Friday Night Fights By Beaten Man Replies to humbled@abeatenman.com Live Broadcast: Scheduled ten round bout of Intergender Pro Boxing DD: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is your announcer Don Donfrey joined by blow by blow analyst Mike Foley and of course boxing legend George Foreman, welcoming you to Mutual Radio's Gillete Friday Night Fights. Tonights contest features the long awaited debut of undefeated Leila Ali into the Int'l Boxing Federation. Her opponent tonight is a tough one. , He is the two time former IBF cruiserweight champion and presently # 3 ranked Light Heavyweight contender, Tiger Edwards. This one promises to be a real donnybrooke. MF: Thats right Don there is little love lost between these two. They almost came to blows at the weigh-in yesterday. Edwards has guaranteed a quick Knockout claiming he will send Ali back to the kitchen where she belongs in less than 2 rounds. Most observers agree and give Leila Ali little chance of standing up to the fire power of Edwards.. GF: Well that makes perfect sense Mike. Leila has had to put on an awful lot of weight for this fight. If she had anything going for her against a fighter like Tiger it would have been speed. Gaining 20 pounds in less than 2 months is bound to slow her down. MF: And she's never faced anyone who can hit with the power in either hand that Edwards has. She's only fought one other male and that was the light hitting middleweight Dan Carson in a three round non sanctioned exhibition. And Carson put her down in the first round. It was only a furious comeback in the third that got her a draw in that one. DD: To be fair to Ali, Mike, she had influenza and was not 100 percent as she is tonight. And she took that fight on less than a weeks notice. And there'e the age factor. Edwards is 34 Ali only 24 GF: Even so gentlemen there is no way your going to convince me that a woman belongs in the same ring with a fighter like Edwards. DD: Anything can happen in the ring. Thats why they fight the fights George. I see that the fighters are ready. Lets go ringside as Michael Buffer introduces the combatants. MB: Ladies and gentlemen this is your Ring announcer Michael Buffer and we have a great one tonight brought to you by Gillette and the undisputed king of Beers... Budweiser. 10 rounds of boxing at the Garden state arena. This fight is sanctioned by the New Jersey boxing commission under IBF rules. The judges at ringside are Mark Donahue, Sylvia Nesbitt and Dan Snyder. The referee and counting at the knockdowns is Mills Lane. Physician in attendence Dr. Robert Caster. The three knockdown rule is in effect and a fighter cannot be saved by the bell. Only the referee can stop the fight. The principals for tonights featured event are: In the red corner standing an even 6 ft weighing in at 178 pounds with a record of 38 victories, with 34 of those coming by knock out- 1 draw - and no defeats. She is the Womans Light heavyweight champion and daughter of the Great Muhammed Ali .....Leilaaa Aliiiii, Ali. And in the blue corner standing 6'1 and weighing in at 190 pounds from the steel city of Pittsburgh with a record of 62 wins, 53 by way of knockout and 4 losses he is the former 2 time cruiserweight champion and current #3 contenter .....Tigerrr Edwardsssss. Edwards. The fighters are coming to the center of the ring and the referee wiill give them the their instructions.. Lets get ready to RRRumbleeeeee!!! DD: Before the bell, any predictions guys? GF; I don't see the fight going more than 2 or 3 rounds, at best. Tiger is just to strong. MF: I don't agree George. I think Ali will stay away and make Edwards chase her. When he'll finally catch her is anybody's guess. DD: And there's the bell for round one MF: Both fighter move to the center of the ring. and begin circling. Ali is on her toes and moves a lot like her dad. Edwards is just moving at her and trying to get some range. Theres a good jab from Ali as she moves back and theres another one. Edwards fires his own and Ali dances back and to her right. Theres another Edwards jab and the followi up right whistles passed Ali's chin as she pulls her head back just in time or this one might have been over. GF: Ali is standing too straight she needs to crouch a bit DD; If she does she's a sucker for Edwards vaunted uppercut MF: Theres a hard right from Ali right to Edwards chin. He doesn't seem bothered by the punch and lands his own right hook right to Ali's ribs. The fighters are circleing again as the action momentarily subsides GF: Ali needs to get that jab working again MF: She must of heard you George. There's 