The Heavyweight Boxing Federation

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

You'll thank me in the long run.

I'm sure I will, I have no doubts that this will be a great fight. I'm looking forward to it quite abit.

Good to see Patterson pick up the win. You know the Baer fight might have been the first time he's been KOed but I'm willing to bet it by no means will be the last time.

[kenyan_cheena]

* * *

Friday 31 May 2002

THE HAMMOND CIVIC CENTER MAIN EVENT

THE HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION'S
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
SERIES FIVE - GROUP SIXTEEN

1(16) JIMMY YOUNG
(21 years old, Philadelphia, Pennslyvania)
3-0-1

vs

3(33) ELMER RAY
(17 years old, Hastings, Florida)
4-0-0(2)

The Prize: Outright 1st place in Group Sixteen going into Series Six...

Tale of the Tape

Jimmy Young

Weight: 196 lbs
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 81"

Elmer Ray

Weight: 187 lbs
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 80"

* * *

The crowd at the Hammond Civic Center applauded excitedly as ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. climbed through the ropes and addressed them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at our Main Event for the evening," said Lennon. "And it's a contest that the whole boxing world has been waiting for. Without further delay, let me introduce to you our combatants. Fighting out of the blue corner, this 17 year-old hails from Hastings, Florida. He weighed in for tonight's bout at a fighting fit 187 pounds and boasts a perfect record of four wins and no losses, with two of those wins coming by way of knockout. He is the 33rd seed in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's World Championship tournament, please welcome the man some call "The Florida Firebrand", ELMER RAY!"

The audience erupted and moments later, Elmer Ray and his considerable entourage had appeared in the aisle. Decked out in a robe of black with thin red and white trim, Ray highlighted his status of 1st place in Group Sixteen with the rolling, deep bass of Eric B. & Rakim's "Follow The Leader" accompanying him to the ring. His fellow Florida Alliance members Terone Haynes, Oliver McCall and Tommy Gomez flanked him but it was Ray that led the procession, his trainers and a trio of his curvaceous cousins following.

Once in the ring, Ray flipped off his hood to reveal a cleanly shaven pate and eyes that blazed with intensity and determination.

(to be continued)

[bear]

Elmer's the man.

Bear

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #782)

The 17 year-old prowled around the ring, pounding fists with his entourage, bouncing up and down, throwing a few shadow punches. A thin layer of sweat shone on his forehead, impatience showing.

Once the audience's excitement died down somewhat, Lennon introduced Jimmy Young.

"Fighting out of the red corner, he's 21 years old and a native of the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He tipped the scales at 196 pounds and comes into tonight with a professional record of three wins, no losses and one draw. He is the 16th seed in the federation's World Championship tournament, please show your appreciation for JIMMY YOUNG!"

Group Sixteen's #1 seed received applause that was somewhat lukewarm in comparison to that which had greeted the Florida entourage. Wearing a solid white robe, Young didn't bring a bloated posse to the ring with him, just his four cornermen and a couple of others. The mellow Kool & The Gang track "Summer Madness" cast a tranquil spell over the arena audience.

Ray watched Young with a fierce countenance as the Philadelphian stepped through the ropes. The moment of truth was just moments away and when referee Zach Clayton brought the two combatants together for the pre-fight instructions, their gazes did not waver. Young and Ray seemed to be staring right into each other's souls and while Young's disposition was one of resolute calm, the Florida native looked like he would explode.

Touching gloves, they maintained steely eye contact as they returned to their corners. A minute later, the ring was cleared and the referee was motioning to the timekeeper for the opening bell...

Following is a round-by-round analysis of the evening's Main Event, provided by the New York Sun's Peter Roman:

ROUND ONE

The bell rings and a wave of applause and excitement erupts around the arena. Looking around, I have to say the atmosphere in the Hammond Civic Center is absolutely electric and as Jimmy Young and Elmer Ray move forward from their corners, a cold chill of excitement runs up and down my spine as I can't quite believe that this fight that everyone's been waiting for has actually, really started.

