Bad Left Hook Fight Night: Craig McEwan v. Brian Vera
by Scott Christ on May 8, 2009 7:41 PM EDT
in Live Boxing Coverage (Round-By-Round)
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Should be a good scrap in tonight's ESPN2 Friday Night Fights main event, which SSreporters will be covering round-by-round for your reading and discussing pleasure.
The main event pits middleweight prospect Craig McEwan (14-0, 9 KO) of Edinburgh, Scotland against rough and tumble Texan Brian Vera (16-2, 10 KO). McEwan, to be fair, was born in Edinburgh, but has lived in Hollywood for years and has fought exclusively in the States. Vera, an Austin resident and Forth Worth native, will have a serious home court advantage at Fort Worth's Sundance Square.
Vera has the advantage not just there, but in opposition faced. He was a "Contender" season two participant, but more importantly in 2008 he fought both Andy Lee (whom he upset on Friday Night Fights) and James Kirkland (and he got brutally destroyed in that one, but would not stay down). Vera can take some shots. We don't yet know how McEwan does with a guy as wild and willing to brawl as Vera. Should be interesting.
It's always hard to say what, exactly, will fill the ESPN2 undercard, but Adrien Broner, a great lightweight prospect, is on the bill. He's definitely someone to see.
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Brian Vera is also living proof of just what a hellacious puncher Jaidon Codrington was. Codrington had weak defense, a shaky chin, and balance and footwork issues. But man oh man could he sock. He blew through Vera in two, and had Sakio Bika (whose chin I previously thought was unassailable) down (and not flash either — Bika was seriously wobbly when he rose).
I really enjoyed when Green walloped Codrington in one round
But Bika/Codrington was a war that my father ended up taping just to watch it again.
That is honestly the only time I’ve been entertained by any fight on The Contender. How that show continues to be renewed is beyond me.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
I mean, at least The Ultimate Fighter has produced some stars
Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine, Forrest Griffin, Michael Bisping, and Matt Serra for starters.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
wtf are you talking about
Sergio Mora! Alfonso Gomez! Steve Forbes! Um. Sakio Bika, kinda…
Peter Manfredo!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHECKMATE ON PETER MANFREDO!
The Contender is GREAT.*
- I hate The Contender.
They somehow managed to snag Darnell Wilson last season
While he ain’t a contender by any means, his KO of Nwodo is probably one of the most vicious ones I’ve ever seen. I’ve even downloaded that video because I was in disbelief.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Probably because he thought he would win
If they paid everyone a flat fee to go on the show on top of the grand prize, maybe they’d get more good fighters. You’re not going to get a bunch of good prospects when you know that 15 of the 16 contestants will walk out of there with a loss on his record.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
Putting in 16 cruiserweights was a joke to begin with
Of all the divisions you could’ve possibly picked you picked the one that is pretty much ignored in mainstream?
Tony Danza as host? Come on.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
I was happy they did the cruisers. Big guys that actually fight. The cruisers should be given more props. But of course then they got a cast of duds for the most part.
To be honest
I don’t mind the cruiserweight division (I watched Marc-Mormeck/Bell on ESPN Classic the other week) but if you’re trying to attract a broad audience then don’t put that on TV.
You don’t want to know what I think of the heavyweight division. I wanted to bash my head through a wall watching Klitschko/Ibragimov fight.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
For whatever reason the Contender gets good ratings given how cheap the show costs to produce.
From what I understand is that VS is kicking themselves in the ass with the horriable NHL contract that they have.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
I've vaguely heard of Jardine
But as someone who doesn’t follow MMA (but knows a little about it), I wouldn’t qualify them as “stars”. By definition, if they’re a star, I should know who they are. Plus, it makes it a lot easier when you can basically force the more well-known fighters to take on the TV star, or when you can force feed them overrated big names who they can beat to develop a name of their own.
One of the fights on this year’s contender looked like it might have been interesting, but they never showed the full fight, so it was moot.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
One more factor
A loss on a prospect’s record as a boxer hurts his marketability more than a loss on an MMA prospect’s record, since there’s a so much higher likelihood that the less talented fighter in MMA will win.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
I think HBO is going out of their way to make it known that win/loss records don’t matter. Example. Victor Ortiz. Every chance they get that mention how he got his loss.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
As for the fight
Vera’s tough but he stinks technically. McEwan isn’t that great IMO, but he’s technically solid and trains at Wild Card. Vera’s a nice scalp and shouldn’t be taken for granted (as Andy Lee can attest), but he’s someone a decent prospect should be able to beat if they have a decent chin and don’t fight stupid. I think McEwan will probably take this one in a close fight where he gets tested.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
24 minutes until we start this thing!
