Final Impact: Preliminary Bouts

First impression (8:01pm cdt): Oh crud, it’s Nick Charles. The whole night isn’t ruined, but it’s in jeopardy.

Preliminaries:

Matt Korobov -vs- Mario Evangelista

Does anyone else notice that Korobov has unusually large nipples? Evangelista is light on his feet and tough as a stale rock, but he’s slo-o-ow. Evangelista quit about halfway through the third, and it’s a good thing. I was starting to flinch on his behalf.

Lamont Peterson -vs- Lanardo Tyner

Tyner has a funny way of staying loose before the fight, bouncing back and forth between his handlers like a pinball. Holy cow, Tyner seems confident and attitudinal as he gets rough and tries to trade shots with Peterson! He also seems to have good timing and no fear, we’ll see how far that carries him. Tyner gets the first round in my book, but Peterson gets the second and third and is looking large and in charge as we go to round 4. In round 4 Tyner evidently decided that since he is still upright, he’s going to go for broke and opens two cans of whupass on Peterson. Then at the end of the round Peterson is penalized a point for repeated low blows (justified). Round four goes to Tyner, round five goes to Peterson. It’s a barnburner!

Rounds 5 and 6 are more sedate and go to Peterson, though Tyner continues to smile and talk. In the seventh Peterson dominates but is warned near the end for another low blow – and at the end of the round Tyner shoves Peterson, who falls into the ropes and barely avoids bruising his tailbone. Round 8 is again statistically dominated by Peterson, but I can’t help liking the irrepressible Tyner. Tyner looks exhausted through most of round 9 but manages a meaningful flurry at the end. Look for Tyner to let it all hang out in the tenth – this is Peterson’s most likely chance at a knockout.

Round 10 ends up in Peterson’s column – no kayo for Lamont tonight, but I score this fight 97-92 for Peterson. Tyner was done in by his long periods of inactivity and his tendency to block punches with his head.

The judges give Peterson the unanimous decision by scores of 98-91, 99-87 (huh?) and 99-90, and it’s no surprise.

Jorge Arce -vs- Isidro Garcia

First round to Garcia.  Second round to Garcia, and Arce’s left eye is either swelling or bleeding.  I can’t tell which it is, but it’s clearly bothering him.  Arce shows some power in round three but Garcia is quick and has a Plastic-Man jab – Arce takes the third by virtue of his greater power and higher workrate in this round.  In round 4 Garcia is hurt by a body shot and takes a knee a few seconds later at 2:32.  Referee Tony Weeks waves off the fight at about 2:12 of round 4 as Garcia takes an extended flurry without responding.

Nonito Donaire -vs- Moruti Mthalane

This fight was stopped at 1:31 of round 6 due to a cut eyelid (Mthalane) caused by a punch – Donaire is declared the winner.  Mthalane had a good cry, but Donaire was a gracious winner.

Chavez Jr -vs- Vanda

See a detailed round-by-round account of this fight at http://fisticmystic.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/round-by-round-matt-vanda-vs-julio-cesar-chavez-jr-part-2/

Quoteboxing: Chavez -vs- Vanda

It is my usual modus operandi to spend fight day thinking about nothing except the fight.  So as usual, I’ve got DirecTV channel 123 on playing an endless loop of the Top Rank promo for tonight’s “Final Impact” PPV event featuring the rematch of Julio Cesar while I work around the house.  I began to fiddle with the fighters’ quotes (and those of Bob Arum) to entertain myself.  Here’s what I came up with:

Chavez:           If I win, I do it well.  And if I lose, I do it with honor… I don’t like to make any kind of excuses.  If I say it, it’s because it really happened.  When I woke up I had a sore throat…I felt a bit dizzy…I was shivering.  I went and saw the doctor immediately – he told me I had a fever and a sore throat.

Vanda:            I guess when the going gets tough, if you’ve got to make excuses, that’s fine.  I’ve had my ass kicked, I’ve kicked ass – I don’t make excuses.

Chavez:           The last thee rounds of my first fight [with Vanda] I fought out of courage, because I was feeling that I would pass out.

Bob Arum:      The first fight was a very, very exciting fight – Chavez early on looked like he would blow past Vanda, and then Vanda came on in the second part of the fight and by the tenth round Chavez was clinging to life…and Julio Junior was lucky to escape with a victory.

