FREITAS BLITZES RAMIREZ; SIMMS-CORA IN STANDOFF By George Elsasser

The Acelino Freitas - Juan Ramirez meeting last evening over Showtime Cable was billed as a battle for the WBA/WBO straps … not a chance … was nothing more than a Freitas mugging of the game but out gunned one called "Ranchero."

Took no more than the two-minute mark of the opening candle to see that the Brazilian bomber had been handed a gimme … even were my cousin Maggie, of WW2 bobby-soxer fame, watching her first-ever pro bout, surely would have labeled this one a complete mismatch.

Freitas took charge over the taller challenger from the opening bell … mixed his punches to body and head while Ramirez tried the stick and move technique … wasn't gonna work … the jab was more like a wet noodle and the right hand attempts were tossed from too far out … bad sign, especially when the left hooks Ramirez tried were also catching nothing but air.

The defending WBA/WBO champ of the thirty-pounders saw all he needed over them first three minutes - and come round two it was a whole different version of Freitas - and what we got was an all out "Katie bar the door" approach with everything being delivered with bad intentions.

Nothing changed come candle three, and it was only a matter of time before Freitas would close the show … Ramirez went down from right hands and barely survived the round … then at the 19-seconds mark of round four with Freitas all over the hapless Ramirez along the ropes, referee Geno Rodriguez waved it off … and not a moment too soon.

P. S. Observations:

Think maybe these hacks at ringside should get a simple message … like letting a victorious fighter enjoy the moment and put the "next opponent" on hold for another time… the Freitas kid is all choked up, tears flowing while attempting a ring center séance to his late dad, and telling papa the Ramirez knockout was for him … and there's Jim Gray of Pete Rose fame tossing names at the champ like he was manning a gatlin’-gun. Mayweather? Barreras? Morales? … and the double Steves (Albert-Farhood) were equally as guilty from a distance … even had a listing of most feathers thru lightweight pop up on screen as possible next in line foes for Freitas.

Finally, this: Co-feature served up Cruiserweight novices Michael "Famous" Simms dueling Felix "Bad News" Cora in a battle of unbeaten southpaws … surprise … following an honest ten round effort both left the arena with unbeaten resumés still intact.

Simms (12-0-1, 10 KOs) looked like the bigger banger but Cora (10-0-1, 5 KOs) maybe has the better chin … tough one to score for both judges and viewers alike … as for a future for these guys … best I got is they stay in that comedy of errors division called Cruiserweights.

Semper fi,