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Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:09
by thepocketrocket
--Cruiser Jones Shocks Braithwaite In Four--
By Luis Escobar

(September 3, 2005) Cleveland, OH. (Gund Arena)--

It was a night for journeyman, underdogs and boxers who always somehow seem to keep their dreams alive.

Six-foot-four-inch former welterweight Guillermo Jones has been banging on the door for so long he finally decided to kick it down.

A solid 3-to-1 favorite and former WBC cruiserweight champion, Wayne Braithwaite might have all ready been looking past Mr. Jones and eyeing his next shot at a world crown.

However, that's why they laced 'em up and Braithwaite found out the hard way after the native of Colon, Panama pummeled the ex-champ along the ropes with wicked right hands to the head until referee Jimmy Villers finally halted the bout at 2:26 of the fourth round.

Braithwaite was still on his feet but he offered little resistance, as Jones continued to tee off with bad intentions and batter the former WBC titleholder along the perimeter. With the victory Jones, who has fought twice and lost both times in previous title bids in lighter weight divisions captured the WBA cruiserweight title eliminator contest and now stands next in line to win a world championship.

The Cleveland fight fans did not react well to the fight being stopped and neither did Braithwaite.

"I'm disappointed. I don't think the referee should have stopped the fight. What can I say, I think it is a bad stoppage," the dejected Braithwaite said after the TKO loss. "I wasn't hurt. The referee was an amateur. I don't know where they got that referee from? I could have continued to fight."

The referee held firm with his decision to halt the contest despite Braithwaite's protests and he maintained that the former champion was lucky to have survived a one-sided first round.

"I would stop it again. He was lucky he made it through the first round," Villers confided. "I asked him several times to show me something, to respond. He looked right at me and he was getting pummeled. He was getting hit and you could see he was getting hit and I was thinking about stopping it in the first round.

After jumping on Braithwaite in the first round, Jones struggled in the 2nd and 3rd, suffering from a severe muscle cramps in his left leg. However, he continued to throw punches and the former sparring partner never eased off the throttle when caught Braithwaite on the ropes.

"I knew this was going to be a good fight. Braithwaite is a good champ and a good fighter," Jones said. "I sparred with him in 2000, in Brooklyn. I knew him from last time and I knew what was coming and I knew what he wanted to do."

--Heavy Leather--

The number-three ranked WBC contender Jones (33-3-2, 26 KO's) wasted little time and with 1:56 to go in the 1st, he drilled Braithwaite (21-2, 17 KO's) with a chopping right hand to the jaw followed by two more sizzling right hands to the face. Braithwaite's (192 ½) knees buckled momentarily, as he struggled with his balance and Jones' sudden assault.

Jones (199) continued to throw bombs and seconds later; he caught the ex-champion on the ropes and nailed him with another scalding right cross square on the chin. Braithwaite, Brooklyn, NY, via Georgetown, Guyana attempted to return fire but Jones just kept blasting away and landed another volley of leather. With Braithwaite, 6', in full retreat the Panamanian continued to let his hands go and he battered the former cruiserweight king around the ring. At the 1:08 mark of the 1st, Jones, hammered Braithwaite with two more stiff left jabs and a follow up right cross that rocketed off his skull.

Braithwaite, 30, simply couldn't escape the ropes and Jones repeatedly tagged him with whip-like right hands to the head and body. After catching seven consecutive scalding right hands to the face Braithwaite finally grabbed Jones, 34, around the waist and held on, as his opponent pressed his forearms against the shorter man's throat.

As soon as the action resumed Jones clipped the southpaw with a lead right hand to the chin that ricocheted off of Braithwaite's profile. After catching five more sharp right hands to the face Braithwaite emerged with blood curling down his chin from a cut in his mouth. With his legs gone and the former titleholder still languishing near the ropes, Braithwaite was an easy target and Jones repeatedly ripped him with savage right hands to the head until the sound of the bell.

--False Hope--

Braithwaite was a far more effective boxer out of a right hand stance, however, he continued to fight as a southpaw and still caught withering shots that he was unable to block or slip. At the 1:29 mark of the 2nd, Jones landed another long overhand right cross to the mouth that drove Braithwaite back along the perimeter.

Forced to fire or fall, Braithwaite came to life boxing as a righthander and with 1:20 remaining in the round, he cracked Jones with a searing straight right hand counter to the jaw. The counter right bought Braithwaite some time and moment's later, he landed a volley of punches that forced Jones to hit reverse gear.

Inexplicably despite strong urging from his cornermen, Braithwaite opened the third round boxing as a southpaw. With little more than two-minutes to go in the 3rd, Braithwaite switched back to an orthodox stance and drilled Jones with two solid combinations that thudded off the Panamanian's chin.