Chavez:           I’ve addressed things much more seriously, because I want to make a name for myself in this sport.  I think the doors are open for me, I just have to follow the right path.

Arum:              He’s got to prove his endurance…either he preserves his strength in the early rounds and doesn’t throw as many punches…or demonstrates that he can go with a tremendous workrate in the early rounds and still have the strength left, and the stamina in the later rounds, to be as dominant as he was earlier in the fight.

Chavez:           I’m going to beat Matt Vanda with a bang.  That’s all I’ll say.  I’m going to beat Matt Vanda.

Vanda:            He’s going to get knocked out.  We’re going to end it before ten rounds is over.

Chavez:           He couldn’t even knock me down in the last three rounds [of the first fight], when I was barely holding on.  Does he really think he can do it now that I’m 100 percent?

Vanda:            He’s nothing special.

Chavez:           I’m going to beat Matt Vanda clearly.  That’s all I’ll say.

Vanda:            I’m just going to go in there and beat his ass.

Round-by-Round Matt Vanda -vs- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – Part 2

For the unfortunates (those who can’t see the tonight’s fight themselves) I am posting a round-by-round account of the night’s proceedings with updates at the conclusion of each round.

Observations on the preliminary bouts can be found here: http://fisticmystic.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/final-impact-preliminay-bouts/

Pre-fight:

Vanda makes his way to the ring without fanfare, then the lights dim and Chavez enters the ring to the accompaniment of a mariachi singer.  Everything looks pretty tame.  Hey Jim Maurine and Ron Lyke – I hope you’re having as much fun as last time!  By the looks on your faces I’d say you are.

Round 1:

Each man leads with single shots though 2:14, Chavez lands a good left to the head at about 2:05.  Vanda shoots an ineffective jab, more single shots without much landing to 1:25.  Left jab lands for Vanda at 1:06.  Both men miss more punches.  Vanda gets hit by a hook and then an uppercut about :38 to :35.  Left-right lands for Vanda at about :09, the two men circle and miss with more jabs and the bell.

Round 2:

[Technical difficulties]  No advantage to 2:16, Chavez lands a straight right at 2:00.  Vanda puts a jab on Chavez’s face, but gets hit with two hooks for his trouble.  Chavez is tentative and not busy.  Good left hook lands for Chavez.  Double left jab by Vanda, right to the body by Vanda.  Chavez lands to Vanda’s body and jumps in again.  Circling, measuring, nothing happening to :16.  Chavez and Vanda trade hooks just before the bell and Vanda grins like a jack-o-lantern as he walks to his corner.

Round 3:

Vanda is beginning to stalk Chavez in round three, lands a left-right at 2:28.  Chavez lands a five punch combo at 2:26.  Vanda is unconcerned,  the two trade more single shots.  Vanda lands a combination at 1:40, then a good ovehand right.  Chavez is flurrying at 1:30.  Vanda’s left jabs bounce off Chavez gloves to 1:05, Chavez connects with a good straight right at :51.  Most of Chavez’s punches are blocked, most of Vanda’s miss.  Chavez flurries and Vanda covers up at :05.

Round 4:

Between rounds Ron Lyke instructed Vanda to throw more, even if his punches are blocked by Chavez’s arms, let’s see whether Vandahe complies.  Vanda is more shifty and appears to be trying to time Chavez through 2:30.  Good left hook by Chavez at 2:07.  Double left jab lands with good effect for Vanda at 1:50.  Vanda connects with two hooks, misses the third, and eats a good jab.  Vanda continues to follow Chavez, the reverse of what he did in July, when he walked backwards and lured Chavez in.  Vanda gets aggressive at 1:03, lands a major right hook at :54 and again at :51.  The two men trade, first Chavez and then Vanda.  The crowd is getting into it.  Mauling to :21, Good straight right snaps Chavez’ head hard, Chavez and Vanda stand and stare at each other for the last three seconds before the bell.

Round 5:

Vanda connects with three jabs by 2:52, absorbs a couple of body hooks from Chavez.  Vanda looks more confident, knowing that Chavez can’t hurt him.  Left hook, straight right lands for Vanda at 2:09.  Both men land hooks simultaneously, Chavez bounces Vanda back with a body shot, Vanda flurries at 1:35 then lands a single punch as a follow up. Chavez is flurrying and Vanda is covering up again at 1:18.  Vanda feints, then charges in with a left hook to the body.  Chavez smells blood and attacks at :52 but to no effect.  Single jabs and hooks are not going to do it for Vanda.  Vanda misses badly with a hook at :05, the two bob and stare, and the round ends.