Elmer Ray is like a ball of awesome energy ready to be unleashed. He takes up his usual sideways stance, left hand probing, sliding forward. Man, those eyes of his look like they might burst out at any moment! Young's hands are held high and he lands the first punch of the fight, a lead right that catches Ray on the chin but does little to slow his forward movement.

Ray is cautious, looking for an opening and thirty seconds in, he finds one, tagging Young with a left jab and then a straight right, chasing it with a left hook! The Philadelphian backs off, shaking his head and the two circle each other momentarily.

Oh, a nice straight right from Ray there! That punch snapped Young's head around on his shoulders. Elmer Ray just looks in terrific shape for tonight's bout, but you wouldn't expect anything else based on his regime leading into the evening.

Young moves forward behind the jab and Ray backs off into a neutral corner, where Young catches him with a glancing overhand right. Ray is dodging and weaving as Young unloads, his uncle Marlon shouting at him to get off the ropes.

Ray ties up the 16th seed and as they seperate he blasts a left hook into Young's ribcage. Young is constantly flicking out that jab, trying to build up points while Elmer is showing a preference for the power shots, only using his left as a measuring stick to this point. And there's one of those power shots, a smashing right cross from Ray thrown as Young was about to unleash a left hook. Young backs off as we reach the halfway mark of round one.

Not much happens during the next thirty seconds as Young inititates a clinch, smothering a left hook from Ray before going back to work with his jab. Ray appears to be talking to Young, encouraging him to come forward. The fight explodes briefly as they exchange a flurry of shots at centre ring, bringing a howl of approval from the audience. It's an exchange that Young gets the better of, a nice left hook that thuds into Ray's temple the highlight.

They indulge in a stand off, Ray stationed in his own corner, waiting for a mistake. Young comes in at him and loads up with a left hook, which bounces harmlessly off Ray's arms. Now they start throwing, Young peppering Ray with a trio of jabs before the Florida native answers back with a solid left-right counter.

As the round trickles away, Young has Ray trapped in his corner and lands a nice uppercut before the younger fighter backs him off with a solid left hook - right hook - straight right sequence to end the round.

The bell sounds and the crowd are applauding wildly, some on their feet in appreciation of a more than promising start to the contest.

***

I don't think we could have asked for a better opening round. Both men showed their willingness to be aggressive, with Ray landing a number of powerful blows in the top half of the round. As expected, the jab will be Young's bread and butter but whether he will be able to wear down the Florida Firebrand with it, we'll have to wait and see. As was discussed leading into the bout, Ray clearly has the edge in punching power but he'd better try and establish his jab. He only threw a handful of them in that first round.

Both men had their moments in the round, but I think I would have to give the edge to Ray, but only just. He might not have landed as many shots, but the ones he did were much more telling than Young's.

My scorecard for round one: Ray 10-9

Punch stats for round one

Young 29/95 (30.5%)
Ray 27/101 (26.7%)

(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

ROUND TWO

Ray is quickly to his feet as the bell sounds to start the second round, bouncing eagerly, the red and white tassles on his knee length black trunks doing the same.

Little of any consequence happens through the first minute, as Young ties Elmer up on three separate occasions attempting to blunt his power. Referee Zach Clayton tells them to start fighting and Ray responds by sneaking home a short uppercut from in close.

Young is pawing with his jab as both men show more caution than in round one. Ray just misses with a lunging left hook and Young misfires with a counter shot and as the round reaches the two minute mark, they continue circling each other before Young scores with shots to the body and head. Both of them are staying out of each other's range, leading to a number of missed shots.

The audience is growing weary of the posturing and they let the fighters know it as the Philadelphian misses with a jab but connects with a right cross. Ray then comes to life, launching a series of power shots and connecting with a couple of them. He's the aggressor through the final seconds of the round and lands a cross that makes Young's legs buckle for the slightest moment, but the follow-up left hook is off target.

The bell signifies the end of a disappointing round and the two men return to their corners.

***

Like I said, a disappointing round. Unlike the first, neither man seemed willing to challenge the other but it was pretty obvious that Ray was the aggressor, so I'll score the round in his favour.

