Gavronski KOs Selders, remains unbeaten

By Sam DiTusa at ringside

Middleweight prospect Mike Gavronski remained unbeaten with a dramatic sixth round KO of Tyrone Selders Saturday night at the second installment of Little Creek Casino’s “Fight Club Northwest” series in Shelton, Washington. Though Gavronski was pitching a shutout, the fight was competitive through five rounds. When Gavronski, the Tacoma native by way of Chicago used his jab he controlled the action. Selders pressed the action throughout and was able to get a quick right hands in at times. The tide turned in round five when Gavronski began throwing right hand leads followed by short hard left hooks which swelled up the Texan’s eyes. (more…)

Jimenez and Aquino draw in Santo Domingo

By Robert Coster
Photos: Martin Avilamaria

In a thrilling, all-Dominican war, Norberto Jimenez(14-8-2, 4 KOs) and rising prospect Eliezer Aquino(14-0-1, 8 KOs) fought to a five round tecnical draw in a battle for the WBA Fedecentro super flyweight title, property of Jimenez. The bout, held in the capital city of Santo Domingo, proved to be a memorable slugfest. (more…)

Harrison leads dominant local performances in DC

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Many fans came to the boxing card at the University of the District of Columbia Sports Complex to witness how far popular local fighter Dusty Hernandez Harrison has progressed. Fans wanted to see how the 18-year-old Harrison (he turns 19 on May 21) would perform against an opponent who has experience and a legitimate winning record.

Not only did Harrison survive his step-up encounter, he domininated his foe — Eddie Soto of Pawtucket, RI — with a highly effective fifth-round technical knockout victory in the main event on the card.

Harrison unleashed a blistering left jab that continuously kept Soto at bay. Harrison landed a brutal right hand to drop Soto in the second round. Later, Harrison used another right to put his most experienced foe away for the night in the fifth round where the bout was stopped at 2:48. Harrison is now 15-0, nine KO’s. Soto falls to 12-7, four KO’s. (more…)

Photos: Mosley defeats Cano in close fight

Photos: Alma Montiel

Former three-division world champion Shane Mosley (47-8-1, 39 KOs) won a close twelve round unanimous decision over WBA #12 super lightweight Pablo Cesar Cano (26-3-1, 20 KOs) on Saturday night in a welterweight bout at the Grand Oasis Arena in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Cano did more early, but the 41-year-old Mosley started coming hard in round six. After round eight, the WBC’s open scoring Mosley was up on two cards and Cano was ahead on one. Good two-way action in round nine with Cano having the edge. Mosley responded with a strong round ten. In the end, scores were 115-113 for Mosley on all cards. The future Hall of Famer claimed the vacant WBC International welterweight title.

WBC #1 super featherweight Sergio Thompson (27-2, 25 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Gustavo Sandoval (13-5-1, 11 KOs). The bout was stopped just as Sandoval went down from a pummeling. Time was 1:20. photos

Shindo dethrones Szebeledi

By Joe Koizumi

Japanese girl Go Shindo (12-2, 8 KOs), 112, became the first boxer that seized a world championship out of Wakayama Prefecture as she impressively captured the WBC female flyweight belt by a shutout decision (all 100-90) over defending titlist Renata Szebeledi (16-10, 10 KOs), 110.75, from Hungary, over ten hard-fought rounds on Sunday in Wakayama, Japan.

Shindo, OPBF 112-pound ruler, took the initiative all the way despite the 19-year-old champ Szebeledi’s occasional retaliations.
(More to come)

Photos: Matthysse annihilates Peterson, Alexander punishes Purdy

By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside
Photos: Tom Casino / Showtime

WBC super lightweight interim champion Lucas Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs) impressively annihilated IBF jr welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (31-2-1, 16 KOs) with a devastating third round KO on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Matthysse floored Peterson once in round two and twice in round three. Referee Steve Smoger waved it off at 2:14. The bout was a non-title match because Matthysse didn’t want to give up his WBC interim belt. Peterson remains IBF welter champ.

