The ESPN2 FNF tour found itself at Miami, Oklahoma where the wind comes right behind the rain - it also found itself mesmerized in a repetitive yawn provoking heavyweight mismatch with Kevin Johnson tossing a near shutout over age 36 career club fighter Terry Smith. 

Johnson arrives at 18-0-1, 6 KO s while the Smith work application qualifier was the 30-4-1, 18 stoppages - fair enough on paper, with the Smith debits courtesy of next level up foes Brock, McCline, Hawkins - and maybe Calloway fits in there as well. 

Not to be, as the Johnson quicker hands, and much better overall skills, dictated the tempo for what it was worth - Johnson flicks the jab like a welterweight opposed to his 6‘-3" at 239 pounds might suggest - and the few volume offerings were more flurries than power combos. 

The scoring went all Johnson 97-93, 97-93, 96-94 - my unofficial saw it Johnson 99-91 in points and 9-1 under the less corruptive round by round method - read on for rest of the story: 

Johnson (19-0-1, 6 KO) ~ age 28 - not much to build on - the opportunities were there to showcase against aging plodder who was made to order target and no valid punching threat. Big trouble on horizon if, to name one, if a Sam Peter drops by to say hello from other corner.  

Rest of the cast: Referee Steve Smoger: veteran third man in clearly among top five working the TV scene - managed to include humor when getting too close while shouting instructions to “respect the bell” when a late stanza was nearing close. Good ol’ “Smog” catches a Smith left hook flush to the kisser - reaction a big smile - testimony to the missing clout inside them heavyweight mittens. 

Commentators: Tessitore ever the tout, refers to Johnson as prospect - partner Atlas   contributes tongue in cheek humor while seeing similarities to both Ali and Larry Holmes. Whew! Tip here to both Joey-Teddy is bring bottled water to them tank town venues.

 

GEL -