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News Updates - Heavyweight Prelim - Round 8
"Rematch Night" In the books; Foreman gains #1 ranking as a battle emerges for final Tourney Spot
CINCINNATI, OH - IT was the "Night of the Rematches", as the terrific fights of round 7 that ended in draws were re-fought. When it was over, Big George Foreman stood at the top of the rankings.
Foreman (7-0-1, 5 KO)
benefited from an early stoppage in his rematch with Gene Tunney (5-2-1, 3 KO).
Tunney had consistently landed more punches throughout the fight, and most
ringside observers felt that he was ahead through six rounds. In the
seventh, the two fighters clashed heads, causing a cut over Tunney's eye that
halted the action. To the surprise of the crowd in attendance, it was
Foreman, not Tunney, who led on all three scorecards.
"I felt I controlled the fight. Tunney was scared, he just ran from me," Foreman stated in a post fight interview.
In the second of the three big
rematches, Muhammed Ali (7-0-1, 4 KO) was simply too
much for Jim Jefferies (6-1-1, 4 KO). Jefferies was once again a game
warrior, but Ali was just took quick all night.
In the most stunning outcome of the three rematches, Evander Holyfield (5-1-2, 5 KO) scored a shocking first round knockout over Lennox Lewis (6-1-1, 5 KO). At the end of a mostly uneventful opening stanza, the formerly #1 ranked Lewis walked into a massive right hand and slumped unconscious to the canvas.
"I would just like to thank my
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the strength. Jesus was in my
corner tonight." said a jubilant Holyfield, who moved up to #12 in the rankings.
With just 2 rounds of preliminary action remaining, 14 fighters have all but clinched spots in the Championship Tournament. #15 rated Joe Frazier (5-3, 5 KO) is also a near certainty to earn a spot. The final spot, however, is very much up for grabs, as six fighters are all within ten ratings points of the #16 spot. Ingemar Johansen (3-5, 1 KO) and Michael Moorer (2-4-2, 1 KO) are currently tied for the #16 spot, while Joe Walcott, Max Baer, Michael Spinks, and Mike Tyson all trail close behind. These six fighters will be paired off in Round 9, as the final tournament seedings are solidified.
For complete results, check the "fight results" section.
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