Bad Left Hook UK Fight Day: David Haye v. Monte Barrett

Michael Grant (10-0-1, 1 KO) v. “The Bodysnatcher” Gary Reid (13-21-1, 8 KO)

Commentator astutely notes that this could be Reid’s last shot at positioning himself for a British title. …

This is a six round fight, junior welterweights.

Grant was out almost two full years with injuries, and is now 25 years old. He came back in late September. Reid is 35.

Grant tries to work the body a little after Reid looks to land a left hook. Wild left hook from Reid misses. Shot to the body from Reid. Grant goes a bit long on an overhand right and catches mostly wrist to the top of Grant’s head. Grant is showing some decent speed. Reid is showing a desire to hit Grant with a left hook haymaker, which isn’t happening.

This is neither as bad nor as entertaining as when Leroy “Rootin’ Tootin’” Newton fought beneath Spinks-Phillips in March.

Grant ends the round with a 1-2. This should be easy work, but with Grant’s KO rate, it’ll probably take all six rounds.

Grant 10-9

Starring Gary Reid as “Savvy Professional”!

And Michael Grant as “Guy Who Says Nice Things About Savvy Professional!”

Actually Reid’s not all that savvy. A better veteran might try to crowd Grant a little more, bull him around the ring, test his mettle. Grant can’t punch, so why not risk taking a few to try and rough him up and get in his head? Reid is basically standing around being a target. No head movement, not landing much.

Body shots against the ropes by Grant, then Grant starts landing some nice long-range shots. Reid with a right and a left hook grazes.

Grant 10-9
Grant 20-18

Reid’s strategy at this point seems to be to reach and miss and get hit. Well there’s a left from Reid. They’re at least cutting a decent pace.

Uppercut from Grant, then Reid slips a bunch of attempts at follow-ups. Pretty typical prospect-pro opponent scrap. Reid has been in with a lot of decent fighters, but in essence this is just sparring without gear. Grant’s natural skill supercedes any tactical veteran advantage bullshit that Reid could possibly claim. He’s landing very little, and Grant, while not landing a lot of significant shots, is just outdoing him pretty easily.

Grant 10-9
Grant 30-27

Hard counter right from Gary Reid, but Grant takes it well. Reid is now going to obsess over the counter right, it seems. Nice shot from Reid, and DOWN GOES Grant! Well, obsess over the counter right, because Grant isn’t seeing it.

Grant recovers pretty nicely, using some clinches to get his legs back and staying out of Reid’s wheelhouse. Grant with a nice flurry, landing with both hands. He’s shooting his left very nicely. Really good post-knockdown comeback, but the knockdown was very real.

Reid 10-8
Grant 38-37

Three punch combo from Grant. He continues to control the action, for the most part. Great straight right with about 40 seconds left in the round, that one appeared to shake Reid a bit. This has been a hell of a good round for Grant. Reid is looking discouraged. I think he knows he needed to win that round to get it back even, and he couldn’t do it.

Grant 10-9
Grant 48-46

Grant with some lovely body work in the corner, but then steps out and lets the fight get back to the center. I guess you can blame that on a lack of power. What’s he going to do, put Reid away? He may be better off staying in the center and moving. Since the knockdown, Grant seems a lot sharper. His footwork’s better, he’s not getting complacent during exchanges, and he’s throwing sharper combinations. He’s also trying to put Reid away, which isn’t going to happen, although Reid is quite tired.

Grant 10-9
Grant 58-55

I will never understand the continuation of referees scoring fights, but hey.

Ryan Rhodes thinks he’s going to fight Vernon Forrest if he gets past Vincent Vuma. Setanta team pretends that’s at all realistic.

Ryan Rhodes (40-4, 27 KO) v. Vincent Vuma (26-2, 15 KO)

Junior middles

Some referee.