With 1:55 to go in the 3rd, Braithwaite hammered Jones with two searing left hooks to the ribs that forced the taller man back into the corner. Jones simply quit throwing punches for much of the round and he allowed Braithwaite back into the battle because of inactivity. At the 47-second mark of the round, Braithwaite caught Jones leaning back in close quarters and he tagged the Panamanian with a short crisp three-shot combination to the face.

Braithwaite continued to let his hands go and late in the round he scored with another sharp volley of punches that drove Jones back across the ring and forced him to counter. Finally with 17-seconds to go in the 3rd, he clipped Braithwaite with a chopping counter right hand square on the jaw. Jones simply kept punching and with Braithwaite in the corner, the ex-champ unloaded with both of his hands and another flurry followed by a scalding right hand to the jaw wobbled his opponent.

Between rounds, Jones' trainer Antonio Armstrong worked on the Panamanian's left leg and tried to get some spring back in his get-away sticks.

--Over In Four--

In the opening seconds of the 4th, Braithwaite caught the flat-footed Jones in the center of the ring and he bounced a whistling straight right cross off of his jaw. Braithwaite had regained control of the bout and with 2:32 to go in the round, he ripped Jones with a digging series of right hands and left hooks just above the Panamanian's beltline.

After withstanding a thirty-second volley of leather, Jones finally snapped out of his zombie-like effort and began throwing punches and returning fire. At the 2:09 mark of the 4th, Jones connected with a short left hook to the head and a brutal chopping right cross flush on the jaw.

Braithwaite widened his stance but his legs looked wobbly, as he struggled to try and counter. The former champion retreated back across the ring and then slipped to his hands and knees, on a logo that was covered with water and ice. Jones returned to pulling the trigger with high artillery and within seconds Braithwaite was sliding to his left and trying to get out of the way.

Two more lunging right hands to the point of the chin drove Braithwaite back against the ropes. The ex-cruiser champ wasn't done and with a 1:10 remaining in the round, Braithwaite landed a long left hook to the side of Jones' face. Braithwaite suddenly rallied and he connected with a half-dozen more hammering shots, as the momentum of the bout seemed to twist back and forth.

With the fans standing and cheering, Jones dug in and he landed a long right cross that detonated on Braithwaite's chin. With his back against the ropes and his left hand dangling at his side, Braithwaite tried to slip Jones' relentless attack but he lacked the poise and determination to equal the Panamanian's power.

Jones returned to firing blistering punches to the chin and Braithwaite had little reserve left in his tank. Braithwaite again tried to tackle Jones around the hips but instead Jones kept pulling the trigger on scalding right hands to the head. With his left glove draped over the top strand, Braithwaite was almost defenseless as he leaned away from the combination and Jones connected with yet another volley of whipping right crosses.

Braithwaite attempted to cover up near the ropes but Jones was relentless and after a dozen more shots, including two scalding right hands to the chin the referee had finally seen more than enough. Villers jumped between the fighters and waved off the action at 2:29 of the fourth round.

Jones collapsed face first to the deck in celebration while across the ring Braithwaite and the fight fans argued with the sudden stoppage. Their plea would go unheard. This was a night for underdogs-even ones that towered six-feet-four.

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That the review from the time..ITV made up the fact that Braithwaite was winning

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:09
by nickd
chesh wrote:Good performance from Enzo, but very disappointing from Braithwaite. Showed good resilience, but offered very little in return. His punches were slow and had no snap. Not taking anything away from Enzo, but that wasn't the test many expected. He didn't really get his chin checked at all.
Braithwaite didn't look at his best, but use of the word 'shot' would be over the top he showed enough in there. And he landed a few meaty shots, I think a bit of a chin check there he's not as chinny as some people make out.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:11
by SticknMove
Braithwaite shot? Some people come out with total bollocks at times.

A shot fighter by any definition describes a fighter that can not hold a shot like they used to and get stopped because of it. Hardly describes Braithwaite.

He shipped a lot of punishment there, especially the body punches. No wonder the timing was off kilter when subjected to that and being backed up, outhustled and still getting caught with quality shots.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:13
by tko_kid
What were the scores?

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:14
by Kilburn
I'd hardly be putting my wages on Haye beating Guillermo Jones either...

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:14
by thepocketrocket
SticknMove wrote:Braithwaite shot? Some people come out with total bollocks at times.

A shot fighter by any definition describes a fighter that can not hold a shot like they used to and get stopped because of it. Hardly describes Braithwaite.

He shipped a lot of punishment there, especially the body punches. No wonder the timing was off kilter when subjected to that and being backed up, outhustled and still getting caught with quality shots.
From the word go he looked off balance and his balance was shot..plenty of fighters can keep a decent punch resistance yet fail to get any snap..

