Last nite's IBF Jr. Middle Eliminator from far out
Durant, Oklahoma where the wind comes right behind
the rain, saw southpaws Sechew Powell of good old
B'klyn, USA besting Vegas transplant from the “Show
me State", Deandre Latimore in a spirited affair.
The last time they had met was back on June of 2008 -
a hotly contested affair that was all square entering
stanza seven when Latimore closed the show via TKO.
Not to be last noche, although the younger Latimore
at 24 to Powell's 31, held his own at 57-57 on my
unofficial entering numero seven - but then it would
be the “Iron Horse” grabbing numbers seven through
ten and a four point edge with two candles to go.
The margin then would hold up to a precious two, as
Latimore grabbed the final two chapters to make it
close but no cigar - my card had Powell 115-113 in
points and 7-5 under the yesterday round by round
method.
The official scoring saw it Powell 117-111, 116-112
with one judge having it all square at 114-114 for
the majority win.
Rest of the story; curtain opens with both going the
counter punch route - edge Latimore - then stanza two
goes to “The Bull” in a close but busier round.
Powell regroups to grab stanza tres with effective
counters in an action round - Then it's Latimore
claiming round four, before Powell takes control with
superior skills over five through ten.
Latimore showed true grit while battling with cut eye
that began closing over the backside - but his
attempt to pull a rabbit out of the hat would come up
short over winning rounds 11 and 12.
Post Scripts: Sechew Powell (26-2, 15 KOs) ~ age 31 -
got the must win - a Spinks IBF title fight should
shape up as a competitive one. Neither carry one
punch knockout power but neither bashful to spending
some time in the trenches.
Deandre Latimore ( 20-3, 16 KOs) ~
age 24 - was in it from start although the bad eye
slowed him down during the Powell hot streak over
five through ten. The IBF field not exactly loaded at
this time - young enough to upgrade the skills -
already has toughness and decent power going for him.
Referee Steve Smoger once again earned five stars …
let the flow go and when needed, broke the few
clinches without fanfare.
GEL -