Nice shots from Rhodes early after some loopy attempts from Vuma to get something going. Body shot from Rhodes. Boy, Vuma is getting tagged with some nice stuff. Rhodes drilled him with a left. Vuma is pawing with his left hand to counter Rhodes pawing with his right, and Vuma is doing nothing but eating shots when Rhodes explodes in on him.

Great body shots with the right, then he goes upstairs with his left. Vuma is doing fuck all — like he’s frozen and waiting for the fight to come his way. Straight left and a right hook by Rhodes, then a left at the end. Easy round for Rhodes.

Rhodes 10-9

Rhodes does look good thus far, but a guy like Vernon Forrest would wipe him out. He has notably big gaps defensively that Vuma is doing nothing with, and a guy like Forrest would take him down the middle, I think. Vuma gets hurt again. He’s not going to go too long like this.

Rhodes has a small cut in the corner of his right eye. Rhodes UNLOADS with some heavy shots, a beautiful 1-2. He’s definitely the one carrying this fight. I hope Vuma’s got a chin, for his sake.

Pot shot left from Vuma, and he closes out the round circling and looking for more mild counter opportunities.

Rhodes 10-9
Rhodes 20-18

For the record, Haye-Barrett is due to start at 6:15 ET, as reported. So in a bit less than an hour, we’ll have the main event.

The bad habit Rhodes has of holding his right very low isn’t so bad against someone like Vuma, who seems to fear the hand speed of Rhodes, and to be fair Rhodes’ hand speed is obviously superior to Vuma’s. But again — a guy like Vernon Forrest, who Rhodes is talking about, would nail him for that. Most in the 154-pound top ten would, in fact. Probably not Cory Spinks, though.

Less explosive round for Rhodes, as Vuma is flipping his left hand out a lot and trying to keep Rhodes at bay. Nice left from Rhodes near the bell.

Rhodes 10-9
Rhodes 30-27

Body shot from Rhodes. Chopping left from Rhodes, and another one. Pretty routine fight, frankly. Unless Vuma starts doing something exceptionally different, he’s toast. Rhodes is still landing good shots, though less so than the first two rounds, which is turning this into a bit of a bore.

Rhodes 10-9
Rhodes 40-36

Nearly a backhand left from Rhodes as both were caught turning.

The crowd is dead silent for this. This is turning into a library fight. Rhodes throwing a little, landing a little, Vuma isn’t doing fuck all. This has devolved into a crap fight.

Rhodes 10-9
Rhodes 50-45

Vuma comes out with pressure, but lands nothing of real consequence. Rhodes tags him with a left. I do like that Vuma is actually leading the action now, and this has been his best round. Rhodes is looking a tad bit surprised about the change in tactics, and it’s leaving him leaning too often. Vuma is charging and throwing big, but his hand speed is crap.

Vuma 10-9
Rhodes 59-55

Vuma pushing his jab at Rhodes’ body, trying to get him to start looking low, because he’s clearly a headhunting fighter. Rhodes with a straight left. Vuma misses every big right he throws it seems. Rhodes is now settling into the role of counter puncher, and doing it nicely.

Left to the body from Rhodes as Vuma paws at the air. Rhodes is back to dominating Vuma, really, just differently.

Rhodes 10-9
Rhodes 69-64

This is the type of fight that just drags on and on. The rounds seem like they’re four minutes long and the fight seems to go 20 rounds by round six. What’s painful is there are four more rounds to go.

Rhodes with a nice flurry with about 30 seconds left in the round, maybe hurt Vuma a little but not a lot.

Rhodes 10-9
Rhodes 79-73

Basically a club fight with a little more skill and a little less chance for total chaos breaking out. Vuma is quite bad. And he gets tagged hard in the last minute again. About 30 minutes from Haye coming on and hopefully pumping some life into the dome.

Rhodes with a big finish, great final minute of the round for him.

Rhodes 10-9
Rhodes 89-82

I think what you said is very accurate…. it is a club fight.

