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Message: [QUOTE="SWC75, post: 3872042, member: 289"] Interesting fight between Devin Haney and Jorge Linares. Haney was 13 years younger, quicker and faster with his fists. He had a piston-like jab and good defensive movement. He dominated the first 8 rounds, all of which I gave to him. Linares was able to get in a few counter punches that got Haney's attention but he wasn't able to throw combinations. The one thing missing in Haney's game is power. He piled up the points but never rocked Linares. Late in the 10th round, Linares rocked him and Haney walked unsteadily to his corner. Linares went after him in the 11th and all Haney was able to do is grab and hold. But he knew to do that, (so many undefeated fighters don't know what to do when they are in trouble), and he survived, even getting his jab and combinations going by the end of the round. Linares tried to get the knockout he needed in the 12th but seemed out of gas until the final minute when he appeared to rock Haney again, causing Devin to again grab and hold. Jorge won the last couple of flurries. The ref took a point away from Linares for holding and hitting. I graded the 11th round even and gave Linares the 9th, (when his comeback really began), the 10th and the 12th for a 117-111 total. the judges had it closer to that, with two coming in at 116-112 and one at 115-113. Punch count had Haney scoring on 215 of 675 punches, (32%) and 136 of 360 power punches (37%) to 116/620 (19%) and 91/322 (24%) for Linares. The right guy won but Haney seems vulnerable. he was having trouble getting matches with the other top lightweights because he boxes so beautifully. But his lack of power and his getting wobbled late in the fight actually might make him a more attractive opponent, especially with the goose egg on his record still in tact. He was making noises about waning Teofimo Lopez next but I think Teo would solve his style and knock him out. The commentator was shocked that all of Haney's jabs and combinations failed to open a cut on Linares, attributing that result to the excellent shape Linares was in. Does being in shape reduce the likelihood of getting cut? Maybe it does. I don't know. The great mystery of boxing to me is how these fighters can take all these punches, some of them full on in the face and still be standing there. I remember seeing this bout from years ago: [URL='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5lzRSrWYWU']James butler vs richard grant cheap shot sucker punch - YouTube[/URL] These two guys had been punching each other for 10 rounds but Butler hits Grant with this one unexpected punch and caves in his face, (he had a dislocated jaw and lost several teeth). Yes it was a sucker punch but we're talking flesh, bone, sinew and cartilage. How does that punch have such a greater impact than the ones received during the fight: just because he didn't expect to be punched? Now Linares' skin doesn't cut because he's "in shape". I enjoy watching this sport but I'll never figure it out. [/QUOTE]

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