Round 6:

Each man throws a left at 2:53, neither lands.   Double left jab again for Vanda at 2:40.  Neither man is landing with great effect, but Chavez is landing more frequently to this point.  Low blow by Chavez goes unnoticed by the ref at 2:05.  Vanda lands another single jab at 1:50.  Vanda can’t get inside so his jabs and long-distance hooks wil have to do the trick.  Vanda lands two hooks then goes low, Chavez is indignant, appealing to the referee for help.  Lands a strong right at :55.  Chavez may be running down, as his workrate his suffered.  Now Chavez is warned at :29, I know not for what.  Vanda throws a single left hook to Chavez’s body, catches Chavez with a couple of good hooks just before the bell, then Chavez dodges and ducks to the round’s end.

Round 7:

Vanda lands a serious left to the gut of Chavez, Chavez looks to the ref for help again.  Straight left lands for Vanda.  Chavez is throwing two and three hooks at a time, Vanda doesn’t respect Chavez, then it seems he does.  More hooks and a couple of uppercuts by Chavez.  Now the two begin to trade, and Vanda lands a right uppercut at 1:43.  Chavez wings in some flailing hooks to the body of Vanda, Vanda is throwing more combos now. Chavez is getting the same eyes-glazed look he had in the first fight, and Vanda is landing a bunch of punches.  Chavez lands about five in a row, then Vanda comes back with a single and a 1-2.  Chavez lands a major right hook and Vanda comes right back at him.  Right to the temple lands for Vanda at :13, Chavez responds with a flurry, and Vanda has his best moment of the evening in the closing ten seconds, backing Chavez into the ropes and pummelling him.

Round 8:

It doesn’t look like a kayo is in the cards, but Vanda is going to try.  Vanda comes out more aggressive in round 8, and Chavez is very defensive to 2:28, then lands several big hooks.  Now a right to the kidney seems to have hurt Vanda, but he’s nothing if not tough. Will Chavez punch himself out?  Vanda lands a good extended combination at 2:13-2:03.  The two are forehead to forehead now, mauling.  Vanda lands a single right, Chavez lands a slow flurrry of hooks.  Vanda connects solidly with a right at 1:26.  Vanda looks more and more annoyed as the fight goes on.  Chavez’s face is a death mask.  Vanda backs into the ropes, takes about six punches to the body, and then fails to answer.  Now he throws another single jab, but his efforts are largely ineffectual. Vanda lands two hooks to the body and a straight to the head. Now Vanda lands repeatedly from :17 to :10.  Chavez flurries at :10.  Now both men stop fighting, Chavez drops his hands, turns his back, and walks away from Vanda before the bell rings.  Note to the Predator: the next time he tries that, clock him.

Round 9:

Vanda lands a few good single shots, but doesn’t flurry.  Chavez lands a couple of good hooks but Vanda is unmoved.  The two are bobbing and looking but not throwing much to 2:10.  More hooks from Chavez, Vanda is tring to weather the storm but is failing to aggress.  Chavez lands three punches, Vanda is only throwing single jabs and occasional hooks to 1:10.  Vanda lands a serious right to the face of Chavez at :50 but fails to capitalize, ad Chavez flurries back at :40.  Chavez has a talent for running backwards on his toes very rapidly.  Vanda lands a good right but is answered by a long combination of hooks by Chavez, and the penultimate round comes to a close.

Round 10:

Chavez thows two weak hooks and eats a good punch by Vanda.  Vanda comes with desperation at 2:35 and is effective but it doesn’t last.  Now Chavez is landing too many hooks.  Vanda and Chavez are trading in the center of the ring and Vanda looks pissed.  He’s jawing at Chavez ow at 1:43, lands a good left hook to the body, Chavez throws more hooks and they’re good ones.  Now Vanda lands twice with feeling at 1:20.  Vanda lands a staight right to Chavez at 1:10.  Chavez is being cute, dropping his hands and taunting Vanda to hit him.  Chavez flurries with hooks, Vanda comes back with half as many.  The two are trading again now, the referee distracts Vanda at :20, now they’re back at it and finish with style.  I don’t kow what’s up with the bell, but both men quit fighting and Vanda is offering to touch gloves before the final bell rings.

