Unbeaten IBF third rated jr. welter Juan Urango (16-0-1, 13) - hop-scotched over "not rated" number two, to earn a shot at Naoufel Ben Rabah (24-1, 13) perched on the top limb - and on that note let the games begin.

Had never before seen either Urango or Rabah - and took no more than three stanzas of inaction to feel I hadn’t been cheated - Rabah moves in strange ways, in style is similar to a frightened grade school kid goaded into a fight - and Urango, willing albeit confused, in constant pursuit.

Hadn’t gone more than six candles of the scheduled 12-round title distance, that ESPN color commentator Teddy "book on boxing" Atlas, with backup Joey Tessitore in agreement filling in the blanks.

The Atlas scorecard had Rabah far ahead - but cautioned that judges are impressed with aggressiveness, but added that "effective" aggressiveness is the key - Urango the aggressor moved forward, but was not getting off once in punching range.

Slowly but surely the comforting sounds of the fight ending bell arrived - Atlas had it all Rabah - credited the Australian based Tunisian as a clear winner.

Teddy described Rabah as doing it the old fashioned way - sweet science approach of hitting and not being hit in return - his evaluation of Urango on this night was one unable to solve the unorthodox and "athletic" Rabah.

Then the scoring: Urango 117-111, 116-112, 115-113 - and the book of boxing Atlas instantly goes bonkers - apologizes for earlier crediting the Florida Commission for its upgraded needed changes -Tessie baby concurs.

Closing comments: Agree or not with the scoring, the bigger question has been answered. The four separate sanctioning bodies are as much the culprits as is the various clueless fite commissions.

                               The names are out there for a legitimately recognized champion and quality contenders - WBO has the man in Miguel Cotto, and solid lightweight star now at number one among 140 in Jose Luis Castillo. WBC & WBA titles vacant but has names such as Junior Witter, Corley, Lazcano, Lovemore N’dou among the rated.

Post Scripts: Urango~ undefeated or not, still a novice with 18 kept appointments - a southpaw that works without the perceived port side advantages. More stalker than mugger, and clearly confused when tracking a mover. Never once, over twelve candles,  got off anything resembling a combination. Got the ok to purchase the IBF strap on forward motion alone.
                     Ben Rabah ~ sorry Teddy, that was no yesterday sweet science on display - was more a constant version of Hoya in stanza twelve of Trinidad fight. The guy has zero clout and nary a hint of combination punching in view.
                  
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Semi-final Cruiserweight pairing featuring seven ranked Dale Brown and unranked Shane Swartz aborted during round five when evil clash of heads found Swartz unable to continue.

Under the written rules, it went to the scorecards - Swartz awarded the win by technical decision to the tune of 50-45, 49-46, 49-46 - and whether that is good or bad news will be answered once the wounded orbit mends.

Swartz now at 18-4, 12 displayed zero skills - took advantage of a rusty, and slow out of the gate Brown to get the early jump - then come the billy goat action in stanza five.

Brown - the Calgary cowboy now at age 34 never quick handed - wobbled early from left hook during stanza three but recovered well. Chances are the inadvertent clash of heads denied him a late run to the wire. Still, he’s had three prior title shots that resulted in his wearing the label of three time loser.

GEL -

6-30-06                      
                     

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