Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI: The long-awaited showdown between two of boxing’s highest-regarded undefeated fighters was what most experts expected– A display of mastery and class, but a bit lacking in the fireworks department.
Both Devon Alexander (21-1, 13 KOs) and Timothy Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs) played their roles perfectly throughout the contest, with Bradley bulling forward and Alexander looking to use his legs and better-crafted skill set.
Also, as expected, Bradley’s aggression, combined with Alexander’s southpaw stance led to several several clashes of heads, resulting in a major cut over Alexander’s right eye early in the fight as well as another butt in the tenth round, which caused the ref to wave the fight and call for the judges’ early decision.
The contest, though, was a very competitive affair, fought at a high skill level, with several ebbs and flows throughout. At the time of the stoppage, the judges scorecards were all in favor of Bradley: 97-93, 96-95, and 98-93. The Boxing Tribune scored the fight 97-93, also for Bradley.
The Boxing Tribune Story Behind the Story: Timothy Bradley has been the best 140-pounder in the world for the last two and a half years, but has been slow to get the respect he deserves. The unsatisfying ending of the fight may keep some from giving Bradley full credit, but headbutts or no, Bradley was well on his way to winning the contest and deserves recognition as the top jr. welterweight in the world.
Alexander, on the other hand, showed the world that maybe he needs a bit more seasoning before his mindset and maturity catch up to his world class skills.
Estadio Banorte, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico: In a very flat performance, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (42-0-1, 30 KOs) went through the motions and outpointed journeyman, Billy Lyell (22-9, 4 KOs).
Lyell pushed forward and landed a good amount of his shots, but Chavez, even at 60% speed, was too much for the Youngstown, Ohio native.
All three judges had Chavez winning: 99-92, 96-94 and 98-92. The Boxing Tribune also scored in favor of the Culiacan native, 97-93.
The Boxing Tribune Story Behind the Story: Once again, boos and derisive whistles greeted Chavez at the end of his contest, even in his own hometown. While his performance against John Duddy offered a glimpse of hope for those wishing that he would step up his game, Jr. seems to have settled back into his pattern of fighting smaller, slower, weaker, and lesser-skilled opposition for easy paydays.
At this point, Chavez Jr. has become a punchline, even among those who worshiped his father. The raw skills seem to be there, but the years of stale matchmaking have made Chavez stale as well.
It’s also worth noting that Chavez’s heavy hands, one of his saving graces at 147 and 154, seem to not have traveled well to the 160 lb. limit. Chavez has yet to score a knockout or even a knockdown at middleweight in four official contests.
Other Noteworthy Fights:
(Super Bantamweight) Victor Terrazas SD 12 Nehomar Cermeño; (Welterweight) Vernon Paris UD 8 Emanuel Augustus; (Welterweight) Kendall Holt TKO 1 Lenin Arroyo; (Jr. Middleweight) Allen Conyers UD 10 James De la Rosa; (Heavyweight) Bermane Stiverne TKO 2 Kertson Manswell; (Welterweight) Julio Diaz TKO 8 Pavel Miranda; (Light Heavyweight) Marcus Olveira UD 8 Demetrius Jenkins; (Heavyweight) Franklin Lawrence TKO 10 Jason Estrada; (Strawweight) Nkosinathi Joyi NC Katsunari Takayama; (Super Featherweight) Argenis Mendez UD 12 Cassius Baloyi; (Featherweight) Rey Bautista KO 3 Alejandro Barrera; (Middleweight) Saul Roman TKO 2 Michael Medina
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