The Heavyweight Boxing Federation

[kenyan_cheena]

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2002
THE ICE PALACE, TAMPA, FLORIDA, USA


OPENING BOUT

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Four
4(29) Bernie Reynolds KO4 2(13) Jim Maloney

PRELIMINARY 1

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Four
8(125) James Broad TKO2 6(93) Al McCoy

PRELIMINARY 2

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Four
5(77) Henry Clark UD6 7(109) Lorenzo Zanon

SUPPORT BOUT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Four
2(29) Bill Brennan D6 4(61) Johnny Risko

CO-FEATURE

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Four
1(4) Trevor Berbick SD6 3(21) Wayne Bethea

MAIN EVENT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Four
1(4) Larry Holmes MD6 3(45) Harry Thomas

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Damn, that card had every type of result you can have in a fight besides a DQ and a NC.

A TKO, a KO, a unanimous decision, a majority decision, a split decision and a draw.

Pretty certain that's never happened on any other HBF card.

And it just happened again. For the second card in a row, a KO, a TKO, a Unan. Dec, a Draw, a Split Dec and a Maj. Dec.

Something weird going on here...

[kenyan_cheena]

Sunday 9 June 2002

HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION
FIGHT CARD SCHEDULE
MONDAY 10/06/2002 - SATURDAY 15/06/2002 INCLUSIVE

MONDAY 10/06/2002 - ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

1D - G3: 6(46) RANDY STEPHENS vs 8(62) KING SOLOMON
1D - G3: 5(38) GUS DORAZIO vs 7(54) BILL LANG
WC - G6: 6(91) HEINZ NEUHAUS vs 8(123) JAMES ELLIS
WC - G6: 5(75) JOHNNY DUPLOOY vs 7(107) BOB BAKER
WC - G6: 2(27) JACK GARDNER vs 4(59) JAMES TILLIS
WC - G6: 1(6) PETER JACKSON vs 3(43) BRUCE WOODCOCK

TUESDAY 11/06/02 - WINNIPEG ARENA, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA
THE CANADIAN BOXING LEAGUE

(8) BRETT ASHBY vs (9) CARMINE VINGO
(7) LOU BAILEY vs (10) BOBBY HALPERN
(6) JACK MUNROE vs (11) TIM ANDERSON
(5) JOE LANNON vs (12) JOE COX
(2) ROBERT CLEROUX vs (3) LARRY GAINS
(1) LENNOX LEWIS vs (4) JOHN FERGUSON

WEDNESDAY 12/06/2002 - MISSISSIPPI COAST COLISEUM, BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI, USA

1D - G3: 2(14) AMOS JOHNSON vs 4(30) TOMMY MORRISON
WC - G11: 6(86) RON STANDER vs 8(118) AL KAUFMANN
WC - G11: 5(70) CHARLES HORN vs 7(102) MIKE DEJOHN
WC - G11: 2(22) JOHNNY SUMMERLIN vs 4(54) BILLY DANIELS
1D - G3: 1(3) OLIVER MCCALL vs 3(22) IBAR ARRINGTON
WC - G11: 1(11) JOE JEANNETTE vs 3(38) CLARENCE HENRY

THURSDAY 13/06/2002 - STADE DE LA REVOLUTION, BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO
THE AFRICAN BOXING LEAGUE

(8) ZOLILIE LETLAKE vs (9) STANLEY DREXXON
(7) DELBERT CRAW vs (10) JOMO MOTLOUNG
(6) OMOVO OKOCHA vs (11) CHARLES MBARGA
(5) MARIEN NGUESSO vs (12) ROY HARRIS
(2) ANACLET WAMBA vs (3) JAMES ELDREN
(1) IKE IBEABUCHI vs (4) GRANTHAM ABDUL-KAFAR

