[bigMatt]

The Cow Palace in San Francisco hosts round one of the UoLBA tournament, pitting the best heavyweights in the world against one another to determine the first UoLBA champion. Each fighter winning his opening 12 round match in this two night affair will advance to round two, held at Berlin's Olympia Stadion next Friday and Saturday night.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1890 - Two undefeateds meet tonight in a battle to determine who will meet Hasim Rahman next week in Berlin for round 2 of the UoLBA HW Championship Tournament. The Black Prince, highly regarded Virgin Island native Peter Jackson, will pit his ring prowess against surprise contender Billy Keough. Keough won berth in the tourney largely due to his 15 KOs in his 21 wins. He will need every bit of that power to match the ring savvy of the talented Jackson, who many feel might be the very best heavyweight out there.

Round 1 - Knowing the challenge his opponent presents, Keough begins the first firing his entire arsenal at Jackson. Jackson, for his part, begins cautiously and uses ring movement to his advantage, delivering soft but scoring jabs to the face of his advancing opponent. Not much action until the last minute of the round, when Billy Keough finds his way through the defense of Jackson to deliver a hard cross to Jackson. Jackson was hurt by that blow and stumbles backward. Keough follows up with a body shot and another cross to the neck of Jackson. The crowd roars during the closing moments of the round, the din so loud that the referee believes he has heard the bell, and ends the round 10 seconds early, much to the disappointment of Keough's corner, who feel their fighter has Jackson on the ropes.

Round 2 - Keough looks to press the advantage he earned in round 1 by charging his opponent at the beginning of round 2. After 2 wild misses, Keough finds himself on the receiving end of a devastating uppercut from Jackson. Keough is stunned. For the next minute, Keough avoids Jackson as best he can while he recovers his legs. But with 1:23 in the round, Jackson locates his opponent with a combination of blows to Keough's body and head. Keough crumbles to the canvas, climbing shakely to his feet at the 6 count. As the fight continues, Jackson's next shot, a hook to the jaw, turns Keough's legs to jello. Somehow Keough remains upright. A combination at the end of the round punctuates a dominant round for The Black Prince.

Round 3 - Keough's corner has done a good job of motivating their fighter between rounds. He begins the 3rd surprisingly clear-headed and aggressive. In the first 30 seconds, Keough has landed two solid shots to Jackson, the second one stopping Jackson in his tracks. A minute into the round, Keough again unloads on Jackson, this time staggering his opponent with a solid cross. Jackson is hurt by that shot, and goes into defensive mode. Keough chases The Black Prince around the ring, looking to land a decisive blow. At 1:58, Keough delivers a wicked uppercut to Jackson, a shot that almost drops him. But Jackson holds on, and the round finishes - a clear advantage for Keough.

Round 4 - Jackson's corner was animated between rounds. Evidently, they think their fighter needs a wake up call. Jackson appears to have listened, as he starts the 4th delivering an uppercut followed by two stinging jabs to the face of Keough. Keough tries to land throughout the round, but Jackson use his superior defense to great advantage. With 7 seconds left in the round, Jackson delivers two vicious hooks to Keough's head, the second sending sweat flying from Keough's head into the screaming throng. Amazingly, Keough keeps his feet to hear the bell ending the round.

Rounds 5-12 - As it turns out, this would be the last challenge Keough would give the Virgin Islander. From the 5th round on, Jackson danced and parried his way to handily win each of the next 7 rounds. Keough, while remaining on his feet for the balance of the fight, is obviously gassed after his efforts in the first 4 rounds. He puts up little resistance for the remainder of the contest.

Winner by UD - Peter Jackson. Jackson will face Hasim Rahman next week in Berlin.