy first round. He landed 16 hooks & 11 crosses in a 16-6 route. Both men connected on hard rights, but Harry was much more effective overall.

Harry had Williamson missing early in the 2^nd, and was moving nicely. He got tagged by a sharp uppercut, but again was more active and may have escaped with an 8-7 round. DaVarryl asserted himself in the 3^rd, landing another big uppercut and looking much better offensively, 13-6. He caught a vicious cross to open the 4^th, but displayed good ring generalship, coming back to get an 11-8 advantage.

The 5^th was dead-even, 10-10, Thomas coming back with a solid hook to the midsection. DaVarryl opened the 6^th with some uppercuts, but looked tired. Harry roared back, hurting him with another hook downstairs. DaVarryl rallied in the last minute, a nice hook paving the way, but Thomas’ 18 crosses & 9 hooks gave him the round on my card, 13-10.

At this point the fight was very close, with neither man able to sustain an advantage for long. Color commentator Scott Lang had the fight all even. They exchanges major blows in a crowd-pleasing 7^th. Williamson opened with a nice combination, then Harry came back with a sledge-hammer left and a whistling hook that had Williamson wobbly! DaVarryl dug deep, unleashing a deadly hook of his own, and Thomas was hurt and suddenly looked tired and vulnerable! Williamson through another big hook, but Thomas slipped it and landed a hard right as a counter. It was still a very close round, but Harry changed that when he dropped his man with a picture-perfect hook just before the bell sounded! DaVarryl couldn’t beat the count, and Thomas was the winner by a KO at 3:00 of the 7^th. The fight crowd cheered both gladiators in this nip-and-tuck battle!

[mikehoudini]

Mike Weaver (level 5 champion) (10-1-1 10) vs. Luan Krasniqi (2-0 2) – Weaver had knocked Rex Layne into the next county to score a 5^th round KO, while Krasniqi had won on a 10^th round TKO on an injury, a fight that he had been losing to Nathan Mann! PWillis figured Hercules would make mincemeat out of Luan.

No one told Luan that, and he came out smoking in the 1^st, knocking Weaver’s mouthpiece out with a ferocious right! Mike battled back with two stunning hooks, but Krasniqi, who landed 30 times, may have escaped with a 13-12 round! Kras poured it on in the 2^nd, showing Weaver no respect, his jabs and combinations landing almost at will! He took the round decisively, 16-7, helped by a strong uppercut.

In the 3^rd it was Weaver missing, then Krasniqi countering, and he built up a nice lead. Hercules roared back in the last minute but still came up short, 8-6. Weaver finally asserted himself in the 4^th, bulling inside. While Krasniqi landed 30 times, Mike matched him with 28, and a colossal hook pulled it out for him, 15-11. Had he solved the mystery of the crafty Krasniqi?

Apparently not, as he swung and missed in the 5^th with authority! Luan was countering nicely with combinations & uppercuts, and only a trademark Weaver hook at the end made it close, 9-6. Mike needed a round bad, and instead was bad in the 6^th. He kept missing, and Kras kept countering, landing 36 times, hooks his main weapon, pitching a 13-0 shutout! Weaver was digging himself a deep hole, to the consternation of PWillis.

Hercules went back on the inside, and they traded punches nicely for the first 2 minutes of the 7^th, but it was Weaver who looked tired, often leaning on Luan. Luan exploited this, countering beautifully in the last minute with hooks and uppercuts, pulling away to a 15-9 round. Desperate, Weaver went for broke in the 8^th. He rocked Kras with a cranium-crusher and combination, but caught a string of uppercuts in doing so. His left eye was beginning to swell as a result of Luan’s precision punching, and only a furious uppercut gave him a much-needed round, 14-10, though it didn’t topple the plucky Krasniqi.

Kras landed a few punches to lead in the 9^th, but then Weaver came on like a God in the last minute. He landed a hard straight right, then a jarring uppercut. Relentless, he pressed on, tagging Luan with another sharp uppercut. Kras was in a bad way, but the bell spared him, though Weaver had won another key round, 14-6! I had 3 rounds for Weaver, 4 for Krasniqi, with 2 very close, in both of which Weaver rallied big time at the end!

They trade punches in the first minute of the 10^th, then Kras began to land on a tired Weaver, throwing hooks, uppercuts & combinations. None were major, but the cumulative effect kept Weaver from landing, and Krasniqi cruised to a 17-7 round, possibly sealing the fight! I had it 96-95, Krasniqi, while the color commentator had it 97-95. Kras had outlanded the mighty Weaver, 318-175, with a high precision 58% of his blows landing.

The judges scored the fight 99-92, 98-94 & 97-94, a unanimous decision for… Luan Krasniqi! Weaver’s great run was done. I thought it had been much closer, and PWillis had to be blowing a gasket! Weaver was unhappy, but saluted the man who had boxed beautifully this night. Maybe they’d meet again! Dame Fortune may have smiled on Krasniqi, as he’d fought well on a night Hercules had an off night!