BoxRec

Il Duce wrote:Mr. Brazil,

'O Globo' reported that Joao Mendonca won a hard-fought 10-Round Majority Decision over
Elisha Obed on December 2, 1977 at the Ginasio Ibirapuera Arena.

According to the WBC, the winner was guaranteed a Championship Bout with WBC Champion
Rocky Mattioli for early-1978.

The match up featured a strong hard-punching 'stylist' in #7 WBC-ranked - Elisha Obed 70-3-4 {49 KO's}
against a quick-fisted sharp-shooter boxer in #9 WBC-ranked - Joao Mendonca 19-0-1 {12 KO's}.

According to the Boxing Report,

After an 'Evenly' fought bout in Rounds 1 and 2, the Brazilian started to out-speed Elisha Obed in
Round 3, by scoring with quick left-jabs, and fast right-hand leads.

This pattern also followed in Rounds 4 and 5, as Joao was too fast-handed for the former Champion.

Elisha started to press harder in Rounds 6 and 7, but the Brazilian showed excellent footwork to
move away each time Elisha tried to get in close in an effort to unload his vicious upper-cuts,
Joao was able to counter Elisha's misses with quick but 'light' counter-punches to the face.

Elisha was finally able to land some good punches early in Round 8, and was able to slow down Joao with
several hard left-hands to the head and body. This kept the Brazilian on the move, and prevented him
from throwing any of his 'accurate-and-crisp' counter-punches. Late in the Round - Elisha caught Joao
with a booming right-hand to the left side of the Brazilian's head, immediately wobbling him and causing
his left-eye area to swell.

Knowing he was behind on Points, Elisha put forth a hard attack in Round 9, and he was able to land
some crushing blows to the head of Joao who had now slowed down. Elisha landed several hard left
upper-cuts and right-crosses into Joao's head, which 'staggered' the Brazilian and had him in real
trouble over the last 25-Seconds of the Round.

In the 'Final Round', Elisha came out winging bombs, as the still 'dazed' Brazilian went into 'survival mode',
by grabbing and holding onto Elisha each time he got close. Joao was now sporting a nearly closed left-eye
after taking several hard right-hands to that area, and was barely able to hold on to Elisha while clinching.

Each time that Elisha broke loose, he slammed Joao with a hard left upper-cut or looping right-hand.
Joao was sent reeling back on wobbling-legs several times, but incredibly managed to stay on his feet
while 'staggering' around the Ring, and stated up until the Final Bell.

The Majority Decision was announced in Joao Mendonca's favor as his early-and-middle Rounds Points
lead was just enough to edge out Elisha's late hard charge.

Scorecards
* 97-95 {5-3-2 in Rounds}.... Joao Mendonca
* 97-96 {4-3-3 in Rounds].... Joao Mendonca
* 96-96 {4-4-2 in Rounds}... 'Even'

The 'victory' over Elisha Obed qualified Joao Mendonca for the next Challenger for WBC Champion - Rocky Mattioli,
but the Brazilian suffered head trauma in this bout.

Following this bout, Joao experienced severe head-aches and constant dizziness. The Brazilian Boxing Commission
Physician examined Joao after the bout, and put a 'temporary' medical suspension on Joao, requiring a 6-Month
recovery period.

Joao Mendonca's chance at a World Title ended.

On December 27 1977 - Elisha Obed was given the position as the replacement Challenger for Joao Mendonca.