ESPN visited the old Roseland Ballroom at midtown Manhattan
for its Friday the 13th offering - maybe it was the bright lights that
motivated underdog Carlos Molina - or it was the yesteryear popular dance hall
that lulled favorite Alexis Camacho into a fight version of a slow two step
instead of a expected jitterbug.
Round after round it was Molina the busier and more
accurate - and Camacho behaving more like a shot veteran unable to get
anything off, instead of a 27 year old that had arrived with a glittering 17-1
with 16 via the KO route.
So, it finally closed after ten lopsided stanzas to the
tune of Molina 100-90, 98-92, 97-93 - my unofficial agreed Molina 99-91 in
points and 9-1 under the round by round method of scoring.
Post Scripts:
-
Carlos Molina (15-4-1, 5 KO) ~ age 25 - the stat sheet
sums up the Mexican transplant now calling Chicago home to the letter. Tough
and ready club fighter short of punching power. Landed regularly with power
left hooks and right hands that near closed the Camacho right eye, but never
once had him ready for the cleaners. Future is yesterday among a tough
welterweight field at the next level.
-
Alexis Camacho ( 17-2, 16 KO) ~ age 27 - Mexican native
now calling Austin, Texas home entered the favorite - had height and reach
advantage but never once tried working from the outside. Maybe the culprit
is the early jump start off pugilistic pabulum - as in 16-0 with 16 via
knockout. The Molina work application with no more than five KO wins in 19
kept appointments saw him as little threat - so much for the written word.
Camacho at age 27 appears prime time club fighter.
Referee Steve Smoger worked a clinic worthy of taping for
most the today third man theme imposters across the land to learn from.
……………………………….....................................................................................
Scheduled eight round co-feature a jr. welter pairing of
undefeated Ray Robinson at 9-0, 3 KOs with untarnished Darnell Jiles at 8-0-1,
3 KOs - both working off the southpaw side it’s all square after two candles.
Then numero tres the “New” Ray Robinson comes alive and
closes the round by rocking Jiles with big left hand that sets up a flurry of
punches at the bell.
Jiles corner pulls the plug between 3 & 4 claiming - ahem -
broken right hand - without X-ray in sight all concerned had to settle for
“unable to continue after three rounds claiming injured right hand.”
Rest of the story:
-
“New” Ray Robinson (10-0, 4 KO) ~ age 23 of Philadelphia
town has good size at 140 and 5’ 10". Showed decent skills for new kid on
the block. Too early to tell much until stepping up a rung in talent
department.
-
Darnell Jiles (8-1-1, 3 KO) ~ age 20 - tall at 5’11 needs
to upgrade the skills. Young enough to incorporate a jab and counter
approach. Not big enough banger to exchange on the inside with bigger
hitters.
Commentators: The Atlas “keys to victory” with nice guy
prop Saul has got to be recycled - coupled with gatlin’ gun mouthed Tessitore
the Atlas-Tessie dialogue has become more distraction than informative.
Studio host Kenny with exhumed “expert” Bert Sugar
enough to put viewers to sleep - was showing promise recently with fighters as
guests. Sugar quoting Dempsey, Rickard on Tunney long count, and using Dundee
on putting sponges in his fighters gloves to protect the hands a tough
swallow.