Conclusion:

Unlike the last fight between these two, Chavez is on his feet and animated as the decision is announced.  The scores are 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92 in favor of Chavez, and though I don’t like the margins on two of the thee cards, it’s hard to argue that outcome.  I give Vanda three rounds, but three rounds don’t win you a ten-round fight.

Chavez -vs- Vanda 2

It may not be a title fight or a “big” fight as far as the wider sporting world is concerned, but this Saturday night (November 1) Matt Vanda and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr give us boxing’s closest approximation to a big fight: an anticipated fight.

Matt Vanda, photographed by Rich Peterson, 13twentythree Photography

Hardcore fans in the US and casual fans in Mexico have been waiting for this bout with keen anticipation since Vanda provided an unexpectedly stern test for young Chavez back in July.  Writing at the conclusion of that bout but before the decision was announced, it was my opinion that night that although “Vanda was much stronger in the final round,” Chavez probably deserved a close decision and “It’ll be considered a bad decision by the Minnesota crowd, but it’ll be the expected hometown decision for the Mexican hero’s offspring.”  It’ll be no surprise to anyone to learn that I stand by that today – Chavez piled up points in the early and middle rounds and by my scorecard had six rounds in his column.  But the Mexican crowd was offended by the fact that one judge dishonored Vanda by scoring the fight a shutout in favor of Chavez, especially when Vanda was so energetic and completely unmarked immediately following the fight.  So here’s the dual key for Saturday night’s fight: will Vanda be more aggressive in the early rounds, and conversely, will Chavez be less comatose in the later rounds?

The pick here is for this fight to look much the same, despite Vanda’s protestations to the contrary.  He says he’ll pick up where he left off in the last fight, break Chavez’s nose in the fifth, and knock him out before it’s all over.  More likely, Chavez will come in in better shape than last time, Vanda will be less tentative in the first few rounds, and just like last time, neither man will have power sufficient to kayo the other.  So we go the distance, and there’s no telling who wins.

Are These Still The Good Old Days?

Think fast: When’s the last time a Minnesota boxer headlined an event in Las Vegas?  When was the last time a Minnesota boxer headlined a pay-per-view anywhere?  Let’s face it, folks – these are the good old days of Minnesota boxing.  There are a lot of good fighters around our big state.  Whether any of them will eventually make a big worldwide splash is a question for someone smarter than the Fistic Mystic, but it’s sure going to be fun to watch and find out.

Due Respect to Vanda:

It has been said of sailors that they reason as they feel.  That is, their thoughts are dictated by their feelings.  It may also be true of Vanda – he has a reputation for a mercurial temperament.  But while we may not all hold Vanda in reverence, it’s only fair to credit him for his willingness to fight all comers and acknowledge that his unique attitude and disposition is serving him well enough these days.

Upcoming Boxing Events: Fall 2008 in Minnesota

All information provided here is tentative and is subject to revision or cancellation.

October 4 in Rochester, MN – Raphael Butler headlines against 9-12 Billy Willis of Houston, TX.  Ronnie Peterson makes his professional debut, Yevgeniy Shishporonek, the venerable Bobby Butters, and some out-of-staters fill out the card.

October 11 at Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN – Sechew Powell headlines against 13-17 Clarence Taylor of Wilmington, DE.  Wilton Hilario returns to action following a long layoff.  Phil Williams, Bobby Kliewer, and Tim Taggart all hope to erase memories of recent losses.  Minneapolis heavyweight Van Goodman and a host of strangers round out the card.

October 24 at the St Paul Armory in St Paul, MN – the American Boys, Jason and Allen Litzau, promote their own show.  Details are sketchy but seem to include Brad Patraw.  Antonio Johnson, aka the St Paul Kid, aka the unluckiest man in boxing is also said to be hoping for a spot on this card.

October 24 at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg, MB – Larry Sharp and Oney Valdez headline while Minnesotans Christ Holt and James Wayka are confirmed and Antwan Robertson is rumored for the undercard.