Surely they’re going to talk about Pacquiao whipping Hatton last Saturday and previewing Dawson/Tarver II.
Boxrec has Erislandy Lara fighting on next week’s FNF. Great.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Brian Kenny and.......B-Hop in the studio.
BREAKING NEWS: Kelly Pavlik vs. Sergio Mora has been postponed due to an injury to Pavlik.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
And frankly, I'm glad this happened.
How anyone like Mora can headline a PPV card is beyond me.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Arum is full of hot hair…
He said he wanted to pimp Pavlik to the world but he has him fighting on independent PPVs…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Our first fight is here. It's outdoors and it's a good night.
Adrien Broner (8-0, 6 KOs), whom SC mentioned as a good lightweight prospect, faces Fernando Quintero (7-0-1, 0 KO). So they did not get a puncher. This is an 8 round fight.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Broner vs. Quintero Round 1
Neal Young is the referee.
Broner starts off with a jab. Double left hook glances Quintero. A right hook that pushes Quintero and Broner throws a little bit of a wild punch. He’s got some fast hands but the control so far is not there. With all of that said, Quintero has not done much. And on cue he just misses with an overhand right. Two good jabs snap Quintero’s head back.
45 seconds left in the round. Quintero is coming in with his head and holds Broner against the ropes. Final seconds of the round……and not much happened.
Pretty dull round. Broner has a good jab going for him. If he stops throwing wild punches he’ll win this easily.
10-9 Broner
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Broner vs. Quintero Round 2
Broner landed 42% of his punches while Quintero landed just 23%. Quintero fires off a combination to little effect and they’re trading punches in the center of the ring but it’s more slapping than actual punching. Quintero seems to be the aggressor to start round 2. Short left hands up top after a right hand to the body by Quintero.
1 minute left in the round. Broner catches Quintero with a right hook and counters a Quintero punch with a left hand to the face. Broner is really raw and wild. Solid left hand to end the round by Broner.
I’m giving that round to Quintero on the account he was busier and slightly more effective. Not a great fight so far.
19-19 Even
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Broner vs. Quintero Round 3
Quintero threw 93 punches last round and landed 28.
Broner’s jab isn’t too bad. Uppercut just misses for Broner. Quintero fires three right hands in succession and lands on the last one. Halfway through round 3. Good right hand by Quintero again. Whether it’s hurting Broner or not is obvious. Quintero has little punching power.
Broner backs Quintero to a corner but can’t do anything significant. I am impressed with Quintero’s work rate, particularly the last 2 round. What the heck is Broner doing? He just fired off a 6 punch combination into the wind. Broner is super wild.
Another Quintero round.
Quintero 29-28
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Broner vs. Quintero Round 4
These weird camera angles sometimes makes it hard to figure out what’s going on. But I’ll tell you what. So far it’s not much. Quintero is landing more punches and is a lot more active but he has no power to speak of. Broner nicks Quintero with a right hand but nothing doing.
Quintero hits Broner with a right hook again. That’s been the recurring theme. Final 20 seconds of the round and Quintero continues to chase Broner around the ring and get some occasional shots in.
Quintero has won 3 rounds in a row in my book.
Quintero 39-37
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
I am not really feeling this fight…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Neither am I.
I’m surprised the boos haven’t come from the crowd.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
It is damn hot over here… it is still 95
I am sure it is close to 85 over there.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
It's 60 in Seattle and sunny!
Good considering we got some heavy rain this week.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Broner vs. Quintero Round 5
Broner just goes swinging blindly as he backs Quintero to a corner but little comes out of it. Teddy Atlas has it right. There haven’t been many effective punches thrown by either fighter. Difference is Quintero is landing more and working harder.
Broner gets a jab in halfway through the round. Decent combination by Quintero as Broner is forced to back away. Broner lands a shot as he works inside.
They stalk each other to end the round. A round in which Quintero won. After round 1 Broner has disappeared.
