Quahog reports:
CORRALES BECOMES MAYWEATHER'S BITCH
Good God, that was a boxing lesson. Notwithstanding the fact that we're only one month into the new year, this fight had been hyped as perhaps the best match-up of 2001. Two undefeated champions: One bigger, stronger and taller versus a smaller but faster... and smarter opponent. The result......... Goliath barely able to hold back the tears as the serious ass-wooping began to take hold of his rattled brain.
I have never been a big Mayweather fan, but after tonight I am convinced that he is the best (and smartest) pound-per-pound fighter of the day.
In the first three rounds Mayweather dominated with his quick (and surprisingly powerful jabs), while Corrales did his best to keep his gloves up. 10-9 for Mayweather in all three rounds. In his corner before the fourth, however, Corrales looked calm and collected. At this point, I assumed that Corrales was playing his own game and biding his time to put his power into play; not so.
Rounds 4, 5 & 6 were replays of the first three. Although Corrales should have towered over Mayweather and used his tremendous reach advantage to jab through Mayweather's awesome timing, Corrales stood there like a punching bag. As unbelievable as it sounds, Compubox noted that Corrales landed only 7 jabs in the entire fight!
By Round 7, Mayweather clearly had Corrales' number with three knockdowns. Corrales, though, got up each time and was undeniably clearheaded, although shaken. Give credit to referee Richard Steele here for not stopping the fight, particularly given his past performances in this regard. Interestingly, Corrales had formally objected to Steele's participation in this fight given his questionable stoppages in the past. That objection may have been the only reason Corrales made it past the 7th Round, because no one could have faulted a stoppage at this point. Corrales' corner tells him that unless he does something, they will stop the fight. I scored the 7th Round 10-6 for Mayweather. Harold Lederman scored it 10-7, noting that most judges will not score below a 10-7 because it is too hard to make up. In my opinion there are 10 points for a reason, and I will score accordingly.
In the 8th and 9th rounds, Mayweather continued to score with the jabs, knocking Corrales' head back like a spring. Corrales goes down twice, both slips or pushes, but it is clear that his legs are gone. In his corner after the 9th, Corrales tells his trainer that he is "giving everything he has."
In the 10th Round, Corrales is knocked down twice. Again, after each it is clear that he has his wits and is able to continue......but what is the point. In what has to be considered to be excellent judgment, Corrales' trainer (and step-father) Ray Woods throws in the towel. Thank God.
In the post-fight interviews, Mayweather displays compassion and sportsmanship. Corrales is reduced to tears and uncertainty regarding his future. All in all, I have never seen a smarter, better executed fight plan than tonight.
Quahog. |
