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Peterson upsets Kahn; Mitchell
halts Ibragimov... by George Elsasser
The HBO Saturday night special
delivered an action affair that saw underdog Lamont Peterson upset defending
WBA/IBF Jr. welter champion Amir Khan via 12 round split decision win.
Opens with Khan bringing it to
a surprised Peterson that sees the local favorite on the defense - late in
the stanza, with Peterson in retreat, he's down from a flurry of punches but
unhurt.
Then, over the first half, it
becomes a tough one to score, with Peterson the aggressor and Khan boxing
nicely at times to keep the challenger at bay.
Finally, the Peterson corner
gives its charge the key to victory - make it a brawl - and sure enough,
come stanza seven with Peterson up close and personal and tossing punches to
body and head, a frustrated Khan pushes his opponent to get distance.
Enter local hack Joe Cooper,
aka referee in charge, advertising his incompetence, quickly debits the
visitor a point - and much later in final candle twelve of a crowd pleasing
back and forth affair, here comes DC law and order man in charge - Bingo! -
a second point deduction.
This one, for hitting on the
break, would clearly have an impact on the scoring
department.
With HOF inductee Michael
Buffer of "Let's get ready to rumble" schtick at the mic it goes: Peterson
113-112; Khan 114-111; Peterson 113-112 for the "majority" decision win - no
oops, but technically it is a split decision win.
Either way, the
fight was a thriller with both letting it all hang out and a return is
expected.
For what it's
worth, my unofficial had it Peterson 114-111 in points and 7-5 under round
by round method. Had no ludicrous double-debits been Khan inflicted I still
would have had Peterson up 114/113.
Post Scripts:
Lamont Peterson (29-1-1, 14 KOs) ~ age 27 - nice win for the new dual jr.
welter champ that was seen coming in as more a tough but not title timber.
Came out with the prizes while displaying championship guts and heart.
Heeded the quality advice from chief corner consultant that impacted the
happy ending.
Amir Khan
(26-2, 18 KOs) ~ age 25 - expect seeing more of the Pakistani now calling
England home - too close an affair coupled with label of being jobbed by
house dick without a clue Joe Cooper. Still, not only young enough to work
on the technique he and trainer Freddie Roach can see the loss a blessing in
disguise - next up just may well have been a Pacquiao - Mayweather winner.
… .........................................................................................................................
Heavyweight co-feature saw
former college footballer turned next American future super star Seth
"Mayhem" Mitchell making the hype makers look good - grabs the opening
stanza with quicker hands and then batters Uzbekistan veteran Timor
Ibragimov for a second round TKO win.
Yes, the age 29 Mitchell
displayed poise, quickness and power from both sides of the plate in taking
the fight out of Ibragimov.
Mitchell goes to 24-0-1, 18
KOs - already touted as best of all ex-footballers turning to pro boxing,
the guess is the Brandywine, MD bomber will be quickly moved up the
heavyweight ladder - circle the name but don't as yet bet the rent money.
Ibragimov drops to 30-4-1, 16
KOs - past proven veteran at a now age 36 that doesn't show on the rap
sheet. Not seen as big banger but known for toughness and durability. Never
went down last noche but was correct stoppage.
GEL -
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12-10-2011 |