The name is Jason Litzau … age 22 … stands at 5-10 when upright … a tall and wiry featherweight with punching power - well, that’s the propaganda from ESPN touts Brian "No Clue" and Joey Tessie of ringside Teddie caddie fame.

Still, to hear the pre- fite unbalanced rant, the kid Litzau is already prospect material after 14 undefeated wins arriving via knockout - going unmentioned is no DNA on them 14 priors that have likely been returned to the respective Potter's Field resting places.

Enter (very quietly) Johnny Nolasco … age 29 with fite application bearing 15-3-4, 6 KOs … the key to the Litzau stepper upper, the implication six stoppages in 22 outings translates to shortage of clout.

What may have gone over the heads of the twin-dummies, that just maybe the quality of them 22 foes were much tougher than the 14 gimmes Litzau has entertained himself with.

Then the opening bell … and buoyed by the premature small club network recognition, there’s Jason baby giving it a St. Paul version of the Paulie Malignaggi hot-dogging - neither of which is Nathan’s of Coney island.

Jason grabs stanza one while playing to the cameras and crowd … quicker in all departments than the more experienced Nolasco - problem is the fall guy hangs tough when pretty much sampling the entire Litzau arsenal.

Nolasco battles back over candles two and three before Litzau earns an edge in a round four shootout - and then a hint that prospect Jason is less than a complete package when he’s wobbled in number five by a Nolasco left hook.

A more aggressive Nolasco makes stanza six a coin flip but the edge seemed to belong to a now cautious, counterpunching Litzau - and then unlucky numero seven.

It was during a brief inside swap of left hooks late in the stanza … and down goes the touted one … somehow beats the count but is ready to be dressed when the bell comes to the rescue.

The kid has heart … we can give him that … but more suspect than prospect unless he’s next in line for an imported chin transplant.

Nolasco grabs number eight on pressure alone but offers candle nine to a now refreshed Litzau - show then ends on a furious exchange during final ticks of number ten.

Scoring from the cards that count went Litzau 95-94 twice, Nolasco 95-94 … this unofficial had it even at 5-5 in rounds but  Nolasco the winner in points 95-94 courtesy of the 10-8 knockdown in stanza seven.

Post Scripts ~ Jason Litzau: still a baby at age 22, and has the frame and quickness to advance to headliner at small clubs USA. Did have Nolasco in some trouble during final stanza, but the resumé speaks with forked tongue - punching power not major league. Finally, the hot dogging belongs at fast food venues, not at the office … choreography time needs scratching for much needed schooling on technique. Chin is insurmountable obstacle in path of legitimate contendership.

                         John Nolasco: Tough, willing and honest … a natural for the club fight scene.

GEL   

7-15-2005

 

 

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