2 Ali Jabs in Edwards face as he digs a left hook to her body. And a tremendous overhand right on Ali's jaw. She ties Edwards up and the referee steps in to seperate them DD: She showed a pretty good chin there. Thats the same punch Carson put her down with MF: Ali is back on her bicycle now firing light jabs to keep Edwards off as Edwards seems to be content to measure her and just look for the opening.. Now he fires a jab and another jab as Ali hooks to the body and moves away. Edwards follows and lands a wicked left hook to Ali's ribs. He looked like Joe Frazier against her father with that one. Edwards backs her to the ropes as Ali covers up. There's a quick exchange on the inside and Ali ties him up again. GF: She's showing some smarts, clinching when Edwards gets inside MF: Lane says no way as he seperates the fighters and they begin circling again. Theres another hook from Edwards as the bell sounds ending round one. The fighters walk back to their corners. DD: Well the first rounds in the books. Any surprises? GF: Her chin - I thought that big Edwards right was all she wrote MF: It's about what I expected with just a bit less Ali dancing . DD: I was surprised Edwards wasn't more aggressive. It doesn't look like Ali has the power to really hurt him. GF: He looked aggressive to me Don. Tiger never has been one to throw a lot of punches. he's always depended on power shots and that uppercut you mentioned. DD: The corners are giving last second instructions and the fighters are on their feet awaiting the bell. And there it is. Round two is underway MF: The fighters move out to the center again as Ali opens the action with that quick annoying jab. And two more. Edwards continues to move forward and now his hands are a bit higher. Ali continues to flick that jab as she dances to her right. Now Edwards begins to fire jabs as he advances, one of them just stuffed Ali's nose as she backs away. The fighters are circling now... And theres Edwards first attempt with that uppercut, Ali just leans away and throws another jab. Now Edwards is pursuing firing heavy shots as he comes in. Ali takes them on the arms and gloves. GF: Looks like Tiger is trying to make good on that guarantee. He said he'd take her out in 2 MF: Ali continues to jab and dance as Edwards pursues. He's going to the body now as he settles down hooking twice to Ali's ribs. Theres a big Ali right and again Tiger walks through it and lands his own right as Ali dances away. The fighers are circling again in the center of the ring. The sweat is beginning to show on both fighters as they warm to the action. Edwards hooking to the body and follows with a big right hand right down the pike that sends Leila skidding back towards the ropes. He follows her into the ropes and begins to pound to the body as Ali covers up. Ali spins off the ropes and lands a solid left upstairs as Tiger attempted to hook to the body. Back in the center now Ali is back on her toes and firing that jab. Edwards is down low trying to move underneath her guard. Theres the uppercut and Ali is hurt. DD: No doubt about that Mike I could see her knees buckle from here MF: Edwards lands a short left to Alis jaw right over the guard and fires another big right hook to the ribs and Ali is hanging on trying to tie him up. Edwards continues to fire at her ribs as she clinches. The referee is seperating them now and he warns Ali about her head. GF: I don't know how much more of that kind of punishment she can take. MF: Ali is trying to keep her distance. She looks a little a shaky at the moment but she's still firing the jab and it continues to land. Edwards goes back to the body but takes another big right hand from Ali. GF: She doesn't appear able to hurt him with those big rights. MF: The fighters exchange left hands in the center of the ring. Edwards fires a Right that started somewhere in Kansas but Ali ducks underneath and throws her own uppercut to Edwards chin. DD: That looks like it might have hurt Tiger. It's the first big punch that stopped him in his tracks. That he didn't just walk through. MF: The fighters are both on their toes now and the action has slowed considerably. Now Edwards has rediscovered his jab as he tries to move in behind it. Ali will have none of it and backs away. Theres blood coming from Alis nose and also a trickle by her lip. Edwards has a cut under his left eye but that shouldn't be problem since it's under the eye. Back in the center again Edwards has settled back flat footed as he looks to land the power shot. Ali's still dancing. There's another big Edwards right and Ali is hurt. She's