FRIDAY 14/06/2002 - SAITAMA SUPER ARENA, TOKYO, SAITAMA, JAPAN

1D - G6: 6(43) CHARLEY MITCHELL vs 8(59) JURGEN BLIN
1D - G6: 5(35) JOHN LESTER JOHNSON vs 7(51) JOSE ROMAN
WC - G14: 6(83) BERT WHITEHURST vs 8(115) MARTY MONROE
WC - G14: 5(67) AMOS LINCOLN vs 7(99) LUIS FIRPO
WC - G14: 2(19) JIMMY ELLIS vs 4(51) KING LEVINSKY
WC - G14: 1(14) ERNIE TERRELL vs 3(35) PHIL MUSCATO

SATURDAY 15/06/2002 - MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA

1D - G6: 2(11) MIKE WEAVER vs 4(27) CURTIS SHEPPARD
WC - G3: 6(94) PEDRO LOVELL vs 8(126) JOE BECKETT
WC - G3: 5(78) FRANCO CAVICCHI vs 7(110) PAT VALENTINO
WC - G3: 2(30) CLEVELAND WILLIAMS vs 4(62) MANUEL RAMOS
1D - G6: 1(6) RON LYLE vs 3(19) JOE CHOYNSKI
WC - G3: 1(3) JACK JOHNSON vs 3(46) RENALDO SNIPES

[kenyan_cheena]

Upcoming headlines from the HBF...

* Holmes rockets to #1 favouritism following masterful victory
* Thunder Down Under
* Junior-Heavyweight? "No chance," says Tunney
* Liston confirms intentions on Scottish relocation
* Olympic Champ Lewis back in action in Winnipeg

[kenyan_cheena]

HOLMES ROCKETS TO OUTRIGHT FAVOURITISM
AFTER ICE PALACE MASTERPIECE

Sunday 9 June 2002

Within minutes of his brilliant victory over Harry Thomas, bookmakers in Vegas were rushing to make Pennsylvania's Larry Holmes the outright favourite to claim the inaugural Heavyweight Boxing Federation World Championship.

Fighting yesterday evening at Tampa's Ice Palace, the World Championship tournament's 4th seed put on a performance that many have called the best seen so far in the federation's short history, a dominant display of both offensive aggression and defensive mastery that had his undefeated Minnesota-born opponent shaking his head in frustration.

"Yeah, there's still a long way to go, but none of the other top seeds have come up with a win like that," said Lonnie Davis of World Sports Exchange. "You can't ignore a win like that. It was just fantastic."

New York Age sports journalist James Reynolds was just as impressed.

"It's been amazing what has happened these last two weeks," he said. "All the top seeds are trying to out-do each other, but last night Larry Holmes topped all of them. That was an extraordinary performance."

Looked upon by some as boring and unemotional, Holmes must have converted most of his critics with his domination of Thomas. It's true that the Georgia-born fighter is not amongst the most charismatic HBF competitors, but charisma doesn't win fights. Skills do, and skills are one thing that Holmes has in abundance. Having already shown that he's the best pure boxer in the tournament, last night he revealed an exceptional defensive ability also.

Holmes proved what a good judge of talent Olympic Champion Lennox Lewis is. Interviewed on SportsCenter shortly before last night's event, the Canadian picked Holmes as his favourite to become the HBF's first World Champion.

"But I'm really looking forward to watching Larry Holmes tonight," Lewis had said. "In my opinion, the guy is the most talented fighter in the whole tournament and he's my pick to win it all. I think we'll see something pretty special from him tonight."

If results go as expected, Holmes will find himself in perhaps the most talented group in the tournament's second stage. Riddick Bowe and Sam Langford will both be there, while one of the three fighting it out for 1st place in Group Sixteen (Young, Patterson and Ray) will also take a spot. That's not to mention the 2nd placers who will fill out the bottom half of the group, with the possibilities currently including Earnie Shavers, Tony Tucker and George Chuvalo.

Whoever happens to join him there, it will be a tough road to the tournament semi-finals. But based on what we've seen so far, Larry Holmes appears to have the skill and talent to navigate it...

[meade95]

Excellent universe - Just thought I'd chime in - I don't comment much but always make sure to check in every few weeks to see how it is progressing.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by meade95

Excellent universe - Just thought I'd chime in - I don't comment much but always make sure to check in every few weeks to see how it is progressing.

Thanks, meade. I enjoy yours also. It's clear in your posts that you've put a lot of thought into it.