My scorecard for round two: Ray 10-9
Progressive scorecard after two rounds: Ray 20-18

Punch stats for round two

Young 12/41 (29.3%)
Ray 16/62 (25.8%)

Progressive punch stats after two rounds

Young 41/136 (30.1%)
Ray 43/163 (26.4%)

ROUND THREE

During the intermission, Young's trainer let his charge know that he's not happy and the verbal pasting appears to have worked when Young comes out aggressively, peppering Ray with a quartet of jabs and a straight right early.

Briefly moving out of range, Young steps in and pounds Ray's ribcage with a left hook and then a right hook that catches the Florida native flush on the jaw, bringing cries of approval from the crowd and Young's corner. But Ray shakes his head as if to say the shots had no effect on him. He fires off a retort but catches only air and then Young initiates a clinch as Ray fires away at his body.

Young is clearly outworking his man in this round. That left jab is like a piston and Ray is finding it hard to mount any sort of offense without being caught by it. The round is already half over and Ray has done little to impress so far, his corner shouting at him to be more aggressive. He tries just that, unloading a right hook that bounces off Young's shoulder. The 16th seed counters with a right of his own that catches Ray flush on the face and, yes, it's cut him! Elmer Ray has been cut under the left eye! Some of those at ringside have noticed it and a murmur of concern is making its way through the crowd.

Ray is wearing a perturbed expression and when Young tags him with a left jab and then a straight right, his knees buckle and he almost goes down! The audience cheers/cries out/howls and Jimmy Young moves in aggressively, pounding his retreating opponent but not really finding the mark. The round must be almost over when Ray is staggered again, a left hook snapping his head around and sending the sweat spraying from his head! Young is on the attack and he lands at least six clean shots to the head before the bell saves Ray from a possible knockdown!

***

My, my, my. I did NOT expect that, I must say. No one has handed Elmer Ray that kind of butt kicking in a single round so far during his pro career. Could this be a turning point in the bout?

I'm looking over at Ray's corner and they are all rushing around, working on the cut, watering him down. One of them is spitting aggressive words in his face, telling him to "Get your act together, E!" In Jimmy Young's corner, it's all calm and professional. The 16th seed looks relaxed and composed.

It really seems like the 17 year-old was rattled when he realised he was cut because Young just dominated the round from that point on. If his impressive work had started perhaps thirty seconds earlier, he could well have had Ray on the canvas. A great round for Young.

My scorecard for round three: Young 10-9
Progressive scorecard after three rounds: Ray 29-28

Punch stats for round three

Young 40/111 (36.0%)
Ray 12/39 (30.8%)

Progressive punch stats after three rounds

Young 81/247 (32.8%)
Ray 55/202 (27.2%)

(to be continued)

[Romdawg88]

Holy crap, that third round made up for the slow second round. This fight has lived up to all the hype so far, can't wait to see who pulls it out.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Holy crap, that third round made up for the slow second round. This fight has lived up to all the hype so far, can't wait to see who pulls it out.

You got that right, buddy. I was bug-eyed watching round three unfold.

Anyway, shall we continue? Lets.

(continuation of post #785)

ROUND FOUR

On their feet throughout the intermission, the audience is still standing as the fourth round gets underway, right into the contest up to their armpits. There are two distinct chants resonating through the arena. The Elmer Ray fans are shouting "Florida!" and following it with a trio of handclaps, while Jimmy Young's supporters fire back with "Penn State!" It's a back and forth that started when the third round ended and continues into the early moments of the fourth. Man, this is an unbelieveable, almost surreal atmosphere.

Jimmy Young continues his excellent work from round three, tagging Ray with that precision jab time and again. He's targeting that cut, which Ray's cornermen have done a good job of tending to during the break. With Ray up against the ropes in a neutral corner, Young cuts loose with a series of power shots, lefts and rights thrown with bad intentions. The outburst draws excited applause from the audience but does no real damage to the Florida slugger, the punches bouncing off his arms and gloves, which he holds up high in a defensive posture.