trying to back away, trying to clear those cobwebs but Edwards is really busy now firing upstairs and downstairs as he pushes her towards the neutral corner. Ali turns out of the corner and moves away on shaky legs with Tiger giving chase. As Tiger moves in Ali once again ties him up and leans on him to stop those punches. And theres the bell ending round 2. Both fighters look like they can use the rest, especially Ali. DD: I would definately give that round to Edwards. How do you see it so far George GF: I've got it 2 rounds to none for Edwards MF: I actually thought Ali won that first round but considering Tiger was the aggressor the judges might see it differently. But Edwards definitely pounded her in that last round DD: Ali's corner is busy working on her nose and I can see her dad sitting just off to the side in the first row trying to get her trainers attention. GF: Probably wants her to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. MF: Edwards stung like a 190 pound bee that last round. Ali is going to need to be careful if she wants to survive into the later rounds. DD: The question is can Edwards keep up this pace if he can't take her out in the next round or so. His legs are 34 years old. But right now he is definitely in better shape than his opponent. The fighters are on their feet again and there's the bell for round 3. MF: Ali moves out cautiously, her legs are stiill a little shaky, and her guard is high. Edwards looks determined as he fires a three punch combo that Ali takes on her gloves. GF: Edwards needs to work the body and stop looking for the quick knockout MF: Tiger has the jab going now as Ali continues to back away and continues to pepper him with light jabs as she retreats. Theres an overhand Ali right that slows Edwards advance and the fighters begin to circle once again. Ali is back on her toes now and the jabs looks a little stiffer. There is a cut now above Edwards left eye. Edwards attempts another of those huge uppercuts, this one barely missed Ali's chin as she fires low to his side with a left hook.. Circling again as Edwards moves in and pounds to Alis midsection and takes a big right high on his forehead. Edwards continues as the aggressor, continues working the body as Ali dances back firing her Jab as she retreats. They're along the ropes now. Ali's back is to them as she leans back to avoid a sizzling Edwards overhand right. Again she leans back on the ropes as another Edwards riight misses. Edwards shifts to the body with 2 short hooks to Alis sides. Ali fires an overhand right that backs Edwards off, but she stays on the ropes. Edwards moves in again. Ali moves her head to avoid still another uppercut and pounds Edwards to the stomach. The fighters clinch and now Edwards back is to the ropes as Mills Lane steps in to seperate them. DD: It looks like Ali has her legs back Mike GF: She looked like her Dad against me in Zaire along those ropes. Edwards needs to back off and not waste his energy when she tries that or it will be a long night for him. MF: The combatants are back in the center of the ring again , both fighters now bathed in perspiration reflecting the torrid pace of the action, which has momentarily slowed. The cut above Edwards left eye is swelling and that could be a problem for him later on. The blood is runnung again from Ali's nose and she appears to have swelling beneath her right eye. The action picks up again as Edwards lands a left hook to the body and misses the follow up upper cut. Circling again and theres a blistering six punch exchange that leaves both fighters looking hurt as they again circle one another. GF: That happened so quickly I couldn't tell who landed what and how DD: It started with an Edwards left to Ali's Jaw and finished with an overhand Ali right to Edwards nose. In between were some body shots from each of them George. But you're right it was extremely fast. MF: Ali is back on her toes, back to her bicycle as Edwards measures her with the jab. Ali is . dancing to her left and steps into an Edwards right that forces her to retreat as the bell sounds ending a furious third round. That was the best round of the fight so far. Both corners will be busy repairing the damage from that one. DD: That was Ali's best round Mike. I thought she looked really sharp once her legs came back. I gave her that round and I see it as even through three with the first round a push. GF: I still have Edwards ahead 2 rounds to 1 but you never how the judges see it. MF: Ali's hand speed is what made the difference in that last round. She proved she can hurt Edwards with her