October 25 at Mortorelli Gym in Superior, WI – Jungle Boy Zach Walters, Gary Eyer, RJ Laase, Skulli Armannsson, and the alleged Andson Griggs of Horton’s Gym in Duluth comprise the home team, with the opposing side yet to be cast.  Walters will be looking for an emphatic win after his surprising last-minute loss to Shawn Hammack in August in a fight he had dominated for seven and a half rounds.

November 1 at Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas, NV – Matt Vanda and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr clash once again in the highly anticipated rematch of their controversial July 12 bout.  Chavez hopes to leave Vanda behind and move on with his nascent career, while Vanda hopes to make a big statement by hanging the first loss on Chavez Jr.  This bout headlines a six-fight PPV event.  Get your fifty bucks ready!

November 28 in Sioux Falls, SD – Joey Abell is expected to appear in the main event, but his status may be jeopardized by the small but deep cut he received in his recent fight with Al Cole in Sweden.  The remainder of the card has not yet developed.

Editor’s note: amateur events are also planned for:

• October 1 at El Nuevo Rodeo in Minneapolis
• October 9 at Grandma’s Sports Garden in Duluth
• October 11 at Uppercut Boxing Gym in Minneapolis
• November 1 at Uppercut Boxing Gym in Minneapolis
• November 8 at the St Cloud Armory in St Cloud
• December 13 at Uppercut Boxing Gym in Minneapolis

See www.livefromringside.com for more details

Matt Vanda gets his Rematch with Chavez Jr

Well, that didn’t take long.

After showing up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Mexico on July 12, Matt Vanda came out the moral victor despite losing the fight on points.  Chavez Jr appeared to be in control through the halfway point of the fight, but the rugged brawler from the East Side of St Paul hounded Chavez to exhaustion in the late rounds.  The Mexican fans, no suckers when it comes to boxing, booed their countryman and pelted him with garbage after the scores were read - particularly the stunning 100-90 card of judge Francisco Mouret.

Young Chavez suggested in the ring during his post-fight interview that he was disgusted with the fans and on the brink of retirement.  Within hours the Chavez family was claiming that Junior was ill, delirious, didn’t know what he was saying.  They said that he had a sore throat, a fever, some unspecified injection just prior to the bout.  It wasn’t more than a few days later that ESPN reported a rematch was being made in October, then the rumors began to circulate that it would be in New Jersey, in St Paul, or in Vegas.

All those nuggets of knowledge and empty rumors are now history.  Numerous sources are reporting, and Boxrec’s fight schedule confirms, that Chavez and Vanda are scheduled to meet on October 25 in Mexico on a card promoted by Bob Arum.  It’s unclear whether Vanda will go through with the previously scheduled September 20 event at Treasure Island Casino, but it would be easy to forgive him for staying idle until the (presumably) big payday in October.

For Chavez it’s an opportunity to redeem himself.  The conventional wisdom would be that Chavez will get fit early and work hard to overcome the persistent lack of conditioning and inadequate skills that have been his hallmark to date.  The reality will be interesting to see.

http://www.boxrec.com/show_display.php?show_id=559314

Upcoming Events, Minnesota Boxing Scene – July 19, 2008

None of this information is new, but you may not have seen it all in one place before.

