Fight Night Coverage: Alexander vs Kotelnik - Cloud vs Johnson

I haven’t found one, but I agree a little warm-up would be fun.

Coyne KO9 Browning. Left hand.

Dan Rafael: Spinks-Bundrage is under way and Bundrage came out very fast and is taking it to Spinks in the first round.

I’m not necessarily surprised Spinks lost. I’m surprised a guy like Bundrage could beat the crap out of him in five. He’s mechanical and not at all fleet of foot. I get what you’re saying, though.

For a moment, ring security wouldn’t let Michael Buffer in the ring.

I’ll be doing round by round updates – and Joe will be posting his score.

We’re underway. As expected, very little feeling out. Cloud using his jab, and just dug to the body with a nice right hand. Good action in the middle of the ring. Cloud is banging away, though Glen is doing a nice job of picking shots off. Johnson’s just missing with a lot of what he’s throwing, as Cloud’s D has been nice and tight so far. Cloud has Glen backed up along the ropes. He’s definitely outworking the old man so far. Looks a little sharper as well. Glen does a little better over the final 20-30 seconds. Good opening round.

Harold has it 1-0 for Cloud.

Action in the middle of the ring. Johnson just threw a nice hook to the body. Cloud now pushing Glen back, and banging away with his right, and now just threw a real nice hook to the body. Nice combo. Cloud another nice right. Johnson answers back with a hard right of his own. Intense action on the inside in the middle of the ring. Johnson with some nice work. Just landed a solid body shot, then went upstairs. Johnson now pushing the pace, firing his jab out. Johnson with a hard right hand. Johnson now pushing the younger man back. Cloud on the ropes here. Johnson digging in. Cloud with a nice right hand. Action in the corner here, a lot of clean shots landing. Cloud lands a nice right towards the end of the round. GREAT action.

This is intense stuff. Johnson is fighting with real confidence. “Johnson is just a real pro” – Bob Papa. Not quite the same hard hitting action this round. Both guys taking it a little easier. Johnson is popping the jab as he moves forward, although Cloud is catching most of them. Cloud with a nice jab. Johnson with a nice combo late in the round.

Harold has it 2-1 for Glen. He won the round with a very busy jab. Threw more jabs than Cloud threw punches, we’re told. Cloud now popping the jab. Glen responds with his own. “Even though it’s not landing, it’s stopping the offense of Clould.” – Papa. Max points out that a few are landing. Max adds that it seems Cloud is expending more energy to get the same results. Action in the middle of the ring here. Both guys working hard with little shots inside. Now they take a little breather as Smoger separates them. Glen just misses a right, and Cloud just misses a counter. Now Glen slips a combo. Nice head movement from the veteran. Clould though pops him with a right. Cloud with another little shot inside. There’s the bell.

2-2 on Harold’s card.

Cloud doubling up on the left hook, going upstairs first and then to the body with it. Glen popping the jab as he moves forward. Johnson gets home a right hand. Glen popping a couple more jabs in there. Cloud with a nice counter left hook that landed clean. Both guys now trying to get position on the inside. Cloud with a chopping right, and follow it up with a few lefts. Johnson with a couple little shots inside. Grinding inside action here. Johnson trying to dig to the body. He’s trying to push the youngster back. Clould just fires a right and a left and might have Johnson a little buzzed. Glen covers up for a second. He tries to fight back. Glen looks okay. He fires back and now pushes Cloud back. Only for Cloud to respond with more heavy leather before the bell.

Cloud pushing forward to start the round. He’s banging away with heavy shots. Johnson has the guard up. He’s not really throwing back, but he’s picking off many of these punches. Cloud keeps digging. Now Johnson fires back with a right, as Cloud takes a break. Cloud now fires back with a right. Glen bangs home a combo. Glen with a nice little spurt here. Cloud maybe punched himself out a little early in the round, and Glen’s taken the play away from him. Action in the middle of the ring. They are back grinding on the inside. They are taking a bit of a rest here. Now Johnson digs to the body. Glen trying to work the jab. He sticks a couple home. he pops one to the body. Cloud tries to flurry with a combo with 10 seconds left. There’s the bell.

Terrific fight so far. Harold has it 3-3.

Glen working his jab to start the round. Cloud circling away with his gloves up. Cloud now flicks out his jab – a punch he hasn’t used all that much. Bob Papa mentions Johnson is at 192 tonight! I missed the fight night weights earlier. That’s a lot of weight for an old man to dry out… wonder how he’ll cope as the fight wears on. Action back in the middle of the ring. Cloud fires a combo. A nice 1-2 there from the youngster. He’s a little busier here than the old man. Johnson with a little 1-2. Cloud sticks home a jab. Johnson digs to the body. Great to see two willing battlers not looking to clinch when the action gets inside. Cloud with a cuffing right, but Johnson responds with a better right. Now there’s a clinch. There’s the bell.