I'll be making a new post here in about five hours from now.

[kenyan_cheena]

THUNDER DOWN UNDER:
JACKSON DECIMATES WOODCOCK IN MELBOURNE

Monday 10 June 2002

Fighting in front of a parochial home crowd at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena, Peter Jackson has scored an impressive six round unanimous decision victory (58-56 on all three cards) over England's Bruce Woodcock.

The #6 seed in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's World Championship tournament produced the best performance of his professional career to date, entertaining an audience that featured some of Australia's biggest celebrities and sporting personalities. As has been the case in each of his previous bouts, Jackson was decked out in his nation's sporting colours of green and gold. He was accompanied to the ring by a large entourage that included his good friend and Sydney Olympics Featherweight bronze medallist Jeff Fenech.

With both men bringing 4-0 records into the contest, most HBF observers felt that Woodcock would provide Jackson with his first real test and, at least after the first round, they looked to be correct. The Englishman came out with aggressive intent while Jackson showed more caution, sizing up his opponent. Woodcock took the round but Jackson landed a hard right hand late that opened a cut over the Englishman's left eye, one of what would eventually be three seperate ones before the bout was over.

Following his opening round gingerness, Jackson's acceleration in round two was astonishing. He pressed Woodcock, moving forward behind an active jab before stunning him midway through the round with a flush left hook. Woodcock was lucky to survive the round, unable to mount any sort of counter offensive as Jackson unloaded on him. The Aussie continued his domination into the third and fourth rounds to the audience's delight. A wicked left hook early in the fourth had the frustrated Woodcock bleeding from the right eyebrow. The Englishman was showing some serious swelling on that side of his face as Jackson continued to keep him off balance with that snapping left jab.

It appeared that Jackson was cruising to victory but to his credit, Woodcock displayed a courageous heart in the fifth, holding his own for much of the round before securing it with a burst of activity and catching Jackson with a trio of solid combinations. But it was only a minor speed bump for the hometown hero as Jackson finished the fight in conclusive style, cutting Woodcock under the left eye with a booming straight right. The tournament's 43rd seed was a spent, bloodied, clinching mess and if the round had been perhaps only ten seconds longer, the fight would have ended inside the distance.

When the bell sounded, the Caribbean-born 21 year-old walked around the ring nodding his head, left fist raised in the air.

(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

When the judge's decision was announced the audience erupted jubilantly, their champion's perfect record still in tact.

"That was quite a tussle," said Jackson. "The guy has been really impressive in his other fights, so I was expecting a tough night. But I feel that I exceeded the expectations I'd put on myself, so that makes me happy."

Jackson landed 183 of 328 punches (55.8%), while Woodcock connected with 93 of 236 (39.4%).

"Didn't feel like there was that much of a gap," said the Aussie. "He caught me with some nice shots. I wouldn't count him out at all, you know? If he wins his next two, he'll go through and I can easily see that happening."

When told that a win in his next bout against Jack Gardner will secure his passage to stage two of the tournament, Jackson simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, it'll do the same for him so I'm sure he's gonna step into the ring ready," he said. "He came pretty close to defeat tonight, so I know that he'll be trying for an improved performance in five weeks."

***

Indeed, Jack Gardner came terribly close to defeat in his bout against Oklahoma's James Tillis. In an action-packed contest, the Englishman eeked out a majority decision win (57-56, 57-57, 57-56) to improve to 5-0.

It was not the most popular decision, as Tillis was clearly the better fighter in rounds one, four and five. He came close to putting Gardner on the canvas on three separate occasions: once in the opener and twice in a brutal fourth round.

But a knockdown that Gardner himself scored at the very end of round three proved to be the difference. It's likely that Tillis would have won the round and the fight if not for the quartet of unexpected shots that caught him napping just two seconds before the bell. As a result, two of the judges scored the round 10-8 in the Englishman's favour, a three point swing in the blink of an eye.

The American was admirable in defeat, producing the best performance of his career to date despite the result. Clinging to the slimmest chance of progression coming into the evening, the loss has officially ended Tillis's hopes. With his record now 1-2-2(1), he'll have to change his focus to qualifying for the Continental Americas tournament.

As for Gardner, he'll need to show a vast improvement if he wants to have any chance of overcoming Peter Jackson. It's been said recently that Woodcock had been more impressive through the opening four series of the tournament, and Gardner's showing tonight will do little to change that opinion.

THE ROD LAVER ARENA UNDERCARD

* In an underwhelming opener, Dallas native Randy Stephens spent six rounds clinching, holding, circling and occasionally punching Boston's King Solomon.

Neither man displayed what would be considered an enthusiastic disposition and so it was fitting that the judges scored the bout a draw (58-56 (Stephens), 57-57, 59-56 (Solomon)).

Stephens had put in some admirable efforts before fading late in some of his earlier bouts. That hunger was nowhere to be seen tonight and his record now stands at 1-3-1. Solomon remains winless at 0-3-2.

* Philadelphia's Gus Dorazio must be wondering if some sort of curse was uttered in his direction before the start of this HBF 1st Defense tournament. Having held both 14th seed Amos Johnson and 3rd seed Oliver McCall to draws in his last two bouts, the Pennsylvanian native was involved in another one tonight.

It was a bout that featured twice the action of its predecessor, with local favourite Bill Lang fighting above himself to spoil what most felt would be an easy evening for Dorazio.

The Australian stunned Dorazio in the opening, adrenalin and the home crowd support leading him to a sensational start. Dorazio is the 1st Defense tournament's 38th seed, Lang its 54th. While the Philadelphian improved over the remaining rounds, he was unable to really take control of the bout and in the face of that, the 57-57, 58-56 (Dorazio), 57-57 verdict was a reasonable one.

Dorazio is now an unfortunate 1-1-3. Lang is 0-4-1.

* Idaho's James Ellis achieved his first tournament victory with a split decision win against Germany's Heinz Neuhaus (57-56, 56-57, 57-56).

Considering the two combatants combined record of 1-6-1 coming into the event, this fight had no right to be as entertaining as it turned out. The referee had every right to stop the contest at the end of the opening round, as, after dominating the stanza, Ellis put the German on his back at the end if it with a flush left hook.

But Neuhaus continued and more. He fought back brilliantly, taking round two in a fashion almost as convincing as Ellis's first round effort. The remainder of the bout was more of an arm-wrestle, but when it was through the audience was on its feet, applauding a fantastic effort by both men.

* South African native Johnny DuPlooy followed Ellis with a maiden victory of his own in another thrilling contest. DuPlooy won by unanimous decision against Pittsburgh's Bob Baker (58-56, 57-56, 58-56) but not before fending off a tremendously determined resistance.

The contest was all tied up going into the final round, with both men having had their moments. But DuPlooy deposited Baker on his backside with a crunching uppercut midway through and it was enough to guarantee him victory.

[kenyan_cheena]

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
MONDAY 10 JUNE 2002
ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA



OPENING BOUT

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Three
6(46) Randy Stephens D6 8(62) King Solomon

PRELIMINARY 1

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Three
5(38) Gus Dorazio D6 7(54) Bill Lang

PRELIMINARY 2

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Six
5(75) Johnny DuPlooy UD6 7(107) Bob Baker

SUPPORT BOUT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Six
8(123) James Ellis SD6 6(91) Heinz Neuhaus

CO-FEATURE

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Six
2(27) Jack Gardner MD6 4(59) James Tillis

MAIN EVENT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Six
1(6) Peter Jackson UD6 3(43) Bruce Woodcock

[kenyan_cheena]

JUNIOR-HEAVYWEIGHT?
"NO CHANCE," SAYS TUNNEY

Monday 10 June 2002

Speaking this evening on David Letterman's Late Show, New York's Gene Tunney has put an end to the speculation of the last week which claimed he would be fighting as a Junior-Heavyweight once the HBF's World Championship tournament reached a conclusion in 2004.

Tunney is the #1 seed in that tournament but ever since International Boxing League head honcho James Molk mentioned the possibility of the Greenwich Village native moving to the lower division, some have taken it as a given.

"I'd like to say right now, there's no chance that will happen," said Tunney. "I signed up to the HBF as a Heavyweight and I'll end my career as a Heavyweight. No offense to the Junior division, but I just won't be going there."

Once the federation's World Championship tournament ends in April 2004, they will be raising the minimum weight for the Heavyweight division to 190 pounds and introducing the Junior division, which will cater to fighters weighing between 175 and 190 pounds. Tunney has weighed in no heavier than 186 in each of his five professional bouts to date, but it's something that doesn't concern him.

"I'm not worried about putting on a couple of extra pounds," he said. "I'm pretty certain that by the time 2004 rolls around, I won't be fighting at 184 or 185 anymore. I've been adding some bulk to my frame, so I should be up over 190 by then. Nothing will stop me from competing as a Heavyweight, Dave. My ambition is to become the first Heavyweight Boxing Federation World Champion and to defend that Championship for as long as possible."

Letterman asked Tunney about his rivalry with the man he'll clash with on the 6th of July, Ohio's Earnie Shavers.

"There's a genuine dislike there, I have to admit," said Tunney. "The guy has gone out of his way to make me dislike him and some people have said that I should try to be the "bigger person", but I can't do that now. He crossed that line where simple trash talk ends and I really do not like the guy. But at the same time, I can't step into the ring feeling that I have to beat his brains out because of that. The only way I'll defeat him is if I stick with what has brought me success to this point."

[kenyan_cheena]

LISTON CONFIRMS INTENTIONS
ON SCOTTISH RELOCATION

Tuesday 11 June 2002

Last night, the HBF's World Championship tournament #1 seed Gene Tunney made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. This evening, it was #2 seed Sonny Liston's turn to step into the spotlight as he was interviewed by Rich Eisen on SportsCenter.

Since his 4th round TKO of Harold Carter in Glasgow on May 18, Liston has been an invisible man. His apparent love affair with Scotland has been well documented in the past months and he remained in Glasgow until the end of May, when he reluctantly returned to the USA.

Liston's trainer Willie Reddish had intimated before the Carter fight that his charge was so enamoured with the British nation that he "could easily understand him deciding to live here", and that was something that Liston confirmed during tonight's interview.

"I spoke to some of the immigration officials before coming back here about the possibility," said Liston. "And I plan to move there once the first stage of the World Championship tournament is complete. I'll have a good couple of months to get myself set up there, so it's the best time to do it."

Eisen asked why Liston thinks he's had so much difficulty living in America.

"Since I became well known through the HBF, a lot of people have chosen to focus on my past," answered Liston. "Not everyone, of course. There have been many people here who have been really nice to me, but there are many others who can't wait to see me fail. It ain't like that in Scotland. Those people have taken me into their hearts. They don't care about the mistakes I made when I was younger. It's quite humbling when I'm over there and I feel in my heart that it's where I belong. I've actually felt homesick for the place since I came back to Missouri, so that tells you how much I love it."

Liston smiled when Eisen raised the possibility that his reasons might have had something to do with a speculated romance.

"Even if that was true, it wouldn't be enough of an overpowering reason for me to pack up and leave," he said. "This is for my happiness and that's the most important thing to me. I feel that if I'm happy with where I'm living, it'll only improve my chances of success in the boxing ring."

Truly, those last words are foreboding ones for the other competitors in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation...

[kenyan_cheena]

WINNIPEG SHOCKER:
OLYMPIC CHAMPION LEWIS DEFEATED
IN CANADIAN LEAGUE MAIN EVENT

Tuesday 11 June 2002

In an upset almost on par with Joe Beckett's defeat of Jack Johnson back in January, Sydney Olympics Super-Heavyweight gold medallist Lennox Lewis has fallen to his first loss as a professional.

On a night that has turned the Canadian Boxing League upside down, #2 seed Robert Cleroux was held to a draw in the Co-Feature but it was Lewis's defeat at the hands of lightly-regarded New Brunswick native John Ferguson that had the Winnipeg Arena audience going crazy.

Lewis was an unbackable 5-1 favourite to win the contest but it was clear from the start that his opponent had stepped into the ring with an abundance of confidence and self belief. What was expected to be a walk in the park for the #1 seed turned into an absolute war.

A booming uppercut just eleven seconds in gave a clear indication of Lewis's intentions. He was looking for an early night and when he caught Ferguson with another one after sixty seconds it looked like a possibility. But Ferguson regrouped, shaking off the effects of those shots and firing back with a pair of jabs and a nice right cross before Lewis hurt him again. A left hook/right hook/left hook salvo brought the crowd to their feet. The action slowed during the last minute of the round, although Ferguson was clearly the aggressor as he pursued Lewis around the ring.

The crowd applauded as the two combatants returned to their corners, pleasantly surprised by the opening round's competitiveness. Round two would prove to be even more so as Ferguson won it quite handily, showing an effective defense while picking a seemingly perplexed Lewis off with a persistent left jab.

Sitting on their stools between rounds, the two men showed contrasting countenances: Lewis shaking his head with frustration, Ferguson looking in complete control.

Round three started slowly, with little of any consequence happening until Lewis connected with a smashing right cross two minutes in. Ferguson had a vacant look in his eyes, appearing unsteady on his feet but moments later he was going toe-to-toe with the #1 seed and had the better of the exchange thanks to a jolting left hook. When he landed a flush right hook and a solid uppercut in quick succession, Ferguson appeared to have done enough to win the round, much to the crowd's continued excitement.

The tide looked to be turning in Lewis's favour in round four, his best of the fight. He cut Ferguson's lip with a solid straight right and controlled the tempo, looking, for the first time in the fight, like the Olympic Champion he is.

But if he thought his opponent was going to back down, Lewis was mistaken. Ferguson fired back in the fifth, tagging his man with a series of powerful blows and returning the favour when he opened a cut over the #1 seed's left eye. Lewis rallied strongly in the bottom half of the round, bringing the excited crowd to their feet in a standing ovation. Lewis actually won the round on two of the judge's cards, but once the final stanza started, it was clear that he had nothing left. The English-born slugger offered little in the way of offense, despite the urgings of his corner crew. Out of gas, he couldn't stop Ferguson from taking the round.

When the verdict was announced, the #4 seed jumped up and down, ecstatic as the audience went nuts. Ferguson had been awarded a unanimous decision victory by scores of 58-57, 58-56 and 58-57, and the Olympic Champion, the man who many had said would breeze through the Canadian Boxing League undefeated, was undefeated no longer.

(to be continued)

[Romdawg88]

I laugh with glee because I dislike Lennox and seeing him lose always brings a smile to my face.

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

Back turned, Lewis shook his head before moving across to the other side of the ring and congratulating Ferguson. Wiping at the cut above his left eye, the #1 seed returned to his corner, leaning on the ropes. There was a mask of astonishment on his face.

"I placed just as much importance on my mental preparation as on the physical side," said an excited Ferguson, when asked how he did it. "I was really disappointed after losing to Vingo in my last fight so I didn't want to feel that again. Just a lot of positive thinking, some meditation. I kept repeating the phrase to myself, "I can defeat him". I guess after a while, I really started believing it. I came into the ring with absolute confidence, calmness and belief in my ability to win. That was what I needed to succeed here tonight, because everyone's been saying that he was going to just cruise through the league. I wanted to prove them wrong, and I still can't believe I did."

"You do realise, John, that as a result of your win, you are now sitting in 1st place in Group A?" asked ESPN ringside reporter Leroy Coates.

"That's something beyond what I had hoped for," replied Ferguson, smiling. "If I can take the same confidence I had tonight into my next bout, I think I should be able to stay there."

The 4th seed landed 158 of 320 punches (49.4%), outworking Lewis who connected with 125 of 255 (49.0%).

Ferguson left the ring to appreciative applause, which he happily acknowledged with waves and a smile.

Lewis was philosophical about his defeat, trying to put a positive spin on it.

"It's certainly disappointing," he said. "Everyone wants to win and I'm no different. I was hoping to be able to stay undefeated for a long time, but I came up against an inspired opponent tonight. He certainly saved his best performance for me, so knowing that I was beaten by a guy who simply outfought me makes it a bit easier to handle. I'll just have to put it aside and focus on the next fight."