right set up with that quick jab. The rope a dope strategy paid off giving her the time to get her legs back after that second round beating she took. DD: Edwards corner is busy working on that left eye. They have to control the swelling or he is going to be blind to Leila Ali's right as the fight wears on. Ali's trainer is telling her to keep the jab working and avoid trading punches with Edwards like she did at the end of that round. GF: They should tell her to keep moving to her right. If she continues trying to move to the left she is going to walk right into Edwards power, just as she did at the end of the round, DD: Both fighters are off their stools as they await the bell. The bleeding momentarily stopped as the corners have done their jobs well. GF: That's what they're paid for DD: Theres the bell for round four MF: The fighters both appear wary of the each other as the round begins with them circling and looking for an opening. Ali just said something to Edwards and then ducked under a ferocious right haymaker from Edwards. Edwards digs to the body and Ali moves away towards the ropes. Edwards follows and lands a right flush to her chin. Ali picks off a second right and fires a hard right to his solar plexus that momentarily halts Tiger in his tracks. Edwards now retreats as Ali steps in behind three sharp jabs. Ali is short with the overhand right as Edwards moves to his right and fires a left to her mid section. Ali again catches Edwards with that quick jab followed by an overhand right that landed flush to tiger's swollen left eye. Ali pressing now, firing jabs as Edwards again is forced to retreat. She steps inside Edwards guard and fires 2 quick hooks to his middle and a short chopping right to the chin. GF: That eye is obviously hampering Edwards vision MF: Ali the aggressor now following Edwards and firing the jab and Edwards catches her with a good counter left that caught her walking in. That slows her assault as the fighters regroup in the center of the ring. GF: Leila needs to watch her natural aggression. Tiger Edwards is still a dangerous fighter. MF: Edwards moving forward again tries the uppercut. Ali leans away and catches him with hers flush on the chin. Theres another 3 punch combination left - right - left- upstair,downstairs and upstairs again from Ali as Edwards finally covers up. GF: The difference in hand speed is really apparent this round. She is consistently beating Tiger to the punch. Consistently getting off first. DD: That and the jab. Edwards hasn't thrown one this round. He's not setting up the power shots. MF: Ali jabbing and dancing now. Edwards again looks like he's measuring her as he circles to his right and paws back with his own lazy jab. Now he throws the overhand right and it was short by a mile as Ali danced back out of range. Edwards throws the left jab and Ali's counter right gets to Edwards Jaw and the folks in the second row get treated to a shower courtesy of Tiger Edwards Sweat. That rocks Edwards and now he ties Ali up as Lane moves in to seperate the fighters again. Back in the center Ali is down off the toes now standing flat footed as the fighters take a break. Edwards digs to the ribs with a left and Ali agains counters with a right and her own left downstairs. And that's the bell ending another fast paced round. DD That was another huge Leila Ali round. She was definitely the boss in there that round. GF: No doubt. Edwards punches lack the steam they had in the early going MF: I see Mills Lane taking a good hard look at that left eye as Edwards cutman slices above it to ease the swelling trying to get it reopened. He seems satisfied but is speaking with the ringside physician. GF: I noticed Ali coming down off her toes and spreading her stance. Looks to me like she wants to get more power in those rights. DD: So tell me George, have you changed your mind as to whether she belongs in there. GF: Definitely. Leila is a first class boxer with a good chin, excellent jab and enough power to hurt anybody she hits. My hat is off to her no matter how this turns out. DD: There the bell signalling round 5 and the fighters are moving out. Mike. MF: Edwards moves out cautiously changing to a southpaw stance, trying to protect that left eye. Ali now is back on the toes and dancing to her left to stay away from Edwards left which is now the power hand. She tries the jab over the guard right and eats his right for her effort. Edwards moves in behind the right jab. Ali does her dads patented Ali shuffle and caught a confused looking Edwards with her own overhand left. Edwards back to an orthodox stance