Not wanting to denegrate Mac who looked class, good countering and cracking jab...

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:14
by nickd
119-108
118-109
120-107

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:15
by tko_kid
Thanks nickd

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:16
by states
I thought that was a terrific performance from Maccarinelli: the jab was working well, he was bring the left hook in nicely, and he landed some sickening body shots as well. On top of that, he took some decent shots as well. A fine performance from a much improved fighter.

And whilst plenty of people have already made their minds up about Maccarinelli and Haye, would it not be fair to say that Braithwaite is the best name on either of their records? He's surely better than Fragomeni, for instance. Haye can prove himself the best in the division in a few months, but Maccarinelli looked better tonight than Haye did in his last few fights at Cruiserweight, in my opinion.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:16
by armageto
SticknMove wrote:Braithwaite shot? Some people come out with total bollocks at times.

A shot fighter by any definition describes a fighter that can not hold a shot like they used to and get stopped because of it. Hardly describes Braithwaite.

He shipped a lot of punishment there, especially the body punches. No wonder the timing was off kilter when subjected to that and being backed up, outhustled and still getting caught with quality shots.
I don't think Truck was shot, but he hasn't looked all that great as of late, losing 2 of 3 coming in. I honestly never thought that much of him to begin with. It is still a big win for Enzo, and congrats to him for that......

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:17
by SticknMove
thepocketrocket wrote:
SticknMove wrote:Braithwaite shot? Some people come out with total bollocks at times.

A shot fighter by any definition describes a fighter that can not hold a shot like they used to and get stopped because of it. Hardly describes Braithwaite.

He shipped a lot of punishment there, especially the body punches. No wonder the timing was off kilter when subjected to that and being backed up, outhustled and still getting caught with quality shots.
From the word go he looked off balance and his balance was shot..plenty of fighters can keep a decent punch resistance yet fail to get any snap..

Not wanting to denegrate Mac who looked class, good countering and cracking jab...
Then he is past his best maybe. But not shot. That designation gets used far too often in boxing IMO.

Is Mbaye shot too?

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:17
by chesh
nickd wrote:
chesh wrote:Good performance from Enzo, but very disappointing from Braithwaite. Showed good resilience, but offered very little in return. His punches were slow and had no snap. Not taking anything away from Enzo, but that wasn't the test many expected. He didn't really get his chin checked at all.
Braithwaite didn't look at his best, but use of the word 'shot' would be over the top he showed enough in there. And he landed a few meaty shots, I think a bit of a chin check there he's not as chinny as some people make out.
I don't think he's shot. He just looked lethargic in there. A lot of the time he looked like he'd come to survive rather than win. Good performance from Enzo. His shots looked and sounded much heavier than Braithwaite's.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:19
by nickd
I'd pick Maccarinelli to beat Haye in all honesty not with much conviction mind you. He has proved he can fight a fast faced gruelling 12 rounder, Haye hasn't. Haye hasn't proved he can fight a fast paced fight over a short distance yet!

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:20
by nickd
SticknMove wrote:
thepocketrocket wrote:
SticknMove wrote:Braithwaite shot? Some people come out with total bollocks at times.

A shot fighter by any definition describes a fighter that can not hold a shot like they used to and get stopped because of it. Hardly describes Braithwaite.

He shipped a lot of punishment there, especially the body punches. No wonder the timing was off kilter when subjected to that and being backed up, outhustled and still getting caught with quality shots.
From the word go he looked off balance and his balance was shot..plenty of fighters can keep a decent punch resistance yet fail to get any snap..

Not wanting to denegrate Mac who looked class, good countering and cracking jab...
Then he is past his best maybe. But not shot. That designation gets used far too often in boxing IMO.

Is Mbaye shot too?
Agreed people are way too quick to use the words 'shot' and 'robbery'.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:20
by thepocketrocket
SticknMove wrote:
thepocketrocket wrote:
SticknMove wrote:Braithwaite shot? Some people come out with total bollocks at times.

A shot fighter by any definition describes a fighter that can not hold a shot like they used to and get stopped because of it. Hardly describes Braithwaite.

He shipped a lot of punishment there, especially the body punches. No wonder the timing was off kilter when subjected to that and being backed up, outhustled and still getting caught with quality shots.
From the word go he looked off balance and his balance was shot..plenty of fighters can keep a decent punch resistance yet fail to get any snap..

Not wanting to denegrate Mac who looked class, good countering and cracking jab...
Then he is past his best maybe. But not shot. That designation gets used far too often in boxing IMO.
Its an interesting, we judge world champ harsher than the average..Braithwaite is shot in that sense but could well beat Mark Hobson who isnt..