• Shakopee’s middleweight professional boxer Anthony Bonsante (31-9) is scheduled to face up-and-coming Haitian prospect Adonis Stevenson (11-0) in a 10-rounder on August 1 in Montreal.  The fight is a co-featured bout along with middleweights Sebastien Demers (25-1) -vs- Fulgencio Zuniga (20-2) and will be televised on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights program.
• Andover-based Seconds Out Promotions will be co-promoting an event at Grand Casino Hinckley on August 29 with Los Angeles-based Goossen-Tutor Promotions.  The event has been titled “Undefeated” and will feature knockout artist Phil Williams of Minneapolis (8-0 with 8 kayos) against Marcus Oliveria (13-0-1 with 10 kayos) and Caleb “Golden” Truax of Osseo (7-0 with 4 kayos) against Stephan Pryor (10-3-1 with 7 kayos).  Local fighter Willshaun Boxley (3-0 with 2 kayos) continues the ”undefeated” theme, while Mohammed Kayongo (13-2 with 10 kayos), Jon Schmidt (5-1 with 4 kayos), Van Goodman (2-1-1 with 2 kayos), Brad Laffin (4-2 with 4 kayos) and Kirstie Davis (3-1 with 3 kayos) help to round out the card.  Former St Paul resident Antonio Johnson (7-0 3 kayos), now of Oakland California, has told the Fistic Mystic that he also expects to be on this card.
• Fortune Bay Casino in Tower, Minnesota is expected to host an event on August 31.  The only confirmed name on that card is Zach “Jungle Boy” Walters of Duluth in the feature, though speculation is that this might be a good chance for former Minnesota featherweight titleholder Darby Smart of Chisholm to get back in action after a 23-month layoff.
• ESPN’s Dan Raphael has predicted that St Paul’s Matt Vanda (38-7) will get his rematch with Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (37-0) following Chavez’s controversial win on July 12, which ended with Chavez’s hometown crowd in Hermosillo, Mexico pelting him with cups, bottles, beer and ice after the decision was announced.  Chavez’s camp now claims that he was ill going into the first fight, while Vanda’s cutman Jim Maurine has posted on the Minnesota Boxing Forum that Chavez’s head trainer visited Vanda in the locker room to tell him that he had won the fight. (http://minnesotaboxingforum.aceboard.com/274221-1022-4215-1-SPLIT-DECISION.htm)
• Both Anthony Bonsante and Matt Vanda are tentatively scheduled to fight in separate matches on September 20 at Treasure Island Casino in Red Wing.  No opponents have been named, and the only name on the undercard is new pro Ceresso Fort of St Paul, who is 1-0 with 1 kayo after defeating Ray Walker of St Paul in a bout contested at light heavyweight in his professional debut on June 13.

Round-by-Round: Matt Vanda -vs- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Vanda enters the ring in red shorts with a red bandana wrapped around his head.  He’s looking nonchalant, even disinterested.  Now comes Chavez, playing to the crowd, bedecked in green robe, gold chains, and red headband.  Accompanied, appropriately by his dad – Chavez looks about 14 years old.  Audio is poor, but who cares if I can’t hear Jimmy Lennon Jr, because the ring card girl at his right elbow is very lovely to look at.  Blah blah blah, Jimmy.  I think the ring card girl just smiled at me!  Vanda is introduced as Matt “Depredador” Vanda!  Now Chavez Jr, who is doing a hula dance in his corner.  No, he’s just stretching.   He’s finally undressed.  I think it took his dad a while to get all the accessories removed and stowed for the duration.  The two fighters touch gloves…And away we go!

Round 1

Cautious jabbing to 2:47…Vanda throws a healfhearted left-right combo…measure, measure, measure thru 2:16, then a righthanded body shot by Vanda connects.  Little action to 1:55…Chavez is backing up, Vanda pursuing carefully…more feeling out to 1:35, then Vanda connects a couple times, Chavez throws two body shots, then a right may have landed to the head at 1:15…Let hook from Vanda blocked at :55, was it a low blow?  The two touch gloves at :46…Vanda throwing more to the body, Chavez returns to the head, but no real action now to the :18 mark.  Vanda throws a brief 2-punch combo and the round is over.

Round 2

Between rounds Chavez was looking all around at the crowd instead of taking instructions.  I’ve never seen that before.  The round is under way and we have more careful jabbing from both men.  Vanda connects a left hook to the head at 2:47, Chavez backs Vanda into the ropes at 2:35 but fails to make hay.  Each fighter connects with two body shots at about 2:22.  Vanda is the aggressor here, Chavez is going a little low, but then follows with a hook upstairs at 1:58 or so.  Both fighters very cautious, little action to 1:33…A straight right from Chavez at 1:21, and Vanda has his back to the ropes.  JCC1 is yelling from his seat, Chavez Jr responds with a combo.  Lots of feints, lots of jabs, little action to :45.  Left hook to the head for Vanda at :38.  Chavez presses him into the corner at :29.  Vanda is bouncing on his toes at :22.  Chavez walks Vanda backwards into the ropes as the rounds ends, but fails to aggress.  Round ends.

Round 3

JCC1 looks aggravated between rounds.