Harold has is 4-3 for Glen.

Action in the middle of the ring. Johnson working the jab. Cloud sticks home his own jab. Johnson with a right hand that lands. Cloud digs in with a heavy right hand upstairs that seems to bother Johnson a little. Clould with another right hand. He hooks to the body, and tries to press his advantage. Johnson fires back. Now they clinch for a little breather. That was Cloud’s best moment since early in the 6th. Cloud misses a right as the veteran ducks under and forces a clinch. Johnson now pushes forward and bulls Cloud into the corner where he tries to get some work done, but Cloud slips away. Cloud with a right hand. Cloud with a nice combo. Cloud with another good combo. Cloud with a hook. Johnson fires back, but that was a very strong round for Cloud, especially the way he finished.

Cloud seems to be waiting to steal rounds.

4-4 on Harold’s card.

Bob Papa comments on how Cloud’s corner told him not to do nothing on the side when Johnson leans on him. Push off and get some space.

Johnson trying to pop the jab. A little steam might be gone from his shots. Cloud popping his jab in, looking to set up his right hand. Johnson getting his jab home. He’s outhustling Cloud. Clould not letting his hands go much this round. Perhaps that burst of energy in the 8th has left him a little winded. He took a break in the 7th after a big 6th. Now it looks like he’s taking a break in the 9th after a big 8th. Johnson pecking away with the jab. Cloud letting this round slip away.

Glen just keeps flicking the jab out there. Cloud needs to get back to work. He’s not really doing it over the first 45 seconds this round. He’s flicking the jab, but not really following up with much. Now they are leaning on each other in close. Johnson with a decent right hand on the inside. Cloud lands a left hook. Johnson digs to the body. Good action in the trenches here. Cloud’s corner told him to get space in close, but he’s not doing it. Now he lands a decent 1-2. Cloud now with a decent right. Cloud coming to life here. Johnson fires back to the body. Cloud with a combo upstairs. Now they take a little rest. Cloud with a right hand. “Everytime Cloud appears to be taking the play away, Johnson just doesn’t let it happen.”

Cloud has a cut on the outside of his left eye. It’s not in a great spot, as it’s slightly above the eye and the blood could hamper his vision.

The cut was from a punch according to Smoger.

Harold has it 5-5.

Action in the middle of the ring. Both fighters with their guard up, looking for openings. Both firing their jab. Cloud tries to dig with ah ard combo. Now Cloud fires a hard combo upstairs. Johnson flicks the jab home. They are now working in close on the inside. Smoger separates them. Cloud with a right hand in close. Johnson has Cloud’s arm hooked and Smoger breaks them. Cloud unloads with an energetic flurry. A couple left hands got home. Johnson tried to tie him up, but Cloud fought out of it. Cloud hooks downstairs. Cloud doing some real nice work here. Johnson trying to fire back, though not much steam on his shots. 30 seconds to go in the round. Johnson trying to push Cloud back and go to work, but Cloud ties him up. The final seconds tick away with the fighters in a clinch.

Final round coming up. Harold has it 6-5 Cloud.

Cloud a little busier to start the round. Johnson though lands a nice right hand. Johnson sticks a jab home. Johnson now working harder. Cloud comes back with a couple of hoks. Johnson with a real nice right hand upstairs. He follows it up with a right hand to the body. Cloud forces a clinch. 1:20 to go. Johnson pushes forward. Cloud lands a counter right. Clould now tries to flurry with a combo. he lands a nice right hand. Johnson bangs home with a counter right.. Johnson getting back at it, pushes forward and they clinch. Very few of those, but they’re tired at this stage. Johnson tries to fire upstairs, but his shots are blocked. Clould bangs home a nice left hand. Johnson tries to push forward, but they clinch and the round ends.

All 3 judges have it 116-112 for Tavoris Cloud.

They are busy bickering during the interview with Kellerman. Glen thinks he won. Cloud admits Glen landed more frequently, but he feels he landed the harder shots. I would tend to agree with him.

Here are the current odds: Dawson/Pascal

Alexander 149, Kotelnik 148

Rafael: Mayweather was just introduced the crowd, which started chanting “Pacquiao! Pacquiao! Pacquiao!”

Buffer with the intros. We should be underway soon.

