Boxing News
Jermain Taylor-Kassim Ouma Ringside Report
Dec 10, 2006 • 12:00 AM ET
By Keith Terceira
Last night's event at the Alltel Center in Little Rock Arkansas now has the distinction of being the largest attended indoor sporting event in Arkansas. With what is reported as 10,100 in paid attendance it is only surpassed by the Rolling Stones.
The walk up sales in the last three days before the event nearly reached the three thousand mark as Arkansans made a clear statement in support of Jermain Taylor, Dominick Guinn, Terry Smith, and Ray Smith.
What is really unbelievable is that this event drew some many during the holiday time, just after a huge football season and while people are attempting to save for a trip to the Citrus Bowl.
Had this event been scheduled during the summer months the sky may have been the limit.
The ride into little rock was uneventful, almost as if everyone was either home awaiting the Heisman Award results or going to the Alltel arena to support another Razorback hero. One long 75 mile an hour caravan into the Arkansas capital city. While on the road Emanuel Steward returned a call I had made between pit stops and we tossed around some thoughts concerning Kassim’s size.
“ Little guys can surprise you but we have done all the training and we are ready for tonight”
Steward commented, an element of concern in his voice even if slight.
”Ouma hasn’t been stopped before, we hope that we can end it early but we trained for the event that we can’t”
Some may only be interested in the main event but the under card has some good matches that effect the heavyweight scene as well as other pro’s from Arkansas getting the spotlight in a major setting .
Two interesting bouts occurred just prior to the main event and here is how we saw the action.
Super Lightweights Emanuel Augustus versus Russell Stoner Jones
For the WBC Continental Americas Championship
For the WBC Continental Americas Championship
Early in his career the Road Warrior Augustus had a hard time collecting wins but in the last few years he has bean getting more respect from the boxing public. Stoner Jones may be a five hundred fighter at 15-15 but he is a tough fighter who spars continuously with Donald Carmarena and Shawn Gallegos.
Round one
Augustus displayed a better arsenal as he picked apart Jones in this round mixing punches up and down stairs on a shelling up Jones who exchanged little more than jabs and a half dozen weak rights
Round to Augustus 10-9
Round two
Much the same as round one except that Augustus seems to be working on body shots in the gym these days. He is more aggressive than I remember seeing, placing his combinations well. Towards the end of the round Jones fires back several four punch combinations but he is not as Sharpe as he could be, the crispness doesn’t show in his punches.
Round to Augustus 10-9
Round three
Jones is firing back his jab in this round but it is hanging in the air as Emanuel ducks under it and counters.
Good exchange at the middle of the round gets the crowd into the bout. Jones lands left hook -right hook then fires it again and this time at the bell Augustus slips under and the punches go overhead .
Round to Augustus 10-9
Round four
Both fighters are happy exchanging in the center of the ring but Augustus is constantly busy always throwing and landing. He puts on a little show as Stoner seems to hurt him with a right then gets back to business . Augustus is hurt but you can see it all come back as he rips the body with a hook then upstairs with another .
Round to Augustus 10-9
All judges have fight scored 40-36 at this point in open scoring.
Round five
This is a dominating performance by Emanuel with only a few short exchanges taking place on Jones part.
Several times in the round Augustus throws four and five punches reloads and does it again. Jones seems to hope to come on in the later rounds but is digging a hole he can’t climb out of.
Several times in the round Augustus throws four and five punches reloads and does it again. Jones seems to hope to come on in the later rounds but is digging a hole he can’t climb out of.
Round to Augustus 10-9
Round Six
Jones is dancing and slipping but stops and receives a left right left follows by a double hook from EA.
Stoner is moving his head well out of range but is getting hit easy in range. It is at the point now where it is at will. As the bell sounds Jones receives a dozen unanswered shots along the ropes.
Stoner is moving his head well out of range but is getting hit easy in range. It is at the point now where it is at will. As the bell sounds Jones receives a dozen unanswered shots along the ropes.
