Bad Left Hook Live Boxing Results and Commentary: Roman Martinez v. Ricky Burns

To be quite honest, I’m hoping for great action in really short fights today. Michigan game is just about to start.

Intros about to start. Dave Oakes says this will be a great fight. I hold him personally accountable if it isn’t.

I think Smith is a bit out of his depth.Little experience.
Could be wrong though,he was a good amatuer.

Fighters get into a little brush-up at mid-ring during the intros.

Simpson with a nice jab, then Smith comes in aggressively hurling shots. Simpson ties him up. Smith is going to make some rushes it appears. There’s one countered with a left hook to the body by Simpson. Well, they’re here to fight! That’s for sure. Both guys are landing nice shots and fighting with intent. Simpson with a right hand. Left hook Smith, both guys throwing. This is a pace that could lead to war sooner than later. Smith’s willingness to take a shot to land a few is pretty obvious. Simpson doesn’t seem crazy about really mixing it up — well there he throws some fire back at Smith. Smith’s defense isn’t anything to rave about. Good opening round — commentators favor Smith’s aggression, and I think I do, too. Simpson did some good work, though, especially earlier in the round.

Smith 10-9

Simpson making a little charge, but Smith pulls back nicely and avoids the shots. Good left hand from Simpson. Smith with one moments later. Simpson starting to get a bit more reckless, perhaps hoping to meet aggression with aggression. Smith having a more contained round, but still doing the better work of the two, if only slightly.

Smith 10-9
Smith 20-18

Over two rounds, Smith just looks like the clearly more talented fighter. Stamina and youthful mistakes can beat him, but I don’t think Simpson can straight up.

Simpson sometimes comes on stronger in the second half.

There aren’t a whole lot of clean, meaningful punches landing between the two of them. Heads clash and Smith winds up cut. Simpson is landing a punch at a time, basically. UK rules are that if the fight is stopped due to the cut, no matter how it’s ruled, Smith will lose. So he might need to amp it up. He does have a good cut man (Mick Williamson).

Smith 10-9
Smith 30-27

Simpson has a fine first minute and change. Smith isn’t landing even on his charges, and Simpson is clipping him repeatedly. Smith getting the Skyjob treatment now, where they’re starting to call it for him even though Simpson is building some momentum. Sneaky right from Smith. Simpson with left hands in return, now they’re getting a little chippy.

Simpson 10-9
Smith 39-37

Watt’s whinging, again.

Simpson really making a habit of landing some shots just as the referee is breaking them. Their clinches are pretty regular as Smith lunges in recklessly, and gets tied up. Simpson with a nice uppercut. Simpson really starting to get this fight going the way he wants it to. I wish Jim Watt would break out “deep waters.” Simpson stings Smith. This was a clear Simpson round.

Simpson 10-9
Smith 48-47

Simpson’s doing some odd bullying in there whenever they get in tight. He’s not bullying him overall, but when they get close, he imposes his will with smart, veteran-style tactics that keep Smith’s attention, and Smith hasn’t been able to figure it out yet. Simpson digging to the body after Smith lands a right hand. The cut has not really come into play, for what it’s worth.

Big body shot from Smith! That hurt Simpson! But the bell sounds and the round is survived. Simpson takes the round, but he got into trouble at the end.

Simpson 10-9
57-57

Tighter round now, with Smith going back to his boxing. Good counter to a turning tide. Simpson comes back some in the final minute. Smith round, but very close. Shot lands after the bell, but no big intent.

Smith 10-9
Smith 67-66

Smith’s tape needs to be fixed right away. Simpson doing more good work halfway into the round, landing a hard body shot. Uppercut lands in close. Simpson starting to pressure big now. Smith’s inability to do nothing inside is really a problem in this fight. Simpson is remarkably better than him when they get close. Smith with a long right, but doesn’t land clean. Now they’re being warned for roughhouse tactics again. Smith is clearly starting to tire a little.

Simpson 10-9
76-76

By the way Scott,i’m going back a few weeks now but i’ve just had the chance to watch the Alexander-Kotelnik fight and i had it 116-114 Kotelnik,with a couple of even rounds in there.
I thought it could have gone either way and a lot of rounds were very hard to score imo.
Alexander just didn’t look right to me.How much of that was down to Kotelnik i don’t know.
I thought Devon gassed out a bit with his high work rate.

This is officially the deepest Smith has ever gone into a fight. Good shot by Smith! Good shot by Simpson! Both guys get nailed there. And now the referee is warning Smith for — I dont’ know, I couldn’t tell there. Something or other.

Smith back to boxing. He seems able to push Simpson back when he lands square, which is no easy task. Simpson is no world star, but he can take a shot. GOOD, short right hand by Simpson near the end of the round. Another tight one, but I think Simpson overall did the better work. This is a good fight.

Simpson 10-9
Simpson 86-85

Smith boxing once again. Smith nails him, but Simpson comes back. Right hand from Smith, but it was blocked. Smith with a much, much better round, and shows he has something left — or at least that he had something for that round.

Smith 10-9
95-95

Simpson getting outboxed again this round. But then they start getting tight again and Smith is just not there. But at distance he’s better than Simpson. Overall this has been a very even, very entertaining fight. Both have looked a hair wobbled at times. Both have done things well.