Not really impressed with Rhodes…

Boy, I would just love to see a big KO. Or a little KO. Any type of KO. I don’t think Rhodes has the power to do it and I don’t think Vuma can actually hit Rhodes with the type of finishing punch he’d need.

Here’s what I’m learning with the chat that accompanies this stream:

1. Boxing fans, frankly, are a largely unfortunate bunch. This puts them in line with every other sport’s audience, I suppose.
2. All fighters are shit.
3. This fight is bad. A blind squirrel can find a nut.

Rhodes 10-9
Rhodes 99-91

Richie Woodhall at Setanta has Rhodes up 97-94. He’s a lot more kind than I am. Rhodes having some unimpressive rounds doesn’t make them impressive for Vuma at all is my stance.

Vuma shakes Rhodes, and Rhodes fires back, but Vuma squares him up and catches him a couple more times. Frankly a big storm is the only hope Vuma has. Rhodes is trying his best to get his right hand up to pick off Vuma’s head shots, and he’s about 65% successful I’d guess.

Decent round for Vuma.

Vuma 10-9
Rhodes 108-101

SC…Chris John isn’t shit… ;)

It sucks knowing you are seeing a bad fight with no chance of a KO….

Three more minutes, and then Haye in about 20.

About a minute to go, and Vuma catches Rhodes with a right on the chin. And Rhodes looks like he’s going to get on his bike for the final 30 seconds.

Vuma 10-9
Rhodes 117-110

I had less than a handful of rounds scored for Vuma.

Love the Lockett references…

It amuses me to no end that they don’t think Rhodes would get slaughtered by Vernon Forrest. We’re talking totally different levels of fighter.

117-111
116-112
116-113

RYAN RHODES VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Forrest even at this advanced age can bang and has an excellent boxing pedigree.

“One of the best performances of Rhodes career”…lol.

I thought it was a fairly mediocre outing…

And here’s a video package.

SC honestly compare him to Kirkland or Angulo…. what do you think happens… Forget Forrest of Martinez…

or Martinez…

How’s your stream Scott? I’m having a fair number of skips and such, but maybe cause I just tuned in to it.

Only post anything major happening (a KO for instance) once my rounds have been posted. We’re surely a bit behind the real live broadcast and everyone here could have a slightly different feed.

Monte Barrett thinks he’s really a bigger deal than Eddie Chambers? I’m not saying he’s not, but he thinks there’s some big gap?

My goodness I find that old guy annoying….

I want to hear Vitali Klitschko talk more about as much as I want Rhodes-Zuma to go five more rounds.

Vitali sighting… :) Prediction KO within 5 rounds…

The O2 arena looks pimp…

We’re moments away.

Did Monte Barrett biff it on his stupid entrance? That’s one of the stupidest things any fighter does.

Quick entrance..

Again, fights in Europe, fights in Canda, fights in Japan…they all make even the biggest U.S. fights look like rinky dink promotions taking place in a bingo hall.

Nice too see a packed arena… boxing might be in a lull here in the states but overseas and Canada it is live and well.

Eh… hate the music.

LOL…dully noted…

Barrett looks significantly in better shape compared to his fight vs Valuev, but I don’t think it matters..

Haye looks the part of a heavyweight champ…

Crowd is rocking.

Monte really DOES look in excellent shape. Haye does, too, as he always does.

Barrett flicks the jab, Haye sticks a left hand in, really crisp. Left to the body by Haye. Left hook from Haye, mostly blocked. BIG left from Haye stings Barrett. Straight right from Haye, and Barrett was stung again. This is a raucous atmosphere.

Right hand from Haye again. Haye with a right and a left. Monte is going to have to pick it up, because eventually one of these will hit really flush. Haye with another jab, and there’s an uppercut that misses. Monte seems a bit tight. His jabs are way short and Haye is trying to rip him with the right in counter.

Monte’s most notable accomplishment thus far is charging and clinching. Three jabs miss from Barrett. Good round for Haye, terrible round for Monte.

