Burnett takes the fight on one week notice, and on both body and performance fits snuggly into the role of survivor - big and slow pretty much sums it up - Solis displays decent hand speed and on my sheet was tossing a shutout come the finish at 2:00 mark of numero eight. 

A big left hook wobbles Burnett, who over the earlier stanzas handled the incoming with no visible affects -  but with Solis quickly following with barrage of power punches referee Jay Nady jumps in to call it no-mas. 

Solis goes to 13 wins with nine by stoppage - also claims some tattered WBC Int’l Title strap as a trophy - and a key to open some door to oblivion. Young enough to improve the technique but clearly not ready for the upper echelon. 

Burnett a giant in size at 6’ 7” - first order of biz is to find best fighting weight - came in much too soft physically - slow with zero snap or pop on the few offensive efforts. Worked this short notice assignment as if in gym sparring session. 

Trainer Pat Burns fell into the corner TV camera op trap while responding to Atlas book of boxing in questioning Burnett’s inability to give offense a try - Burns responds saying he’s considering pulling the plug if Burnett doesn’t get anything off. So much for promises - bell for next stanza eight with Burnett in peek-a-boo defense and being battered - then wobbled at 2:00 mark and one had to wonder where was Burns with the stoppage - not in sight until Nady made the call for him.

……………………………….................................................................................................................

Main event another showcase with Gamboa (12-0, 10 KO) entering as hot prospect among the loaded featherweight field (prematurely I might add) - faces  Roger Gonzalez (27-2, 18 KO) a veteran recently moving up from s/bantam. 

Gamboa very quick of both movement and hand speed grabs opening stanza - big enough start that has Atlas predicting a round three stoppage for the multi-gold medaled Cuban - but alas, come round two a Gonzalez straight right hand over a Gamboa low left hand finds the sweet spot and the touted prospect knees buckle and down he goes in flash knockdown variety. 

Gamboa unhurt quickly beats the count and would continue calling the shots to the final stanza ten - Atlas may have missed getting his round three knockout call but was correct in predicting the Gamboa KO - arrived at 2:12 of final round with bumbling hack in charge Robert Byrd  aborting things when seeing Rodriguez losing mouthpiece after catching a Gamboa punch. 

Post Scripts:

• Yuri Gamboa (13-0, 11 KO) ~ age 27 - prospect yes - potential Si - but WBC#2 a bit of rush for a professional of no more than 13 kept assignments. Not a single name scalp among them. Now ranked above WBC #6 Rocky Juarez. Says here prove it in a face off.

• Odlanier Solis (13-0, 9 KO) ~ age 28 -  all voices emitting from the magic lantern see promise for the age 28 heavyweight. Tongue in cheek when tossing in plight of shortage of American big guys. Don’t hold your breath - first legit heavyweight opponent will likely bust the Solis bubble.

• Commentator department: Bernard Hopkins excellent acquisition to the ESPN crew - handled the debut like a veteran - difference is he’s worth the listen kiddos.

 

GEL