The documentary "Klitschko" is outstanding. While I've long respected the brothers' boxing skills, I haven't found them to be particularly exciting figures -- either in or out of the ring. But this film presents them in an honorable light.
Vitali easily TKOed his victim in 4 rounds. Charr waited until after the bout was stopped on cuts, to show any desire to fight. He made Jerry Quarry's behavior after the first Ali fight appear as the very model of good sportsmanship.
DeMarco TKOed Molina in :44 seconds. "Hit 'em fast, and hit 'em hard," Rubin used to tell me. While the announcers on HBO expressed the belief the ref ended it too early, Molina did not complain. Good sign.
Chad Dawson won the first round on two of three judges' cards (and on mine), and then faced the most intense Andre Ward to date. Despite Chad's ability to create angles and side-step in close, and his skill at using his height, reach, and larger size and strength, Andre was brutal.
Ward decked Dawson in the 4th and again in the 5th, with short hooks. He out-jabbed Dawson, by coming under Chad's stick and blasting him with his own. And when the shorter man lands under the jab, it tends to be uplifting, thus forcing the opponent off-balance.
Dawson was well prepared for Ward's head and elbows: the "dirty" in-fighting was equal. But nothing else was.
At the beginning of the 10th round, I told my son that the only question was if Ward could take Dawson out? Darren noted that Ward was sitting down more on his punches, and that Dawson's legs were not good. Shortly after that, Ward landed a four-punch combination -- and in the classic manner of each consecutive punch becoming harder -- and Dawson took a knee. When he rose to take the 8-count, he told the referee that he was done.
I don't think that this was a bad loss for Dawson: he's still the light heavyweight champion. He fought a gutsy fight, and earned the boxing community's respect. He can continue to have a good career.
Ward has likely secured a higher ranking in the "pound-for-pound" ratings of boxing writers. And the boxing community will want to see him test his skills against the best possible competition. But there will be very few fighters -- and even less trainers/managers -- who will want to risk meeting Ward at this point in time. He really is that good.
= new reply since forum marked as read