After the fight Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer proclaimed that Matthysse is the “new Manny Pacquiao.” Matthysse called out Danny Garcia and stated “Now I know I’m the best 140-pounder because no one has ever dominated Peterson the way I did today.”

IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (25-1, 13 KOs) scored a dominant seven round TKO Over Lee Purdy (20-4-1, 13 KOs). Alexander stayed right in front Purdy, loading up with high volumes of big shots. Purdy was outgunned but willing to trade. The fight was finally stopped by Purdy’s corner after round seven. The bout was switched to a non-title affair after Purdy failed to make weight.

In a clash of unbeaten welterweights, Shawn Porter (21-0-1, 14 KOs) dropped Phil Lo Greco (25-1, 14 KOs) twice en route to a one-sided ten round unanimous decision. Lo Greco was down in rounds nine and ten. Scores 99-89, 100-88, 100-88. (more…)

Photos: Verdejo still unbeaten, crushes Page in four

Photos: Joel Colon / PR Best

Red hot 2012 Puerto Rican Olympian Felix “Diamante” Verdejo (6-0, 5 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Corben Page (4-6-1) in a junior lightweight bout on Saturday night at the Ruben Zayas Montañez Coliseum in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Verdejo punished Page from the opening bell, putting Page on the canvas in round three. Referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. stopped the slaughter in round four. Time was 1:48.

In the main event, Gamalier Rodriguez (21-2-3, 15 KOs) stopped Alicio Castañeda (15-2, 6 KOs) in round three to pick up the vacant NABO featherweight belt. Time was 1:06.

In other action, unbeaten welterweights John Karl Sosa and Levan Ghvamicheva each stopped their outgunned opponents in round three. Sosa (7-0, 5 KOs) beat Tommy Bryant (3-9-3, 1 KOs) and Ghvamicheva (10-0, 8 KOs) beat Samuel “Sammito” Santana (5-8-2). photos

Photos: Sosa defeats Segura in war

Photos: Zanfer Promotions

In a WBC flyweight eliminator between former world champions, Edgar Sosa (49-7, 29 KOs) scored a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision over Giovani Segura (29-3-1, 25 KOs) on Saturday night at the Plaza de Toros Eloy Cavazos in Zitacuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. Sosa got off to a good start, but Segura came on strong in the middle rounds. Segura was deducted a point for a low blow in round nine. Sosa closed the fight very strong to take the fight by scores of 115-112, 116-112, 114-113. Quite a run for Sosa, who beat ex-champ Ulises “Archie” Solis just two months ago. He now has earned the chance to face the WBC flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi.

In other action, bantamweight Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr (19-0-2, 13 KOs) scored a first round KO over Noe Martinez (12-4, 5 KOs).

Unbeaten featherweight Adrian Young (18-0-1, 15 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Sylvester Lopez (20-5-2, 15 KOs) by scores of 95-92, 95-92 and 97-92. photos

Wadi Camacho wins Prizefighter Cruiserweights III

In the Prizefighter: Cruiserweights III final, Wadi Camacho (9-1, 5 KOs) scored a second round KO over Hari Miles (9-8, 2 KOs) to claim £32,000 in the eight-man, one-night tournament at York Hall in London. Camacho had previously stopped Miles by seventh round TKO six months ago. This time he dropped Miles twice in round two, the second time for the count. Time was 1:47. Matchroom Sports offered a £2,000 bonus for any knockout on the night and Camacho’s KO in the final made him the only man to collect.