Look at Evander, the world calls him shot yet hes beaten some decent guys on the way back..

I will call Braithwaite a shell of the fighter he once was..

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:21
by harrygreb
great jabs and hooks from enzo - still tends to arm punch a little but the improvement is astonishing. give him a chance against any cruiser in the world. the next 12 months in this division is going to be worth watching

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:23
by GAV
thepocketrocket wrote:Allrite Jock Mcscott!! Why you not watched it??

Yeah, well up, two 'knockdowns' and a point taken off Koba for a headbutt
Couldn't watch it mate. I'm in the USA right now playing some semi-pro for the summer.

PM me mate and let me know how you've been

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:24
by SticknMove
Maccarinelli v Haye would be sensational. I'd fancy Enzo too. Bu twith two big punchers like that facing off anything can happen.

It would a mini all British superfight rolling back the years of Benn/Eubank/Watson but without as much fanfare, but a treat for the fight fan.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:24
by Kilburn
Whether Braithewaite is "shot" or a "shell" or whatever else, what he currently has is more than enough to outlast Haye IMO.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:37
by Autobarn
tko_kid wrote:"USS" cunningham will clean out the crusierweight division. He outboxes all of them including Mormeck-Haye, Enzo or whoever
absolute effing garbage. interestingly, Cunningham looked like garbage two fights ago.

He's a lanky, slap happy guy who, on strength of throwing quick slap shots is considered by some desperate souls to be "one of the slickest guys in the sport."

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:39
by SticknMove
Kilburn wrote:Whether Braithewaite is "shot" or a "shell" or whatever else, what he currently has is more than enough to outlast Haye IMO.
Well then he isn't shot at all.

God I hate it whenever someone says a fighter is shot because he is past his peak, has a dip in form or is lacking the confidence he may have once had.

For me, a shot fighter is and always will be a fighter that can not absorb a punch like he once could and is getting tko'd because of it on a regular basis and will not his way back in the game.

The Braithwaite definition would imply that Duran was shot at one time or another.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:40
by nickd
My definition of shot would be as defined above but also could be someone who has trouble getting shots off. Braithwaite certainly didn't have any trouble letting his shots go he was just beaten by the better man on the night.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:41
by Autobarn
thepocketrocket wrote:
SticknMove wrote:Braithwaite shot? Some people come out with total bollocks at times.

A shot fighter by any definition describes a fighter that can not hold a shot like they used to and get stopped because of it. Hardly describes Braithwaite.

He shipped a lot of punishment there, especially the body punches. No wonder the timing was off kilter when subjected to that and being backed up, outhustled and still getting caught with quality shots.
From the word go he looked off balance and his balance was shot..plenty of fighters can keep a decent punch resistance yet fail to get any snap..

Not wanting to denegrate Mac who looked class, good countering and cracking jab...
have you seen Braithwaite fight before? His balance is never usually that great. This time he was in with a guy with a smashing long jab. That's enough to make anyone's legs look bad.

Macca had him covered from every angle. Better repertoire, better technique, bigger, stronger and looking a full division bigger. All reasons why I felt Macca would win this one without doubt.


So are all those who said, "Braithwaite has fought better opponents, he will knock Macca out" now saying "Braithwaite was shot."

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:45
by Autobarn
armageto wrote:
nickd wrote:Braithwaite is not shot that is a ridiculous comment, a shot fighter wouldn't have taken the punishment he has tonight and still be standing.
He hasn't looked all that great as of late, let's be real here. He was getting his ass handed to him by J.M.M. until his roids caused him to bomb out the 2nd half of the fight, like so many other fights for him. Jones easily stopped him in 4 rounds in his next fight. I never thought much of Big Truck. Good win for Enzo because he is a big step up from his other opponents, but I'd be hard pressed to have Big Truck even in my top 15 CW's.....
oh,
give
it
a rest

Jones easily stopped Braithwaite? Jones went all out round one. Took a body beating rds 2 and 3, wincing in pain and his leg gives out. Went all out in rd 4. Ref stops Braithwaite who was surviivng but not hitting back. Controversial stoppage. WB stopped @ end of round, slipping punches. Jones in no condition to go on, collapses with leg cramps.

Granted, Braithwaite is a flawed fighter, but a very powerful hitter with a good chin & a top finisher.

Posted: 21 Jul 2007, 18:46
by thepocketrocket
Yes, seen him plenty, even when James Toney was slagging him off..He was never on Mormeck or Bells level but he is nowhere near as good as he was

Enzo was quality, was really impressed so not going to run him down.

They can say what they want, I never proclaimed Enzo was getting knocked out.