We’re under way again, Chavez throws a genuine head shot at 2:51, but it’s a single shot.  Shoves Vanda into the ropes at 2:36.  Vanda connects three times to the body at 2:25, to little effect.  Chavez throws a multipunch combo at 2:04, Vanda connects a stiff right to his head, another one at 1:48, jabs effectively, this fight is looking pretty even.  Chavez snaps Vanda’s head…backs Vanda into the ropes and throws body shots, but Vanda escapes at 1:11.  Right hook glances off Vanda’s jawa at :55, more body shots from both men thru :35, head shots are largely missing.  Vanda is gaining confidence, leading Chavez backwards into the ropes where the two trade, they move away from the corner and continue to trade shots, Chavez gets the better of it as the round ends.

Round 4

JCC1 is demanding two right jabs and a left hook from his seat between rounds.

Vanda lands a jab at 2:56, little else happens through 2:44…Vanda backs into the ropes voluntarily again, walks around Chavez, both men miss with more punches.  Vanda lands a good left-right at 2:11.  Chavez is getting inside and throwing body shots.  Goes slightly low at 1:56.    More body work from Chavez, and Vanda seems content to stand at the ropes and absorb the punishment.  Right hook to Vanda’s head at 1:28, and Vanda lands a left hook to Chavez’ head at 1:06.  Vanda drops his hands at :39, Chavez connects and then Vanda does.  Vanda’s left hand is at his waist at :25, he isn’t afraid of Chavez.  Chavez, inexplicably, is concentrating on the body while Vanda’s head is exposed.  A nice flurry by Chavez before the bell.  Neither man is looking stronger or tougher, but Chavez probably deserves to be ahead on points at this time.

Round 5

Commercials go long and we join the fight at 1:45 or so.  Little action to 1:09, but Chavez’ bombs are getting through with  more frequency than Vanda’s.   Neither man has the other timed, and yet both are connecting.  Vanda connects a nice right at :48.  Vanda dances a little at :33, Chavez is more mobile and stronger, but Vanda is hanging with him.  Chavez is making the height and reach advantage work for him, and probably won this round by a narrow margin.  Chavez is throwing lots of power shots but to little effect as Vanda is covering up effectively.  Vanda did connect strongly several times that round, but Chavez landed more often.

Round 6

Vanda connects with a nice jab at 2:50, throws a wide right-left hook combo to the body…Chavez is bulling him around, but doing little damage.  Vanda doesn’t score a lot but he is game and isn’t afraid of Chavez at all.  Right lands to Chavez’ chest at 1:52.  Left hook misses, Chavez makes him pay.  Then Vanda lands a couple of strong body shots at 1:32 or so.  Vanda retreats to a corner, sticking good jabs as he does so.  Back in the center of the ring, the two trade shots from 1:15 to 1:00.  Vanda likes it inside, but gets hit frequently with strong body shots when he’s outside.  Left to the ribs might have hurt Vanda at :28, but he hides it well. Vanda hits Chavez with a strong and extended combo beginning about :20, combo looked good but Chavez fights back and the two are very even at the bell.

Round 7

Chavez looks tired in his corner between rounds.  Now he’s barking at the ref as the round begins.  Vanda follows Chavez now through 2:40, throwing the left hook repeatedly to the body.  Now Chavez drops his hands, continues to back into the ropes.  Vanda is throwing and Chavez is leaning back into the ropes at 2:10.  Left hook lands for Chavez, right hook for Vanda, and the round again looks even.  The two are throwing dueling hook-bombs to 1:23.  Chavez gets aggressive at 1:14, he’s been loading up.  But it’s over by 1:05.  Vanda following Chavez again, landing a hard right hook at :52.  Chavez is immobile, Vanda is moving.  Now Chavez throws an extended combo at :34 but it ends with him eating a very strong left hook.  Both fighters are going bombs away, Chavez throwing more but Vanda also connecting occasionally, and now the round ends.

Round 8

A closeup reveals that Vanda’s face looks smooth and unmarked beteen rounds, his demeanor is laid-back, almost lazy.  He looks very comfortable in his corner.  Vanda follows Chavez again to the 2:41 mark then landing some nice body shots about 2:33.  Chavez throws his usual slow hook flurry and backs up again.  This is a slugfest.  The crowd is chanting Chavez’ name beginning about 2:04, but he’s uninspired.  He works at his own speed, which is slow.  Vanda has taken a lot of punches, but is unmoved.  Left jab lands for Vanda, hook combo for Chavez.  More hooks from both men and a good hook by Chavez to Vanda’s head at 1:09.  It’s tit-for tat at :55, no advantage to either man this round.  Chavez scurries backwards to the ropes at :40, Vanda pursues and gets hit with a nice counter from Chavez.  Idiot producer goes to a camera on Chavez at :20.  And again at :09.  The worshipfulness has to stop!  Vanda got the better of the exchange just before the bell, and that’s a change of pace for the middleweight from St Paul.

