Last nite’s twin-bill over HBO from the
boardwalk of bag ladies, at Atlantic City, N.J., had those
in attendance out of its seats in a dual action packed
thriller that topped expectations.
Heavyweights Cristobal Arreola and
Brian Minto opened festivities in what was to be, on
paper, a can’t miss natural to return Arreola to
contender/prospect levels after the disastrous Vitali
Klitschko spanking.
Arreola arrives at 6’4 -263 lbs - also
younger than Minto at 28 to 34. Minto tipped the scales at
218 lbs on 5’11 frame - and all went as expected - well,
sort of, if the end result is seen as the rest of the
story.
Opening stanza pretty much sums up the
inevitable - a Minto big right hand lands flush on the
Arreola kisser without so much as a Arreola blink who
continues in role of aggressor
Round two an action stanza with both
finding the mark - is clear both fighters checked defense
at the front desk when arriving - then candle three and is
clear to all watching, Arreola too big, and Minto too
brave.
Round four sees Minto in attempt to
capture some ground - goes on the offense - both toss
right hands with Minto’s a hair short as he runs smack
into a Arreola bomb and is down.
No sooner on his feet the Butler
“Beast” engages the Arreola “Nightmare” in a furious
exchange that sees Arreola closing the show via TKO at
2:40 mark of the round.
Post Scripts: Chris Arreola (28-1, 25
KOs) ~ age 28 - the quest of becoming the first Mexican
heavyweight champion has been resurrected - but first a
caution: a) avoid IBF; WBO; WBC champions that carry
surname Klitschko. Too slow, too predictable, lacking in
defense.
b) When ready, the WBA the better choice for that second
title attempt.
Brian Minto (34-3, 21 KOs) ~ age 34 -
showed true grit but on wrong side of the slope. Can still
fill the joints at the small club circuit of choice.
Referee Eddie
Cotton had himself a good outing - let the brawlers brawl
- stopped it at the right time.
……………………………….................................................................
Williams - Martinez barn-burner closes on sour note
The feature attraction non-title light middleweight battle
opened with WBO shareholder Paul Williams tossing aside
the height (6’ 1") advantage over 5’ 10" WBC shareholder
Martinez and quickly bringing the action to the inside
Early in the opening candle and
Martinez is down courtesy of a Williams left hand - then,
the Argentine is no sooner on his feet he surprises
Williams with a counter right-hook that drops the
favorite
From that point on the exchanges are
hot and heavy- Williams continues role of aggressor after
cut left eyelid. My unofficial had it all square after six
stanzas.
It continued in coin-flip fashion with
Williams the busier and Martinez landing the cleaner,
harder punches - with no knockdowns over the backside
there was little room to lean to either fighter.
Williams appeared the fresher over the
proverbial championship rounds of 10-11-12, but Martinez
had enough in the tank to hold his own in the final
tallies.
Then came the official scoring: Julie
Lederman had it even at 114-114; Lynne Carter saw it
Williams 115-113: Pierre Benoist agreed Williams to the
off-beat tune of 119-110.
My unofficial saw it all square at
114-114 in points and six -six under the archaic round by
round system.
Post Scripts: Paul Williams (38-1, 27
KOs) ~ age 28 - has size and southpaw advantage going for
him. Brain trust must convince him to use the birth-given
physical advantages if stepping up to the next rung.
Battling in the trenches is not for fighters carrying
“praying mantis” physique. He’s got heart, decent chin
and a long reach to set up the power punches.
Sergio Martinez
(44-2-2, 24 KOs) ~ age 34 - Still has quickness and uses
the right hook off the southpaw stance along with power
left hand. Return could be in the working, but more than a
few other jr. middles out there for him after the HBO
exposure.
Final thoughts: With all the furor over
French judge Pierre Benoist scoring the fight as lopsided
as he did (119-110 - and 11-1 in rounds) I think there’s
something missing in the translation of most fans and
assorted Maxie-boy Kellerman, Lamphead, etc.
Boxing is competed under a
round by round scoring method, whether it be via points or
number of rounds won. With that in mind it is conceivable
one fighter could well be seen losing each stanza albeit a
coin-flip round after round.
I don’t feel Benoist qualifies
for a tar & feathering without proof he bet the mortgage
on Williams.
GEL
