AUGUSTUS RAPED IN MUSKEGAN By George Elsasser

Had planned to pass on it … last night’s ESPN-TNF from good ol’ Muskegan, Michigan. But then noticed hometown favorite Courtney Burton had himself a replacement opponent in good ol’ reliable, and just a phone call away, Emanuel Augustus.

Was chosen as acceptable for the come-backing local Courtney Burton on several counts … not a big banger, a veteran of ten years sporting  a resumé of no less than 58 past office visits - not to mention 24 of them posted on the debit side of the ledger.

Surprise in waiting for the hometown hacks was rating Augustus off the resumé … and it took no more than three candles of vintage Augustus for inside ring hack Dan Kelley to see homey Burton was in need of help.

And come to the rescue he did … initial buffoon intrusion came in stanza four … Augustus scores with a big left hook to the body … then a second one at the belt and there’s Kelly clown on the case … warns Emanuel for hitting low and gives Burton a fistic version of R&R.

Now, after taking candle five off it’s all Augustus through numbers eight, a clinic of a clinic with superb defense and ongoing combinations - some in the book and others awaiting updated issue - all this while enduring a rat-tat-tat verbal harassing from the ring official.

Then stanza nine … and with it a desperate Kelley charges Augustus a point deduction for something not as yet in any book on pro fighting … for "Circling," as dumb-ass Danny dunce labeled it.

Confused everyone in the house including analyst Teddy Atlas … between nine and ten commentator partner Tessitore called the ref for an explanation … and Kelly clearly and animatedly described the violation in circular gestures.

In reality what had transpired was Burton wrapping an arm around Augustus’ neck and Emanuel did a circular move to become unraveled … never once was the move offensive in nature but rather an evasive action.

Augustus then closes the final round number ten with constant barrage of punches that completely baffled the once promising Burton.

Then the scorecards … and what we get is more than a mugging but something of a Muskegan rape … two ringside hacks had it for Burton by scores of 97-92, 99-90 and third judge - guy without the dog, tin cup and dark glasses - scored for Augustus 97-92.

My unofficial saw it all Augustus 97-92 and in rounds 8-2.

Closing comments: I’ve seen tons of bad decisions over the years … thought by now I was immunized  … in the early days of mob involvement the immediate hint came with the ring announcement of "we have a split decision."
                                 But today it is rarely someone being bought … is usually a simple fact of incompetence … but this Augustus rape carried more than hometown flavor … yes, the scoring would lean toward Burton … but to include a personal dislike towards the visitor with the superior skills because of a flair for hot-dogging is unpardonable.
                                 
Post Scripts: Augustus ~ this 29 year young veteran should include a personal surcharge to what he brings to each dance. Only fighter I know that doesn’t wear on me even when overworking the hot-dog routine. Had Emanuel Augustus been born with punching power he would today surely be "Da Man."
                      Burton ~ the sizzling blitzing of Angel Manfredy a year ago over ESPN quickly brought the kid contender credibility … but then the luster tarnished when left for dead by Julio Diaz. Was completely outclassed last noche and the gift may have been ribbon wrapped, but surely undeserving.
                     Referee Dan Kelley and two scoring accomplices at ringside should be mandated to work it off along the highways and byways of murky Muskegan. If not crooked, every bit as damaging is its "only have eyes for you" method of Job security.

GEL     

7-6-2004