The Federal Boxing Alliance

[meade95]

Alexis Arguello is going to be damn hard to beat at 130!!

[mh2365]

Originally Posted by meade95

Alexis Arguello is going to be damn hard to beat at 130!!

My all-time favorite fighter!

[GForce]

Originally Posted by meade95

Alexis Arguello is going to be damn hard to beat at 130!!

That he is. Azumah has yet to defend his strap, but Chavez has done so twice - as has Arguello. If they both win their mandatories later this year, assuming they don't get tripped up along the way, an Arguello/Chavez unification bout could feasibly occur very late this year or early next year. I wasn't surprised by the win, but I was surprised how easily Arguello blew Freitas away.

GH

[GForce]

May Title Fight Recaps Cont.

WBA Jr. Bantamweight Title Fight: Tae-Il Chang (2-2-2, 1 KO) vs Celes Kobayashi (2-2, 2 KO)

So now we come down to the belt nobody wants. Let's recap for a moment...Khaosai Galaxy is the overwhelming tournament favorite...he gets beaten stunningly in a flawless performance by Luis Alberto Perez in the semifinal. Perez then goes on to lose on a VERY questionable stoppage on cuts, leading comfortably on 2 of 3 cards in the 13th round of his fight against Fernando Montiel, who is crowned the champion. Montiel makes his first defense against the light-punching Tae-Il Chang, who came into the fight at 1-2-2. Montiel drops the belt to Chang after his corner is inexplicably unable to stop what began as a fairly minor cut, dropping the belt in similar fashion to how he won it. So now Chang gets to defend against a tough but flawed Kobayashi.
Kobayashi's power advantage is evident early on (not that he's a powerhouse by any means), and Chang is left to try and fight a tactical, precision battle against a stronger and more accurate fighter. Chang's strength was dictating the pace, and he'd need to do so here.
Over the first 10 rounds, Chang only has two strong offensive showings (in the 5th and 10th). He's throwing more but landing less, and Kobayashi's shots have more steam on them. Still, through 10, Kobayashi is up only a point on one card and is tied on the two others.
But Chang runs out of steam...his corner would argue that 3 low blows, the last of which lost Kobayashi a point in the 13th, contributed greatly to that. regardless of the reason, Kobayashi sweeps the final 5 rounds and the belt has a new owner again, Kobayashi taking the unanimous decision 144-140, 144-140, 145-139.
Given the FBA's standard rematch clause, what happens here is anyone's guess. Montiel and Chang could have a rematch, the winner to face Kobayashi for the belt. That appears likely, but it's undecided at this point.
For now, however, the NEW WBA Jr. Bantamweight champion is Celes Kobayashi.

Celes Kobayashi UD 15 Tae-Il Chang

GH

[Romdawg88]

Jeez, Alexis just toyed with Freitas, from the looks of it I think it's a safe bet that no one will be tripping him up on the path to that unification bout with Chavez. Throw in Azumeh when he gets going and we're going to get a excellent series of fights out of this divison. I'm betting those Jr. Bantamweight guys are just passing the belt around in hopes that it'll prevent them from having to fight Galaxy.

[GForce]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Jeez, Alexis just toyed with Freitas, from the looks of it I think it's a safe bet that no one will be tripping him up on the path to that unification bout with Chavez. Throw in Azumeh when he gets going and we're going to get a excellent series of fights out of this divison. I'm betting those Jr. Bantamweight guys are just passing the belt around in hopes that it'll prevent them from having to fight Galaxy.

That's the thing...Nelson has yet to defend his belt, so he's out of the equation for now. As long as he fights his mandatory this year, he'll keep the belt, but he needs 3 defenses before he can unify. So right now, it looks like Arguello and Chavez are heading down that road, provided, of course, they want to.