Quintero 49-46
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Broner vs. Quintero Round 6
Teddy’s scorecard has it 48-47 Quintero. That’s about as close as I think it should get but obviously I have it 1 round higher.
Quintero is slowing down a little bit and runs into the ropes. Quintero is definitely the smarter fighter in the ring and has done well to attack Broner’s body. Broner gets in a counterpunch, but Quintero responds with a left hook to the body.
1 minute left in the round.
Even Tessitore sounds so bored with this fight. Fernando misses on the right hook but gets in more body shots, working on the inside as Broner holds Quintero’s head.
I’m thinking the only way Broner can win this fight is by KO unless the judges are absolutely stupid.
Quintero 59-55
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Broner vs. Quintero Round 7
Broner is still throwing wild shots. This is the first time either fighter has gone past round 6. Quintero took this fight on short notice and is outboxing Broner. Quintero moves in but Broner hits him with a right hand, but as Joe Tessitore said, it wasn’t flush.
Quintero has Broner against the ropes and swings away and he gets a little wild and Broner gets out of it. Broner is caught with a right hand but so is Quintero. Broner again gets Quintero with a right hand and that’s probably his best round since round 1. I’m going to give him that round but he still needs to plant Quintero on his trunks in my book.
Quintero 68-66
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Broner vs. Quintero Round 8 (Final Round)
Again Broner starts off the round with a right hand and is the aggressor and I think his corner probably told him he needs to be. Broner trying to catch Quintero with an uppercut midway through the final round. Quintero with two good punches and they were effective, landing flush on Broner as he was backed against the ropes. Now Broner is back to being wild again.
25 seconds left and Quintero just keeps popping in with some landing punches. Final seconds left in the fight. Broner did practically nothing to try and ensure he won that round.
Broner’s skills are very unpolished and it showed tonight. Pretty boring and sloppy fight but Quintero definitely won this via better and more productive workrate and punches landed. Too bad he can’t punch.
Final Scorecard: Quintero 78-74
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
OFFICIAL JUDGES SCORECARDS
Jesse Reyes – 76-76 DRAW
Mike Mitchell – 77-75 BRONER
Arturo Velazquez – 78-74 BRONER
ADRIAN BRONER – MD
Bull. Crap.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
hey, that's life as a prospect
Wasn’t crazy about it either.
by Scott Christ on May 8, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, gotta pad that record.
Hopefully the next fight has some action.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Teddy, your crush on Bernard Hopkins is creppy and obnoxious, please stop it.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Bob Arum just compared Manny Pacquiao with Muhammad Ali
Yep, this guy is on drugs.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
I don't know how far off it is
I’m serious.
by Scott Christ on May 8, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
In ATG scale… he is closer to Duran than Ali.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
I just mean in pure skills relative to size. Pacquiao is going to go down as an insane ATG. We’re at that point. We’re living in a special time in boxing history IMO.
by Scott Christ on May 8, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Pacquiao is a better boxer than Ali now
Ali was never a very good boxer, but used his natural talents very well.
"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
Dude, I’m with you. I’m half drunk so when it comes up, defend the point.
by Scott Christ on May 8, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Our next fight features
Charles Hatley (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Carlos Garcia (3-3-1, 3 KOs) both fighting at 148 lbs.
Neal Young gets to ref another fight.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Both fighters fought hard… god bless and good night.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
you got that right
Dude came out to win. Got caught. Blam!
by Scott Christ on May 8, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Hatley vs. Garcia Round 1
This is scheduled for 6 and I’m assuming that this will be the last fight before the main event.
That was quick. A short right hand drops Garcia just 33 seconds in! He gets up but he’s wobbly. Hatley is coming in and pounding away and Garcia goes down again!! Fight over. Referee stops the fight!
Charles Hatley – TKO 1
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Perhaps a chance of Pacquiao vs. Mosley? Oh man I'd salivate over that one.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
All I’ve heard is Mosley won’t go down to 142, which is their thing.
by Scott Christ on May 8, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
In the 1st fight Adrian Broner, a junior lightweight prospect, won a majority decision over Fernand Quintero (who took the fight on short notice) in a match that lacked any sort of action. Broner had no right to win that fight yet he got an MD.