Ray is feinting and showing a lot of head movement. He connects with a short but powerful left hook, backing Young up. It allows Elmer to work his way out of the corner and with the two men now in centre ring he swings for the fences, a big uppercut whispering past the Philadelphia native's nose. But Young isn't in a position to counter and, holding his gloves high, he bobbs and weaves, making himself a difficult target. Ray misses with a left-right combo as the round moves into its bottom half. Referee Clayton has to seperate them twice during the next thirty seconds before they circle each other cautiously, aware that the bout is now moving into crucial territory.

What follows is an explosive exchange of blows that has the crowd sounding their appreciation with an ovation, much of it standing: Ray hammers a left hook into Young's ribs and, exposed to a counter, wears a stiff jab for his troubles. Young follows up with another jab and a straight right which jolts Ray, but he fires back immediately, a left hook catching the World Championship tournament's 16th seed flush on the jaw. Young replies with a left that misses and a right that crashes into the side of the Florida native's head. Ray pushes his man back, making room for himself and shouts at Young to bring it on. Ray unleashes a left hook and Young ties him up.

The two warriors back off briefly before Young ends the round with a final flurry, catching Elmer on the button with a left and a right as the bell sounds to end another exciting three minutes. The audience stands and applauds as the combatants return to their corners, Ray pumping his chest, a maddened scowl blanketing his face...

***

...and this contest continues to evolve into a classic. These two young warriors are giving us everything we had hoped for and seeing them push each other to these levels of excellence will be making boxing fans giddy at the prospect of what is to come in the World Championship tournament's second stage.

Although Ray came back nicely in that round, I don't think he did enough to win it. Jimmy has really taken the fight up to him and he was the better man in that fourth round. This fight is very much alive and any man's for the taking.

My scorecard for round four: Young 10-9
Progressive scorecard after four rounds: 38-38

Punch stats for round four

Young 30/65 (46.2%)
Ray 20/50 (40.0%)

Progressive punch stats after four rounds

Young 111/312 (35.6%)
Ray 75/252 (29.7%)

(to be continued...)

[Claybor]

Good stuff.

[kenyan_cheena]

(...continuation)

ROUND FIVE

This fantastic audience offers up another round of applause as Young and Ray rise from their stools and start chapter five of their conflict. There's a look in both men's eyes, absolute determination, a realisation that they're right in the middle of the eye of the storm. Nothing else matters to them but the consequences of these next seven minutes.

Once again, Young starts the round nicely, banging a solid right cross off Ray's forehead, keeping him off balance with the jab before the younger man inititates a clinch. Ray does little of any substance through the first minute of the round, save for holding Young and feinting defensively. If he's not careful, this round will tick away and out of his hands.

The Philadelphian pounds Ray's ribs with a nice left hook and soon after scores with a left-right-left combination. Ray shakes his head, but unlike earlier when it was to indicate that Young had not hurt him, this time it's clearly out of frsutration. He slips three of a quartet of Jimmy's jabs, the third one bumping his head back.

Referee Clayton tells Ray to quit fooling around and start fighting and as the round passes the halfway mark, the two stand toe-to-toe briefly, each scoring with some solid power shots to the audience's delight. Elmer connects with a nice uppercut from in close and when Young misses with the left hook Ray counters nicely, a right cross catching the 16th seed on the forehead.

The round enters its final minute and Young shoulders Ray back, trying to make some room for himself. Ray is showing more urgency now, knowing that he'll need a solid finish to take the round. He fires off a right hand which Young evades and then misses with each of his following four shots, bringing another frustrated head shake. Young's corner sees this and urges their man on, shouting their encouragement and telling Jimmy that he's got Elmer right where he wants him. But Elmer keeps working, somewhat making up for his slow start to the round when he catches Young with a stinging body shot and a big right uppercut.

The two are locked in a clinch as the final seconds of the round evaporate, but Young gets loose and puts an exclamation point on his work, firing off a trio of head shots, the third one thudding into Ray's cheek as the bell sounds to end the round. The two trade words briefly before returning to their respective corners, and the audience is loving it...

