Last night from Cleveland, Ohio, ESPN FNF showcased
unbeaten Shawn Porter at 12-0, 10 stoppages in with
Russell "Spiderman" Jordan of 15-6, 10 mediocrity.
The pre-fight expectations was Porter had himself a gimme
that would surely fall inside the halfway mark - and then
the opening bell with the experts looking good as the
Akron via Cleveland "prospect" snatched the opening four
stanzas.
The key to success was quickness coupled with a busier
offense that saw the 22 year old tossing punches in
bunches - southpaw slinging "Spiderman" would settle for
a counter right hook on the inside, but not near enough
to bag a single stanza of his own.
Then numero cinco - surprise - the 6' 2" port-sider picks
up the pace grabbing numbers five, six, seven, on my
unofficial scoring - on that note, on paper we finally
have a contest - but not to be.
Porter would then return in style over the "championship"
rounds of 8-9-10 with a far busier output than the slowed
down Jordan version - a clear hint "Spiderman" was close
to a spent entity came in twice losing his mouthpiece -
the second time cost the underdog a point in numero nine,
and a two-point 10-8 round that pretty much ensured
Porter remaining unbeaten.
Official scoring went unanimous Porter 97-92, 97-92
-100-89 - my unofficial count saw it Porter 97-92 in
points and 7-3 under round by round method.
Post Scripts: Shawn Porter (13-0, 10 KOs) ~ age 22 -
physically strong, punches in bunches - far from finished
product. Guess "prospect" label courtesy Tessitore-Atlas
a stretch at this point. Still, circle the name for
future reference, the kid may well develop to contender
level what with four straps still up for grabs down the
pike.
Russell Jordan (15-7,10s) ~ age 27 -
tall lanky southpaw needs help with basics - no snap on
the right jab to keep trouble at a distance. Showed no
combinations - the right hook the single offensive
threat.
Referee Randy Jarvis - judge Eugene
Glenn report card: Jarvis in appearance the proverbial
blivet (ten pounds of bleep in a five pound bag).
Pre-fight lecture to fighters noted the customers didn't
come to see his work - then the bell it's repeated
warnings to both fighters - ( ugh!) maybe has never
worked a starboard-portside bout? Then stanza nine and a
two point margin, docks Jordan a point for losing
mouthpiece - not only bad timing but a tiring Jordan
never spit the rubber out - was sent flying from a Porter
punch.
Judge Eugene Glenn: Either a Ohio "homey" or a man in
need of sun glasses, white cane, and for company a nasty
German Shepherd . A 100-89 tally bordered on the
criminal.
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The televised pre-fight, a Jr. Welter 8-rounder saw
Lanard Lane going to an undefeated 11-0, 7 KOs in a
lopsided unanimous decision over game but outgunned
Martin Tucker that dropped to a seriously tainted 8-5, 3
KOs.
Still, Tucker managed to make things interesting over the
opening four stanzas - the difference was the more
disciplined Lane who had the better over the early rounds
that had hot exchanges - clearly the busier of the two.
Come candle six it's Tucker slowing down - then number
seven a Lane monster round as he rocks Tucker with big
salvos - referee George Nichols appeared on the
proverbial door step in calling it no-mas. But Tucker
battled back - then the final round eight with a
thrilling club fight going the distance.
Scoring went unanimous Lane 80-71; 78-74; 80-71 - my
unofficial had it Lane tossing a shutout 80-72.
Post Scripts: Lanard Lane (11-0, 7 KOs) ~ age 27 - nice
jump start - but much too early for a "rest of the story"
shout.
Martin Tucker (7-5, 3 KOs) ~ age 30
- earned an encore for finishing on his feet. Problem at
this point, heart alone, and ugly rap sheet it's clear
any future was yesterday.
Referee George Nichols: Had himself a
good outing - on top of things without becoming a
nuisance - could have halted this one in stanza seven but
with Tucker battling back inside ten seconds to the bell
let it fly.
GEL -