Smith 10-9
Smith 105-104

Tight as the fight is, both guys have to try to win the round. Smith is about out of gas, which is understandable. Simpson with an uppercut. There’s about a minute left and Simpson is laying it on heavy with his own back against the ropes. He’s just banging away. Simpson trying to catch him coming in with something big. Well, we’ll see how it was scored.

Big respect between the two after.

Simpson 10-9
114-114

Looks like Dave Oakes was right.Good domestic fight.

I really don’t know if Jim Watt understands that fights are scored by round. I know he gives a score every round, but…

116-114 Simpson
116-114 Smith
116-112 Smith

STEPHEN SMITH by Majority Decision
New Commonwealth Featherweight Champ

Really can’t see an 8-4 for Smith. But I’m not outraged or anything. It was a good fight and I’d like to see a rematch. Smith could benefit from the rematch, IMO.

Bon Jovi, eh?

Much better national anthem than our crap “God Save the Queen”,imo.
Every country’s NA is better than ours.
Well maybe not Kazakstan’s,to be fair.

Martinez looks insanely confident.

Ahhh, I’m here safe and sound… away from all the hatred in the chatrooms. I don’t want to get mushy, but I love BLH!

Watt jumps on Burns’ “good start” in the first 20 seconds of the fight before anything of worth happens. Martinez stalking Burns, who is doing his best to try to box, but he doesn’t seem likely to fend off Martinez. Right hand and down goes Ricky Burns!

Burns is hurt. But he’s going to fight on. Martinez is just way too good for Burns. Martinez looking to land that right hand again. Burns’ total lack of power, the fact that he can’t easily outbox or out-speed Martinez, and … well, a lot of things. He’s just not good enough.

Martinez 10-8

not spectacular at any aspect but he’s def got soem power in them hands.

Burns with a charge, but in all the excitement, Burns punched him in the back of the head. Watt, as you’d expect, blames Martinez for it. I do love some homerism.

Martinez trying to use his right hand as a heat-seeking missile, basically. Burns charging, but none of it landing. Clipping right from Burns. I mean even Watt has to note that Burns just cannot punch and that keeping Rocky off of him is quite a task. Uppercut by Burns. Hard chopping right by Martinez, then digs in some body shots. Uppercut from Burns.

I do think Burns took this round, but this just feels inevitable. He’ll go on his shield though, if he’s gonna go.

Burns 10-9
Martinez 19-18

Burn’s has pretty good boxing abilities but as Jim Watt said,i’m just not sure he has the power to keep Matinez at bay for 12 rds.

coming on but then Cook did just befrore he got KO’d too.

Well hell, Burns is starting to really box Martinez’s ears off. Martinez is trying to load up way too much. I mean Burns does nothing in a pretty fashion, but it’s effective right now. By God, Burns is frustrating the hell out of Martinez. Big uppercut by Burns shakes Martinez! Martinez hammering back now.

Well this is heating right the hell up.

Big right hurts Burns! Bell sounds.

Burns 10-9
28-28

He’s got to box and stay disciplined cos Martinez tends to fight harder when he gets hurt.

Good fight so far!!

Though you get the feeling, one pinch could change things…

It’s really surprising me how one-dimensional Martinez is making himself. Burns is really making him look bad quite frequently, and all Rocky has shown is a big right hand. I mean that’s a damn good thing to have, but still.

Burns 10-9
Burns 38-37

I knew Burn’s could box and they reckon he fights to the level of comp but i am still a bit suprised by this.

Burns looks a bit tired

Good fight!

Burns is just dominating this fight overall. Martinez caught with a NASTY right! Burns pounding away! Martinez in trouble on the ropes!!! Burns chops with another right hand! Referee taking a look, but Martinez comes back and pushes his way off the ropes.

Burns is swinging for the fences. Martinez ducks a really wild right and delivers a left hook. Long right by Rocky glances Burns. Burns staggers him again. Martinez and Burns both fighting recklessly, Martinez because he has to. Martinez is really not leading any of the action anymore. Burns may be punching himself out a bit, too.

Now Martinez charging late in the round, but Burns playing tight defense. RIGHT HAND HURTS MARTINEZ! BURNS UNLOADING, AND THE BELL SOUNDS!

Martinez is genuinely hurt heading back tot he corner. WHAT A ROUND!

Burns 10-9
Burns 48-46

This has turned into one hell of an intriguing fight. Burns just totally out-fighting Martinez. Burns is pressuring, throwing power shots, outboxing Martinez…just making him look bad in there. Martinez just isn’t doing much right in this one. Burns’ uppercut has been a key weapon. Martinez staying right in there and trying to wing back, but not landing a lot clean. Nasty uppercut from Martinez! Slapping right comes back from Burns. Burns digs to the body again.

Burns 10-9
Burns 58-55

Great crowd.

Great fight too!

I’ve got Martinez in my BB picks but Burn’s has been fighting so well that i really want him to win.

That Martinez is one rough tough sob.