***

...as am I. Another solid round, with Young doing just enough to take it. If Elmer had been busier in the top half, maybe he'd be leading on my card at the moment, but Young wins his third straight round thanks to a more consistent three minutes.

Elmer is going to have to dig deep if he wants to salvage a positive result for himself. But, of course, I'm not really judging this fight and can only imagine how the judges themselves have seen it.

My scorecard for round five: Young 10-9
Progressive scorecard after five rounds: Young 48-47

Punch totals for round five

Young 22/59 (37.3%)
Ray 19/59 (32.2%)

Progressive punch totals after five rounds

Young 133/371 (35.8%)
Ray 94/311 (30.2%)

(to be concluded!)

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Claybor

Good stuff.

Thanks, Claybor. Glad you're enjoying it.

[Romdawg88]

Ray needs to get his head straight and get to work in the next round he needs it. Great stuff, so far can't wait to see how it all ends in the sixth.

[kenyan_cheena]

(conclusion!)

ROUND SIX

The crowd comes to their feet as one as the bell sounds to start the final round of this fantastic contest. Young and Ray touch gloves and offer each other a respectful nod before getting down to business.

They cricle each other cautiously, one waiting for the other to make the first move. Young probes with his jab while Ray looks for an opening. His cornermen did a superb job of negating the damage to that cut from round three and it's barely noticeable now.

Strangely, Ray goes the southpaw route for a few seconds, pumping his right hand out at Young ineffectively before switching back. His supporters know he needs this round and they start up the "Florida!" chant again, trying to carry him to a strong finish. Ray works strongly on the inside, sneaking home a left hook and an uppercut before Clayton pries them apart.

Elmer lunges at Young with a left hook and takes the full brunt of a solid right counter, and then another that snaps his head around, bringing a cheer from the audience. The round passes the one minute mark and Ray tries unloading a big right hand, but Young parries it and wraps him up. Clayton shouts at them to separate, telling them to watch their heads as it looked like a head clash was a distinct possibility.

Standing at ring's centre, they both fire off simultaneously, Ray with a rare jab and Young with a left hook. Each misses but Young quickly doubles up on the jab, catching an off-balance Ray who backpedals momentarily before moving back into the cauldron. He muscles Jimmy up against the ropes and tags him with a short left hook. Young continues to rely on his workhorse, the left jab. He pumps it out at Elmer, keeping him at bay.

The final minute of the bout has arrived and I'm not sure if Elmer has done enough so far. He pounds away at Young's torso with punches that have understandably lost some of their sting. Young wraps him up and that look of frustration is back on the Florida Firebrand's countenance.

Clayton separates them again and as Young moves backward Elmer steps in and lands a devastating right cross flush on the jaw, buckling Jimmy's legs! The crowd goes ballistic and Young stumbles back onto the ropes, immediately covering up as Ray pursues him. He flails away, looping lefts and rights thrown with everything the 17 year-old has left but Young manages to pierce a desparate uppercut through Ray's defenses, catching him square on the chin and backing him up. Ray unloads, left-right-left, but he's clearly running out of gas and the punches impact harmlessly on Young's arms and gloves.

The sands in the hour glass have all but passed and the crowd begins to applaud wildly, but Ray launches one final assault. A right hook rocks Young, sending the sweat flying and staggering him once again. He retreats but before Elmer can follow up the bell rings to signal the end of the contest.

The two combatants embrace briefly before both parading around the ring, arms raised high to the appreciation of the Hammond Civic Center audience. The two corner crews leap into the ring, tending to their charges, followed by a number of HBF officials and security personnel.

***

What a fight. After all the hype and rivalry and anticipation, it was really worth the wait. What a gutsy finish by Elmer Ray. He really dug deep and hurt Jimmy twice in that final minute and as far as I'm concerned, earned himself a draw and a retention of 1st place in Group Sixteen of the World Championship tournament.

But like I said, I'm not scoring this bout. We'll just have to wait and see what the judges have made of it, but I think that anything besides a draw would be a disservice to the great effort that each man produced tonight.

