Arguably the very best heavyweight on the market immediately relating to having essentially the most misleading professional report, 33 yr outdated Terrell Jamal Woods virtually pulled off yet one more upset final evening. Dealing with the unbeaten Moses Johnson in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Woods of Forrest Metropolis, Arkansas went dwelling with a draw that might have been a win. 30 yr outdated Johnson of Lengthy Island, New York, was busted up across the left eye and face and he was rocked badly within the fifth spherical. Johnson had most of his success along with his left jab and he dug in when he was damage and bleeding.
An excellent combat that was full of bursts of motion, the draw did look to be a good name, though Woods did look terribly disenchanted when the playing cards had been learn out. Scores had been as follows: 58-56 for Woods, 58-56 for Johnson, and 57-57. Woods, who was having his 94th professional combat final evening, is now 29-55-10(21) – however to repeat, this is likely one of the most misleading data within the present heavyweight division, and any fighter who judges Woods on his numbers alone will be made to pay. Johnson is now 9-0-2(7).
Johnson seemed good at occasions, his jab serving him nicely, however Woods landed the heavier, extra eye-catching blows all evening. After the primary two rounds, which this author scored as one a chunk, Woods had a powerful spherical three, his energy photographs, notably his proper fingers, getting dwelling. Woods additionally opened a reduce on the aspect of Johnson’s left eye on this session. However then, inexplicably, Woods did nothing in spherical 4, principally handing the spherical to his opponent.
Spherical 5 was large for Woods, as he cracked Johnson with three arduous proper fingers that snapped his head again and had him holding on as he was caught on the ropes. However the sixth and closing spherical noticed Woods take his foot off the gasoline but once more. Responsible of showboating and messing round through the combat he might have, maybe ought to have received, Woods could be kicking himself immediately.
Nonetheless, Woods, a tricky, combat anybody man who has expertise, is a stark reminder of how no fighter needs to be judged solely by his report (as fighters similar to JD Chapman, Alexander Ustinov, Rolando Soto and others have came upon). And Woods, who at all times stays busy, already has his subsequent combat scheduled, for February 7. Johnson won’t fancy the thought of doing it once more, however a return with Woods could be attention-grabbing.