Last noche’s ESPN TNF hayride found itself in downtown Memphis, Tennessee for a can’t miss super-bantamweight action pairing between Ivan Hernandez and Cesar Morales in the main event.
And to be sure, the 122 pounders did what comes naturally - they got into a promised fistfight - and then comes along a country bumpkin of a third man in the ring imposter, who couldn’t handle the 100+ degrees heat the outside venue, tossed in as additional baggage.
Both battlers were coming off losses in last outing and looking to turn things around - opening stanza is fast paced with Hernandez having the better outside skills than the shorter Morales - round two sees Morales with the edge virtue of some good inside volleys.
At this point, we see what is a dandy shootout of contrasting styles … a quicker combination boxer-puncher Hernandez with the outside game and Morales with the brawling constant forward motion mode of attack.
Now it’s stanza three … enter one buffoon Randy Phillips in charge of the action - was first seen dripping salt during the pre-fite instructions - with the heat now quickly getting to him, he loses all perspective of the ring action, and embarks on a point deduction spree directed at Morales.
What he have entering stanza four is a Hernandez 10-9 opening round, Morales 10-9 edge in number two … and with a double debit in three, scoring is Hernandez 29-26 - good ol’ boy Randy "Haystack" spotted Cesar with low blow, then holding-hitting violation.
Now it’s Ivan sensing he’s gotten himself a tag-team partner … grabs candles four and five - but come stanza six Morales is back in the hunt and scoring to both body and head with two-fisted flurries.
Finally, in what could well have been a honey of a late round run to the wire by Morales, all goes for naught when "winning" stanzas eight and nine convert to 9-9 standoffs, when irritant Phillips charges Cesar in numero 7 for low blow and in 8 for holding/hitting.
Considering Morales was fighting on two fronts it is surprising he could still salvage candles nine and ten - altho’ judging by the official tabulations, it is doubtful he was credited them.
Scoring went all Hernandez 97-89, 96-90, 96-90 - this unofficial had it Hernandez under the tainted points system 94-92, and a 4-4-2 standoff under the yesterday round by round method. Toss out the alleged infractions, my numbers would have been Morales 6-4 in rounds.
Post Scripts: Hernandez ~ improves to 22-1-1, 13 KOs but not quite ready at age 22 for serious title consideration. Nice little fighter with excellent technical skills and quickness - debit side a stamina problem when enemy able to apply late pressure. Morales ~ drops to 16-3, 11 KO s but has to have come away thinking it was a win. Not major league puncher, but more a tough and durable warrior. A worthy ESPN level main eventer.
Randy Phillips ~ is clear, once aware the assignment was a dog days of summer Memphis town venue, and held outside in 100 plus scorcher, he should have replied, "Thanx but no thanx … I cannot handle the heat." - Forget, if possible, the double deductions in round 3, and the single debits in seven and eight - no logic explains the boob from halting a hot late round exchange, to have a brief chat with boxing commissioner over comments from one of the corners - then waves the fighters on while shouting threats to the corner people. ………………………………..........................................................................
New ESPN tout Anthony Peterson, age 20 and undefeated, went to a now 11 wins with nine arriving by stoppage after halting a 37 year-old gimme in Carlos Valdez who is now 8-6 and 2. No knockdowns, but a total blanking in one-sided affair, closed in stanza six with Peterson pitching and Valdez catching. The kid needs some opposition, or the faults acquired in these easy outings could one day prove fatal when sharing the ring with real opponent. Looks as good as the gushy Tessitore (with assist from all knowing Teddy) repeatedly proclaimed. But jury not only not sequestered as yet, but not close to being selected as well.