Round to Augustus 10-9
Round Seven
Augustus continues to be able to land at will and a minute into the round and the exchange rate is thirty to one. Jones glove gets caught in the ropes and that gives him a reprieve. At the end of the round Jones is now a target not and opponent.
Round to Augustus 10-9
Round eight
Thus far I have the fight scored a shutout and the ref paid close attention to Russell Jones at the close of round seven. Jones has fought better and seems to have lost his timing but he does manage to land a good flurry then back peddles along the ropes landing a few right hooks and a solid straight right at the bell. Jones performed better that round or Augustus is tiring from the volume of punches he is throwing
Round to Augustus 10-8
All judges score the fight 80-71 with a ten - eight round probably in the seventh from the unanswered volume thrown by Augustus
Round Nine
Jones is coming on better in punch count landing several groups but he is eating more leather as well and he lands at the close of the round perhaps pulling one off but it is unlikely.
Round to Augustus 10-9
Tenth and final
Jones’ attempt to get back into the fight in the last round has soured and again Augustus takes control with volume and his punch selection, he has always been a warrior now he is a more skilled adversary. Jones deserves crdit for hanging in but in was a shutout.
Round to Augustus 10-9
Boxingscene scores it 100-89
100-89, 100-89, and 100-90 on the judges score card.
Welterweight Andre Berto (15-0-0 13KO) versus Miguel Figueroa (24-5-1 14Ko’s)
2004 Olympian Berto attempts to remain unbeaten against a more experienced Figueroa and again they say that numbers don’t lie and Berto’s record is no fantasy.
Round one
Berto is displaying his amatuer experience and it is taking all Miguel can muster to weather the round as he is pounding mercilessly around the ring at the bell Berto has Miguel out on his feet but time expires.
Round two
Figueroa starts in control but quickly Berto begins picking him apart again with short quick bursts and a crisp jab. Miguel is more hesitant about the exchanges now and gets caught with a beautiful uppercut that lifts his head into the nosebleed section and it only gets worse from there. Berto gets caught on the chin with a lead right hand but shakes it off telling Miguel it wasn’t enough ….
Round three
Andre is mixing his punches well alternating between the left jab and a lead right, control the center of the ring. Swelling is now apparent under the right eye of Figueroa and possibly the left as well. Round ends but again this is a shutout in favor of the red corner.
Round Four
Berto continues to stalk his opponent and demonstrates more of his defensive skills this round as Miguel is busier. Swelling in both eyes now of Figueroa and Berto shows no sign of letting up. A more effective round for Miguel but berto is a patient machine who explodes with punches. Berto falls in love with the uppercut this round pinning Miguel on the ropes several times and concentrating on that one punch. Again Figueroa is saved by the bell as Andre punished him with several unanswered hooks and uppercuts.
Round five
Berto opens with two left right combos and goes back to the uppercut. Andre seems skilled at keeping his opponent right along the ropes and controlling the center of the ring. Miguel lands a few jabs but he is caught once again on the ropes and gets abused for it by a flurry of solid perfectly thrown blows that signals the end of this bout.
1:59 of the round is the time and Berto remains undefeated and by the looks of it will be so for a while. This is another fighter Margarito won't face to soon I think.
“It was fun and I had a good time and 2007 will be a good time and I want to prove to the public and the fighters that I’m here to fight “ Berto commented
WBC Middleweight Title Jermain Taylor (25-0-1 17ko) vs. Kassim Ouma (25-2-1, 15KO’s)
Round One
Crowd is blocking the isle as try to return to my seat so action is impossible to view. Earlier I do believe the loudest HOG CALL ever erupted from the Arena.
Taylor is coming out for a quick win and lashes Ouma with good combinations but begins to retreat to the ropes at the close of what I could catch
Boxingscene scores it 10-9 Taylor after review
Round two
Ouma is coming forward and holding his own but I think Taylor is much to strong for Kassim. The quiet crowd has come to its collective feet and the atmosphere is as good as any championship fight … Kassim has the edge in speed and is dictating the fight then runs into the more powerful shots of Taylor.