No matter what happens from here on, two things have changed today:

1. I think a lot more of Ricky Burns.
2. I think less of Rocky Martinez.

Burns hurts Rocky a bit, but MARTINEZ NAILS HIM AND REALLY HURTS BURNS! Martinez looking for power shots. He really has not used a jab at all in this fight. Martinez starting to pound away, and Ricky might be wilting. He’s on the ropes and getting hammered on! Burns throws back finally, just in time. And now he backs Rocky down, but back comes Rocky. Burns survives the round.

Martinez 10-9
Burns 67-65

Well this show has sure as hell been worth the watching.

I picked Martinez by TKO in 4.

If shows the lack of depth at 130lbs if Martinez is regarded as the no.1.

from Burnsy!

I know what you mean Matt.
Burns needs to stick to boxing him and not getting involved in a war.

Burns continues to outbox Martinez. It is requiring maximum effort and a career-best performance from Burns, but it’s happening. Martinez just can’t time Burns worth a damn. Burns’ uppercut has been there all night.

Burns 10-9
Burns 77-74

Burns with ANOTHER uppercut straight off to start the round. Martinez trying to press again. He’s only got so much gas left in the tank, too. Burns continues to just completely frustrate him. Ricky Burns is knocking on the door with this fight. Martinez’s defense has gone to hell and he’s just looking too slow.

BUT HERE COMES ROMAN MARTINEZ WITH HUGE SHOTS! BURNS ON HIS BIKE! Oh man — Burns JUST survives that round.

Burns 10-9
Burns 87-83

This figth has been back and forth,although mainly in Burns favour.
Very good fight.

balance,footwork and coordination are terrible.

Burns pressuring to start the round. He’s oddly able to keep Martinez back at times. But Martinez is doing better this round before the final 30 seconds. But Burns is just right there with him. Burns is on half-alive legs and he’s still landing shots. Martinez does take this round. But what a fight this has been.

Martinez 10-9
Burns 96-93

Almost 3-1 on punches landed in Burns favour

For once, I agree with Watt.

Martinez gets the KO,Burns has wion this fairly comfortably on points.

Deffo

Martinez is only able to rock Burns when it’s too late in the round!!!!

I have to wonder if Martinez underestimated Burns’ a bit and Burn’s is really fired up.
NOt taking away form Burns though,he just the better figther.

Burns trying to work around the ring and use his jab. There’s a 1-2 by Burns. Martinez chasing him around the ring, but it’s still Burns doing more work, landing more punches. Now he’s trapped on the ropes, but he works his way off and Martinez just can’t find him. Martinez is absolutely flat footed. Burns totally dominating this round. Martinez can’t land a thing, missing badly on terrible, wild swings. LEFT HOOK MARTINEZ HURTS BURNS, but the bell sounds again!

Ricky Burns, all respect, has arguably been “saved by the bell” about three times in this fight. Martinez is landing too late to capitalize, and doing nothing beforehand in those rounds.

Burns 10-9
Burns 106-102

Well, I think we can all agree Martinez needs the KO.

not a puncher at all yet he has hurt Martinez quite a lot tonight.

Great defense from Burns.Has covered up and moved when he had to all night.

Martinez is definitely out for blood. Burns is throwing back. MARTINEZ HURT AND RUNNING! HE TIES UP! Wow! What a performance from Ricky Burns! Martinez is absolutely gassed out. He’s got no legs under him. He’s got no punch left.

BURNS LANDING AGAIN! Martinez REALLY hurting when he’s hit to the body now. No zip left on Rocky’s shots. What an upset this is in the making. Crowd is ELECTRIC. This is something else! Camera shaking, which you don’t see often.

Martinez pressing with a minute left. He’s trying to load up in a big way. Burns throwing and trying to back him down. Burns lands! Martinez with a low blow, about 30 seconds left in the fight. Burns will get time if he wants it, and he’s going to take a quick moment.

25 seconds left in the fight. Burns on his bike, understandably. No reason to take a risk. This thing is Ricky Burns’ fight to lose. Martinez flinging, but IT IS OVER!

Burns 10-9
Burns 116-111

I will admit I am SHOCKED. And given that this was a hell of a fight and a great performance from Burns, I am delighted. What a fight. What a great return to boxing for Sky Sports.

Well, being Puerto Rican is not really working out all that well for me these past few weeks…

for Scotland to get a belt holder again.They’ve been in the boxing doldrums a bit.

I admire your ability to keep it together for a good commentary! Especially during an exciting fight like that… Nice one.

Even Burns shakes his head in disbelief!

115-112
115-112
115-113

RICKY BURNS by Unanimous Decision
New WBO Super Featherweight Titlist

Crowd is INSANE. What a great moment this is for Burns and these fans. Great stuff. What an awesome start to the fall months.

has looked bad in the past and also quite good at times.
Tonight he looked good and fought his heart out and also fought smart.
Congratulations Ricky.
Ricccckkkkkyyyyyyy!

I wonder how he’ll progress?? (or regress)

You could be right Matt ….. shit… an even bigger shocker, I’m sure I just saw Jim Watt smile..

Burn’s did especially well to say he was decked from a good shot by a fair banger in the 1st.He showed heart and guts in there.