WRIGHT JAB WINS THE FIGHT

By Kenny Perrault



 




Photo Credit: D M Warr/DKP

Winky Wright set the pace of the fight in the first ten seconds. That pace was to jab, jab, and jab some more. The jab is the most effective punch in any fighter's arsenal but when was the last time a jab alone beat a great fighter like Felix Trinidad? Winky would follow the jab with a straight left from time to time but it was the jab that helped him sail to an easy twelve round decision.  

After round three it was clear that Trinidad needed to come with plan B but there was no plan B, as Winky just kept popping the jab and snapping Trinidad’s head back. Trinidad tried to land to the body but many of the blows were blocked by Winky’s elbows or landed on the hip. Winky, who fights out of a peek a boo style of defense with his gloves held high and tight against his face, was able to absorb many head shots from Trinidad with his gloves. Each round seemed to be a repeat of the last, Winky working his jab following with the occasional straight left while Tito did his best to get inside to land his power punches.  

In round nine Trinidad was deducted one point for a low blow but in actuality the point deduction had no effect on the fight. There isn't a lot to say about this fight. I picked Winky to win by unanimous decision but I figured Tito would win at least three rounds. Trinidad was simply out worked and out classed tonight in the ring. Maybe it was age, he still has ring rust from his brief retirement, or Winky simply was that good tonight, you can take your pick. However, in the end Winky Wright may have finally made himself a star in boxing, something he has long wanted and fought hard for. The judges scored it for Winky Wright, 120-107, and 119-118 twice. With the win Winky Wright improves his record to 49-3 (25 KO's) while Felix Trinidad drops to 42-2 (35 KO's).

Undisputed Welterweight champion Zab Judah made quick and easy work of extremely over matched Cosme Rivera. Judah dropped Rivera early in the first round with a straight left. Rivera quickly jumped to his feet with a smile on his face, only to visit the canvas yet again. Rivera managed to make it out of the round but it didn’t matter ,as he found himself on the canvas for the third time in the third round. Once again, he rose from the canvas with a smile on his face. Since smiles don't win fights referee Joe Cortez stepped in and stopped the bout, saving Rivera from further punishment. Zab Judah remains the undisputed welterweight champion, and improves his record to 34-2 (25 KO's) while Cosme Rivera falls to 28-8-2 (21 KO's).

The night got underway with IBF Junior Flyweight champion Victor Burgos against Will Grigsby. Grigsby never let Burgos fight his fight, landing the harder and crisper punches, out boxing Burgos through most of the night. Grigsby did not fight like a 35-year-old man, looking fresher of the two going down the stretch. Will Grigsby was the better fighter in the ring tonight winning a unanimous decision by the scores of 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112. The win makes Will Grigsby a two time champion and improves his record to 18-2 -1 (17 KO's) while Victor Burgos falls to 37-14-3 (22 KO's).

 


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