On paper, the ESPN clout carnival had itself a dandy pairing of tried and proven veterans Ray "Sucra" Oliveira and Emanuel Augustus in the feature attraction of its Hampton Beach, New Hampshire FNF pit stop.

Seemed harmless enough … Oliveira age 36, with reported kept appointments translating to a 47-10-2, 22 KOs resumé facing world traveler Emanuel Augustus age 30, with uninspiring rap sheet of 30-24-6, 15 KOs.

Expectations were a can’t miss action affair between seasoned workman equally able to sting but not cripple - and did I leave out entertain?

Then the opening bell and all going as if choreographed, the edge to Augustus with a busier output in a tactical round coupled with spirited exchanges.

From stanza two on it was the Augustus show - you name it, eye catching punches in bunches from all sides, pace changes of slow, fast and furious - and the inevitable slapstick, self taught outside the pugilistic book of learning, that Emanuel has copyrighted for himself.

Oliveira gave it the usual 100% … moved forward behind the jab and tried countering the phantom in his face with left hooks and right hands that mostly found air.

Finally, with Augustus far ahead on points it happened … a seemingly harmless Augustus flurry saw a punch landing behind the head - result is "Sucra" backing and turning away while bending over.

Immediate caution light has Augustus looking at referee Steve "Smog" Smoger as if asking for the ok to continue … and Smog looking equally baffled before rushing to Oliveira and asking if he was having problems.

Smoger calls a pause to the action and beckons the house quack for a medical review … surprisingly, after a pen light to the eyes and a ludicrous "How many fingers" the bleep lets it continue.

To his credit, Augustus finished the round without going to the head …  Oliveira is shaky and in distress going to the corner end of stanza eight.

Smoger rightfully interrupts the wasted time activity in the Oliveira corner with shouts of no mas. And, with it the upbeat beachside deviate from the vacation season Hampton at the water partying, converted to an uncomfortable 911 scenario - word is Oliveira left the arena via ambulance and oxygen for the hospital.

Post Scripts: Emanuel Augustus ~ the face is the look of what one would expect of a 30 year-old with a now 51 career fights. The body, energy, technical skills tell a different story. The combinations come quickly from all sides - the acrobatics  will continue to confuse the uninitiated. But we’re no longer talking championship straps. The shortage of clout has denied Emanuel that mountain …and most of the 24 debits have been hometown variety. Word of caution … the post fite shout of bring on Mayweather and Hatton makes no sense. Word here is, stay with the flow, as Dinah liked shouting it, see the USA in a Chevrolet while playing its tank towns.

                       Ray Oliveira ~ It hurt to see a class act arriving short of the finish line in dire need of medical attention - even when not being dropped. The surprise finish of a proud warrior was visible with each passing stanza. Could never find a rhythm or an answer to the unorthodox actions of a quicker opponent.

                      Steve Smoger ~ Caught flatfooted at the sudden hint of trouble to Oliveira after harmless looking flurry - understandable - still, the man was being blanked round after round in the scoring department with no chance of winning - no need to call in help with the decision making from a medicine man without a clue.

GEL