Ironically, it was the Harlem, New York veteran bringing the
crowd to its feet late in stanza two with a counter right
uppercut that resulted in flash knockdown - and then
improved on it in round three when dropping Peter again -
not once but twice.
The round
three McCline fireworks had Peter dazed and ready to be put
to bed - but try to drop the curtain as he did, the bell
would come to the rescue.
Peter,
with strength and youth on his side, quickly recovered
during the 60 seconds respite between 3 and 4, and while
McCline had his moments, it was Peter claiming round after
round over seven thru twelve for the win.
The
official scoring went unanimous Peter 115-110- 115-111-
113-112 - and my unofficial agreed Peter 114-111 in points
and 9-3 using the more trusted round by round method.
Closing
thoughts: Expected this one to be the proverbial quickie
with McCline being put away early - but the New York veteran
showed a surprisingly will to win after a slow opening
candle and most of stanza two - but then, in seeing the late
round right uppercut drop the celebrated one, he would
quickly bring the action in candle three.
The mega-eye opener clearly
came from McCline when the explosive round three began and
he battered Peter with power punches - the most damaging was
a big right hand through the target for the second knockdown
of the round - and for us fite fans, brought something of a
hint that just maybe the Nigerian Nightmare’s chin has touch
of “China” to it. Still, nothing tainted about the heart -
the guy is one tough customer.
Post Scripts: Peter (29-1,
22 KO) ~ age 27 - with four straps out there, is a good bet
against most the others. Wlad Klitschko delivered the single
debit on the rap sheet - maybe bypass him for now, and grab
the others starting with Maskaev. Either way, a fun watch.
McCline (38-8-3, 23 KO) ~ age 37 - written off coming in,
but a tad reborn with the three knockdowns and a near as it
gets upset KO win, but realistically is over the hill for
title consideration at this juncture.
Referee Michael Ortega -
usually works in relaxed manner - but on this night the
repeated warnings over perceived violations of low blows and
rabbit punches was tough swallow - visits the Peter corner
between rounds to tell him next one behind the neck is a
point deduction. I mean all viewers could see them naughty
actions - but, bleep or get off the pot, Michael.
Commentators: Steve Albert and Al Bernstein work well
together - but clueless roving, fraudulent, Jerky Jim Gray
has got to go - this Barnum transplant makes HBO Lennox
Lummox sound competent.
P. S. for
anyone interested - take a pick - “round by round” scoring
versus the points system. After stanza six my unofficial
had it all square in rounds at 3-3; using points systems it
read McCline 57- Peter 54. With Peter playing catch-up
and winning seven thru 12, it wasn’t until he grabs stanza
ten did he claim the lead 94-93.
