Tanzio wrote:Bandwagon "the decision was corrupt, boxing is in the toilet" kneejerk bullsh!t.
Murata has only himself to blame for the decision, which could have gone either way, imo. He did literally next to nothing for the entire first three rounds, giving them away voluntarily to N'Dam. Hassan was easily leading round four before Murata finally landed something of note and dropped N'Dam the Weeble Wobble with a picture perfect right on the button. There would be no more picture perfect punches in this fight.
Murata could not cutoff a dandelion with a sickle; absolutely hapless footwork. Don't blame N'Dam for using the ring to bewilder the Japanese robot. Even when in range Murata was far too reticent to let his hands go. He lost rounds throughout the fight by way of inactivity.
There were too few clear rounds, half of which were the first three in N'Dam's favor thanks to Murata literally giving them away. Other than that, four (obviously), six, and seven were clear Murata rounds. That leaves six close rounds, five of which were very close, imo.
I think that Gustavo Padilla's (Panama) card was far too wide for N'Dam, and Raul Caiz's (USA) was far too wide for Murata. I can see a rationalization for 115-112 in either direction or closer.
I scored it 114-113 Murata, making the KD the difference in this fight. It was there to be had in clear fashion for Murata but he failed to do the work to get it done.
1. 10-9 N'Dam (Murata throws about 5 total punches, landing zero)
2. 10-9 N'Dam (Murata finally lands one combo but pays for it)
3. 10-9 N'Dam (Murata just not active enough)
4. 10-8 Murata (N'Dam clearly leading the round before Murata lands the one picture perfect punch of the evening which turns out to be the difference on my card)
5. 10-9 N'Dam (very close, a slip by N'Dam could have been interpreted as a landed Murata punch and changed scores)
6. 10-9 Murata (clear round Murata, 57-56 N'Dam going into the second half)
7. 10-9 Murata (but still not proactive enough at a time when he could have clearly taken control)
8. 10-9 N'Dam (very close)
9. 10-9 Murata (very close)
10. 10-9 Murata (too close for no reason)
11. 10-9 N'Dam (very close steal)
12. 10-9 Murata (again too close due to Murata's lack of activity, and killer instinct, as well as N'Dam's underrated skills, and gifts, including massive heart)
Rumors of N'Dam the Weeble Wobble being shot are massively premature. He is (as stated previously) the quintessential middle weight gatekeeper.
I had Murata winning but he was anything but impressive. Maybe if there is a rematch he can get it done right.
I also had it 114-113 Murata, though I had Murata winning rounds 5 and 12, (I think you typed Murata instead of
N'Dam for round 12), and N'Dam winning round 10.
Still, I was shocked by the outcome, as I'm accustomed to seeing the hometown fighter get the
nod when it's a draw or very close decision either way.
I couldn't understand why Murata gave the first two rounds away. Was he afraid N'Dam was going to
take him out early like Alfonso Blanco? Please.
Murata didn't throw much, but almost every time he connected it looked like N'Dam was hurt.
Not letting his hands go was a big mistake -- especially after the knockdown.
Even so, I can't see it 115-112 the other way, as you could.
A draw? Maybe. But there's no way N'Dam won that fight.
