The action started in round two when Kono fell to the canvas as a result of a low blow from Kameda. Moments later, Kameda was deducted another point for a low blow. Kono finished the fight landing 362 punches to 317 by Kameda.
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Kono however began to really assert himself in the sixth and seventh round by simply being more active and finding a continuous home for his right uppercut. The warnings continued to both fighters in Round 4, although Kono got away with a low blow of his own that was missed. Kono landed a good share too, and both showed iron chins and an iron will. Fonfara’s legion of Polish fans kept up near-constant chants for their favorite, accompanied by a beating drum.
Fonfara is tough as most Poles are so I see this fight going the distance and I’m happy to have a small wager on Cleverly to win by decision or technical decision at a standout 3/1 with Ladbrokes. The two pugilists set CompuBox records for punches thrown and landed for a light heavyweight encounter, a record that was set in the ninth and 10th rounds of the scrum. The three judges all favored the Tokyo-based champion with tallies of 115-109, 116-108 and 113-111.
I don’t see a rematch between Cleverly and Fonfara playing out any different than last night’s fight. He wanted to fight with me.
Fonfara was able gain momentum back with the same offense he’d used from the beginning – well timed and precise punches stemming from a combination that Cleverly had absolutely no answer for.
It became immediately apparent that this fight would match the action of the opening bout, but with a less involved referee.
Cleverly had the option of taking on WBA champion Juergen Braehmer, but rejected it in favour of fighting Fonfara with the hope that it could set up a huge fight with WBC champion Adonis Stevenson or a rematch with Kovalev. Both boxers landed above 50% of their power shots in the middle of the second round. Undaunted, the Welshman stuck out his tongue at Fonfara after the bell. Fonfara ended up busting Cleverly’s nose with blood everywhere.
Fonfara outlasted Cleverly over 12 entertaining rounds to claim a victory by unanimous decision at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card. “He’s a great fighter”.
So I’m backing the fact that the fire has returned to his belly and as long as Cleverly enters the ring in the correct frame of mind, then I think his boxing skills will take him to a close points win.
By the eleventh round they broke the compubox record for punches thrown by light heavyweights, and Fonfara and Clevelry landed brutal punches on each other.
Fonfara had the reserves to shade the final round which all but sealed Cleverly’s fate, but he will have no reason to despair.
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The judges turned in the scores of 115-113 and 116-112 twice for Fonfara, giving him the unanimous decision.
