Entering the Feb. 7 Augustus - Weis stepping stone meeting shown over ESPN2 the guess here was Augustus had the overall tools and motivation to prevail over the slightly favored Argentine.

Not the case however, as the taller Weis with the reach advantage as well, puzzled the better schooled Augustus pretty much from the get-go.

I saw the opening candle a 10-10 standoff, in more of a feeling outer than anything else - but after conceding round three to Emanuel it was all Weis to the finishing line.

Both fighters wanted the win as a possible berth in the ongoing Kostya Tszyu sweepstakes - and to be sure, the veteran Augustus arrived at the gate ready to give it his best shot - but the awkward, unorthodox moves of Omar proved an unmovable obstacle blocking a likely last chance for Emanuel to grab that golden ring.

And if Augustus appeared confused, enuf so that he never once gained a rhythm, so too did the choreographer Weis who at times almost stumbled over his own feet while en route to a unanimous decision win.

Final thoughts:

Emanuel Augustus - Feelings here are the combination of a shortage of knockout power and inability to solve the chaotic moves and quick hands of Weis were major factors. Compounded by a seeming awareness of the magnitude of a win on the horizon, for a going-in 19 bout loser, brought about a desperation factor that he simply could not overcome.

Omar Weis - Used the advantages of height and reach to the fullest … quick reactions and fast hands albeit with minimal punching power is the good news - feelings are he could slip by a careless top rated foe that takes him lightly - bad news is there's a few forty-pounders out there that will deny Omar that world title he seeks. Still, the guy is loose as the proverbial goose and that ain’t all that bad.

Geo El

2-08-2003

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