NEW YORK -- Unbeaten Roman Greenberg displayed little of the skills that have won him 25 fights. Still, he had more than enough Saturday night for Michael Simms.
In the main undercard bout before heavyweight contender Sultan Ibragimov fought Javier Mora, Greenberg looked sluggish and uncertain. He did carry whatever action there was in scoring a unanimous decision, but Simms blocked most of Greenberg's punches.
The Russian-born Greenberg - who represents Israel, where he moved when he was 11, but lives in England - didn't look very comfortable in New York. The best action came in the final minute of the 10th round, but by then the outcome was long decided.
Greenberg got the nod from the three judges, all by 99-91 scores as he won nine of the 10 rounds.
Billed as one of the quicker and more mature young fighters, the 24-year-old Greenberg looked plodding and, at times, frustrated by Simms. But Simms provided so littleof a threat that the outcome never was in doubt.
Greenberg did land an assortment of body punches with his unorthodox style in which he carries his left arm high but to the side of his face. Outweighing Simms 234 to 213, he never was able to take advantage of that edge, however, to stagger Simms.
''I did what I had to do. You can obviously always do better,'' Greenberg said. ''I am happy with the win, my trainer is happy. I and still learning, but soon I will get there.''
Where?
''It feels very good to fight at Madison Square Garden, and some day I will be fighting for the title in the big Garden,'' he said.
He'll need to bring a lot more than he showed Saturday if he ever gets a title shot.
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