Last nite's Showtime heavyweight semi pitted rated Monte Barrett with a faceless
albeit undefeated Owen Beck in what resulted in a ugly battle in the trenches.
Barrett did the expected with Beck … stopped the unranked tough guy at 2:52
seconds of stanza nine - the unexpected was the price Monte had to pay for the
victory.
Barrett used the opening candle as a tester … a good stinger of a left jab
carried the stanza … and then round two with Beck on the offense, before
catching a big right uppercut backed with a left-hook and is down.
It’s all Barrett thru three stanzas, but a clash of heads in number four results
in a nasty cut to the left eyelid, but super hack referee Jay Nady misses the
"inadvertent," and rules the injury incurred from a punch.
Still, ugly or not, it would still be all Barrett over a game but outclassed
Beck … and with each subsequent round, and good work in Barrett corner
containing the wound, Monte mixed the offense with good outside movement as
well.
It was clear from stanza seven on, the only prayer for Beck would be in the
brawl ending because of the eye injury that was deemed legal … would then be TKO
win for Owen "Wot the heck" Beck … but not to be.
A late round nine two-fisted Barrett volley of power punches find the target,
and Beck is down and in bad shape … beats the count but on shaky underpinnings
and Nady gets this one right in calling the halt.
Post Scripts: Monte Barrett ~ Currently ranked among the heavyweight elite, had
too much of everything for a comparable novice in Beck. Not exactly a sharp
performance, as he gambled at times on the inside, when a stick and counter
approach would likely have been easier evening of work. Is now 32-3, 17 by KO.
Owen Beck ~ The resumé of a going in undefeated 24 with 18
knockouts surely glitters, but is definitely not gold. Very tough and willing
but short on the sweet science end. The guess he’d fade come the deep end of the
pool is no surprise. But the new face 28 year old is no sissy to be sure. Must
be matched more carefully. Maybe invest in a spare towel for the corner to toss
in when a Jay Nady type fails to see the obvious under his watch.