Semi-finals:
Wadi Camacho W3 Nathan Owens
Hari Miles W3 Danny McIntosh

Quarter-finals
Wadi Camacho W3 Martyn Grainger
Nathan Owens W3 Shane McPhilbin
Hari Miles W3 Conall Carmichael
Danny McIntosh W3 Neil Dawson

Pathompothong stops Segu

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Johnny Chaichotchuang

IBF #7 Patomsuk Patompothong (24-1-1, 15 KOs) Jonus Segu (11-4-1) in round seven of a scheduled twelve round IBF Pan Pacific light welterweight title bout on Friday at Klung,Chanthaburi, Thailand. Pathompothong attacked Segu at the opening bell and connected with solid punches throughout the 1st stanza. The Tanzanian stepped up a gear in round two and edged the Thai. Pathompothong gained control of the bout in round three and chopped down Segu. At the start of round seven Segu advised referee Somsak Sirianant he had injured his hand and could not continue. (more…)

Robb defeats Herrera

Tonight featherweight prospect Guy Robb (11-1, 4 KOs) marched forward with a unanimous decision victory against John Herrera (4-7-1, 2 KOs) at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona. From the opening round, Robb controlled the action with pressure while throwing a lot of punches. Herrera was durable but never showed he could hurt Robb with any of his punches. The scorecards read 60-54 across the board. “This was my first fight with Boxing 360 and I’m glad I came out victorious.” said Robb. “My promoter Mario Yagobi says he plans to get me right back in the ring. Once I get back home I’m getting right back to the gym to get ready for the next one. I’m excited about my future.” Boxing 360 promoter Mario Yagobi said, “I was impressed with Guy Robb’s performance tonight. With a few more wins, I’ll be looking to step him up in competition and hopefully fight for a regional title by the end of the year.”

Results from Lincoln, Rhode Island

In a night of epic finishes, Providence’s Shelito Vincent left Twin River Casino with her first championship belt wrapped around her waist. Fighting for a title for the first time in her career, Vincent (9-0) responded with her most impressive performance to date Friday night, dominating tough challenger Angel Gladney (8-8-1) in an 80-71, 79-72, 79-72 unanimous-decision victory to capture the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) International super bantamweight title in the main event of “The New Era,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports. (more…)

Sanchez upsets Contreras

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Photos: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing

Thompson Boxing Promotions returned to the Inland Empire Friday night for its Path to Glory series at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. Riverside’s Richard “El Terminador” Contreras (10-1-1, 9 KOs) returned to the ring as he took on Victor Sanchez (4-6-1, 1 KO) of Houston in the scheduled eight round featherweight main event. Sanchez and Contreras battled it out for six rounds as Victor Sanchez pulled the upset. (more…)

#3 featherweight Brunker, ex-champ St. Clair triumph

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former 2004 Athens Olympic representative and WBO #3, IBF #9, WBA #10 featherweight Joel Brunker (26-0, 15 KO’s) stopped Maxsaisai Sithsaithong (12-3, 3 KO’s) in round four of a scheduled ten round main event at the Richmond RSL club, Richmond, NSW, Australia on Friday. Brunker, looking for a shot at the IBF or WBO title in 2013, outscored Mexican Ivan Hernandez in 2013 and made a successful USA debut when he scored a KO over Carlos Fulgencio in the opening round compliments of a power body shot in New York in October 2012. Gary Shaw and Angelo Di Carlo guide the career of Brunker. He is trained by John Barber.

In the main supporting bout former IBF 130 pound champion Gairy St Clair (45-12-2, 18 KO’s) outscored Australian based Filipino Roberto Oyan (20-38-4,7KO’s) over eight rounds. St Clair won the world IBF title in 2006 by out pointing South African Cassius Baloyi and lost the title also in 2006 when Malcolm Klassen won a twelve round split decision in South Africa. St Clair has clashed with former world champions, Diego Corrales, Vivian Harris and Leonard Dorin.

