#5) Harry Greb vs #7) Stanley Ketchel:
This was a war from start to finish. Greb's speed, manuverability, and volume punching nullified Ketchel power, giving him the edge over the first three rounds. The "Michigan Assassin" landed a brutal right hand that rocked Greb in the 4th and sustained his advantage through the 5th round.
The pace was tremendous in rounds 6-8 with both men trading on even terms. Both were penalized one point for low blows. A clash of heads in the 9th opened up a deep cut over Ketchel's left eye. The foul fest continued in the 10th as Ketchel answered a Greb thumb in the eye with a blantant blow to the groin. Both men were penalized again and threatened with disqualification.
Ketchel was beginning to wilt under Greb's constant pressure. Greb walked right through his haymakers and pounded the "Michigan Assassin" along the ropes over the next three rounds. By the end of the 13th, Ketchel suffered from broken ribs on his right side and was spitting up blood in the corner.
Ketchel showed an incredible fighting heart down the stretch but was able to offer little in the way of resistance. Greb battered him mercilessly over the final two rounds with Ketchel moaning each time Greb landed a body blow. In the end, the judges all scored for Greb: 144-137, 143-137, 143-137. Greb wins by unanimous decision and advances to the final four.
Greb W15 (unanimous decision)
#4) Bernard Hopkins vs #9) Sugar Ray Leonard:
Leonard took control early winning six of the first eight rounds. SRL's speed and movement successfully offset Hopkins reach and jab. Hopkins worked his way inside and dominated rounds 9 through 11 with Leonard spending most his time along the ropes.
Leonard rallied in the 12th wowing the crowd with his blinding flurries and fleet footwork. The fighters went toe to toe in the next two rounds Hopkins having the better of it. Hopkins lost a point in the 14th for low blows.
Hopkins controlled the first two minutes of round 15 as Leonard appeared to be exhausted. However, Leonard summoned a burst of energy in the final minute with flashy combinations. Ringside observers were evenly split on who won the fight.
The decision was announced: 143-142 Leonard, 144-142 Hopkins, 144-143.........Leonard. Sugar Ray Leonard wins a split decision by the narrowest of margins and moves on to the final four.
SIMULATION RESULTS: This was, by far, the closest simulation to this point in the tournament.
LEONARD- WINS: 45 (BY DECISION- 33, BY KO/TKO- 12)
HOPKINS- WINS: 44 (BY DECISION- 35, BY KO/TKO- 9)
DRAWS: 11
Our final four is now set: Tomorrow:
#1) Sugar Ray Robinson vs. #9) Sugar Ray Leonard
#2) Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs. #5) Harry Greb
This was a war from start to finish. Greb's speed, manuverability, and volume punching nullified Ketchel power, giving him the edge over the first three rounds. The "Michigan Assassin" landed a brutal right hand that rocked Greb in the 4th and sustained his advantage through the 5th round.
The pace was tremendous in rounds 6-8 with both men trading on even terms. Both were penalized one point for low blows. A clash of heads in the 9th opened up a deep cut over Ketchel's left eye. The foul fest continued in the 10th as Ketchel answered a Greb thumb in the eye with a blantant blow to the groin. Both men were penalized again and threatened with disqualification.
Ketchel was beginning to wilt under Greb's constant pressure. Greb walked right through his haymakers and pounded the "Michigan Assassin" along the ropes over the next three rounds. By the end of the 13th, Ketchel suffered from broken ribs on his right side and was spitting up blood in the corner.
Ketchel showed an incredible fighting heart down the stretch but was able to offer little in the way of resistance. Greb battered him mercilessly over the final two rounds with Ketchel moaning each time Greb landed a body blow. In the end, the judges all scored for Greb: 144-137, 143-137, 143-137. Greb wins by unanimous decision and advances to the final four.
Greb W15 (unanimous decision)
#4) Bernard Hopkins vs #9) Sugar Ray Leonard:
Leonard took control early winning six of the first eight rounds. SRL's speed and movement successfully offset Hopkins reach and jab. Hopkins worked his way inside and dominated rounds 9 through 11 with Leonard spending most his time along the ropes.
Leonard rallied in the 12th wowing the crowd with his blinding flurries and fleet footwork. The fighters went toe to toe in the next two rounds Hopkins having the better of it. Hopkins lost a point in the 14th for low blows.
Hopkins controlled the first two minutes of round 15 as Leonard appeared to be exhausted. However, Leonard summoned a burst of energy in the final minute with flashy combinations. Ringside observers were evenly split on who won the fight.
The decision was announced: 143-142 Leonard, 144-142 Hopkins, 144-143.........Leonard. Sugar Ray Leonard wins a split decision by the narrowest of margins and moves on to the final four.
SIMULATION RESULTS: This was, by far, the closest simulation to this point in the tournament.
LEONARD- WINS: 45 (BY DECISION- 33, BY KO/TKO- 12)
HOPKINS- WINS: 44 (BY DECISION- 35, BY KO/TKO- 9)
DRAWS: 11
Our final four is now set: Tomorrow:
#1) Sugar Ray Robinson vs. #9) Sugar Ray Leonard
#2) Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs. #5) Harry Greb