as the fighters circle in the center and continue to exchange jabs. Ali picks off an Edwards right with her gloves and digs hard to his body with her right and theres her first left hook right over Edwards guard. GF She's starting to chop him up. He has a cut under the right eye now and that left eye is swelling again. MF Edwards moves in again and lands the overhand right and theres a quick Ali uppercut and Edwards is sitting on the canvas. he's down as Mills L:ane sends Ali to the neutral corner ML 1 - 2 - 3 -4.......... DD: He looks more surprised than hurt he's already back to one knee GF: Doesn't matter in a close fight a 2 point round is devastating DD: There's still plenty of time in the round. Right now he needs to worry about getting out of the round. MF: Edwards is up as Lane continues the count to eight and and asks him if he is okay. Edwards indicates he is and Lane signals the fighters to resume. Ali moves right in and throws the right. Edwards ducks away and digs a solid right to Alis ribs. Ali settles down and moves away back on her toes. She peppers Edwards with jabs and theres the overhand right that sends Edwards back to the ropes. Edwards leaning on the ropes as Ali digs to the body right left right . Edwards clinchs along the ropes and turns Ali into the ropes. Edwards now hooking to Ali's side as the referee seems content to let them fight there way out of the clinch. Now he seperates the fighters. There's a break in the action Edwards threw a right on the break and Lane is warning him. If he does it again he'll lose a point. The fighters resume the action and Ali is back to the jab as now Edwards is moving away and covering.up. Ali pursues still firing the jab popping it like a gatling gun.as she drives Edwards back with it. Theres a big Ali right and Edwards knees buckled with that one. Ali lands a left to the ribs and another overhand right and Edwards is backed into the his own corner. Ali steps in with a three punch barrage as Edwards tries to cover up.and now leans into Ali. Ali pushes him off and lands a wicked wicked right cross to Edwards jaw that sends him slumping to the canvas in the corner. Ali walks off to the neutral corner pumping her fists overhead as referee Mills Lane begins the count ML 1 - 2 - 3 -4 -5 - 6 -7 -8 -9 -10 You're Out ! MF: Thats it. Lane has counted out Edwards. He is still slumped in his corner. Ali has won. and right now she's jumping on the ring ropes and throwing kisses at her dad as the stunned crowd reacts with roars of approval. It is absolute pandemonium in the ring. What a finish to a great fight. She looks like an amazon warrior as Lane now holds up her hand DD: And what an upset Mike. Edwards was the heavy betting favorite. This is the biggest upset in boxing since Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson in Tokyo ten years ago GF: You can't fight father time and an opponent like Ali on the same night. She really made Tiger look old in those last two rounds. DD: And what a finisher she is. Once she smelled Tigers blood it was Katie bar the door. She was relentless in that last round. Thats only the second time in his long career Tiger failed to finish a fight and only the first time he's been counted out. Let's go back ring side for Buffers official announcement. MB: Ladiesss and Gentlemennn. Your winner and still undefeated - in 2 minutes and 34 seconds of the 5th round by Knockout - The beautiful and devastating ....Leilaaa Aliiiii DD: Well guys - your thoughts before we wrap this up. MF: The boxing world has been turned on its collective ear with tonights events. The hue and cry from the public to allow more and more women into the sport will be deafening. And so many more women will be emboldened to try. Professional boxing is entering a whole new era and we and our audience are witness to that event. GF: I agree but before we get too exited I would still like to see her up against one of the younger contenders on their way up rather than just relying on her dominance of Edwards, who is apparently on his way down. MF: George. I would remind you that Edwards won his last 2 fights and they were against young contenders. GF: I may have to come out of retirement and try her myself.. DD: George, you're in your mid fifties now you can't possibly believe that you could stop her. GF: Stop her? No I was thinking of the clinches. They might be worth the whuppin I'd take. DD: And on that "high brow" note we'll end tonights broadcast. Don't forget to tume in next Friday night at 9:00 PM for another great bout. This is Don Donfrey wishing you all a pleasant good night. ..