Promoter John Barber

Woodhouse obliterates Horvath

By James Slater at ringside
Photos: Scott J. Raven

Curtis Woodhouse, now boxing at lightweight, destroyed 19 year old Budapest fighter Sandor Horvath with a body shot on Friday night at the Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield, Yorkshire, U.K. Catching the Southpaw half way through the opening round, the 33 year old who made huge headlines with his recent twitter troll hunt, ended the mismatch with ease. The time was just 1 min and 36 seconds. Horvath beat the count but looked dazed. This was a strange one really. Woodhouse is now 18-5 (11). Horvath falls to 9-7(5). (more…)

Jones wins war against Lebedev; Povetkin destroys Wawrzyk; Grady Brewer demolished

Photos courtesy Timeunion

In a sure fight of the year candidate, WBA champion in recess Guillermo Jones (39-3-2, 31 KOs) scored an upset eleventh round KO over WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (25-2, 19 KOs) on Friday night at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia. The 41-year-old Jones had a good first round cutting Lebedev over the right eye. Lebedev came out very aggressive in round two, but Jones did his share of damage too. Same scenario in round three. Lebedev’s eye was swollen shut. Jones took more big shots in round four, but worked over Lebedev in round five. Lebedev came back strong in the sixth round and punished Jones in the seventh. Lebedev dominated round eight, but Jones found his second wind in round nine targeting Lebedev’s eye. Lebedev’s face was swollen grotesquely after round ten. Fighting virtually blind, the game Lebedev finally went down in round eleven. Jones wins by KO. Jones’ promoter Don King, written off by some a few months ago, is back in the game with a new world champion.

WBA regular heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (26-0, 18 KOs) annihilated previously unbeaten Andrzej Wawrzyk (27-1, 13 KOs). After a slow round one, Povetkin dropped Wawrcyk with a huge right hand early in round two, then punished Wawrcyk for the rest of the round. Povetkin dropped Wawrcyk twice in round three to end it. Time was 2:03. With the win, Povetkin ensured his $23 million showdown with WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko later this year. WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko was looking on at ringside.

Middleweight Dmitry Chudinov (9-0, 6 KOs) scored a third round TKO over 42-year-old former “Contender” winner Grady Brewer (30-16, 16 KOs). Chudinov dominated the fight and Brewer quit after round three. photos…

Pungluang captures WBO Int title

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Onesongchai Boxing Promotion

Former WBO bantamweight titleholder Pungluang Sor Singyu (44-2, 29 KOs) easily captured the vacant WBO international 118lb title when he destroyed Juma Fundi (19-9-1,9KOs) with a vicious right hook, scoring a KO at 1:22 of round two. With this impressive victory, promoter Pariyakorn Ratanasuban said that she is now trying to negotiate with Paulus Ambunda’s team for promoting a WBO championship rematch which may occur at the early part of 2014.

In other action, WBO #4 flyweight Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym (22-0-1, 9 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over Alexis Tarek. Former WIBA women title challenger Ploynapa Sakrungrueng (9-3-1) drew with Nongnun Sor Praithong in a six round non-title bout. Paithong Muangsima outpointed Susu Sithjadaeng in a six round non-title bout.

This event was promoted by Pariyakorn Ratanasuban of Onesongchai Boxing Promotion last Friday at Nongbua School in Nakornsawan Province, Thailand. photos

Rendall Munroe stops Laszlo Fekete in 101 seconds

By James Slater

Former European and Commonwealth super bantamweight champ Rendall Munroe stopped Hungary’s Laszlo Fekete in just 101 seconds of the first round on Sunday. Boxing in his hometown of Leicester, the 32-year-old hurt his southpaw foe with a right to the head, then decked him with a left. The visiting fighter got up but the fight was waved off. Munroe, who briefly retired late last year, fought at a career high 9 stone 7 pounds. Munroe is now 25-3-1, 11 KOs. Fekete falls to 6-2, 5 KOs. Promoter Mike Shinfield says he wants to get Munroe out again asap.

