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News Updates - Heavyweight Tournament Quarter Finals
Quarterfinal Results in; "Final Four" set to do Battle!
CINCINNATI, OH - Following is a recap of each of the fights in the second round of the Heavyweight Championship Tournament:
#1 Joe Louis vs. #8 Max Schmeling - Joe Louis makes a stunning statement in the opening bout of the second round. He stunned Schmeling early with the right hand, and then proceeded to pummel the big German with a series of hooks and crosses, until referee Steve Smoger stepped in and stopped the bout at 0:01 of the first round. Schmeling was never in the fight, landing just 4 punches. WINNER - Joe Louis by 1st round TKO.
#5 Jack Dempsey vs. #13 Jack Johnson - Dempsey came out strong, looking to add another quick finish to the fight card. Early in the 1st round, he knocked Johnson down with a perfect left hook. Johnson regained his feet, and eventually his composure. After a lackluster second round, Johnson controlled the action in the third, and scored a late knockdown with an uppercut on the inside. After that, the fight settled into a steady, predictable grind, with Johnson looking to box on the outside and frustrate Dempsey with clinching, while Dempsey charged forward relentlessly, trying to find a home for his huge shots. Dempsey controlled rounds 6 through 8, and looked to be taking over the fight. But in the 9th, Johnson landed a huge shot that stunned Dempsey. The tide seemed to turn at this point, and Johnson began controlling the action. In the 13th round, referee Steve Smoger penalized Jack Dempsey 1 point for elbowing, his third foul of the night. Going into the 15th round, most observers felt either man could win the fight. Johnson fought an inspired final round, beating Dempsey to the punch and landing good, clean shots. When the final bell sounded, both men raised their arms, believing they had won the fight. Judge Chuck Giampa scored the bout 143-142 for Dempsey, but Judges Tommy Kaczmarek (144-141) and Harold Lederman (144-142) both saw the fight for the winner, Jack Johnson WINNER - Jack Johnson by split decision.
#3 Riddick Bowe vs. #6 Muhammed Ali - In a rematch of one of the most surprising fights of the preliminary rounds, Muhammed Ali fought what was perhaps his finest fight yet. Controlling the action from the opening bell, Ali's jab landed consistently in every round. Unlike in their first meeting, Bowe was never able to get a sustained attack going, and lost virtually every round. By the 9th, Bowe's eye had swollen shut from the relentless pounding of Ali's jab, and referee Steve Smoger called a halt to the bout. WINNER - Muhammed ALi, by 9th round TKO.
#2 George Foreman vs. #10 Rocky Marciano - As one mght expect, this fight featured non-stop action from the opening bell. After a back and forth 1st round, Marciano suffered a flash knockdown in round 2, but got up to dominate the final minute of the round. In the third, Foreman poured it on in an all out effort to end the fight. Marciano survived the round, and survived another barrage from Foreman in the 4th. Early in the 5th, a combination to the head shook Foreman, and Marciano began doing serious damage. By the 7th round, Foreman was exhausted, and Marciano began to pile up the points. In the 9th, however, Marciano was penalized 1 point for hitting on the break, and then a second point in the 13th round for head butting. Going into the 14th round, Marciano had built a solid lead, but the point deductions put victory in jeopardy. Early in the 14th round, Marciano finally put Foreman on the canvas with a left hook, and then floored him again late in the round with an overhand right. Marciano was penalized another point, this time for low blows, but now had a clear advantage over the exhausted Foreman heading into the final round. In the 15th, Foreman was down twice more - first from a body shot, and then a combination to the head. Marciano continued to batter the helpless Foreman until the 0:19 mark of the round, when referee Steve Smoger stepped in to halt the bout. WINNER - Rocky Marciano by 15th round TKO.
For complete results, check the "fight results" section.
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