Scroll a few posts up and you’ll see you missed a nice TKO.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Prospect getting gift decision? Color me shocked
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
Prospect getting gift decision? Color me shocked
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
Yeah, double posted by accident.
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
378 amateur fights? jesus
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
Vera vs. McEwan Round 1
Robert Chapa the referee.
These two fighters start off my stalking in the center of the ring. Vera’s looping right hand misses early on. Vera holds to the head and lands a body shot. Halfway through the round. McEwan backs off Vera with a quick shot and a nice short right hook by Vera but McEwan looked to dodge it.
Vera getting a right jab in there and a glancing blow to the body. Final 15 seconds of round 1. Great right hand by Vera to end the round!
Vera came on a little strong there and wins the round for me.
Vera 10-9
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Vera vs. McEwan Round 2
McEwen is going body hunting the first 2 rounds and gets caught with a left hand! And another! Doesn’t look to be hurt but those are some solid shots by Vera. Small cut under the left eye of Craig McEwan.
Right hand misses for Vera. Has a lot of looping shots in him tonight. Right hand again to the top of McEwan’s head. Soft body shot by McEwan. He’s coming in again with a left hand to the ribcage of Vera.
Final seconds of the round and Vera is getting a little wild as the bell sounds.
Didn’t start to well for McEwan but he recovered. I’m tempted to give that round to McEwan but alas, Vera wins it barely.
Vera 20-18
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Vera vs. McEwan Round 3
Solid and straight left hand by McEwan to start the round. Vera with a shot to he head with the left hand. McEwan lets out a short combination. The two hold onto each other and Vera hits McEwan with an overhand right. Good jab by McEwan. He has a nice jab. Another jab by McEwan.
Final minute of the round. Nice right hand by Vera! McEwan is leaving himself open at times. Vera misses with a right hand but gets in a jab. McEwan lands some punches to Vera’s face. Decent fight so far. Vera misses on a few punches to end the round and McEwan catches Vera a little bit to end the round.
Definite McEwan round.
29-28 Vera
RIP Greg Page
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Vera vs. McEwan Round 4
Vera is trying to cut off tat small ring for McEwan. Craig slips as he walks back but doesn’t fall. Left hand by Vera. McEwan replies with one of his own. Vera lands a short right hand.
Halfway through the round.
A sloooooww left hand by Vera doesn’t do anything. McEwan sneaks in a left jab. Good stuff from the southpaw. And pops in a right hand and backs out. A left jab with 10 seconds left in the round by McEwan. Vera swings wildly but can’t land.
This fight is even.
38-38 EVEN
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Vera vs. McEwan Round 5
McEwan has a 99-58 connect advantage.
Vera is lacking hand speed in this fight, and his wide punches illustrate it. Left hook by McEwan. Vera is caught with a counterpunch. Another solid left hand by McEwan who is really impressing me. Vera is pushed/hit with a right hand. Vera trying to get some punches in.
Vera with a body shot to end the round.
McEwan 48-47
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Can someone do the 2nd half of the fight? I've got to step out.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Round 6 in a nutshell
McEwan kicks Vera’s ass for 2:55, Vera comes on strong for the last 5 seconds. McEwan’s punches are just so much straighter than Vera’s that Vera can’t possibly land as much.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
Vera looked hurt in round 7.
Sorry I got to bail guys. It’s been fun. Hope you enjoyed my RBR and see you tomorrow.
Seattle Seahawks: We've got Brian Russell and TWO kickers!
Round 7 nutshell
Vera just throwing haymaker after haymaker, and he misses 90% of them, but the two that landed seemed to have an effect. More of the same from McEwan – straighter punches, higher workrate. Vera has a small cut over his left eye now.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
Scoring up above me seems a little… off.
"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
I didn't get in until the third
But I don’t have Vera winning a round at this point. First couple rounds might have been a different story.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
I gave him the 7th
But I was stretching a little.
"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
Scores
98-92
97-93
97-93
All for Scottish Craig McEwan.
Also, Turdsack won his fight earlier today.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
This was the worst Brian Vera I’ve seen. He didn’t seem to want to be there like he usually does. Maybe Kikrland took something out permanently.
I wasn’t impressed with McEwan. Easy to hit. A more precise puncher and/or a more accurate puncher will give him fits. He throws straight punches, but still gets hit.
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