Beltran-Cobos battle to draw in Tijuana

By Felipe Leon
Photos: Renzo Novara

After super featherweight Miguel “Barreterito” Beltran came down with a sciatic nerve injury mid way through fight week, his older brother Alberto “Barreterito 1″ Beltran (14-1-1, 8KOs) had to take the reins of last Saturday night’s Zanfer Promotions fight card held in an open air mini bull ring on the ground of the Caliente racetrack in the heart of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Close to two thousand fight fans witnessed Beltran at times struggle but at the end come back to earn a tough draw against hometown Rafael Cobos (12-4-5, 3KOs) in the eight round main event broadcast live by TV Azteca in Mexico. (more…)

Holm finishes boxing career with clear win over McGee

Ringside by Gerardo Martinez & Chris Cozzone
Photo by Chris Cozzone

Inside a sold out Legends Theater, Albuquerque’s Holly Holm (33-2-3, 9 KO’s) ended her boxing career with a clear unanimous decision win and retained her IBA and WBF light welterweight titles against Gary, Indiana’s Mary McGee (20-2, 11 KO’s) with scores of 100-90 on all three judges cards in the Fresquez Productions main event.

Matthew Baca (3-1, 2 KO’s) of Albuquerque came back after his sole loss to win against Arizona’s Armando Gonzales (2-3, 1 KO) with scores of 58-56 times three. Albuquerque’s Rocky Romero (3-0, 2 KO’s) was successful in his return to the ring against Las Vegas’ Michael Coca Gallegos (1-11, 1 KO) with a unanimous decision win with scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37. In a lightweight bout Gabe Gabaldon (1-0) made a successful debut against Brandon Salazar (0-1) by taking a majority decision with scores of 38-38 and 39-37 times two. Starting off the action in a cruiserweight bout was Manny Rocha (1-0) who flattened 48-year-old Flory Olguin Jr. (0-1) with an overhand right at 1:55 of round three to steal the win.

Perkovic defeats Hoffmann in rematch

In a rematch, heavyweight Alexander Petkovic (46-4-4, 25 KOs) scored a workmanlike twelve round unanimous decision over the “Deutsche Eiche” Timo Hoffmann (40-9-2, 23 KOs) on Saturday night at the Ufgauhalle in Karlsruhe, Germany. Scores were announced as 116-112, 118-110, 118-117. They previously battled to a majority draw in October 2010. Petkovic retains his Global Boxing Union heavyweight title.

McDonnell defeats Ceja to win IBF bantam belt

By James Slater at ringside
Photos: Scott J. Raven

Doncaster man Jamie McDonnell is the new IBF bantamweight king after a very hard fought and exciting twelve round majority win over previously unbeaten Mexican youngster Julio Ceja. Both men gave their all in a terrific battle that saw virtually no clinching. The fight really caught fire in the second half and at times there was some great trading up close. Ceja looked more tired at the end but it seemed he’d done more work. Still, the judges scored it 114-114 and 115-113 and a disgusting 118-110 to new champ McDonnell. The Ceja camp are sure to scream robbery. McDonnell is now 21-2-1, 9 KOs. Ceja lost his unbeaten record in falling to 24-1, 22 KOs. Rematch anyone? (more…)

Burns stops Gonzalez in nine to retain WBO lightweight title

Photos: Joel Colon/PR Best

World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion Ricky Burns (36-2, 11 KOs) retained his title with a gutsy ninth round TKO over previously unbeaten #1 rated Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (22-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland. Gonzalez, from Puerto Rico, dictated the pace of the fight as he dominated Burns for the first six rounds. After being badly outboxed, the desperate champion came out in round seven and traded shots with Gonzalez in some fierce action that seemed to take all the fight out of the challenger. Burns continued to come on in rounds eight and nine and the badly faded Gonzalez quit on his stool citing an injured wrist between rounds nine and ten. At the time of the stoppage Gonzalez had a three point lead on all three cards. (more…)

Dunn stops Gonzalez

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Werner Kalin

Australian super middleweight prospect Zac Dunn(8-0, 7 KOs) stopped Fernando Marcos Gonzalez (11-20, 4 KOs) of Argentina at the Hungarian Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in the scheduled eight round main event on Friday. Referee Tony Marretta crowning Dunn at 1.51 of round two.

Light heavyweight Ryan Breese (2-0) outscored Brad Traynor (0-3-1) over four rounds. Scores 60-53, 60-53, 60-53.

