Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts

Monday, July 29, 2024

Chisora And Shields Triumph In Heavyweight Bouts

While July 27th signaled the beginning of competition of Boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics being held in Paris, France, two intriguing bouts took place in two other countries on the professional side of the sport in the Heavyweight division featuring both Men and Women. First at the O2 Arena in London, England, it was a crossroads encounter between two longtime Heavyweight contenders Joe Joyce and Derek Chisora.


This was a fight where both fighters entered at a stage in their careers where some felt each was on the verge of a win or retire scenario. Hence, this observer’s label of it being a “Crossroads Encounter." Thought the label was appropriate, one might argue, despite the appearance that both fighters were at a similar stage, it was Chisora that was closer to retirement due to both the fact that he has had a seventeen year career, but also his talking about wanting to retire after his fiftieth professional fight. Chisora’s forty-ninth fight would arguably be one of his best.


From the opening bell Joyce tried to impose his 6’6 frame and 281lb. body on the 6’1 Chisora. While Chisora entered the fight weighing 256lbs., the difference in size was clear as was the pressure Joyce applied on Chisora. Despite appearing to have more success when he used his reach to keep Chisora at distance, Joyce chose to fight in close, which not only negated the effectiveness of his punches by smothering them, it also played into Chisora’s strategy, which is almost always to get in close and fight on the inside as more often than not, he is competing against taller and heavier opponents.


What was also evident early on was Joyce was throwing slow, but hard thudding punches, and Chisora was either looking for counter punches, or trying to land in two or three punch combinations. The pace in which this fight was fought was one that at times was slow, but also seemed to be higher compared to most fights fought in the Heavyweight division. As yours truly watched this fight, I had a sense that it may come down to which fighter runs out of steam first as both fighters landed hard shots throughout and both had moments where they looked utterly fatigued and struggling to stay on their feet. Despite this, I felt that Chisora was outworking Joyce in what was a hard fought battle. With the fight entering the final three rounds, however, I questioned whether Chisora would get to the finish line.


Just as it appeared the effects of fatigue and Joyce's pressure were breaking him down, Chisora landed a right hand out of nowhere that knocked Joyce flat on his back on the canvas. To his credit, Joyce was able to get to his feet and continued the fight. It was at this point given that he had scored the knockdown and seemed to be outworking Joyce that I felt the knockdown likely secured the win on the scorecards. 


With both fighters looking utterly exhausted, the tenth and final  round was as the previous nine had been, a battle of wills. It would be Derek Chisora, who would get the nod from the three official judges in scoring one of the biggest wins of his career. In doing so, he also likely opens himself to more opportunities that will take him beyond fifty fights in his career.


As one fighter seemed to revitalize his career at age forty, another fighter looked to further cement her legacy. Yours truly is referring to undefeated three-division world champion Clareasa Shields, who after becoming an undisputed world champion as a Jr. Middleweight and Middleweight, the latter of which she still holds, made another jump up in weight to challenge Women's WBC Heavyweight world champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.


The flight, which was held in Detroit, MI at the Little Caesars Arena, was essentially a hometown fight for Shields, who is from Flint, MI. In addition to the WBC Heavyweight world championship, the vacant Women's WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship was also at stake, giving Shields the opportunity to become a five-time world champion in five divisions in a single fight.


Although when a fighter is making a move up in weight as Shields was, the standard question of how that fighter will respond to being hit by fighters who are used to competing at heavier weights, was asked prior to this encounter, the reality is Shields did not give the champion an opportunity to test her ability to take a punch. This was due to Shields being able to showcase her hand speed early. In the second round, the challenger would drop the champion with a three punch combination that sent  Lepage-Joanisse down to the canvas. Shields followed up with two more knockdowns forcing the fight to be stopped giving the future Hall of Famer and two-time Olympic Gold medalist another accolade tonadd to her legacy. 


There is simply not much to say here other than Shields saw her opening, took full advantage, and closed the show. While this victory was only the third knockout in Shields’ professional career, she did show that she has punching power even though knockouts in Women's Boxing remain rare due largely to the fact that rounds are only two minutes in duration, and only recently has the transition to three minute rounds been used on a selective basis, but has been used and is currently being used in women's bouts in the ongoing Olympics. It is something this observer has long advocated for to see three minute rounds become the standard in Women's Professional Boxing, the same as Men's bouts.


Nevertheless, Shields did not need three minute rounds in this fight and got the job done. The obvious question remains, however, for Shields. After being so dominant for her entire career and now having successfully moved up to Heavyweight to further her legacy, is there an opponent out there in Boxing that can compete with Shields, and furthermore, how much more can she accomplish? This observer cannot give an answer…


“And That's The Boxing Truth." 



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Monday, October 3, 2022

Alex Winwood Kicks Off Pro Career With A Bang Nov. 25 At Thunderdome 40

Press Release: October 2, 2022 By Dragon Fire Boxing – Olympian Alex Winwood is launching his pro career in style, as he goes directly into state title action on his pro debut, headlining the 40th edition of Dragon Fire Boxing's iconic Thunderdome Series.

Credit: Luke Marsden 


 

Winwood was bizarrely stopped in his quest for Commonwealth glory at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, with the reaction to his stoppage going viral. 

 

The Australian reacted on his Olympic & Comm Games journey and opened up on turning professional. He said, "I enjoyed the amateurs and the experience of the Olympics & Comm Games representing my country with pride. I've learned as much as I can from the amateurs and now it's time to turn to the professional ranks.

 

"The Olympics & Commonwealth games was a great experience despite how it ended for me. I've got a lot of attention from that, but I wanted the attention to be for winning a medal, not for being stopped in a strange fashion.

 

"I want to head into the pro ranks with all that behind me and right the wrongs. I was one of the best amateurs on the planet and I want to recreate that in the paid code."  

 

Winwood goes straight into title action, with his management at Dragon Fire Boxing headed up by Tony Tolj wanting to progress the well traveled amateur standout in quick fashion. 

 

The Western Australian native discussed his road to the pro raniks from a preparation standpoint. 

 

Winwood stated, "I'm delighted to be with Tony Tolj and Dragon Fire Boxing, they've got a plan and they know what I want, and I think starting with a fight for a state title is the right move. I'm excited and I'm really motivated to put on a show.

 

"I've worked with both Moloney brothers over the last year and they've prepared me for what's ahead in the professional ranks. I've learned a lot from the Moloney's and that type of education is what I need to become a world champion.

 

"I'm happy I'm starting my journey in Metro City, Perth in WA. There's nothing like fighting at home, and I can't wait to put on a show.

Material Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing / Photo Courtesy of: Luke Marsden Used with permission.

For more information about Dragon Fire Boxing please visit Dragon Fire Boxing’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DragonFireBoxing

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.