Light Heavyweight Bouts Feb 86
Leeonzaer Barber 0-0-0-0 vs Christian Caldwell 0-4-0-0
Nice competative action fight. Good debut for Barber as he wins a unanimous decision by scores of 39-37 across the board. Barber outlanded Caldwell 93-72.
Norman Bates 0-0-0-0 vs Johnny Clark 0-5-0-0
Nice win for Bates in his debut as he practically pitches a shutout. Scores 40-37 twice and 39-38.
Tony Renata 0-0-0-0 vs Samuel Blakey 0-5-0-0
Hell of a four rounder, both men stood and traded shots in all four rounds. Scores 39-38 Renata, 39-38 Blakey and 39-38 for the winner by split decision Tony Renata.Tougher debut then excpected for Renata but a good fight.
#8 Joe Lasisi 16-0-1-11 vs #18 Anthony Witherspoon 19-0-0-14
The pre-prime slugging Lasisi admits he may have under trained for this 10 rounder while prime slugger Anthony witherspoon is in great shape. Odds are even money for this fight.Great first round no feeling out process in this one, both men land some heavy shots, edge to Witherspoon who is the quicker of the two, Second round picks up right were the first ended, both mentrading heavily with Witherspoon getting the better of it. Witherspoon has a huge third round as he is able to drop Lasisi with a beautiful one two combo for a two count. Witherspoon tries to end it and lands some big punches but Lasisi shows heart and survives the round. What a beard Lasisi shows in the fourth as Witherspoon was cranking up on everything and landing flush but never hurt Lasisi. Witherspoon wins another round as he is hitting Lasisi with everything he throws. Lasisi is landing some good punches himself but Witherspoon absorbs them nicely. Lasisi doesn't seem to have much left as the sixth round gets underway. Witherspoon continues to dominate Lasisi. Lasisi lands a huge hook late in the round but with no effect. Another huge round in the seventh for Witherspoon as a thundering combonation drops Lasisi for a five count. A few seconds later a right to the ribs drops Lasisi a second time for a three count. Lasisi has heart but he is getting destroyed. 20 seconds into the eighth a Withersponn cross drops Lasisi for a six count. A few moments later another hook drops Lasisi for another six count, Why Drakulich hasn't stopped this is beyond me. Another Witherspoon uppercut and Lasisi is out before he hits the ground. Impressive showing from Witherspoon. Not sure Lasisi can ever come back from this one. This is the kind of loss that can ruin a fighter. Witherspoon may get into title contention with this victory. Lasisi was outlanded 296-78.
#1 James Scott 24-0-0-20 vs #13 John Conteh 17-0-0-11
There are rumors the prime slugging Scott may have under trained for this bout while the boxing Conteh is in excellent shape for this 10 rounder. This fight is also an even money fight prior to the bout. Conteh wins the first as he boxes beautifully and picks Scott apart. Great second as Conteh starts strongly but as the round moves on Scott starts getting to Conteh with some heavy blows. Close third with the edge going to Conteh. Conteh is landing the quicker cleaner punches while Scott is landing the thudding more damaging blows. Scott wins the fourth as he is able to get inside on Conteh and land some nice punches. Scott wins another as he continues to get inside and paste Conteh with bombs. Conteh is not having much success stopping Scott from getting inside. Conteh wins the sixth as he is able to fight well from the outside. Scott looks frustrated as Coneth is able to make him miss. Conteh with another good round in the seventh as he slightly edges Scott with his crisp counters. Both men are looking fatigued as the eighth round gets underway. Scott takes advantage and lands some very damaging blows. Conteh showing a good chin here tonight. Scott wins the ninth as he is again able to out work Conteh. Whoever wins the tenth may well win the fight. Scott clearly wins the tenth as Conteh was happy to cover up assuming he had the fight won. I feel Scott did enough to earn the decision. To the scorecards. 96-95 Scott, 96-95 Conteh and 95-95 a draw. I can live with that decision. Scott may well have won this fight if he came into it in shape. Scott was the busier of the two throwing 800 punches to Conteh's 575 but Conteh outlanded Scott 221-184.
#6 Jorge Ahumada 19-0-2-13 vs #28 Leslie Stewart 15-1-0-8
The pre-prime boxer Stewart and the prime slugging Ahumada are in excellent shape for this 10 rounder. Ahumada is heavily favored in this one. Ahumada easily wins the first as he is the busier man and Stewart is content to let Ahumada tahe the round. Slow paced second that Ahumada edges. Close third round to score. Stewart has his best round of the fight. Ahumada appears to have hurt his right hand. Stewart clearly wins the fourth as he lands some great combos. Ahumada bounces back in the fifth and beats Stewart from pillar to post. Another close round in the sixth with the edge going to Stewart. Everything punch Ahumada threw was answered by Stewart. What a round secen both men take turns landing some great shots. Stewart is proving alot tougher then the odds makers thought. Another very close round in the eighth could go to either man. Scoring this one is gonna be tough. Stewart edges the ninth as again he answered everything Ahumada landed and then some. In the tenth both men come out looking for the kayo as they know this fight is up for grabs and in my opinion Stewart wins it. To the scorecards. 97-95 and 98-94 twice for the winner by unanimous decision Jorge Ahumada. The scoring sickens me. How they only gave Stewart two rounds is beyond me.
Light Heavyweight Rankings Feb 86
James Scott 24-0-1-20
Michael Spinks 21-0-0-19
Jorge Ahumada 20-0-2-13
Lonnie Bennett 22-0-0-18
Marvin Johnson 20-0-0-17
Vonzell Johnson 22-0-2-14
Billy Douglas 18-0-1-13
Anthony Witherspoon 20-0-0-15
Tony Willis 20-0-0-17
Jerry Martin 23-1-1-22