Matt Godfrey, WBC #5 ranked cruiserweight
from “Little Rhode Island” returned from five month hiatus
following a first defeat - unanimous decision at the hands of
WBC intramural champion Rudolf Kraj back in March.
Mourning period satisfied, he’s rewarded
with a ESPN FNF main event facing WBC #15 Emmanuel Nwodo, an
aging Nigerian with very limited skills. The only chance for
Nwodo, the proverbial punchers variety.
Opens on the sloppy side with the taller
Nwodo right hand carrying the round - Godfrey uses the three
minutes to avoid the right hand power threat - the between
rounds interval a reminder to Matt “Too Smooth” that Nwodo’s
chin has a touch of “China” in it.
Godfrey then has himself a good stanza two
as he picks up the pace against the plodding Nigerian who keeps
the pressure on, albeit less than effective.
Godfrey answers the bell for round three
with bad intentions - looking good until ambushed by a big
Nwodo right hand - surprise! - Matt hits the canvas - but to
his credit is quickly up and ready to go. Still, flash version
or not, a 10-8 is a Nwodo 2-pointer by whatever the name.
Now, numero cuatro with Nwodo quickly
searching for a scalp becomes careless - Godfrey unloads a
barrage of power punches that results in a nasty cut to the
Nigerian’s nose - tries to regroup but Godfrey is quickly all
over him - referee Dan Schiavone then pulls the plug at 1:57
mark of the round.
Post Scripts:
-
Godfrey (17-1, 10KO) ~ age 27 - did the
expected when a #5 meets a #15 rated opponent - honest enough
in pre-fight taped interview in recognizing a loss would have
him back to square one. Still, had the Nwodo nose not come
apart with its red fluid masking the face, the show would
have continued. Wise choice remain within the WBC cocoon -
the “too smooth” sobriquet has got to go - a bad fit for a
fighter much too rough around the edges.
-
Nwodo (21-5, 17 KO) ~ age 34 - good size
at 6’3” - right hand has power - pretty much rest of the
story. One dimensional in style - walks forward to the beat
of the drum with all hopes in the right hand. Too late at 34
to learn the stick and counter game.
-
Referee Dan Schiavone ~ Mohegan Sun Casino
house hack - smug in demeanor doesn’t come close. This
entertainer should be dressed as peacock for the gig.
