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England - Cruiserwieghts Semi-Finals & Final
Semi-Finals:
Johnny Nelson vs Ola Afolabi - Nelson was content to fight defensively throughout to nullify Afolabi's power. The tactic worked to perfection as he landed 53.6% of his punches while holding Afolabi to only 19.1%. The judges scored it 11-4, 9-6, 11-4 for Nelson.
David Haye vs Carl Thompson - Thompson couldn't handle the power of Haye, as he went down 3 times. Haye had a bad cut that nearly stopped the bout, but the doctor allowed it to continue, and Haye's corner did a great job of closing it. In the 8th round Hay scored the 2nd and 3rd knockdowns, the final one being for the count of 10!
Final:
Johnny Nelson vs David Haye - Nelson played matador to Haye's bull, catching him coming in hard in the first round for a knockdown. Haye picked himself up, and the fight went back and forth with several close action packed rounds. Haye scored a knockdown in the 15th round, (I thought to seal his win 7-5) but the judges scored it 7-6 Hayes, 6-6 even, 6-5 for Nelson for the draw!
Rematch:
Johnny Nelson vs David Haye - This one started out much like the first one, though Haye worked the body much better in the early rounds to soften Nelson up. He scored a knockdown late in the 4th round, then went in for the kill in the 5th, scoring a pair of knockdowns! The referee allowed them to continue, but Haye landed a viscious series of punches that had Nelson out on his feet when the ref ended it at 2:24 in the 5th for the slight upset TKO! Haye earns his way into the World Tourney!
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