Haye 10-9

I think it was just a feel out round… Haye looks like he is in a different class compared to Barrett.

Barrett charges, lands nothing, but manages to avoid Haye’s wild shots. Monte misses another left hook. Left hand stuck in from Haye. Short right from Haye, and Barrett shoves Haye to the mat. No knockdown, obviously.

Barrett is REALLY swinging massive shots at Haye, but totally whiffing. I think he has lost all confidence in landing his jab. Barrett lands a jab, so shut my mouth.

Monte catches him with a short left again, misses a right. Haye isn’t landing much this round. STIFF left from Barrett, lands, and Haye gets pressed and maybe a bit hurt. He really did get caught. Haye misses a left hook.

Nice bounce-back for Barrett.

Barrett 10-9
19-19

Haye is moving in and out nicely, but moving is most of what he’s doing. He seems mildly tentative, or maybe he’s just waiting for the moment. Probably the latter.

Barrett gets nailed! Haye gets nailed! That was pretty nice stuff. Barrett lands a right after Haye’s 1-2. Barrett is really starting to pressure David now. This is becoming rough and quite interesting. Barrett warned for punching to the back of the head, Haye warned for holding.

I’ll tell you, I think these guys are finding out the other guy can punch, and neither of them much likes it.

HUGE LEFT HOOK FROM DAVID HAYE! Down goes Monte Barrett! He’s up, and he’ll fight on.

Woof, that was a bomb.

Haye misses the right, and Barrett fires back! Chopping overhand right from Barrett, Haye catches him again and Barrett is down!

He’s up, and again he’ll fight on.

He may survive the round, but he’s trying to fire away! Barrett’s legs are gone, BUT HE MAKES IT OUT OF THE ROUND!

HUGE round for David Haye.

Haye 10-7
Haye 29-26

Damn… impressive comeback round by Haye…

No chance for BArrett I think…

Oh shit…

Stop the fight… pleas.e..

I don’t think Monte can get his legs back. This isn’t going to last the full round.

Monte shooting the jab, trying to keep himself steady and avoid the brawling he’s tried to push so far. Left from Barrett, then he doubles up on the jab. He’s using the jab to control distance and keep Haye back.

Haye with a left! WHAM! Barrett stays up, somehow, and punches back. They’re turning it into a pier sixer and BARRETT IS DOWN AGAIN!

He’s up, and he seems more upset than hurt. I don’t know, man.

Right from Haye lands. Another right, Monte misses a counter. David Haye is really wild, but Barrett is so willing to oblige when he does that that it’s making this a contest of who hits harder, and Haye hits harder. Looks like David might not get him this round, either. Monte shoots a right, another shot, HAYE DRILLS HIM AGAIN!

I don’t think he’s making this one.

BUT HE DOES! Jesus Christ, Rocky. Stay down.

Haye 10-7
Haye 39-33

Did Haye hit him when he was down in the 3rd knockdown like Jones?

Stop the fight…. please…

“Monte says ‘no, don’t fancy that too much’”

Gotta love these British announcers.

4 knockdowns… the corner should be ashamed….

Monte with a little left, then Haye fires. Haye slips, I think, and Barrett is throwing and I think he hit him.

Referee is taking a point. Hey, what’s another one?

Haye may have gotten cracked up a bit from that, but here we go again.

Left hook, right hand, Barrett down again!

Do not get up, Monte. OK, thank God — they’re stopping it.

David Haye KO-5

Thank goodness it is over…

Too little for Two Gunz. Exactly what we all expected here, I’d say.

He has the look of a man who knows he is about to make a lot of money and not work all that hard for it.

Nice interview by Vitali and Haye…

A little too friendly… collusion me thinks….

There’ll be a new post for that fight coming at about 8:30.

Haye has enough power to knockout any heavyweight…lol…

Jeez… these guys are homers.

I am sure Vitali just quietly laughs inside…

Vitali is still calling out Lewis…lol.