Boxingscene scores it 10-9 Taylor
Round Three
Kassim begins the round with a good one two combo but Taylor returns the favor and the two return to the center of the ring. Taylor is fighting from a defensive posture and landing the harder shots. He is beginning to use his reach more effectively while Ouma continues to press forward.
Boxingscene scores it 10-9 Taylor
Round Four
Ouma still coming forward stalking Taylor and as Taylor lands he ties up Ouma . What is working for Taylor, is the jab as he back peddles catching Ouma as he chases. Another quick flurry towards the end of the round and Taylor ties his opponent up..
Boxingscene scores it 10-9 Taylor
40-36 on all cards for Taylor in the open scoring system
Round five
Three quick left hooks by Jermain demonstrate his own skills in the speed department and a wild left hook fails to land. Ouma marches forward but Taylor dictates the fight with his counter punching ability. A cut is opened over Jermain’s left eye from what appears to be a butt.
Boxingscene sees it Taylor winning all rounds so far
Round Six
Ouma is more aggressive this round iand is landing better. Taylor’s eye has reopened after it appeared to be closed by cut-man Ray Rodgers after round five. Taylor stops fighting on the defensive at the end of the round and takes the lead whether it was enough to win the round is a coin flip.
Round a draw
Round seven
Again Taylor back peddles as Ouma comes in landing the harder blows wanting to counter rather then take over the fight completely . Now the tide shifts and Taylor takes command. When he chooses to control the action Taylor is successful it is a mystery why he wants to counter Ouma. The cut is still bleeding and he is reaching for it to wipe it periodically. When Taylor throws the lead right it lands nearly all the time but Ouma doesn’t seem to slow in his forward style. Round ends with another Taylor round of hard power shots. Rodgers is working furiously to stop the bleeding between rounds.
Ouma takes Seven
Round Eight
More of the same with Ouma coming forward and Taylor switching between countering and backing up to taking the reins and being more aggressive.
Round to Taylor 10-9
Open scoring 80-72, 78-74, 80-73
Round nine
Cut has reopened if it ever closed but doesn’t seem to be blurring Taylor’s vision .. Some of the steam has left Taylor and it looks as if starting back a round or two that he used to much up trying to take out Ouma early.
Round to Taylor 10-9
Round ten
Ouma is more aggressive and Taylor isn’t countering as well this round . Some of his punches are beginning to miss and he ties up Ouma afterwards. A good shot lands and then a short burst now he is back on track and countering as he has most of the fight. Right at the bell Ouma walks into a left right combo but it wasn’t enough to take the round.
Ouma wins round ten 10-9
Round 11
Ouma still controlling the tempo with Jermain reacting. Eye is now swelling and Ouma moving in on it. Ouma lands as he comes is but when Taylor responds with those big blows you can see the sweat spray from Ouma’s head that is the power behind the shots Taylor is throwing but as the round ends Ouma still control the fight.
Ouma 10-9
Round 12
The fight stays the same with Ouma coming forward Taylor countering with the harder punches and Ouma controlling the volume of punches, constantly coming forward. Taylor ties up, breaks and begins to back away from the ever charging Kassim . Ouma’s only recourse is a knockout of Taylor.
Round ends and I give the round to Ouma 10-9
Judges score it 117-111, 115-113, 118-110
Boxingscene scores it 115-112 Taylor.
According to Ray Rodgers cutman for Taylor
“The cut had nicked an artery and every time it stopped bleeding Ouma would reopen it.”
Reports last night stated that it may need 10-12 stitches to close but Taylor was in good spirits after the win.
Undercard:
In the first bout Ray Smith the undefeated light heavy (5-0-0 2 ko) of Little Rock took on Norristown , Pa. ‘s Randy Pogue (8-5-1-2Ko) in a four round battle.
Pogue seemed a little mystified by the spectacle of it all and maybe there is a few hundred in their seats at the sound of the bell but it was early in an evening that would set records for attendance in the state..