As for Alexis toying with Freitas, the rounds by points - 31:2, 16:4, 15:9, 15:7, 25:5, 31:2

The Jr. Bantamweight situation is very interesting for exactly the reason you mention...Galaxy, who fights later this month, figures to be near #1 contender by the end of the year. I don't have the rankings in front of me, but it's conceivable Montiel will be ranked higher, which could force him to get the rematch first. That would also serve as Kobayashi's mandatory defense. If that's how it goes down, Galaxy could theoretically go another year from the time Montiel gets his rematch without getting a title shot. If someone doesn't have to defend against Galaxy, there's no reason to think that they would.

So Galaxy's best hope is to stay busy, try to win and fight each month and pass Montiel before Kobayashi says he'll fight the mandatory.

GH

[GForce]

May '05: Notable Results

IBF Bantamweight: Tim Austin (2-1, 1 KO) vs Jeff Chandler (3-1, 1 KO)

Austin comes out trying to just overwhelm Chandler under the volume of blows, while Chandler fights somewhat more methodically. Austin is not landing often, but during the middle rounds he seems to find his rhythm. Surrounding that, though, it was all Chandler, which created a pretty even fight through 7. Ultimately, Austin threw more than 1100 punches in the fight, but Chandler blasted him with a hook that put him down in the 8th, and Austin didn't recover until midway through the 10th round. So when it went to the cards, it was Chandler who took the unanimous decision 95-94, 95-94, 96-93. Both fighters will be heard from again, but for Chandler it will be sooner rather than later.

Jeff Chandler UD 10 Tim Austin

WBA Heavyweight: Gerry Cooney (3-0, 2 KO) vs John Ruiz (3-0, 2 KO)

Two guys make their big-time debut after coming up from the WBO, easily the highest profile fight thus far between two WBO guys on the big stage. The prevailing thought was that Cooney would have to get Ruiz out of there early, because later on Ruiz's style would just wear Cooney out. After an even opening two rounds, Cooney takes control in round 3, stunning Ruiz on several occasions. He comes out firing in the fourth and successfully pushes Ruiz off of him during several clutch-and-grab attempts, beating Ruiz's ribs with savage shots before going upstairs. Cooney lands a thunderous hook to the temple late in the 4th that sends Ruiz stumbling to the ropes. He grabs hold of them, but Cooney attacks and hammers several unanswered blows before referee Zach Clayton jumps in to call a halt to the bout. It could be argued the stoppage was early, but Ruiz was absorbing several hard shots from the powerful Cooney with no response. Cooney remains undefeated as he tries to work his way in line for a title shot.

Gerry Cooney TKO 4 (punishment) John Ruiz

More bouts of note to come

GH

[Brooks TVB]

Glad to see Cooney whoop up on Ruiz. Keep up the good work.

[GForce]

Originally Posted by Brooks TVB

Glad to see Cooney whoop up on Ruiz. Keep up the good work.

LOL!!! Thanks. I'm sure there's a Ruiz fan somewhere, I just don't know of any.

GH

[Romdawg88]

Ruiz getting stopped makes me a happy person, now if Spinks loses it be a great month. For the life of me I can think of anyone who likes Ruiz or any reason why you would the guy very well might have been the most boring fighter of all time.

[GForce]

May '05: Notable Results Cont.

IBF Welterweight: Corey Spinks (3-1) vs Donald Curry (3-1, 1 KO)

A pair of slick, quick, very good defensive fighters in what was expected to be an even matchup, Curry having an edge in power. Curry is the aggressor, but Spinks seems a bit more in control throughout a contest that is too close to call all the way through. Spinks lands a few more shots, but Curry's have more steam. Spinks looks hurt on a few occasions, but nobody hits the deck, there's no real swelling despite a pair of rough accidental head butts. Curry takes the final two rounds, as Spinks gets overly defensive, perhaps thinking foolishly he was up comfortably. But Curry loses a point for a low blow in the 9th, a decision that draws boos from the crowd and rage from Curry's corner. So at the end of the night it goes to the cards...

Curry 96-94...

Spinks 96-94...