Bantamweight Mark Schieibs (3-0, 2 KOs) outscored Superjames Singmanasak (3-12) over four. Scores 40-36, 40-36, 40-36.

Promoter Murray Thompson.

photos

Oliveira defeats Cordero in Santo Domingo

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBC #15 jr middleweight Michael Oliveira (21-1, 16 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Colombian former world title challenger Francisco Cordero (28-2, 20 KOs) on Friday night at the Teo Cruz Coliseum in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Cordero stated there was a problem with one of his hands and remained on his stool at the beginning of the third tound. Oliveira retained his WBC Latino and WBA Fedelatin and belts. It was the 23-year-old Oliveira’s fourth straight win since his defeat in June 2012 against former world champion Popo Freitas. Cordero was a former world junior lightweight contender.

Also, undefeated super flyweight sensation Jose “Chiquiro” Martinez showed great skills and great power to stop at 2:15 of round four the Dominican warrior Geyci Lorenzo (12-8, 3 KOs) who was former 3 time national champion for the Dominican Republic national team. (more…)

Paris, Lock victorious in Detroit

Jr welterweight Vernon “The Iceman” Paris (28-1, 16 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Manny “Manos” Perez (19-9-1, 4 KOs) on Friday night at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan. Perez seemingly outworked Paris, but the hometown favorite prevailed by scores of 97-93, 96-94, 98-92

Featherweight Cornelius “Lighting” Lock (21-6-1, 13 KOs) overcame two knockdowns to win a unanimous decision against “El Negro Mexicano Lightning” Lonnie Smith (14-5-3, 10 KOs). Lock controlled the fight but Smith was credited with knockdowns in round four and five, although both should have been ruled as slips. Smith was deducted a point in round ten for spitting out his mouthpiece. Scores were 97-91, 96-92, 95-92.

Medzhid Bektemirov defeats Randy Griffin

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Medzhid Bektemirov (12-0, 9KO) put in a workmanlike performance to win a fairly easy unanimous decision against former middleweight contender Randy Griffin (25-4, 13KO) for the vacant WBC United States (USNBC) light heavyweight title a the Anatole in Dallas, Texas. The card was promoted by the Real Estate Council in Dallas. Bektemirov hurt Griffin in the 1st round with an upper cut and tried to finish him off banging him all over the ring, but could not put him away. Griffin was also hurt in the 3rd, 6th and 7th round by Bektemirov solid left hooks but was able to remain on his feet and finish the fight. The scores read 117-111 and 118-110 twice for Bektemirov who remains undefeated with the win.

McGee looking for a Holm run in Albuquerque

Story and photos by Jose Leon Castillo III

“Nothing can sour this moment,” states “Merciless” Mary McGee, of Gary, Indiana.

“To be in this fight is a dream come true.”

On Saturday, McGee, 20-1, 11 Kos, will face long-time champion Holly Holm, 32-2-3, 9 Kos, at Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque. The Fresquez-promoted card will feature Holm in her final boxing bout, for a pair of minor titles at welterweight, as well as Holm’s pound-for-pound supremacy . . . Click here for more

Uchiyama finishes Parra in five

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese Takashi Uchiyama (20-0-1, 17 KOs), 130, kept his WBA super-featherweight belt as he sank previously undefeated challenger Jaider Parra (20-1-1 10 KOs), 129.75, a Venezuelan jabber, in agony with a single body shot at 2:15 of the fifth round on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. It was Uchiyama’s seventh successful defense with six within the distance. (More to come)

Solis wins WBA 115lb belt from Kono

By Joe Koizumi

Venezuelan Liborio Solis (15-3-1, 7 KOs), 115, unified the WBA super-flyweight belt as he, WBA interim ruler, defeated WBA regular champ Kohei Kono (28-8, 11 KOs), 115, by a majority decision (115-111, 114-112, 113-113) over twelve hard-fought rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Kono floored Solis with a countering right in round two, but the Venezuelan dropped the Japanese back with a vicious left hook in round eight in a give-and-take total war. (More to come)