|
|
|
|
News Updates - Heavyweight Prelim - Round 4
Predictable Finishes in Prelim Round 4
CINCINNATI, OH - There were
few upsets in Preliminary Round 4. Buster Douglas (2-1, 1 KO) scored the
biggest victory of the night, winning a tough, close fight against James
Braddock
(1-2, 1 KO). Douglas and Braddock traded back and forth for 15 rounds of
suprising action. Although there were no knockdowns, the action was
furious and hotly contested.
"Braddock is a great fighter, but I felt strong tonight. I was really well prepared for this fight." said the victorious Douglas, who improved to 3-1.
Mike Tyson, reeling after dropping 2 of his first 3 fights, controlled the action for 8 rounds against James Corbett (2-1, 2 KO), before a headbutt caused a serious cut over Tyson's right eye, forcing a stoppage. Tyson, who took the unanimous decision in the shortened fight, is expected to fully recover from the injury.
Lennox Lewis jumped to the #1in the rankings after his 11th round TKO of Jack Sharkey. James Jefferies, #1 after 3 fight cards, dropped one spot to #2 following a tough 14th round TKO over a game Michael Spinks, who led most of the fight before fading late.
Of the 15 fighters who entered the action undefeated, all were victorious save for Michael Moorer. Moorer, the hottest fighter in the first two rounds, arrived for his rematch with Jersey Joe Walcott overweight and out of shape. Walcott took full advantage of Moorer's lax behavior, dominating the fight and scoring a 5th round stoppage.
Commissioner issues statements on Giampa, Carnera
CINCINNATI, OH - Following a
series of controversial decisions, the commissioner's office has released a
statement concerning judge Chuck Giampa. Giampa's scoring was called into
question in 2 fights - a Round 2 bout between James Corbett and Joe Walcott, and
a 
Round 3 fight between Jim Jefferies and John L. Sullivan. In the first
bout, Judges Tommy Kaczmarek and Harold Lederman scored 145-143 and 146-143,
respectively, for Gentleman Jim, but Giampa disagreed, scoring it 144-142
Walcott. In the second fight, Kaczmarek and Lederman disagreed on the
outcome, but both had it a one-point affair (142-141 Sullivan, 143-142
Jefferies). Giampa, however, scored it a landslide win for Jefferies
(146-138), prompting call for an investigation.
"We have reviewed the fights in question, and we feel that, while the scorecards may have been controversial, we have no reason to believe that this was the result of anything other than a natural difference in perspective. No changes will be made to the judging team, and this matter is considered to be closed."
In an additional statement, the
Commissioner's office addressed the growing concern over the health of fighter
Primo Carnera. Carnera (0-3) has sustained 3 consecutive beatings,
totaling
30 rounds of punishment. In his latest fight, he went the distance but was
battered badly by Gene Tunney, hitting the deck six times before being saved by
the bell in the final round.
"While we appreciate the concern over Carnera's ability to compete with such a high class of fighter, there are no plans at this time to suspend or remove him from the competition. This Association is for all linear champions, and Primo is, for better or worse, a linear titlist. He will continue to compete on a regular basis."
For complete results, check the "fight results" section.
bravenet.com