95-95.

The bout is a draw. On a "points" basis...Spinks wins only one round by more than 2 points...Curry wins 3...the other 6 rounds are all within 2 points. Curry inflicted more damage, and the point deduction in the 9th obviously costs Curry the decision. The Cobra is gracious about it after the fight, moreso than Spinks, who whines that he was robbed.

Donald Curry DRAW Corey Spinks

WBC Heavyweight: Hasim Rahman (1-2, 1 KO) vs David Tua (0-3)

Two struggling fighters in desperate need of a win. Tua has been stopped by Greg Page and Jerry Quarry and knocked out by Evander Holyfield. Rahman lost a questionable stoppage in the opening round of the tournament to George Chuvalo, and was featured prominently in the fight to have officials and physicians be more lenient in their treatment of cuts and swelling. His lone win was a knockout of Kirk Johnson. Most recently, he was stopped by Jimmy Ellis in November. Here, Tua is dominant early, putting Rahman down in the first and controlling the first 4 rounds. But Rahman recovers to take rounds 5 and 6, burying shots to the body of Tua. But in a strange 7th round, Rahman goes down twice, bouncing up at the count of 1 both times, arguing both as slips but losing both arguments. He responds by coming back and dropping Tua in the 8th. Rahman batters Tua for the remainder of the round, but he holds on. But Tua seems exhausted, and Rahman is all over him in the 9th. Tua keeps his feet but is battered throughout the round, and it appears Rahman may be able to take him out. But Rahman had experienced severe swelling above his right eye throughout the fight, and in the 10th, Tua follows a combination with a thunderous hook that puts Rahman down...and out. Tua gets a much needed victory in a thrilling, if ugly, bout.

David Tua KO 10 Hasim Rahman

More bouts of note to come

GH

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by GForce

May '05: Notable Results Cont.

IBF Welterweight: Corey Spinks (3-1) vs Donald Curry (3-1, 1 KO)

A pair of slick, quick, very good defensive fighters in what was expected to be an even matchup, Curry having an edge in power. Curry is the aggressor, but Spinks seems a bit more in control throughout a contest that is too close to call all the way through. Spinks lands a few more shots, but Curry's have more steam. Spinks looks hurt on a few occasions, but nobody hits the deck, there's no real swelling despite a pair of rough accidental head butts. Curry takes the final two rounds, as Spinks gets overly defensive, perhaps thinking foolishly he was up comfortably. But Curry loses a point for a low blow in the 9th, a decision that draws boos from the crowd and rage from Curry's corner. So at the end of the night it goes to the cards...

Curry 96-94...

Spinks 96-94...

95-95.

The bout is a draw. On a "points" basis...Spinks wins only one round by more than 2 points...Curry wins 3...the other 6 rounds are all within 2 points. Curry inflicted more damage, and the point deduction in the 9th obviously costs Curry the decision. The Cobra is gracious about it after the fight, moreso than Spinks, who whines that he was robbed.

Donald Curry DRAW Corey Spinks

WBC Heavyweight: Hasim Rahman (1-2, 1 KO) vs David Tua (0-3)

Two struggling fighters in desperate need of a win. Tua has been stopped by Greg Page and Jerry Quarry and knocked out by Evander Holyfield. Rahman lost a questionable stoppage in the opening round of the tournament to George Chuvalo, and was featured prominently in the fight to have officials and physicians be more lenient in their treatment of cuts and swelling. His lone win was a knockout of Kirk Johnson. Most recently, he was stopped by Jimmy Ellis in November. Here, Tua is dominant early, putting Rahman down in the first and controlling the first 4 rounds. But Rahman recovers to take rounds 5 and 6, burying shots to the body of Tua. But in a strange 7th round, Rahman goes down twice, bouncing up at the count of 1 both times, arguing both as slips but losing both arguments. He responds by coming back and dropping Tua in the 8th. Rahman batters Tua for the remainder of the round, but he holds on. But Tua seems exhausted, and Rahman is all over him in the 9th. Tua keeps his feet but is battered throughout the round, and it appears Rahman may be able to take him out. But Rahman had experienced severe swelling above his right eye throughout the fight, and in the 10th, Tua follows a combination with a thunderous hook that puts Rahman down...and out. Tua gets a much needed victory in a thrilling, if ugly, bout.

