Connect with us

Articles of 2006

Rahman-Toney Draw, Rock Keeps Crown

Published

on

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – “Can you believe it?” marveled Hasim Rahman. “If I'd lost that last round I'd have lost the fight.”

Rahman managed to retain his World Boxing Council heavyweight title Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall, but only by the skin of his teeth. When judges Tom Kazmarek and Nouako Uratani turned in 114-114 scorecards to overrule John Stewart (who had Rahman winning by a whopping 117-111 margin), the result was a majority draw.

Most ringsiders had scored the bout for Rahman. HBO's Harold Lederman had Rock winning by a 116-112 margin, as did The Sweet Science, and as he sent James Toney out for the final round, trainer Freddie Roach warned his charge that he probably needed a knockout to win.

While the bout had loomed a boxer-slugger matchup going in, few could have supposed that it would be Rahman who would play the artist to Toney's artisan, but over 12 rounds the champion threw 300 more punches than the onetime middleweight king, and solidly outboxed him, landing 120 jabs to Toney's 48.

Toney came out early as if he actually expected to knock Rahman out, and when he wasn't eating jabs he did manage to land several impressive looping overhand rights. But when Rahman weathered those, the challenger had no ready answer, and as the title bout wore on it appeared that Toney's conditioning, or lack of it, proved the difference.

Although the onetime middleweight, super-middle, and cruiserweight world champion weighed 237, just four pounds more than he had against John Ruiz a year earlier, he appeared considerably paunchier in this one, and over the latter half of the bout was unable to summon more than one punch at a time. Against Hasim Rahman on this night, that plainly wasn't going to be enough.

Simply put, Rahman (now 45-5-1) outworked Toney (69-5-2) over the course of the evening, and even though he claimed to have thought he had done enough to deserve the decision, Toney didn't sound altogether convincing.

“I thought I won it, but that's the way boxing goes,” said Toney. “I thought at times he was afraid of me.”

Although Toney had his support in the audience, most of the announced crowd of 8,427 seemed stunned to hear the draw announced.

Even though Rahman retained his title, his promoter Bob Arum seemed particularly dissatisfied that the judges had it as close as they did.

“This is why boxing sucks,” said Arum. “But then look at the people in [Toney's] corner.”

And you may take it that Arum wasn't talking about Freddie Roach. Although Don King was not officially involved in last night's festivities, he retains a promotional interest in Toney, and had climbed into the ring and joined the Toney party just before Michael Buffer read the scorecards, looking like a man who know something the rest of us did not.

As unpopular as it might have been, the Rahman-Toney verdict wasn't the most outrageous decision – or even the most outrageous draw – of the night. That distinction went to a split decision draw, one that allowed undefeated Brooklyn welterweight Dmitriy Salita to escape a well-merited loss in his bout against Mexican Ramon Montano. Montano (10-4-1) had Salita all but out in the first round, dropping him first with a short right hand and again with a left-right combination. As Montano tried to finish the job in the opening stanza, he later flung Salita to the canvas. (Referee Earl Morton ruled it a slip.) Lucky to escape that round, Salita was also fortunate to finish the fifth on his feet, as Montano had him helpless against the ropes as the bell intervened.

Salita (24-0-1) bled from a cut above the left eye for the last three rounds, but somehow led on the card of the infamous New Jersey judge Eugenia Williams, who had him in front 75-74. Lawrence Layton had Montano winning 76-74, but Robert Grasso's 75-75 scorecard allowed Salita to get out of town with the draw. (The Sweet Science also scored it 76-74 for Montano.)

The other two other heavyweight bouts on the card saw Tony Thompson of Baltimore run his record to 27-1 with a fourth-round stoppage of Philadelphian Maurice Wheeler (10-5-1), and Travis Kaufman of Reading, Pa. KO'd Robert Bell of Akron, Ohio, in one. Kaufman (3-0), a southpaw, caught Bell (2-2) with a right hook that was little more than a jab. The opponent stayed down until the count of nine, and, unsurprisingly, failed to make referee Sammy Viruet's 10-count, and then complained about the stoppage.

The women's bout on the card produced a minor upset, as Coloradan Susannah Warner (2-3) outworked Noriko Kariya to win a majority decision over the previously unbeaten Canadian. Warner carried the bout by scores of 39-37 on the cards of Grasso and Layton, while Williams had it 38-38. Kariya is now 3-1.

New Jersey light-heavyweights Chuck Mussachio (6-0) won a majority decision over Washingtonian Andre Hemphill (3-3), with Williams (40-36) and Layton (39-37) favoring the winner, while Grasso (38-38) had it even.

In an earlier battle of upstate New Yorkers, Amherst welterweight Vincent Arroyo (4-0) stopped Coram's Adam Czacher (2-3) in four, while in the walk-out bout, light-heavyweight Bobby Rooney (5-2-1) of Bayonne and Derrick Sierra of the Bronx (1-4-3) fought to yet another draw.

* * *

TOP RANK BOXING
BOARDWALK HALL
ATLANTIC CITY
March 18, 2006

HEAVYWEIGHTS: Hasim Rahman, 238, Baltimore drew with James Toney, 237, Ann Arbor, Mich. (12) (Rahman retains WBC title)
Tony Thompson, 250, Baltimore TKO'd Maurice Wheeler, 236½, Philadelphia (4)
Travis Kaufman, 234½, Reading, Pa. KO'd Robert Bell, 236½, Akron, Ohio (1)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS: Chuck Mussachio, 176, Wildwood, NJ dec. Andre Hemphill, 174, Washington, DC (4)
Bobby Rooney, 172½, Bayonne, NJ drew with Derrick Sierra, 179, Bronx, NY (4)

WELTERWEIGHTS: Dmitry Salita, 145, Brooklyn, NY drew with Ramon Montano, 142½, Ciudad Obregon, Mexico (8)
Vincent Arroyo, 141, Amherst, NY TKO'd Adam Czacher, 141, Coram, NY (4)

BANTAMWEIGHTS: Susannah Warner, 115½, Colorado Springs, Colo. Dec. Noriko Ann Kariya, 116¾, Toronto, Canada (4)

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement Ad - Web Hosting from SiteGround - Crafted for easy site management. Click to learn more.
Advertisement Ad - SiteGround Web Hosting - Crafted for easy site management. Amazing Speed; Powerful Tools; Top-rated support. Learn more.

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles5 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles4 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles5 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Gibbons
Featured Articles2 days ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

From-HEALING-to-Hate-Muhammad-Ali-Fred-Levin-and-Florida
Featured Articles7 hours ago

The Hauser Report: From HEALING to Hate — Muhammad Ali, Fred Levin, and Florida

Gibbons
Featured Articles2 days ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles4 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles5 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles5 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending