The Heavyweight Boxing Federation

[Romdawg88]

You can't go wrong with any of the people you listed. In fact your post gave me the urge to listen to "Welcome to the Terrordome" which I'm doing now. Looking forward to seeing the writeup hopefully this fight lives up to all the hype.

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #1338)

* Following is a round-by-round account of Patterson vs Ray, as written by the New York Sun's Peter Roman *

ROUND ONE

Finally, the moment has arrived when this hugely anticipated clash is underway. The bell rings, signalling the commencement of the fight and bringing a chorus of excitement from the crowd.

Patterson moves in quickly and tags Ray with a left, the punch looking part hook and part uppercut. Ray circles his opponent, the left out in front in a probing fashion, intensity in his eyes. The New Yorker lands a nice trio of shots, a jab followed by a right hook to the head and one to the body, crisp punches that Ray didn't appear to be ready for.

Ray is hesitant to throw and the action slows briefly before Patterson triples up with the jab, finding the mark with one of them. The crowd roars as the Florida Firebrand steps inside and catches Patterson with a nice right uppercut. Ray makes some room for himself and backpedals just as Patterson tries to unload with a right hook. The 17th seed's cornermen are very vocal, shouting encouragement to their charge, imploring him to be the busier fighter.

Floyd has Elmer trapped in a neutral corner and he paws away with the jab, tries for the big right hand but Ray slips it and lands one of his own, making Patterson back off and giving Ray some room to move. They're in centre ring and measuring their shots, mostly jabs with little behind them as each man looks to be waiting for the other to make a mistake. Coming up on two minutes down now and Ray tries to land a right cross and misses, eating a trio of hard shots from Patterson on the counter. Elmer shakes his head, annoyed with himself.

Working inside, Patterson attacks the body before Ray ties him up, the duo waltzing across the ring before referee Carlos Padilla separates them. They're both standing flat footed, looking for an opening. When Elmer lands a lead jab, he follows it with a big right but misses, leaving himself open for a crunching counter right from Patterson! A stronger opponent and Ray would be on his backside right now. As it is, the punch appears to have rattled him and he backs off.

With the round drawing to a close the two combatants are circling each other again, Ray trying to work the body but Patterson showing an impressive ability to difuse his attack. In the past Elmer has said he needs to improve his speed, citing it as his downfall against Jimmy Young. I can't really tell so far if he believes it will help him against Patterson because he hasn't been throwing the jab much. Patterson finishes the opening stanza by landing a couple of stiff left jabs, the second knocking Ray's face sideways. The bell sounds and the crowd applauds, many of them shouting their encouragement for the homestate hero.

***

Something of a cautious opening round, with Patterson landing the more telling blows. Ray will need to be more alert to the New Yorker's counter-punching as he paid the price on more than one occasion for some lazy work.

Roman's scorecard for Round One: Patterson 10-9

Punch Totals, Round One

Patterson: 23/50 (46.0%)
Ray: 14/31 (45.1%)

ROUND TWO

The pattern established in round one continues in the second, Patterson bouncing a right cross off Ray's forehead after the Hastings native swung wildly with a left hook. Patterson's corner continues to urge their man on, confident that he's more than good enough to win the fight. Patterson lands a nice jab before Ray ties him up, Padilla having to pry apart the two men as Ray has his opponent's gloves trapped under his arms. A minute in and they remain cautious, Ray circling to the right and then the left in an attempt to cut off the ring. Patterson snakes out the jab and scores, once, twice, missing with the third. It's been said that he looked particularly sharp in training and he's showing that it's true through the start of this fight.

Ray pushes his man back and scores to the body and then the head, bringing a cheer from the partisan crowd. Ray backs off, trying to make some room but Patterson moves in quickly and connects with a flush left-right combo, following up with a left hook that jolts Ray's head. Elmer is shaken once again and he puts some distance between himself and Patterson. Now in his own corner, Ray looks bemused, unsure of how to launch his attack. Surely, it's a worrying sign so early in the fight. While he's thinking about it Patterson scores with another crisp combination, a lead right sneaking through before a left hook bounces off Elmer's head.

Patterson still has Ray trapped in the corner, keeping him there with that potent jab. Now Floyd connects with a right uppercut, the punch snapping Elmer's head back. Ray fires back in an attempt to make some room. Floyd slips those punches but yields just enough ground to allow Ray to move out of the corner. In the centre of the ring they exchange shots briefly, bringing applause from the crowd especially when Ray connects with a hard right.

Once again Patterson scores with the jab, the punch serving him well through these first two rounds. Ray really looks like he's having trouble getting into any sort of rhythm, Patterson's quick fists keeping him on the defensive most of the time. Elmer tries to get inside and work the body but Patterson ties him up quite easily, bleeding away the final seconds of the round. The bell rings and some in the crowd voice their displeasure at Ray's ordinary start to the contest, shouting for him to get his act together.

***

Five weeks ago against Jimmy Young, Floyd Patterson made as promising a start as he has here tonight but that fight ended in a draw. Whether he can maintain his focus for these next four rounds remains to be seen but if he can, he'll cruise to an easy win. Elmer Ray is struggling and has showed little of the power and aggression that have characterised his earlier fights.

Roman's scorecard for Round Two: Patterson 10-9
(Patterson ahead 20-18 after Round Two)

Punch Totals, Round Two

Patterson: 33/52 (63.5%)
Ray: 9/24 (37.5%)

Punch Totals after Round Two

Patterson: 56/102 (54.9%)
Ray: 23/55 (41.8%)

ROUND THREE

As would be expected, Elmer Ray's corner crew have really ripped into him during the intermission, his uncle Marlon telling him in no uncertain terms to get himself into the fight. "Y'all don't wanna go through to stage two?" he shouts. "Fine! Let this brother kick yo' ass!"

The firecracker appears to work as Ray comes out with a more aggressive disposition for round three, landing a nice right cross early in the piece and then a left-right combo thirty seconds in. Patterson is continuing to work behind the jab but Ray slips inside and unloads with a crunching body shot before stepping back and teeing off with a left, a right and another left! This is the Elmer Ray we're used to seeing!

Patterson backpedals but Ray pursues and lands a flush straight right! Floyd is unsteady on his feet and looks perplexed, perhaps wondering how he lost control of the fight so quickly and so easily. Patterson tries to go on the attack, muscling Elmer into a corner but Ray unloads with a crushing uppercut, snapping Floyd's head back and giving Elmer the opportunity to step inside and land a trio of hard body shots. Patterson covers up, which only leads to Ray going back to headhunting. OH! A sharp combination, with a right hook the exclamation point of the attack! Ray has produced more offense in this round than the first two combined and there's still a minute to go! This crowd is going absolutely bonkers, cheering for Ray to produce a knockdown or even a knockout.

Ray comes in low, pounding lefts and rights off Patterson's rib cage before Floyd ties him up in a headlock. Padilla knocks Patterson's arm away, pulling the two men apart. Ray has the look in his eyes of a wild animal, like he's determined to finish his man off right here and now. Back in centre ring they exchange a flurry of blows and it's Patterson that comes out of it the better, a left hook backing Ray off.

Elmer might want to finish the job right now but he looks tired, as if his efforts in the top half of the round have emptied his tank. He fires away with the right hook and misses, Patterson countering with a flush left jab and then crunches a right hook into Ray's side. It looks like Patterson has regrouped and, at least for now, the chance of a stoppage victory has passed. Patterson works the jab, keeping Ray at a distance as the final seconds of the round tick away. Both men return to their corners and the crowd are on their feet, applauding their man's great effort during those three minutes of action.

***

That's definitely more like it from Elmer Ray. Aggressive and powerful, he was only a few punches away from dropping Patterson and I just hope that his failure to do so doesn't come back to haunt him as this fight progresses. Still, he's back in the contest.

Roman's scorecard for Round Three: Ray 10-9
(Patterson ahead 29-28 after Round Three)

Punch Totals, Round Three

Patterson: 18/39 (46.1%)
Ray: 38/77 (49.3%)

Punch Totals after Round Three

Patterson: 74/141 (52.5%)
Ray: 61/132 (46.2%)

ROUND FOUR

Most of the crowd are still on their feet as the fourth round starts, shouting for Ray to keep it going. But by the time these next three minutes are over, there is a stunned silence in the arena. Rebounding in the most fantastic way possible, Patterson dominates the fourth with an astonishing counter attack. Starting with three separate trios of left-right combinations early on, he then staggers Elmer with a jolting uppercut a minute into the round.

Continuing to stuff that left jab into Elmer's face he then brings a distressed howl from the crowd with a huge right hand, the punch turning Elmer's legs to jelly. The ropes are the only thing keeping him on his feet, still a minute from the end of the round. But rather than going for the knockout Patterson measures his shots, banging lefts and rights off Ray's body, piercing stiff jabs through his defenses and putting a potent conclusion on his round's work with a flush right hand moments before the bell.

As he returns to his corner on unsteady, heavy legs, shaking his head, Elmer Ray is sporting a nasty cut under his swollen left eye. Never before at any point in his HBF career has he looked more like a defeated fighter than at that very moment and the faces of those in the crowd confirm that they just can't believe it.

***

I don't think I can believe it, either. For Floyd Patterson to come out and produce such a punishing, dominant round of boxing, after what Elmer was able to do in round three ... I don't think I have the words for it. He has completely taken back control of the contest and is in a better postiion now than he was after round two. Just incredible. Patterson has always been one of the more understated fighters in the HBF but even he gave himself a little chest thump and exclaimed "Yes!" as he walked back to his corner. The judges probably won't do it, but due to the nature in which he won that round, I'm going to score it 10-8 for Patterson.

Roman's scorecard for Round Four: Patterson 10-8
(Patterson ahead 39-36 after Round Four)

Punch Totals, Round Four

Patterson: 59/79 (74.7%)
Ray: 5/24 (20.8%)

Punch Totals after Round Four

Patterson: 133/220 (60.5%)
Ray: 66/156 (42.3%)

ROUND FIVE

The audience is imploring Ray to make a stand, to fight back and not give up but in round five Patterson consolidates on his fantastic work from the fourth, not coming close to the level of domination but winning the round comfortably. That jab continues to be of fine service to him and Ray's right eye is pretty swollen at the end of the round. Whispers are circulating around the crowd that Ray might be injured, as he's barely thrown the right hand in the last two rounds. Whether folks want to believe that or not is up to them. Maybe they need to give him some excuse to make it easier for them to accept that he's not only on his way to a crushing defeat, but also on his way out of the World Championship tournament.

***

Well, unless Elmer Ray can produce the mother of all miracles and knock Patterson out, Floyd is going to win this fight in a fashion more clear cut and comprehensive than anyone could have dreamed. He has won all but the third round and dominated Elmer in the last two, handling the Florida Alliance leader in a way no previous opponent has, not even Jimmy Young.

Roman's scorecard for Round Five: Patterson 10-9
(Patterson ahead 49-45 going into the Sixth and final Round)

Punch Totals, Round Five

Patterson: 22/45 (48.9%)
Ray: 5/21 (23.8%)

Punch Totals after Round Five

Patterson: 155/265 (58.5%)
Ray: 71/177 (40.1%)

ROUND SIX

The audience come to their feet, more in respect for their hero than in any hope that he might be able to pull off a miracle. As in round five Patterson dictates the pace, Ray landing barely a punch in the top half of the round and Floyd content to keep him at a distance with the jab. If anything, Patterson increases his aggression level just to put any chance of a Ray fightback to bed. Elmer is a shell of the young man who stepped betwen those ropes only thirty minutes earlier and it's a little surprising that the referee hasn't asked the ring doctor to look at his swelling, or simply take it upon himself to stop the contest. Perhaps he's intimidated by the pro-Elmer Ray crowd.

Ray has some success late in the fight, a sizzling right hand bringing the faintest glimmer of hope. But the punch lands with only a shadow of the strength he had back in round one and as the timekeeper signals the final ten seconds of the bout, the crowd all rise as one and applaud, perhaps as much for Patterson's fantastic effort as their support and love for their fallen hero.

***

No miracle knockout, meaning no Elmer Ray in stage two of the World Championship tournament. As I sit here in the moments after that final bell, the reality of that is hard to believe or accept. This young man who has almost been the poster boy of the HBF, who has been built up as one of its most exciting and talented contenders has been soundly beaten by an opponent who, though very talented, most would fail to recognise on the street. Just a brilliant performance from Floyd Patterson. He may have been knocked out in 41 seconds by Buddy Baer, but tonight he has produced the best effort of his career to date in a bout where it meant everything. He'll join Jimmy Young in stage two of the World Championship tournament, both men having defeated Ray to get there.

Roman's scorecard for Round Six: Patterson 10-9
(Patterson wins the bout 59-54)

Punch Totals, Round Six

Patterson: 32/65 (49.2%)
Ray: 12/19 (63.1%)

Punch Totals after Round Six

Patterson: 187/330 (56.7%)
Ray: 83/196 (42.3%)

***

Having congratulated Patterson and his corner crew, Ray heads back to his own corner and sits down on his stool, covering his head in a towel. His fellow Florida Alliance members soon join him in the ring and in an extraordinary, touching scene, Ray bursts into tears while in the embrace of his big cousin Terone Haynes. They aren't the hysterical tears of a childish brat who hasn't got his way but merely the tears of a young man who has failed in the face of tremendous expectation, a young man who is after all, just a 17 year-old kid.

By the time the verdict is announced, close to a third of the crowd have already made their way to the exits. It's almost anti-climatic and really unnecessary but Michael Buffer confirms what everyone watching in the American Airlines Arena and at home on television already knows.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a unanimous decision," says Buffer. "Judges John Poturaj of the USA, Takehaki Kanaya of Japan and Omar Mintun of Mexico have all scored the bout 59-55 to the winner, Floyd Patterson!"

(to be continued)

[Romdawg88]

Hell of a performance by Patterson, I correctly prediction that he would win by UD but I never thought it would be that wide of a UD. I was certain after that third round Ray would rally and take the next couple of rounds but great job by Patterson to turn up the gas and not let that happen. Good luck to Patterson in the second round.

I would guess that Ray will end up with a high seed in the Continental Americas tournament and he should be one of the favorites to win the thing so hopefully he can put together a big run there and maybe grab the belt to make up for his failure to advance. It would have been nice to see him get to the second round of the WC tournament though it won't be the same without him.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Hell of a performance by Patterson, I correctly prediction that he would win by UD but I never thought it would be that wide of a UD. I was certain after that third round Ray would rally and take the next couple of rounds but great job by Patterson to turn up the gas and not let that happen. Good luck to Patterson in the second round.

I would guess that Ray will end up with a high seed in the Continental Americas tournament and he should be one of the favorites to win the thing so hopefully he can put together a big run there and maybe grab the belt to make up for his failure to advance. It would have been nice to see him get to the second round of the WC tournament though it won't be the same without him.

Honestly, after I ran the fight I felt like I did when I logged onto the message board for the first time after the great crash of '05. Everyone who's been following the HBF knows how much effort I've put into developing Elmer's character as one of the leading stars of the story. The fact that he failed to qualify for stage two hit me pretty hard and I was quite depressed for a couple of hours afterwards. Still, it will be interesting to see where he goes from here. Hopefully he'll be able to make a charge through the CA tourney. No doubt his failure to make stage two will be a driving force for him to succeed.

[mh2365]

As always great write up!

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Honestly, after I ran the fight I felt like I did when I logged onto the message board for the first time after the great crash of '05. Everyone who's been following the HBF knows how much effort I've put into developing Elmer's character as one of the leading stars of the story. The fact that he failed to qualify for stage two hit me pretty hard and I was quite depressed for a couple of hours afterwards. Still, it will be interesting to see where he goes from here. Hopefully he'll be able to make a charge through the CA tourney. No doubt his failure to make stage two will be a driving force for him to succeed.

The worse part is how he lost if it had been a close back and forth match it would have been one thing but Ray got completely handle outside of that third round. It still surprises me how attached we all can get to the fighters in this game. I have no doubt that this won't be the last we hear of Mr. Elmer Ray and I feel sorry for the boys in the CA tournament that are going to have to deal with him.

[Ric915]

As always brilliant stuff Floyd pulls thru. I doubt this is the last we'll hear from Elmer.

My favorite Rakim song was Microphone fiend and My Melody anyways back on topic Great Stuff keep it coming K C

[mh2365]

The entire Florida Alliance is overrated so the loss was no great surprise.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by mh2365

The entire Florida Alliance is overrated so the loss was no great surprise.

Don't be surprised if they find out that you said that...

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by mh2365

As always great write up!

Thanks, Mike. I'm happy you enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

The worse part is how he lost if it had been a close back and forth match it would have been one thing but Ray got completely handle outside of that third round. It still surprises me how attached we all can get to the fighters in this game. I have no doubt that this won't be the last we hear of Mr. Elmer Ray and I feel sorry for the boys in the CA tournament that are going to have to deal with him.

I was shocked by how one-sided it really was. Didn't expect that at all. As for getting attached, I think that's one of the greatest aspects of the game. It's so realistic that we can't help but get caught up in it. I saw an interview with the writer of Harry Potter (JK Rawling) recently. She was asked if she cried after finishing the last book and she said after she finished a particular chapter late in the book she was just a mess, crying her eyes out. I don't think I'm at that stage yet but I do care a lot about the characters in this story I'm writing. I've always had some long-term plans for Elmer's storyline and while this defeat is something of a setback in regards to those, it does give me a chance to take him in a different direction. Most likely, this loss will humble him a bit.

Originally Posted by Ric915

As always brilliant stuff Floyd pulls thru. I doubt this is the last we'll hear from Elmer.

My favorite Rakim song was Microphone fiend and My Melody anyways back on topic Great Stuff keep it coming K C

Thanks, Ric. My Melody is second of my list of EB & R songs, followed by Follow The Leader, President and Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em (which is the song that got me into them).

[mh2365]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Don't be surprised if they find out that you said that...

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #1342)

Dressed in civvies, Group Sixteen's top seed Jimmy Young made his way into the ring, as did HBF President Michael Vincennes. They both spoke to the two combatants, extending congratulations and commiserations in turn.

"After that third round, I thought back to last month against Jimmy," said Patterson during the post-fight interview with ESPN's Bill Farris. "I wasn't going to let the same thing happen again so I just went for broke in the fourth and it paid off. I was able to hurt Elmer and really shut him out of the fight from that point on. I'm feeling like I'm floating right now, you know? Can't quite believe what I've achieved here tonight." The 18 year-old smiled and laughed. "I heard a lot of people saying that Elmer was going to win and it took some effort to put that out of my mind and just concentrate on my own performance."

"Your jab was simply superb tonight," said Farris. "I think I'd be correct to say that it was something that Elmer didn't anticipate, how fantastic your speed would be."

"Well, thanks," said Patterson, smiling. "We knew that we could use it to our advantage, for sure. This was my biggest fight to date and I'm over the moon that I was so effective with my punching, especially the jab. So, yeah, it worked out better than we could have hoped for."

Farris asked Patterson how he'll prepare for stage two.

"We're actually gonna take some time off and celebrate first," he said, laughing. "Most of you guys didn't think we'd even be in this situation so we'll savour it for a while and then get back to work. I'll be going in as one of the 2nd placed guys so we're facing a quartet of tough matchups to start stage two. I'll be in Group One and I know that Tunney and McVey are already in so I'm gonna have my work cut out for me."

The victorious New Yorker had left the ring soon after, exchanging some final words with Ray and then returning to the arena's backstage area. Those who were left in the crowd offered grudging applause before brightening up somewhat when Farris spoke to Ray. He looked a truly defeated fighter, with swelling around both eyes and the cut under his left. The other members of the Florida Alliance stood behind and to the side of their leader.

"I think your reaction after the fight said more than any words could, Elmer," said Farris, hand on Ray's shoulder. Still quite emotional, the Florida Firebrand was nonetheless composed enough to speak.

"Yeah, man," he replied. "Ain't no words can describe how I be feelin' right now, y'all. Gotta be hones' an' say I ain't prepare myself for this outcome. I say it jus' las' week, man. I ain't had a single corner of m' mind thinkin' on defeat when I step in this ring tonight, y'all. But it happen and we gotta accep' it, put it behin' us and move on, see? I wanna thank all my peeps fo' comin' out an' supportin' me tonight, y'all. I'm so sorry it ain't work out like we hopin', but thank all o' y'all for bein' in my corner tonight."

The crowd responded with a healthy round of applause, someone screaming out "We love you, Elmer!" bringing a faint smile to Ray's face.

"I know it's probably the furtherest thing from your mind, but you must have to fancy your chances in the American tournament," said Farris. "It's possible that you'll be the top seed there."

Ray laughed briefly before a look of sadness came to his eyes.

"Man, I ain't even in the mood to think on that right now," he said. "Maybe in a week, y'all, but right now I ain't give a damn, sho nuff. You know, Romy an' Tamps 'r' both fightin' next week and that's all that matter right now. Tommy got a chance of makin' stage two an' ain't nothin' mo' import'nt fo' us now than that, y'all. We also wantin' the Romdawg to make a winnin' debut, so nex' week is huge for us, man."

The Alliance members had departed the ring soon after, although it took them quite some time to make it backstage as they interacted with the crowd. Despite the shattering loss that Ray had suffered, he spent time signing autographs and posing for photographs, the positivity and encouragement of some of the audience members bringing a smile to his face.

***

And so ends what has been a great struggle for survival in Group Sixteen of the World Championship tournament. In the final analysis Young, Patterson and Ray all won five bouts but it was the Florida teenager who was unable to triumph in the ones that counted. In the trio of fights between the three combatants he was 0-2 while Patterson and Young stood undefeated at 1-0-1. As Farris said, Ray will most likely be the top seed in the Continental Americas Championship tournament but as Ray indicated, that's something that he won't even be thinking on at the moment.

One would believe that tonight's result was not the one federation president Michael Vincennes was hoping for. Elmer Ray is one of the HBF's biggest stars and his presence in stage two of the World Championship tournament would have made things very interesting. It would have given him a chance to show what he's capable of against some of the federation's premier competitors. The possibility of a fascinating Elmer Ray vs Ray Mercer clash was there and very real, a fight that would have been a great grudge match. None of that will happen now and, no offense to Floyd Patterson, the tournament will be the poorer for it...

Final Standings at the top of Group Sixteen in the World Championship tournament:

1st: 1(16) Jimmy Young 5-0-2
2nd: 2(17) Floyd Patterson 5-1-1

3rd: 3(33) Elmer Ray 5-2-0(2)

(Still to come: The Miami Undercard)

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by mh2365

The entire Florida Alliance is overrated so the loss was no great surprise.

Yeah, well your wife is ugly how do you like them apples.

Seriously though you keep on thinking the Alliance is overrated it'll make my eventual dominant stoppage win over you during Series 7 all the more sweeter.

I'm kind of disappointed that Chris didn't take the bait on my earlier post about people from Connecticut. It's slowing down my plan to engage every single forum fighter in some smack talk.

I was shocked by how one-sided it really was. Didn't expect that at all. As for getting attached, I think that's one of the greatest aspects of the game. It's so realistic that we can't help but get caught up in it. I saw an interview with the writer of Harry Potter (JK Rawling) recently. She was asked if she cried after finishing the last book and she said after she finished a particular chapter late in the book she was just a mess, crying her eyes out. I don't think I'm at that stage yet but I do care a lot about the characters in this story I'm writing. I've always had some long-term plans for Elmer's storyline and while this defeat is something of a setback in regards to those, it does give me a chance to take him in a different direction. Most likely, this loss will humble him a bit.

I'm interested in seeing how Ray bounces back from this. So now it seems that our hopes for getting a World title shot for the Alliance fall on Oliver McCall. Hopefully, somehow he finds a way to win the 1st Defense tournament. God I'm hoping for someone to pull of the miracle upset on Rocky to give McCall a better shot at winning the damn thing.

We also wantin' the Romdawg to make a winnin' debut, so nex' week is huge for us, man."

Ha, thats great. I love that you found a way to get my screen name in there. Great stuff.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

I'm interested in seeing how Ray bounces back from this. So now it seems that our hopes for getting a World title shot for the Alliance fall on Oliver McCall. Hopefully, somehow he finds a way to win the 1st Defense tournament. God I'm hoping for someone to pull of the miracle upset on Rocky to give McCall a better shot at winning the damn thing.

I've read in a few places that Ray's nickname was "violent", so I'm hoping his performances in the CA tourney will give me a reason for people to use it in regards to him.

Yep, O-Mac is already in stage two and if Tampa Tommy can somehow defeat Chuvalo (unlikely), he'll make it through also. I think McCall has a good shot of at least making the semi-finals. What he probably needs is for Marciano and Jeffries to end up clashing in the semis and for Jeffries to win it. Gonna be interesting to see how it goes.

Ha, thats great. I love that you found a way to get my screen name in there. Great stuff.

I figure that one of the other Alliance guys started calling your fighter Romdawg during their training sessions, which is entirely likely. Glad you liked it.

.

[kenyan_cheena]

The American Airlines Arena Undercard

OPENING BOUT

What has already been a maddeningly frustrating 1st Defense tournament campaign ended with more disappointment for Minnesota's Lee Savold in tonight's opener. Bringing a 1-2-3 record into the evening, Savold was involved in his fourth drawn bout. The contest against New Jersey native Keene Simmons was an ugly affair, with neither man showing enough desire to deserve being called a victor.

The judges had a hard time figuring out what was going on, with one of them scoring it in Savold's favour 59-56, another giving it to Simmons 58-57 and the third scoring the bout 57-57.

Savold threw his hands up in frustration afterwards and stormed from the ring, his record now an unfortunate 1-2-4. His streak during the tournament was DLDWDLD. Despite the fact that he's recorded just that single victory, it's possible that he'll be selected to take part in the Continental Americas Championship tournament as he's shown admirable tenacity and determination in most of his fights.

PRELIMINARY 1

South African Kallie Knoetze's slim chances of progressing to stage two of the 1st Defense tournament went up in smoke as he lost a majority decision verdict to the Welshman Joe Erskine (58-56, 57-57, 58-56).

Momentum and control in the bout swung back and forth through the first four rounds with Knoetzee dominating the first and third, Erskine the second and fourth. But the British fighter finished strongly in the last two rounds which led to him sweeping the bottom half of the fight on two scorecards.

Knoetze is now 3-4 and will most likely be invited to take part in the upcoming African Championship tournament. Erskine improved to 3-2-2 with his first victory since taking a split decision against Billy Walker on March 22. He'll be looking for a good deal more success when he competes in the Continental Americas tournament.

PRELIMINARY 2

In the first World Championship tournament bout of the evening Denver's Buddy Baer scored a dominant unanimous decision win over the winless Pennsylvania native Rocky Jones (59-55, 60-53, 59-54).

Jones tasted the canvas early in round two and with the exception of some spirited resistance in the fifth never really tested Baer. The big 81st seed might look back on his time in the WC tournament and consider it a missed opportunity. After he KO'd Floyd Patterson in April, Baer was in a position to push for a top two birth. But disappointing draws in his next two bouts put an end to that. His record now stands at 3-2-2(1) and there are many who believe that there should be one or two more wins on that line.

SUPPORT BOUT

Italian-born Pennsylvanian Tony Ross and Illinois' Tom McMahon had to be content with a draw after their bout was scored 57-57, 58-56 (McMahon), 57-57. Like the evening's earlier bout between Savold and Simmons, this was a difficult fight to score. There was a lot more action than in the opener but there were at least three rounds which could have been scored either way and that's exactly what happened. The only rounds when the judges were in agreement were the second, third and fifth. The other three all had a 2-1 split, one way or the other.

Like Lee Savold, McMahon's has been a difficult campaign. Tonight's bout was his third drawn result in a row and we'll just have to wait and see if he ends up in any of the federation's upcoming tournaments. His record is now 1-3-3 while Ross, who famously held top seed Jimmy Young to a draw on debut, finishes his stay in the World Championship tournament with a 2-2-3 mark.

[kenyan_cheena]

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING FEDERATION FIGHT CARD
FRIDAY 9 AUGUST 2002
AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA, MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA


OPENING BOUT

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Eight
6(41) Lee Savold D6 7(49) Keene Simmons

PRELIMINARY 1

HBF 1st Defense Tournament - Stage One - Group Eight
8(57) Joe Erskine MD6 5(33) Kallie Knoetze

PRELIMINARY 2

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Sixteen
6(81) Buddy Baer UD6 7(97) Rocky Jones

SUPPORT BOUT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Sixteen
5(65) Tom McMahon D6 8(113) Tony Ross

CO-FEATURE

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Sixteen
1(16) Jimmy Young UD6 4(49) Nathan Mann

MAIN EVENT

HBF World Championship Tournament - Stage One - Group Sixteen
2(17) Floyd Patterson UD6 3(33) Elmer Ray