Terry Norris v Dana Rosenblatt
Terry Norris 156 lbs lost to Dana Rosenblatt 158 lbs by UD in round 12 of 12
- Date: 1998-09-25
- Location: Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, USA
- Referee: Steve Smoger
- Judge: Harold Lederman 113-115
- Judge: Frank Garza 112-116
- Judge: Gary Merritt 113-115
- IBA Middleweight Title (Vacant title)
Notes
- Inaugural IBA Middleweight title fight.
Summary
Rosenblatt wins middleweight title
By Associated Press
MASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- Dana Rosenblatt, despite losing the last four rounds on two of the three judges' scorecards, was able to hang on for a 12-round unanimous decision over Terry Norris to claim the IBA middleweight title Friday night at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Rosenblatt (33-1) used his right jab to dominate the fight in the early rounds. The native of Malden, Mass., kept Norris (47-8) off balance with the jab, often following it up with a left hook.
Norris, of Lubbock, Texas, was bidding to become a five-time world champion. He was knocked out in his previous fight by Keith Mullings. Norris lost the WBC super welterweight title in that December bout.
Norris, 31, could do little in the early rounds against the left-handed Rosenblatt. Norris tried to wade through jab, but often paid for that strategy by taking some left hooks to the head.
"I had an idea I could hurt him with the jab," Rosenblatt said. "At the end of the fight, Terry was just making his last stand."
In the ninth round, Rosenblatt ran out of gas. He began to hold Norris, drawing warnings from referee Steve Smoger. Norris began to dominate the action, nearly closing Rosenblatt's right eye, but could not come up with the knockout.
Rosenblatt, 26, appeared ready to go at the end of round 11, but managed to stay on his feet. Judges Harold Lederman and Frank Garza each gave Norris the last four rounds, but scored the fight 115-113 for Rosenblatt.
Judge Gary Merritt gave Norris the last three rounds, but scored the fight 116-112 for Rosenblatt.
"I thought I won the fight," Norris said. "He didn't deserve it. He held the whole fight."
| Preceded by: Inaugural |
IBA Middleweight Title Fight # 1 |
Succeeded by: Ashira vs. Alvarez |