Smith landed several straight right hands in the first and basically sharpshooters his way to take the first round. His punches are technically sound, coming straight from the chest and the inside work he uses , he drives from his legs well. This is a well schooled fighter who is sure, baring any problems in or outside of the ring to catch the eye of a promoter soon.
Between rounds Pogue is sucking wind and comes out on the attack but is soon rocked by the more polished Smith. A game Pogue is a bit outclassed in the skill department but his heart carries him the land a few good combinations this round. Smith lands a few hard hooks just before the bell to end the second.
Another 10-9 round for Smith
At the start of the third round Pogue’s hands are dropping when they break and Smith is still the crisper fighter landing left-hooks and the straight right on the southpaw. Right at the end of the 3rd Smith loads up three straight rights that stunned Randy.
10-9 Ray Smith
Round four begins with Ray looking much fresher than his nemesis but he continues to load up instead of just letting his hands go. It’s plain to see Smith wants a knockout in front of the hometown crowd, it doesn’t come though as the bout ends.
Boxingscene has it 40-36
Smith win the unanimous decision 40-36 on all judges cards
Rumor circulating around the state was that this was an audition for Ray Smith, who is an unsigned prospect hoping to catch on with DiBella.
Bout two of the evening pitted Terry Smith , of Arkansas (28-2-1 18kos) against journeyman Earl Ramon Hayes (15-21-1 10 ko’s) of Athens , Ga.
It was obvious from the start that Hayes came to win this eight round fight.
In the first round ; Hayes landed the harder shots the first minute and a half until Smith discovered he could land the right hook to the body and counter Hayes’s jab with a left hook.
Round to Hayes 10-9
Round two
Hayes is getting the best of Smith with right and left hooks but they are looping shots more arm than anything , his size difference gives the blows a big effect on Smith who struggles. The end of the round sees Smith come back a bit but not enough to take the round in my eyes
Round to Hayes 10-9
Round three
Smith is more determined at the start of the round landing a couple of good hooks but looses the momentum when Hayes pins him on the ropes . Smith lands two good straight rights as the rounds ends with a more even round this time.
Round to Smith 10-9
Round four
Smith uses a couple of foot faints to start the round sliding in behind them with five and six punch combinations . He is warming up now and not looking for the knockout. Smith is in workman mode , putting his punches together more effectively and backing the bigger man up. Earl lands an occasionally well placed jab or right hand led but his bulk is beginning to work against him.
Round to Smith. 10-9
Round Five.
Fighters are working from the clinch with Smith having the busier hands and Hayes landing fewer but harder shots. Smith keeps walking into a stiff jab instead of slipping an countering but pulls it together in the end with five unanswered shots made up of wide looping hooks.
Round to Smith 10-9
Round Six
Fighters are taking a break through most of this round but Smith comes on an awakens the giant, Hayes who lands more left hook counters, but they are singular shots compared to the combos of the Arkansas native. Smith’s business wins him the round
Terry Smith 10-9
Round Seven
More of the same but Smith has allowed Hayes to recover his wind and it looks that this will be a tough distance fight at this rate.
Round eight
Smith is still winning on punch count and taking the fewer but harder blows. He is the more skilled fighter and Hayes though heavier didn’t have enough to stop Smith which was his only chance in the eighth.
Boxingscene scores it 78-74
Smith wins the unanimous call and commented after the bout
“I am still starting slow but I am letting my hands go much better. My problem was I wanted the knockout here in front of my people , where I eat, where I lay my head at night. You can’t plan the KO ,you have to just go to work.”
79-73, 78-74, 78-74 was the judges call.
Heavyweights Dominick Guinn vs. Zach Page
This fight interested me because I wanted to see which Guinn would show tonight, would we see the skilled boxer with all the tools to succeed of would we see a half-hearted
Round One
Zach Page is outclassed by Guinn for the early part of the round at the 2 minute mark Guinn drops him with a straight right and for the moment the skilled boxer is in the ring with Page, the blown up cruiserweight, and he is very hungry.
Guinn 10-8
Round Two
Page holds his hands wide enough to sail the QE2 through and Guinn makes him eat leather for it repeatedly with quick jabs and lead rights. For a change Guinn is the bigger man and even the arm blows have an effect on Page. The round ends with both fighter shoulder to shoulder slugging it out. Page is beginning to stick and move at the end .
Guinn 10-9 in a close round
Round Three
Both fighters seem to want the inside game and with Pages poor defense he is better off with the short game. On his toes now and fighting at range Guinn seems hesitant and Page lands a 1-2 followed by a good solid hook and Guinn exchanges with a hook of his own to the body. More infighting as the round ends with none getting the upper hand.
This is a closer round and Page pulls it out with an in and out style.
Page 10-9
Round Four
Page is gathering more confidence and dancing better even getting one hand up in defense. Guinn keeps coming forward though and lands a few shots of his own. Page is not intimidated any longer and seems to have remembered his rhythm . A body shot by Guinn takes some energy from Page as the round ends. Page is the busier fighter and Guinn is fighting Pages fight.
Round to Page 10-9
Round Five
Page is up and waiting for Guinn as the round begins, and he goes back to sticking and moving. Guinn’s timing is off like he is not used to fighting a slicker smaller fighter. When Guinn does land though the punches really move Zach back. Towards the middle of the round Guinn finds his jab and makes Page begin to pay. A few three punch combos by Guinn signals the end of the round.
Round to Guinn 10-9
Round Six
Page tries to continue moving but his legs won’t keep up the movement so he stops occasionally and when he does Guinn moves in and makes him pay with body work and right hooks. Page is faster than Guinn’s jab but he lets Guinn inside behind it. Guinn forces Page back on the bike but he just moves and doesn’t punch now.
Round to Guinn 10-9
Round Seven
Page is still moving and Guinn doesn’t seem to want the win. There swelling around his left eye and what appears to be a slight cut on the lower lip. Throughout the round Page continues to dictate and control the fight. Whether he gets the win or not Page has shown some good skills and makes this a close fight with superior outside work and movement .
Round to Page 10-9
Round Eight
Page is fresh and moving obviously in superb condition . Guinn is robotic still and seems to have no drive at the moment ..Page continues to sting Guinn with the jab stopping and exchanging then he is back on the bike with Guinn stalking him.
Round to Page 10-9
Boxingscene 76-75 Guinn
I scored the fight 4 rounds to 4 rounds with the 10-8 first round being the difference ..
Page gave a strong performance and deserves a big round of applause.
The judges see it split 77-74 Guinn, 76-75 Page, 79-72 Guinn ….
Middleweights Ronald Hearns (10-0 8 KO’s) versus Robert Smallwood (4-2-2, 4KO’s)
Round one sees Ronald Hearns dropping Smallwood of St. Joe, Missouri four times in the round . It took 2:55 for Hearns to chalk up the tko in a hugely mismatched fight but the game Smallwood even from under the ropes wanted to keep going. Hearns continues to show shades of greatness and when the time comes for him to move up keep a watch for this young fighter… He has his father‘s skills and power.
The crowd is cheering now not for the boxers but focused on the jumbo-tron above the ring which is showing the Heisman Award Show and when running back Darren McFadden of Arkansas is mentioned the crowd erupts. All eyes are pointed up in hope that the Razorback hero is rewarded for his outstanding performance this year. D-MAC takes second in the Heisman voting, first goes to Smith of Ohio.
A short intermission and we continue with a six round bout between Super-Middleweights Jaidon Coddrington (13-1 11ko) of Queens, N.Y. and Thomas Reid (35-17-1 13KO‘s) of Jackson, Tenn.
Codrington is a very skilled fighter who has a long future ahead of him and the warrior Thomas Reid could not muster enough to derail the Jaidon train.
Codrington by UD 59-51 on all cards.
Email comments to KTerceira@aol.com