The cut was bad, just above the eye where the swelling was obstructing vision as the rounds accumulated. The doctor made the call that doctors make. But it was not a cut that was opened by the skin. It is a result of bad timing.
Tszyu grew stronger. The thrust of his body had landed, and he showed patience as he worked his way back. In the second, he began to force himself on the ropes, getting his near line and shaking off the right rack that was distracting him. The fight was dead even at two, but Tszyu seemed to be timing Zerafa’s comments.
Zerafa was originally an attacker without taking any hard punches. He threw combinations in the first but struggled to get them to work. A brief stumble after a conversation suggested he was still finding his feet. The right rack in the second showed flashes, but it wasn’t enough to change the owner.
Head-to-head clashes are inevitable when the pros and southpaws meet in such close quarters. Lead legs straighten, heads drift, and only referees can warn. This particular fight came just in time for the fight. Tszyu begins to cut away the ring. Zerafa was sitting in the shelves from the back. Two more rounds probably explained everything.
The immediate response is to call for a third fight. That makes business sense. But both men need to think about what this result really tells them. Tszyu showed that he can bounce off the pressure quickly and work well in the mid-range. Zerafa showed that he could squeeze a fighter without getting fired for a few rounds.
Demsey McKean wins
Demsey McKean stopped Toese Vousiutu in the seventh round on Friday night in Australia, adding another name to his record but he did little to clarify where he is among the true heavyweights. The fight ended with Vousiutu unable to continue after being penalized, but the level of opposition tells you more about the matchup than McKean’s readiness for anything serious.
McKean worked behind a steady jab and controlled the distance against a fighter who had no business being there with him. Vousiutu showed the will but did not have the ability or direction to do this competition. By the middle rounds, fatigue was setting in, and McKean’s hard hitting finally stopped. He was like a professional, professional, and unremarkable.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s Quick Night
Nelson Asofa-Solomon knocked out Jeremy Latimore in the first round, which looked more interesting than it actually was. Asoph-Solomon was a professional football player looking for a fight, and Latimore was there to provide resistance. The jab came quickly, but against an opponent with no jab, poor footwork, and hands held too low. This is a promotion, not a fight.
Ivic Edges Past Lunch
Stevan Ivic took the majority decision over Liam Taliva’a after ten rounds, with two judges scoring it 96-94 with one call. Ivic had enough rounds behind his jab and clean sheets to get the nod, but the solid scorecards suggested he couldn’t get his act together. Taliva’a stayed in the pocket, threw back, and employed Ivic on every exchange. The fighter didn’t show the footwork or general agility needed for the fight.
Liam Wilson’s Strongest Return
Liam Wilson knocked out Rodex Piala in the fourth round at super featherweight, displaying the kind of powerful right hand that has made him a legitimate contender. Wilson set up the finish with a strong body, breaking Piala down, leaving the finish without drama. The performance was very sick, but Piala did not offer any back movement and found himself coming in. Wilson looked good because he had to look good.
Classic win for Reeves and Polkinghorn
Max Reeves closed out Sonny Abid 60-54 on the board at super middleweight, fighting behind a hard jab and not giving Abid a chance to stand on his feet. Billy Polkinghorn did the same to Jomar Paliwen in the light ring, winning 60-54 on all cards. Both fights were one sided in ring control, neither opponent offering counters or strong power. These development fights proved that no hope was at stake.