The Thursday night Versus twin-bill was
worth a peek as it showed veteran Joshua Clottey - Jose Luis
Cruz and Yuri Foreman-Saul Roman displaying its wares for our
future reference.
Show opens with Clottey demonstrating what
has earned him number one welter slot among the IBF membership
- top of the line physically prepared, coupled with rock solid
chin and major league heart - very decent punching power a
bonus.
His opponent for the night, Jose Luis Cruz,
answered the opening bell in attempt to establish respect -
the quicker out of the gate as he scored with barrages to both
body and head - some scored but others were blocked by the
cagey Clottey.
Late in stanza one, Joshua of the Bronx,
N.Y. via Ghana began to counter - too little too late - but
the stage was set for Clottey to take control over candles two
thru the finishing stanza five.
The round by round dominance began with
Cruz in trouble late in round two - inadvertent meeting of the
minds resulted in Cruz cut high on the forehead - but the in
over his head Mexican gave it his best in losing cause.
The Clottey systematic power punches, a big
left hook and right hands would eventually slow a game but
outclassed Cruz following no more than four rounds - then
numero cinco with Clottey scoring and Cruz unable to
effectively counter, referee Ricky Gonzalez saw fit to call it
no-mas - clearly a correct call by the man in charge.
Time of contest 2:48 mark of number five -
Clottey (age 31) goes to 34-2, 21 KOs and is now hunting for a
Miguel Cotto title shot. Deserves title shot for all the right
reasons - although he would be underdog if the challenge is
accepted.
Jose Luis Cruz (age 31) - the rap sheet of
a now 36-4-2, 29 KOs earned him this showcase - problem is it
also showed an old age 31. Displayed fighting heart but never
had a prayer. If continuing on it’s a must he chooses the
enemy carefully. Reduced to club fight level.
………………………………................................................................................................
Feature slot went to popular in NYC, undefeated Yuri Foreman
of Belarus-Israel-Brighton Beach, B’klyn, USA entity in with
veteran Saul Roman of Culiacan- Tijuana, Mexico. The prize,
the NABF Super welter bauble.
Following an uneventful opening stanza that
was pretty much a proverbial standoff it would be all Foreman
over ten repetitious stanzas of sloppy action - Roman enters
off decision win over Kassim Ouma, a respective credential,
but, on this night showed little in the offensive department.
The unsolvable problem was a target that
never paused while on the outside - Foreman moved to the left,
the right, constant motion even when - most the time- nowhere
near punching range.
Still, all went as if choreographed - and
toss in ongoing “inadvertent” head butts that saw Roman badly
cut over left eye as early as stanza three, the night would
belong to the local popular “prospect” Foreman.
Scoring went Foreman unanimous 98-92,
98-92, 97-93 - my unofficial agreed Foreman 100-91 in points
and 9-1 under round by round method.
Rest of the story:
-
Foreman (25-0, 8 KOs) ~ age 27 @ 5’11” -
only under a today flawed four-sanctioning organizations
ranking system can Yuri be considered title timber. The
amateur “pedigree” while competing in competition wearing
protective headgear and oversized gloves shortchanged him once
stepping up to the pro level. Has earned the unblemished
record feasting on pugilistic pabulum. Lack of punching power
worsened by the prior amateur emphasis of point scoring.
Future not remotely close to what the résumé would reflect.
-
Roman (28-5, 24 KOs) ~ age 27 - had no clue
to closing the gap against a darting image that refused to
wage war. Had he made this one ugly from the get go he may
well have had a chance.
Post scripts: Referees Eddie Claudio (main
event) and Ricky Gonzalez (co-feature) had good night. The
Gonzalez, Clottey-Cruz stoppage right on the money. Both
referees had control without impacting the ring action.
Commentators Nick
Charles and Wallace Matthews: Had fleeting flashback to 1940s
Abbott & Costello radio skit, “Who’s on first - no, he’s on
second” slapstick. Matthews a non-stop talker with little to
say - criticizes Gonzalez for calling a halt in Clottey TKO …
argues that Cruz was exchanging punches at time of stoppage.
Shoot! The referee saw it clear as crystal that Cruz had no
chance of turning things around and made the correct call.
Further, Wally describing Foreman as superb boxer, translates
to never learning over the years he did print reporting at
Newsday, and prior short stint TV commentary.
