Jason Litzau

Was on the road from banana republic of Florida to NYC suburb of Long Beach - call it a mercy mission to youngest daughter’s abode as she neared C-section delivery - and needed help - not with the delivery but in the baby sitting, cleaning, and assorted unhappy bleep.

Managed to slip enough of the punches after a full week to catch the HBO twin-bill of Edison Miranda-Willie Gibbs and "American Boy" Jason Litzau - Jose Hernandez.

First, the "boy" Litzau and da "man" Hernandez - going in I had nary a clue what to expect, other than suspicions the HBO quasi-promoters and Litzau brain trust, were rolling the bones a bit with age 30 veteran Hernandez, a veteran clearly a couple steps above the usual Litzau fare to feast on.

Litzau undefeated in 20 kept appointments with 18 by stoppage when in with mixed bag of assorted semi-pros in talent - a tall, big punching age 23, St. Paul native carried the look of early Tommy "Hit Man" Hearns while feasting on tomato cans outing after outing.

Hernandez pursuing a law degree while fighting for pay - thus with no more than 24 bouts on the rap sheet (21-3, 13 KO’s) the body was that of a younger man.

The caution lights were blinking; the Hernandez team had a game plan going in - to take the kid into deep water - after the opening three minutes of action, and late in the stanza, a counter right hand lands on the sweet spot and kid prospect is sent to the canvas.

Maybe not a delivered message, maybe more a flash variety - the "American Boy" quickly recovers between one and two and gobbles up round after round with all sorts of good things that has Lamphead, Lewis, Kellerman the hysterian, gushing over the kid.

Former ESPN2 fite analyst Kellerman is heard quoting the kid as saying  champion isn’t good enuf. Wanted to be more, like entertainer … wanted being an attraction. Kellerman shouted "ATTRACTION" in capital letters for effect.

However, Hernandez da man had a game plan - take it into the late stanzas with a Litzau all too willing to work on the inside with flashy combos - and that  naughty habit of carrying the left hand low offered the target - was it a jock itch, or simply a matter of looking cool for the cameras?

Finally, number eight of a ten rounder - and this time a big Hernandez right hand finds the temple with bad intentions, and kid prospect is quickly down and out at the 2:52 mark.

No question the "American Boy" has now received a bitter lesson in this first session at the pugilistic school of hard knocks.

Closing thoughts: The age factor for the fallen prospect is now the key - should recover physically from the experience - and if pointed in the right direction the "American Boy" will be heard from again. Has the tools from both sides - a 5-10 in height at feather, lightweight is a nice edge - and a deflated ego at this stage can be better than if he had won. The question now is the chin - domestic, or imported from the Orient?  

As for Hernandez, the law student with dream of nailing a degree,  a smart cookie and aware the three debits came against solid competition. He knows what’s good and what’s not - no hot dog, bad mouthing, or other nonsense - a solid pro of top club fight level will do just fine, thank you.

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The feature attraction saw middleweights Edison Miranda and Willie Gibbs facing off - went no longer than 2:59 seconds of opening stanza - power punching Miranda showcased the clout as he finished a barrage with overhand right to the temple - Gibbs never had a chance of beating the count.

Never coddled this Colombian clouter … strictly a what you see is what you get in style - the sensational finish has him thirsting for a return with undefeated Arthur Abraham - who got the decision in IBF title fight by virtue of five point deductions against Miranda - bout held in Abraham's backyard of Germany.  

Miranda now at 21-1, 17 KO’s - and physically mature age 25 with TNT in the right hand - toss in, by nature a crowd pleaser back from first defeat, and what we got is name to circle on the fight calendar.

Post Scripts: The HBO "After Dark" commentator arrangement desperately needs an upgrading. As Mike Katz of TheSweetScience.com might say it,  "Outhouse" honors goes to the big Brit past heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis - sitting ringside he describes the Miranda right hand scoring at the top of the head - punctuates with an opinion the fight was stopped prematurely. Fact is, the sleep inducer found the Gibbs temple and everyone in the joint but Lennox Lummox knew it was a done deal when it touched down.

GEL - 

12-24-06