On Saturday night we saw two nights of championship action from both sides of the pond, here’s my review of all the action.
Tyron Zeuge V Paul Smith
Age caught up with Paul Smith as he loses a wide unanimous decision. Is this the end for Paul Smith?
Paul Smith walked to the ring looking confident, but he also looked like a man who knew that it’s now or never. Tyron Zeuge walked to the ring with what sounded like the whole country behind him.
The 1st started slowly both men trying to work off the jab, it was a close round but I think Zeuge might have edged it with the better quality punches. At the start of the 2nd both men were still trying to find their range, midd way through the round Zeuge was starting to out work Smith. It’s early of course but it looks like it could be a long night for Smith. In the 3rd Smith was trying to land shots but they were just falling short. Midd way through the round Smith did get through with a couple of nice shots that rocked Zeuge momentarily and Smith went looking for the finish. At the end of the round Zeuge looked fully recovered, but that will have given Smith a lot of confidence. In the 4th Smith seemed happy to let Zeuge lead off and try and counter him which I think is a good plan because he’s not going to be able to out box Zeuge, however nothing much happened in the 4th. In the 5th Zeuge started trying to land shots and Smith seemed happy to take it, Which is fine I can see what he’s Trying to do but he can’t afford to get to far behind on the cards.
Going into the second half of the fight I had Zeuge up by 4, but Smith was still in the fight. In the 6th round both men were trying to land body shots, still the better quality punches were still coming from Zeuge. At this point in the fight it looked like Smith was just been out worked. In the 7th Zeuge was starting to land some good shots to head and body. Smith did try and land some shots but they were just missing. Smith to me looked a step off the pace. In the 8th it looked like Zeuge was trying to step it up as he started to let his hands go. At the end of the round Zeuge was just strolling round the ring, Smith seemed to have no answer. In the 9th Zeuge continued to tee off on Smith it looked as if age has finally caught up with Smith .
So into the championship rounds we go I’ve still got it very wide to Zeuge. In the 10th Zeuge continued to box really well and it looked like Smith had nothing left, it was starting to look more like a sparring session then a fight. In the 11th Smith came out looking to unload he did land some nice shots but he couldn’t sustain it for the whole round.
So into the final round we go I have it very wide to Zeuge the only way Smith could win would be by knockout and I just can’t see that happening. In the 12th round Zeuge seemed happy to just walk round the ring and just throw when he needed to. Smith tried to work the body to no effect. At the end of the round Smith hit the canvas.
At the final bell I only gave Paul Smith 1 round in the whole fight.
Now it’s time for round two, we go to Las Vargas to see if it will be repeat or revenge.
Andre Ward V Sergey Kovalov
It was repeat for Andre Ward as he stops Kovalov in the 8th round in controversial fashion.
Walking to the ring Sergey Kovalov looked relaxed and up for it. Walking to the ring Andre Ward looked focus and full of confidence and with a point to prove.
In the 1st both men were just looking to find their range. Kovalov landed some good shots but Ward look happy on the back foot. Toward the end of the round both men were looking to get inside. It was a close round with nothing much to split them. In the 2nd Kovalov was on the front foot but it looked like he was just trying to land that one big shot. This was another close round but I think Kovalov edged it. In the 3rd round both men started to let their hands go. Ward was moving round the ring well and Kovalov couldn’t catch him. However Kovalov was doing well making ward work for every minute of the round. In the 4th Ward came out throwing shots I think he knows he’s behind. This fight is shaping up to be better than the 1st fight. In the 5th Ward looked to continue were he left off landing some good shots. Toward the end of the round Ward landed a big shot that rocked Kovalov. Although it’s still early Kovalov looks like he’s breathing heavy.
Going into the second half of the fight its very close but I have Kovalov 1 up because of the better start he had. In the 6th round it looked like Ward was trying to pick up the pace. Kovalov’s jab was still working well but it looked like he was jumping in with his power shots. At the start of the 7th both men went to war and started to trade big shots. Toward the end of the round Ward landed some good shots that seem to be hurting Kovalov. Although there’s no doubt that Kovalov made the better start Ward seems to be coming on strong now. In the 8th both men went to work on the inside midd way through the round Ward rocked Kovalov to his boots and Ward went looking for the finish. Ward continued to tee off and the referee jumped in and stopped the fight.
Even though Kovalov looked out on his feet it looked like a controversial stoppage because the punches that stopped the fight where low, and even if is wasn’t there was no need to stop the fight.
Also on the bill:
Luis Aries: Won with a 5th round knockout.
Dmitry Bivol: Won with a 4th round knockout
Guillermo Rigondeaux: wins by a controversial 1st round knockout.
Comment below and me know your thoughts especially on that stoppage, and on Rigondeaux’s knockout.