Lewis may have been putting on a brave face, but surely he'd be burning up inside. He's the reigning Olympic Champion and for him to suffer a professional defeat before leaving the confines of the Canadian Boxing League is quite extraordinary.

***

As mentioned earlier, the Olympic Champion's loss was preceeded by another surprising result, as #2 seed Robert Cleroux was lucky to escape with a draw against Toronto native Larry Gains.

In a preview of what was to come in the main event, Cleroux went up against a determined opponent and if not for the knockdown he scored two minutes into round five, he would have suffered the same fate as Lewis as the scorecards were 57-56 (Cleroux), 57-56 (Gains), 57-57.

It was a highly-entertaining bout, one where the first four rounds were fiercely competitive before Cleroux dominated the fifth and Gains closed the bout out impressively in the sixth.

Despite his solid showing, Gains has now been eliminated from contention for the tournament semi-finals. His record of 1-1-2 has him sitting in 4th place in Group B behind Illinois native Lou Bailey and New York's Bobby Halpern.

UNDERCARD ACTION

Opening Bout

Toronto's Brett Ashby put a dent in Carmine Vingo's chances of qualifying for the tournament semi-finals when he held him to a draw in the evening's first contest.

A native of New York, Vingo appeared to have a victory in his keeping going into round five, but Ashby swept the final two rounds to leave each judge's scorecard at 57-57.

Vingo is now 2-1-1 and will have to win his final bout against Joe Cox and have either Ferguson or Lewis lose theirs in order to take part in the semi-finals.

Preliminary 1

Having started his career with three consecutive split decision victories, Lou Bailey's luck ran out tonight against Bobby Halpern.

After an exciting first three rounds, Halpern flattened the Illinois native 26 seconds into the fourth with a crushing right hand. Only just beating the count, Bailey was at his New York-born opponent's mercy and the referee stopped the contest at the 2:24 mark with Halpern on the verge of sending his man to the canvas for a second time.

Bailey is still in 2nd place in Group B, but if he loses his next bout and Halpern wins his, then Halpern will be the one who qualifies for the semi-finals.

Preliminary 2

In the most one-sided contest of the night, Jack Munroe scored a dominant unanimous decision win over Florida's Tim Anderson (60-54, 60-55, 60-54) for his first career victory.

Munroe is the league's 6th seed and had suffered through two split decision losses and a final round TKO at the hands of Robert Cleroux before tonight. He clearly savoured his first victory.

Support Bout

Joe Lannon also recorded his debut victory, taking a majority decision against St. Louis native Joe Cox (58-56, 57-57, 58-56).

The 5th seed controlled the opening four rounds before easing off, allowing Cox to make the decision closer than it should have been.


SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
TUESDAY 11 JUNE 2002
WINNIPEG ARENA, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

THE CANADIAN BOXING LEAGUE


OPENING BOUT

(8) Brett Ashby D6 (9) Carmine Vingo

PRELIMINARY 1

(10) Bobby Halpern TKO4 (7) Lou Bailey

PRELIMINARY 2

(6) Jack Munroe UD6 (11) Tim Anderson

SUPPORT BOUT

(5) Joe Lannon MD6 (12) Joe Cox

CO-FEATURE

(2) Robert Cleroux D6 (3) Larry Gains

MAIN EVENT

(4) John Ferguson UD6 (1) Lennox Lewis

[bigMatt]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

I laugh with glee because I dislike Lennox and seeing him lose always brings a smile to my face.

A feeling we totally share Romy. One of those fighters I always found some reason to root against. And, to tell you the truth, I can't actually tell you why. When Rahman decked him I remember jumping straight out of my chair.

A rough week for Lewis, who also fell in the Bruiser Boxing Association as well.

[kenyan_cheena]

I should be able to get back to the HBF/IBL in the next day or two. I've been working on my NFL thread during the last few days, but coming up in the HBF will be the introduction of a number of our community members in my universe, including vistaman and Mr. Mund. There'll also be a profile on one of the IBL's Olympic Champions.

k_c