Final instructions have been given. Let’s get it on.

And they’re off…

It really couldn’t be greater.

Alexander is circling to his right, while popping his jab. Kotelnik catching on the gloves so far. He’s edging forward with his own jab. Alexander gets one home. Alexander trying to probe for an opening, but Kotelnik keeping a tight guard and so far blocking Devon’s attack. He’s getting in a couple jabs meanwhile. Now Alexander triples up on the jab, and then fires downstairs. Alexander to the body with a left, and fires a right upstairs. Kotelnik with a jab. Papa comments on Kotelnik timing his jab well and sticking it home. Alexander a little short with a left. There’s the bell.

10-9 Alexander

Easy round to score. Devon must’ve thrown over 75 jabs. Kotelnik couldn’t catch up.

1-0 on Harold’s card for Alexander.

Kotelnik keeps edging forward, while Alexander circles while popping shots from range. Kotelnik with a right hand that lands. Despite the speed disparity, Kotelnik is managing to get some stuff done. He just landed a decent left. he’s edging forward, while Alexander looks to counter. Now Alexander with a left hand. Alexander jumps in with a left to the body. Kotelnik sticking the jab as he moves forward, although Devon slips away. Alexander has his right hand low, looking to unleash his left. he sticks home a jab. Now tries to fire the left to the body, but is short, but lands with a quick combo. Kotelnik with a right hand tht lands. Alexander is trying to fire straight lefts to the body, but they are almost always blocked. He gets home a quick jab. There’s the bell.

2-0 for Alexander on Harold’s card.

Alexander popping his jab in reverse. Kotelnik lands a right hand. Alexander circles away, sticking his jab as he does. Kotelnik keeps edging forward. Alexander fights off the ropes though and backs Kotelnik off. Alexander with a 1-2. Kotelnik now pushing forward again, as Alexander slowly retreats and waits to strike. Kotelnik digs a couple shots to the body. Alexander with a nice straight left hand. Alexander with a nice jab. Kotelnik just keeps sticking to it though, pushing forward, looking to time Devon… and he lands a nice straight right. Alexander calmly circles away to his right. Kotelnik pushes the jab out there. Devon bangs a left back at him.

Alexander’s corner really gave him a mouthful between rounds. Harold has it 3-0. These rounds are far from one sided though.

Kotelnik pushing forward with the jab, though Alexander is slipping them. Alexander firing back, but most of his shots are getting caught on the guard. Kotelnik with a jab. Alexander fires back with a left. I think he may have split the guard with that one. Kotelik with a combo intot he gloves. Alexander fires back, but I think that was picked off as well. Alexander popping the jab from range, as Kotelnik edges fowrard. A couple of nice jabs from Alexander as he had backed into a corner, but slipped away. Kotelnik though followed and landed a decent left. Kotelnik to the body. Alexander with a flurry that included a decent left, and Kotelnik fires back.

Alexander has a small cut just over his right eye. It’s in a spot that could cause him trouble, just under the eyebrow.

Alexander with a nice flurry, and Kotelnik lands a right. Alexander jabbing from range here. Kotelnik pushing forward, and now Alexander circles away. Alexander with a left hand. Kotelnik with the high guard is doing a good job of picking off a lot of what Alexander is throwing. Kotelnik tries to press along the ropes, and Alexander got a little tangled up, but Drakulich breaks them up. Alexander with a couple nice combos. Kotelnik was pressing forward with success, until a couple good spurts by Alexander. Kotelnik though gets right back to it, and lands a right.

Harold has it 5-0. These rounds are tight though.

Kotelnik continues to edge forward. He fires a right, and Alexander slips away to his right. Alexander throws a 1-2, but it’s blocked. Kotelnik really sticking to it as he pushes forward behind the jab. Alexander is winning, but he’s not having an easy time at all. Now he lands a left hand. He sticks home a right. Kotelnik with a jab. Alexander with his back along the ropes, now slips away back to the middle fo the ring and Kotelnik goes right after him. Alexander with a left. Kotelnik is doing a good job of picking off Alexander’s quick spurts. He’s seeing the shots, keeping his elbows tucked, blocking, and then firing back with his own.

Harold finally gives one to Kotelnik. He’s got it 5-1.

Kotelnik keeps edging forward. Alexander on the move, looking to hit and run a bit. He’s not looking comfy at all. Alexander now standing his ground a little more. Action in the middle of the ring. Alexander flicking the jab, now he’s back to circling. Kotelnik with the jab, while Alexander tries to jump in with a left. By the way, the cut sustained by Alexander was from an accidental clash of heads. Kotelnik pushing forward again. Alexander on his toes slides away. Alexander pops a 1-2, not sure if either got through though. Alexander is busy here, although not sure how much getting through. Bob Papa asks what do you like, the busier guy in Alexander or the more accurate in Kotelnik.