David Tua KO 10 Hasim Rahman

More bouts of note to come

GH

Poor Rahman the man just can't seem to beat Tua and Spinks needs to get a rematch with Hearns, so hopefully this time Hearns blasts Spinks head into the third row like he should have the first time.

[GForce]

May '05: Notable Results Cont.

IBF Bantamweight: Gaby Canizales (1-1) vs Veeraphol Sahaprom (1-3)

The gritty Canizales takes on the talented but desperate Sahaprom, who is desperate for a win here, having failed to perform up to his abilities thus far in his young career. He blisters Canizales in the opening round, but this one gets hot and heavy in rounds 2 and 3, with both fighters unloading hard shots and landing often. Sahaprom's lip in split in the second and Canizales' eye starts to swell in the third...right before he puts Sahaprom down at the bell causing confusion. But it's ruled a knockdown and a more-startled-than-hurt Sahaprom seethes in his corner between rounds. He takes it out on Canizales in the 4th, mauling him and putting him down twice, the second time for good.


Veeraphol Sahaprom KO 4 Gaby Canizales

WBA Jr. Lightweight: Rafael 'Bazooka' Limon (5-0, 4 KO) vs Genaro Hernandez (3-2)

This is a rematch of their February showdown in which Limon knocked Hernandez out in 8. It was a pretty controlling performance by Limon, so nobody was quite sure why the rematch was signed, but it was. Hernandez fights a much better, far more efficient fight, limited Limon's power effectively. However, Limon does score a knockdown in the 5th, but is visibly frustrated at Hernandez's much improved defensive effort. Limon draws three cautions, but no points are taken away. In the end, the cards all read 95-94...two of them for Limon, who remains undefeated. He could very well line up as the mandatory defense for Arguello when the FBA's first official rankings come out July 1.

Rafael Limon SD 10 Genaro Hernandez

More bouts of note to come...

GH

[GForce]

May '05: Notable Results Cont.

IBF Heavyweight: Bruce Seldon (2-1, 1 KO) vs Tyrell Biggs (0-2)

We've seen a few fighters in desperate situations here, fighting for their contracts and their careers. Biggs is in that boat...at 5 below .500, an organization can terminate your contract, which means either the WBO to work your way back or retirement. Seldon takes the opening round, but then it's Biggs who takes over, beating Seldon to the punch and finding holes effectively. In the third, Biggs lands a savage hook to the ear that puts Seldon down on the mat. Seldon rises at 8 and Biggs, despite having nearly 2 minutes to attack, never really puts Seldon in trouble again in the round. He controls round 4 as well, but Seldon gets back on his game in the 5th and the two fight evenly. Round 6 is just an all-out defenseless slugfest. Both men land heavy blows and lots of them. But late in the round, Biggs' right eye swells rapidly, perhaps signifying a fracture around his eye. The round ends and his corner works to try to reduce the swelling. In the 7th, Seldon puts Biggs down and pounces afterward. Biggs covers up and hangs on, but the momentum has fully swung. Biggs' eye is in bad shape, but he responds well in the 8th and is again picking Seldon apart with his jab and working the cross well off of it. His defense has also been stellar. Sensing victory, Biggs' corner's sole job is to try and keep that swelling down and his vision cleared. He makes it through an even 9th round with minimal wear and tear, bringing us to the 10th round, with Biggs even on one card, up 1 point on another and 2 points on the third. The points would become wholly irrelevant though, as 40 seconds in, Seldon lands a barrage of shots that put Biggs on the mat for the 10 count. Seldon isn't near a title shot yet, but he is nearing contendership at least. As for Biggs, he'll hope to rebound later this year and keep his career from dying before it even really begins.

Bruce Seldon KO 10 Tyrell Biggs

WBA Bantamweight: Rafael Marquez (5-1, 3 KO) vs Alfonzo Zamora (3-2, 2 KO)

Zamora's two losses have come to, in has last fight, Eder Jofre, and earlier in the second-round of the tournament, to Marquez - both ending with Zamora knocked out in the third. Here he attempts to avenge one of those losses, taking on a man who is hoping for a shot at Jofre with a belt rather than revenge on the line. Zamora comes out showing Marquez he's ready with an exceptional first round, battering Marquez with everything but the kitchen sink and not letting Marquez try to strongarm him around the ring. The second round is a high-impact war, both fighters landing several hard, clean blows, taking two to give one. Both are landing at a 40% clip, so there isn't much defense involved here. Marquez loads up in the third and rattles Zamora with an uppercut right off the bat, then a hook and a straight right that send him reeling. A flurry at the 1:45 mark puts Zamora on his back, and Marquez attacks after he rises at 8. Marquez lands a pair of straights as Zamora backs away against the ropes. But suddenly, and inexplicably, Zamora drops his hands and ref Ken Morita jumps in and stops the fight. Zamora's corner is livid, and Zamora contests as well, arguing he was just trying to get Marquez to get careless and leave himself open. But regardless, it's Marquez who emerges victorious while Zamora, a very talented fighter in his own right, suffers his third lopsided loss against a top fighter.

Rafael Marquez TKO 3 Alfonso Zamora

More bouts of note to come...

GH

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by GForce

May '05: Notable Results Cont.

IBF Heavyweight: Bruce Seldon (2-1, 1 KO) vs Tyrell Biggs (0-2)

We've seen a few fighters in desperate situations here, fighting for their contracts and their careers. Biggs is in that boat...at 5 below .500, an organization can terminate your contract, which means either the WBO to work your way back or retirement. Seldon takes the opening round, but then it's Biggs who takes over, beating Seldon to the punch and finding holes effectively. In the third, Biggs lands a savage hook to the ear that puts Seldon down on the mat. Seldon rises at 8 and Biggs, despite having nearly 2 minutes to attack, never really puts Seldon in trouble again in the round. He controls round 4 as well, but Seldon gets back on his game in the 5th and the two fight evenly. Round 6 is just an all-out defenseless slugfest. Both men land heavy blows and lots of them. But late in the round, Biggs' right eye swells rapidly, perhaps signifying a fracture around his eye. The round ends and his corner works to try to reduce the swelling. In the 7th, Seldon puts Biggs down and pounces afterward. Biggs covers up and hangs on, but the momentum has fully swung. Biggs' eye is in bad shape, but he responds well in the 8th and is again picking Seldon apart with his jab and working the cross well off of it. His defense has also been stellar. Sensing victory, Biggs' corner's sole job is to try and keep that swelling down and his vision cleared. He makes it through an even 9th round with minimal wear and tear, bringing us to the 10th round, with Biggs even on one card, up 1 point on another and 2 points on the third. The points would become wholly irrelevant though, as 40 seconds in, Seldon lands a barrage of shots that put Biggs on the mat for the 10 count. Seldon isn't near a title shot yet, but he is nearing contendership at least. As for Biggs, he'll hope to rebound later this year and keep his career from dying before it even really begins.

Bruce Seldon KO 10 Tyrell Biggs

WBA Bantamweight: Rafael Marquez (5-1, 3 KO) vs Alfonzo Zamora (3-2, 2 KO)

Zamora's two losses have come to, in has last fight, Eder Jofre, and earlier in the second-round of the tournament, to Marquez - both ending with Zamora knocked out in the third. Here he attempts to avenge one of those losses, taking on a man who is hoping for a shot at Jofre with a belt rather than revenge on the line. Zamora comes out showing Marquez he's ready with an exceptional first round, battering Marquez with everything but the kitchen sink and not letting Marquez try to strongarm him around the ring. The second round is a high-impact war, both fighters landing several hard, clean blows, taking two to give one. Both are landing at a 40% clip, so there isn't much defense involved here. Marquez loads up in the third and rattles Zamora with an uppercut right off the bat, then a hook and a straight right that send him reeling. A flurry at the 1:45 mark puts Zamora on his back, and Marquez attacks after he rises at 8. Marquez lands a pair of straights as Zamora backs away against the ropes. But suddenly, and inexplicably, Zamora drops his hands and ref Ken Morita jumps in and stops the fight. Zamora's corner is livid, and Zamora contests as well, arguing he was just trying to get Marquez to get careless and leave himself open. But regardless, it's Marquez who emerges victorious while Zamora, a very talented fighter in his own right, suffers his third lopsided loss against a top fighter.

Rafael Marquez TKO 3 Alfonso Zamora

More bouts of note to come...

GH

Man, tough breaks for both Biggs and Zamora. Biggs needs to gets some matchups with some cans to shore up his confidence. Damn the third round hates Zamora.

[GForce]

Biggs' other two losses were a 4th round KO by Tyson and a unanimous decision loss to Michael Dokes. He needs a Vaughn Bean, James Tillis, perhaps Tex Cobb string to get himself righted. My guess though is Biggs ends up in the WBO sometime next year. He'll work his way back to draftable status by the big three, but it would take some perfect scheduling I think for him to salvage his IBF career at this point.

Zamora at this point just seems like a good second tier fighter. Him, Sung-Kil Moon, Orlando Canizales...they all slot in under Jofre, Marquez and Pintor. Zamora is a thunderous hitter, so he is certainly capable to beating any of these guys, but right now he's had 3 shots at the top guys and he's come up short 3 times.

GH

[GForce]

May '05: Notable Results Cont.

WBA Jr. Bantamweight: Khaosai Galaxy (3-2, 3 KO) vs Gustavo Ballas (2-1)

Beaten once by a simply flawless performance and another by a cut he couldn't overcome, that Galaxy chose a difficult opponent such as Ballas here for his next fight was a surprise to many. But Galaxy is confident of what everyone else says...that's he's the class of the division and it's just a matter of time until the gold is his. This fight was highly watched given it is a lower weight fight and not for a title, but the story surrounding Galaxy has garnered a lot of press. And the intensity escalates when early in the 4th, a shot opens up Galaxy above the right eye, exactly where the cut was that doomed him in his last effort. Galaxy knows it and responds with a vengeance. Ballas is dropped for 8 moments later, and is battered around the ring like a rag doll for much of the next 4 rounds until a barrage from Galaxy puts him down for the count in the 8th. A stirring win for Galaxy, whose corner did an exceptional job closing a significant cut.

Khaosai Galaxy KO 8 Gustavo Ballas

IBF Lightweight: Edwin Rosario (3-1-1, 3 KO) vs Howard Davis (1-4)

Rosario is trying to work his way toward a title shot at champ Orzubek Nazarov, and he advances that effort here with a stellar effort against Davis, who may be nearing the end of his time with the IBF. Davis has struggled mightily, and a loss in his next fight will relegate him to the WBO if he chooses to continue fighting. Davis actually won several rounds in which he wasn't knocked down...but he was dropped 4 times and the fight was stopped midway through the 10th when Davis absorbed several unanswered blows in a fight there was no way he'd win. Rosario up 87-81, 86-82, 86-82 at stoppage.

Edwin Rosario TKO 10 Howard Davis

More bouts of note to come...

GH

[Romdawg88]

Man you have to love love Zamora record against the upper level fighters 3 tries with 3 losses in all in round 3. I just hope that Biggs picks up a win before he ends up in the WBO, it would suck if his first stay in the upper divisons ended without a single win.