My scorecard for round six: Ray 10-9
Progressive scorecard after the sixth and final round: 57-57, a draw

Punch totals for round six

Young 18/47 (38.3%)
Ray 21/51 (41.2%)

Progressive punch totals after the sixth and final round

Young 151/418 (36.1%)
Ray 115/362 (31.8%)

(COMING SOON: THE JUDGE'S VERDICT!)

[Jeff1787]

Very good writing...I am hoping for Ray...but a draw seems fair...

[Romdawg88]

It seems from the write-up that Ray was able to edge the final round so a draw seems to be the right call but round 2 and 6 were pretty close so I can see Young winning as well. Can't wait for the deicision to be announced.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

It seems from the write-up that Ray was able to edge the final round so a draw seems to be the right call but round 2 and 6 were pretty close so I can see Young winning as well. Can't wait for the deicision to be announced.

Well, you'll know when you log on tomorrow.

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Well, you'll know when you log on tomorrow.

Sweet, I've got something good to look forward to when I wake up tomorrow. Good times.

[kenyan_cheena]

AND THE WINNER IS...

Five minutes after the final bell had sounded, Jimmy Lennon, Jr. was back in the ring, armed with the scorecards that would confirm whether Elmer Ray had retained both his undefeated record and his hold on 1st place in Group Sixteen of the World Championship tournament, or whether his Philadelphia-born opponent had taken them from him. Both of them stood in centre ring with their robes back on, both wiping at their heads and faces with towels, not looking at each other.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, I think you'd agree with me when I say that we've been treated to a fantastic main event," said Lennon.

The audience confirmed their agreement with a fresh round of applause.

"I'll now reveal the judge's scorecards ... Judge Frederico Vollmer of Venezuela has scored the contest 58-57, to Jimmy Young."

Fans of the 16th seed cheered excitedly, shouting out "Number one!", "Penn State!" and "Jimmy!" before Lennon continued.

"Judge Beat Haussmann of Switzerland has also scored the bout 58-57, in favour of Elmer Ray."

The Florida Firebrand's supporters took their turn to voice their excitement, chanting "Florida!" and "Five and oh!" amongst other colourful retorts. They went on with their chorus for longer than Young's fans had and it quickly turned into an amazing back and forth battle between the two groups. Lennon was eventually required to ask the audience for silence before revealing the final scorecard.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen ... Judge Robert Paolino of the United States has scored the bout 58-57, to the winner, by split decision ... JIMMMYYY, YOUNNNG!!!"

The Hammond Civic Center exploded with a wall of cheering, booing, screaming and howling, an incredible noise that was a physical presence as it resounded through the arena. In the ring, Young shouted "Yes!" jubilantly, falling to his knees briefly. When he stood, Ray shook his hand, patted him on the shoulder and embraced him, patting Young's back. They spoke for some thirty seconds, Ray clearly expressing his congratulations and Young accepting them.

All around them was chaos: reporters from ESPN and other media outlets clamouring for a sound bite, security and HBF personnel all the while forming a protective wall around the fighters and their corner crews.

Eventually, ESPN's Bill Farris was able to work his way into centre ring where he spoke to the victor, Jimmy Young. Ray was standing nearby.

"Well, Jimmy, what can you say after a fight like this?" asked Farris.

Young shook his head, an expression of relief on his face.

"I'm just so happy that I was able to get the win," he said. "You know, there's been so much made of this fight in the last weeks. I had a lot of pressure on me early in the tourney after I stinked up the joint a few times and to come through that and get this win over a guy who is gonna be a star in our sport in the years to come ... I feel like I'm dreaming, really."

"You are the top seed in Group Sixteen, but coming into the evening, you weren't the favourite. That must have given you some added incentive."

"Well, I think Elmer deserved that favouritism based on our performances before tonight," answered Young. "I mean, he was just kickin' ass, basically, while I was lucky to get through them undefeated. So it didn't give me any extra incentive, but what drove me on during the fight was that simple desire to prove it to the doubters. Prove that I really do belong amongst the #1 seeds. I think I did that."

(to be continued)