Round 9

Chavez is hunched over and breathing hard between rounds.  Round 9 begins with a strong flurry by Vanda to 2:54, now the two trade again, and Vanda is unimpressed, as am I.  Chavez, in a jam, experiments with an uppercut combo at about 2:30, now Vanda begins to jab, walks backward to the ropes, and turns away from a punch.  Is he hurt to the body?  The two are slugging it out through 2:00, Chavez lands a bunch of hooks to 1:45, and his attack goes unanswered.  Now Vanda snaps Chavez head back several times, but again grimaces at a body shot at 1:30.  More flurrying from Chavez, those slow hook-flurries again.  Vanda shoves him into the ropes, then Chavez spins him around and lands about ten in a row at :59.  Vanda fights back, and for the first time looks really tired. Chavez has a killer instinct, but now gets hit with a big left hook at :30 and again at :26.  Vanda lands repeatedly, then the ref steps in and breaks them up at :11.  Chavez makes a big show of ineffective punching as the round ends.

Round 10

The final round begins with Chavez bouncing and Vanda bobbing.  A straight right lands for Vanda, more hooks by Chavez, and a right lands to the head.  Both men are now looking exhausted.  Both land effective hooks, but Vanda flinches again at 2:25.  Now suddenly Vanda bulls Chavez across the ring and into the ropes at about 2:13.  I think he was just warned for butting.  Vanda lands a handful of power shots to 1;54, then Chavez returns in kind.  Chavez missed several hooks there, Vanda tripped over his own feet but regains his footing and is okay.  Chavez charges anyway, and takes a good combination to the head for his trouble.  The two are trading hard to 1:10 – all power shots and both men are wilting.  Vanda lands two good hooks at :52.  Vanda gives chase at :40 and corners Chavez, now he’s showboating.  Vanda feels good!  A hard right hook flattens Chavez’ face, more flurrying, and now Chavez escapes just as the round ends.

Post-Fight:

Both corners appear confident of victory, but Vanda looks jubilant.  He’s just hung strongly with an undefeated up-and-comer.  Chavez’ corner is showering him with water and he’s looking exhausted while Vanda walks around the ring smiling at everybody.  My guess: Chavez will get the decision in this close fight, and it’s probably deserved, though Vanda was much stronger in the final round.  It’ll be considered a bad decision by the Minnesota crowd, but it’ll be the expected hometown decision for the Mexican hero’s offspring.  Vanda is now clowning for the camera, feeling like a winner.  Chavez is still on his stool a minute and a half after the fight ended, head between his knees.  Now he’s finally up and the two hug, but Chavez looks like a man going to his own execution.  And the bell rings, here’s the decision: …okay, it’s got to come soon.  The crowd is chanting something, I can’t tell what…Classy Jimmy Lennon Jr is now on the mic…is he saying that this a split decision?  It appears to be.  The winner is Chavez, and that’s expected.  The crowd is cheering, but the ring is being pelted with garbage.  Amazing, is this an unpopular decision or what?  Ooh, that cup was full of beer when it hit the ring.

A Prediction Without Conviction

Vanda -vs- Chavez is only a couple of days out now, and the Fistic Mystic blog isn’t a news site as much as it is a commentary.  So the Fistic Mystic gets to make a prediction.

If you’ve got $100 to blow, put it on Vanda. The odds are long, Chavez Jr has yet to look like a top-rank guy, and Vanda is tough and durable.  As good as some people think Chavez is with power shots to the body, he still has little chance to put Vanda out by any means.  At the same time, Vanda has been working hard for some time now to improve his power and conditioning.  He could win it with one well-timed power punch, if he gets lucky.

The smart pick, if one wants to be right, is Chavez by decision.  And the Fistic Mystic tries to be smart.  So the official pick here is Chavez by decision, but it’s a prediction without conviction.  We’ll be hoping for a Vanda kayo victory at the Mystic’s house.