[GForce]

May '05: Notable Results Cont.

WBA Featherweight: Manny Pacquiao (5-1, 3 KO) vs Marco Antonio Barrera (2-1, 1 KO)

A much anticipated fight between a pair of guys shockingly taken out of the tournament by Freddie Norwood. But Pacquiao has stayed active, while Barrera returns to the ring for the first time since his defeat. Expected to be a war, this one starts more tactically than planned. Barrera seems to be confusing Pacquiao, who isn't quite sure how he wants to handle Barrera. Barrera cruises through the opening round, but he too seems reluctant to turn this into the brawl so many anticipated. Barrera works the body early in the second before Pacquiao catches him with a hard uppercut. Barrera is stunned and Pacquiao pounces. Barrera recovers and the war is on. Savage slugging starts in Barrera's favor but Pacquiao responds well before the bell sounds.

They feel each other out a bit in the third, Barrera's defense strong but he's sacrificing offense to keep it that way. In the fourth, the two explode again. This time it's Pacquiao who is landing the thunderous shots early and Barrera rallies back, ripping combinations off Pacquaio against the ropes to the crowd's jubilation. But Pacquiao lands a money hook after a toe-to-toe battle, and Barrera is shaken, letting Pacquiao finish the round strong. Midway through an even 5th, Barrera doubles up on the hook to the head, wobbling Pacquiao. But he responds with a savage combination that drops Barrera. He rises at 7 and survives the final minute.

A bizarre 6th round ensues. An even start, as both fighters are starting to show some wear. Barrera misses a jab but follows it up with a solid cross. Pacquiao is sliced terribly above the eye. Shockingly, ref Bill Regan jumps in to take a look at Pacquiao while Barrera was hoping to take advantage of the wound. Pacquiao is ushered to the ropes to see the doctor. A crowd mills around and after a long visit, Pacquiao is cleared to continue. The come together right away, and Barrera starts firing wildly. Immediately, Regan is back in as Pacquiao's cut is gushing terribly. The doctor looks at it and this time he calls a halt to the bout. Barrera raises his hands, but his celebration is shortlived.

Regan apparently and inexplicably determines that the cut is due to a headbutt after the first restart. As such, the bout goes to the cards as of the last completed round. By scores of 50-44, 48-46 and 48-46, the winner is MANNY PACQUIAO!!!

Pacquiao's expression is complete puzzlement. Barrera's is pure unadulterated rage. Regan is ushered quickly from the ring, as Barrera looks as though "Baby Faced Assassin" may become a literal name.

This one may be a legitimate protest to the FBA offices. Barrera's camp has said they already plan to do so.

Manny Pacquiao UD 5 Marco Antonio Barrera

WBA Welterweight: Ray Leonard (3-1, 1 KO) vs Ricardo Mayorga (3-1-1, 1 KO)

Having wiped out Felix Trinidad, Leonard moves on to a different but equally tailor-made fighter. Or so it was thought. Perhaps it was Leonard wanting to show he'd mix it up, but for whatever reason, he was leaving himself open for powerful blows from Mayorga early. And though he wasn't landing a high percentage, his sheer volume and Leonard's unwillingness to run let Mayorga pile up points in the early rounds. But Mayorga was leaving himself open as well, and Leonard was landing several stirring shots as well. Mayorga gleefully ate 3 punches to land 1, and as long as his blows where shaking Leonard, that was good. After being hurt and on the ropes to close the 4th, Leonard took over the bout in the 5th, perhaps tired of fighting a fight other than his own. He batters Mayorga the rest of the way and is hit considerably less (only 14% of Mayorga's blows landed overall) and after tenuous first 4 rounds, Leonard comes away with the clear unanimous decision, 99-91, 98-92, 96-95.

Ray Leonard UD 10 Ricardo Mayorga

And that concludes the major May matchups.

GH

[Brooks TVB]

Go Pacman Go!