RSSFriday Night Fights 7/14/06
Well since I’m sitting here on a friday night, why not do a live play-by-play of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. I’ll try and catch every detail I can - feel free to leave your thoughts throughout the night…
The show opens with Brian Kenny announcing the main event - Jason Litzau vs Nicky Bentz. He introduces Sugar Ray Leonard as the night’s color commentator in the studio. They discuss Leonard’s career and his series of fights with Robert Duran. Leonard notes that a lot of his victories were done with determination and stamina - he was able to continue throwing flurries in the late rounds because he had built up a high enough level of endurance. They also make a mention of the second season of The Contender starting next week.
The first fight is David Toribio vs Freddy Hernandez in a welterweight battle. Toribio comes into the fight on 10 days notice and losing his last four fights.
Round 1: Toribio starts the fight by pumping out the left jab and creating distance. Hernandez sits back and picks his shots. Hernandez continues to take his time getting inside of Toribio, throws quick combinations, and quickly gets out.
My score: 10-9 Hernandez
Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore talk about tonight’s main event. Atlas notes that Litzau needs to improve his defense if he wants to continue to move up in the rankings, he can’t be offense-first against the more talented fighters in the featherweight division. It’s also brought to our attention that Bentz has had 4 fights in the last 5 years and he also took the fight on short notice. Atlas doesn’t think that Bentz will pose much of a test for Litzau.
Round 2: Hernandez starts to take control of the fight, outlanding Toribio in every department. Hernandez really works the body, exploiting Toribio’s lack of defense in that area. Toribio slips and falls to end the second round.
My score: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 3: Hernandez is picking Toribio apart, fading in and out and going in with quick solid combinations. Hernandez continues to land his share of punishing body shots.
My score: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 4: Toribio starts going in for the clinch more often, showing signs of fatigue. Toribio is doing a good job early on of ducking under punches and creating difficult angles for Hernandez. Hernandez turns the temp with five unanswered lefts and rights to the head. The bell rings to end the round shortly after.
My score: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 5: Hernandez continues to control the pace. Toribio goes for body shots but starts clinching when he can’t land. Hernandez gets a warning for a punch to the back of the head. Hernandez backs Toribio against the ropes and starts throwing just as Toribio goes very llow. Toribio starts to stand up and Hernandez catches him with a left body shot that knocks Toribio down to the mat for good.
Winner: Freddy Hernandez (KO)
They go back to the studio and Kenny intros into a promo for season two of The Contender. Afterwards, Leonard gives his thoughts on the show and Kenny lists the fighters who will be participating. Here is the list…
Nick Acevedo
Gary Balletto
Vinroy Barrett
Noberto Bravo
Grady Brewer
Corneilus Bundridge
Rudy Cisneros
Michael Clark
Freddy Curiel
Andre Eason
Ebo Elder
Stephen Forbes
Jeff Fraza
Micheal Stewart
Aaron Torres
Walter Wright
The next fight is Nelson Zepeda vs Richard Paige in the light-heavyweight division. There is a 13 year age difference between the fighters - Paige being 33 to Zepeda’s 20 and both have limited professional experience.
Round 1: Zepeda lands a couple of early lefts and a right cross that stuns Paige. Zepeda continues to swing wildy while Paige remainds on the defensive for the most part. Zepeda is landing combinations, both quick and powerful. Both fighters end the round swinging wildly.
My score: 10-9 Zepeda
Round 2: Zepeda still winning the fight, landing numerous shots. Paige continues to swing wildly, showing a tremendous lack of form. If Zepeda would wait he could catch Paige while he shoots in. Paige is cut above the right eye. The momentum is certainly in Zepeda’s favor as the round ends.
My score: 10-9 Zepeda
Round 3: Zepeda dominates Paige in the third round, landing a variety of punches. Paige switches to southpaw to try and change his luck. Paige throws a jumping right hook that gets the crowd’s attention. Paige attempts another just before the round ends.
My score: 10-9 Zepeda
Round 4: Zepeda beings the round with a right hand that knocks Paige into the ropes. Zepeda shows signs of fatigue and Paige capitalizes, landing bombs and starting to come back. Both fighters swing away until the bell rings.
My score: 10-9 Paige
Round 5: Both fighters continue to each land shots of their own. An accidental headbutt occurs - Zepeda steps back and flinches; The referee brings Paige over to the doctor so his cut can be examined. The doctor gives Paige permission to continue and things start up again. The continue to trade punches, some landing and some missing, until the round is over.
My score: 10-9 Paige
Round 6: Paige keeps Zepeda moving all around the ring and creating distance so he can try and land a solid shot. Paige looks to have a bit more steam than Zepeda as Zepeda continues to go in for the clinch and throw short punches inside. Zepeda backs off and then unloads a flurry of punches that has Paige reeling. Both fighters go toe-to-toe until the final bell rings.
My score: 10-9 Zepeda
My Final Score: 58-47 Zepeda
Winner: Nelson Zepeda (Unanimous Decision)
ESPN’s Final Score: 59-46 Zepeda
They go back to the studio as Kenny and Leonard discuss the new rules put into effect by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and recap the first bout between Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas. They bring Atlas in for his thoughts as well. Atlas picks Mosley by decision for tomorrow night’s contest.
It’s time for the main event - Jason Litzau vs Nicky Bentz in a battle to move up the featherweight rankings. Litzau comes into the fight undefeated while Bentz has struggled in his last couple of bouts. They show a promo displaying Litzau as a cocky, brash fighter. Atlas then talks about the fight, physically showing that strategies of Litzau and telling the audience why this is going to be a walk in the park for him tonight.
Round 1: Litzau quickly establishes himself as the quicker puncher, easily countering Bentz while Bentz is still throwing. Litzau knocks Bentz down with a right and Bentz gets up after an 8-count. Litzau continues to display his hand speed, now blocking Bentz’s punches and quickly countering. Litzau then connects with a quick turning right that puts Bentz to sleep.
Winner: Jason Litzau (KO)
They interview Litzau after the fight and he compares himself to Sugar Ray Leonard, only to be quickly calmed down by Atlas. Litzau reminds the featherweight division that he is game for all opponents. The next fight is a women’s bout but I have other work to do so I’ll end it here…
Next entry: Mosley TKOs Vargas in Six
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