Harold has it 6-1.

Action in the middle of the ring. Kotelnik with the jab, while Alexander trying to flurry in response. Kotelnik now edges forward, as Alexander backs away. Alexander doesn’t seem to be placing his shots well, he’s just throwing to try and back Kotelnik off, and many are blocked. Now he lands a decent combo, and Kotelnik comes right back. Kotelnik with a hook downstairs. Alexander digs to the body with his left. Alexander with a jab. Alexander with a left. Kotelnik with a nice 1-2. Alexander fires back. Alexander letting his hands go and now backs Kotelnik up. Alexander with a left. Another straight left. Good sequence here from Alexander. Kotelnk tries to come back and he lands a left. Kotelnik backs Alexander into the ropes and lands, just before the bell. Good round.

“Kevin Cunningham not pleased with Devon Alexander” – Bob Papa

Kotelnik pushes forward to start the round, as Alexander backs away. Alexander flurries intot he gloves and gets back on the move. Now he fires a left hand into the guard. Kotelnik fires a left and a right to the body. Now he hooks upstairs. Alexander tries to fire back with the straight left. Alexander with a jab. Kotelnik keeps pushing forward. Alexander tries to flurry and back him off. He now slips away to the side. Kotelnik with a jab. Alexander tries to flurry, but Kotelnik pops home his own jab. Vic wants to take a look at the cut and he calls time with 54 seconds left. The doc takes a quick look and the action resumes. The blood is trickling down the side of Alexander’s face. Kotelnik digs with a hook. Alexander ties him up.. Alexander flurries late in the round as kotelnik follows and tries to bang a right in.

“You can sense one corner is confident and one is concerned.” – Bob Papa

Harold has it 8-1. I dunno about about that, Harold. Not sure Alexander is landing at the frequency he’s getting credit for on that card.

Alexander standing his ground a little more to start the round. He’s flurrying, and outworking Kotelnik. Now Kotelnik gets back in there, pushing Alexander back. He’s going after him, jabbing as he goes forward. He lands a decent right hand. Alexander on the move again. Kotelnik is fighting a very determined fight here. Alexander keeps trying to flurry to keep him off, although none of the shots are all that effective, or landing particularly clean. Kotelnik keeps pushing forward. He’s doing the better work.here. He digs a nice shot the body. he flurries hard upstairs. Alexander tries to fire back as the bell ends.

Alexander’s corner is still working on the cut as the bell rings.

Harold gave that one to Kotelnik. He has it 8-2.

Alexander showing a little more purpose to start the round. He’s going after Kotelnik a big. He pops home a nice left. Nothing bothers Kotelnik though. He just responds by coming forward and putting on some more pressure. Kotelnik is just looking sharper. He’s throwing nice straight shots as he comes forward. Alexander’s work just feels more desperate, and definitely less precise. Kotelnik just landed a really nice shot on the inside. Alexander fired back with a flurry. Alexander on his toes, staying on the move. Blood is streaming from that cut. Alexander flurries off the ropes and there’s a clinch. Both fighters land in the last 10 seconds, although Kotelnik got the better of it.

Harold has it 9-2.

Alexander flurrying here. He’s trying to jump in with combos. Now he circles away as Kotelnik follows. Kotelnik with a nice 1-2. Alexander on the move now as he circles away to his left. Bob Papa has Kotelnik ahead by a point at this stage. Max says he’ll be very surprised if the judges have it that way considering we’re in St. Louis. Kotelnik with a nice little shot inside. Alexander flurries and tries to slip away. Kotelnik with a 1-2. Alexander stands his ground and fires back. Kotelnik just pushes forward again and lands a left. Alexander flurrying back. “Alexander just trying to gut out the win.” – Kellerman. Kotelnik with a good left hand. Kotelnik is doing the cleaner work here. He lands a right hand and forces Alexander back. Alexander is looking tired and ragged. Kotelnik pushing forward just outfighting Alexander down the stretch.

Alexander might win the decision, but Kotelnik won the battle. He landed the more damaging blows and dictated the fight.

Harold has it 117-111 for Alexander.

All 3 judges have it 116-112 for Devon Alexander

He practically ran Alexander out of the ring… and wins 4 rounds on the cards. Alexander got way too much credit for letting his hands go without being the least bit effective.