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By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside
Photos: Robert Hughes
Welterweight Charles “The Future” Hatley (14-0 11KO) escaped with a hard fought eight round unanimous decision at Quik Trip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas over the veteran Emanuel Augustus (38-33 6KO), which saw both fighters hit the canvas in this action packed affair. Hatley, a former U.S. Amateur and 2008 Olympic Trials Finalist, has been fighting in relative anonymity against inferior opponents to date but with a victory over Augustus, who has been in the ring with the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Mickey Ward, could be his coming out party.
If Hatley thought this would be a walk in the park, it was anything but. Hatley came out the aggressor in round one and methodically landed a flurry of right, left combinations to the head and body of Augustus. Augustus instead began yelling at Hatley and complaining to the referee that he was being fouled. While Augustus would turn his head to complain, Hatley would throw punches and land. However, in the 2nd round, while Hatley was gaining confidence and taunting Augustus by sticking at his tongue, this seemed to only energize Augustus. Augustus turned Hatley on to the ropes and dropped him with a devastating combination of his own. Although Hatley got back to his feet, he was clearly hurt and immediately Augustus went for the knockout and landed numerous upper cuts as Hatley tried to cover up.
Hatley got his legs back under him and in the 3rd round began to unload once again to the head and body of Augustus. Hatley dropped Augustus with a powerful shot to the head. Augustus survived, but immediately Hatley was again landing shots from all angles. Hatley put Augustus on the canvas for a second time, but Augustus again was able to recover. It appeared Hatley would finally finish off Augustus with numerous unanswered shots to the head and body, but with the ropes holding Augustus up, the referee let it continue.
Hatley may have punched himself out in the 3rd round going for the knockout and was clearly tired after his barrage. He was flat footed over the next few rounds while Augustus was connecting with upper cuts and shots to the head and body of Hatley.
Hatley got a second wind and an encouragement from the hometown crowd to finish strong in the 7th and 8th round to pull out the victory. Although many at ringside thought the fight could have been a draw, the judges scored it 76-73, 78-75, and 75-74 all in favor of Hatley.
One of my favorite fighters ever ,but it is time for him to hang them up,he has been taking a lot of punishment in recent fights,and its time for him to stop before he is completely punch drunk.
Photos: Robert Hughes
Welterweight Charles “The Future” Hatley (14-0 11KO) escaped with a hard fought eight round unanimous decision at Quik Trip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas over the veteran Emanuel Augustus (38-33 6KO), which saw both fighters hit the canvas in this action packed affair. Hatley, a former U.S. Amateur and 2008 Olympic Trials Finalist, has been fighting in relative anonymity against inferior opponents to date but with a victory over Augustus, who has been in the ring with the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Mickey Ward, could be his coming out party.
If Hatley thought this would be a walk in the park, it was anything but. Hatley came out the aggressor in round one and methodically landed a flurry of right, left combinations to the head and body of Augustus. Augustus instead began yelling at Hatley and complaining to the referee that he was being fouled. While Augustus would turn his head to complain, Hatley would throw punches and land. However, in the 2nd round, while Hatley was gaining confidence and taunting Augustus by sticking at his tongue, this seemed to only energize Augustus. Augustus turned Hatley on to the ropes and dropped him with a devastating combination of his own. Although Hatley got back to his feet, he was clearly hurt and immediately Augustus went for the knockout and landed numerous upper cuts as Hatley tried to cover up.
Hatley got his legs back under him and in the 3rd round began to unload once again to the head and body of Augustus. Hatley dropped Augustus with a powerful shot to the head. Augustus survived, but immediately Hatley was again landing shots from all angles. Hatley put Augustus on the canvas for a second time, but Augustus again was able to recover. It appeared Hatley would finally finish off Augustus with numerous unanswered shots to the head and body, but with the ropes holding Augustus up, the referee let it continue.
Hatley may have punched himself out in the 3rd round going for the knockout and was clearly tired after his barrage. He was flat footed over the next few rounds while Augustus was connecting with upper cuts and shots to the head and body of Hatley.
Hatley got a second wind and an encouragement from the hometown crowd to finish strong in the 7th and 8th round to pull out the victory. Although many at ringside thought the fight could have been a draw, the judges scored it 76-73, 78-75, and 75-74 all in favor of Hatley.
One of my favorite fighters ever ,but it is time for him to hang them up,he has been taking a lot of punishment in recent fights,and its time for him to stop before he is completely punch drunk.
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