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Felix Cora Jr takes on Michael Simms in a battle of undefeated Cruiserweights on Showtime Boxing
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00:005 Championship Boxing
00:30Chicago is not only a box office smash hit on the silver screen it's the scene of our latest
00:57installment of Showtime Championship Boxing tonight the Michael Jordan of Brazil Acelino
01:04Freitas one of the most exciting and charismatic champions to come out of South America continues
01:09his quest for recognition in the United States as he fittingly takes center stage here in the
01:15Windy City in our main event undefeated WBA and WBO 130 pound champ Acelino Popo Freitas with
01:24three straight decisions following 29 knockouts in his first 29 bouts meets rugged former Mexican
01:30champ Juan Carlos Ramirez and in our co-feature a glimpse into the future as top cruiserweight
01:38prospects Michael Sims and Felix Cora hope to keep their unblemished records intact as we make
01:46our way inside to the pavilion on the grounds of the University of Illinois Chicago minutes from
01:51downtown yeah we're a long way from Brazil but political and economic strife in that country
01:57encourage Acelino Freitas to continue his American tour Freitas arguably Brazil's number one individual
02:03sports celebrity but can he capture the hearts of these tough grizzled Midwestern fans stay tuned it's
02:09fight night in Chicago as we take a look at the arrival of Acelino Freitas earlier tonight accompanied by his
02:17lovely wife Eliana an impressive 32 and 0 with 29 knockouts his greatest many of the explosive variety a
02:25major reason he's revered in a nation where soccer is king but outside of Brazil and the boxing community
02:30Freitas may be one of the game's best kept secrets
02:38hello again everybody Steve Albert ringside from Chicago well boxing's alphabet organizations often crowned and
02:44stripped their champions in a seemingly arbitrary fashion with that said the short list of unified title holders
02:51include some of the best fighters pound for pound in the sport joining Acelino Freitas are Roy Jones Bernard Hopkins Oscar de la Hoya
02:58Riccardo Mayorga and Kostia Zoo of those six unified champions only Freitas is unbeaten and in his division he
03:06stands above and apart from the contenders and other champions and with that let me bring on my ringside partner
03:12showtime boxing analyst Steve Barhood and Steve does Freitas deserve more praise and recognition even though
03:18there have been many question marks recently concerning his power Steve the power is the question this is a guy who scored
03:2429 knockouts in his first 29 fights the recognition will certainly come if he gets back on another
03:30knockout streak the other problem the other way to get recognition quality of competition the best fights for
03:36Freitas might be one division below featherweight Barrera and Morales and one division up lightweight Floyd Mayweather Jr
03:42so I think ultimately the level of recognition will be decided by the level of opposition a lot of people want to see him
03:48blow Ramirez away tonight we'll see what happens coming up later Ocelino Freitas only the third world champion from Brazil
03:56will defend against Mexico's determined Ranchero Ramirez who is making his third try at a world title Freitas partially unified the
04:04130 pound title by defeating Joel Cosma your year ago if he remains a junior lightweight he might have to face the Cuban again in the
04:12the meantime Freitas cannot afford to overlook Ramirez an aggressive fighter who has promised to outpunch one of
04:18boxing's biggest punchers
04:24but first up tonight a battle of cruiserweights 190 pounders as two former amateur standouts meet for the third time their first
04:32matchup is pros Michael Sims versus Felix Cora Jr. and they are both undefeated
04:38and a look at Southpaw Felix bad news Cora Jr.
04:44out of Galveston Texas the home of the legendary Jack Johnson 10 and 0 5
04:48knockouts boxing in his blood his father Felix Sr.
04:51fought professionally in the 70s his uncle also a former pro fighter excellent amateur career 70 wins
04:57Texas Golden Gloves champ went to the finals of the 2000 US Olympic trials losing to Michael Sims his second loss to Sims in a month the other at the semifinals of the
05:07at the semifinals of the US nationals both on points by wide margins this is first 10 rounder and steve he's stepping up in class
05:17probably his toughest fight as a pro oh no doubt steve and and what makes it so tough not only does he have to deal with the physical Michael
05:23Sims who's bigger but he has to deal with the psychological aspect he lost twice to this guy and we know that he can definitely carry over into the pro rank
05:31yeah so Cora seeking some retribution only this time he'll get paid for it Michael Sims a switch hitter who won the world amateur
05:41U.S. national and national Golden Gloves championship 132 amateur wins considered a lot to make the 2000
05:49U.S. Olympic team lost to the trials one at the box office but got booted from the the squad for disciplinary reasons
05:57also had personality clashes with the coach got a late start as football not boxing was his first love he turned pro at 26 two years ago
06:05and it's the Steve it seems like he's turned a negative into a positive he's got a very good attitude despite losing a dream trip to the Sydney games
06:13well what makes this interesting is that I think his career would be going on a different path had he stayed on the Olympic team
06:19I don't think he'd be fighting a fellow undefeated fighter this early in his career if he had made the Olympics he would be brought along at a different and easier pace
06:27big rangy cruiserweight lots of potential hopes to be a heavyweight in the near future let's check the numbers as we go to the tail of the tape
06:37sims at the advanced age of 28 five years older than Cora two and a half inch height advantage for the six two sims
06:43who enjoys a heavyweight reach of 79 inches five more than Cora yesterday's way in Cora 190 Sims 191
06:51and the key unified rules no standing eight count no three knockdown rule a fighter cannot be saved by the bell in any round
06:59if an accidental headbutt occurs before the end of the fourth round it's a no decision if it happens after the end of four they go to the scorecards
07:05so here at the uic pavilion in Chicago getting ready for
07:09Michael Sims versus Felix Cora Jr. it's scheduled for 10 non-titled let's get the formal introductions from our ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.
07:19Ladies and gentlemen a very good evening to you and we welcome you to the pavilion here on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago
07:31as we have a big night of action coming your way and it's all brought to you by Arthur Palullo's banner promotions
07:39in association with Bobby hits boxing that sbg.com the undisputed king of beers Budweiser and a showtime at this time we introduce you our judges all three from the state of Illinois
07:55we have from Glencoe Ted Gimsa from Chicago Mike Gliana from Evanston Jerome Jakubko and our referee in charge formerly from the west side of Chicago
08:07Chicago now about prospect Tim Adams right fans here we go ten rounds of boxing in a battle of the undefeated cruiserweights
08:19introducing to you first on my left fighting out of the blue corner wearing red white and blue trunks and hailing from Galveston Texas
08:29he weighed in at an even 190 pounds he is undefeated in his campaign to the ring with 10 wins no losses five of his wins coming by way of knockout
08:41ladies and gentlemen please welcome the pride of Galveston introducing Felix bad news Cora Jr
08:55and his opponent across the ring on my right fighting out of the red corner in this 10-round attraction wearing red trunks with black trim
09:03joining us from Sacramento California he weighed in at 191 pounds
09:09he also is undefeated with 12 wins no losses 10 of his wins coming by way of knockout ladies and gentlemen please welcome the 1999 world amateur
09:21U.S. national and golden gloves champion introducing the undefeated Mike famous Sims Jr
09:31once again a referee in charge Tim Adams now to get instructions 10 rounds of action scheduled
09:45okay bring it to the center
09:49okay listen up both the men of professional so after the second you can conduct yourself in a professional manner
09:53here are the rules I want you to keep your punches up at all times I want you to obey the command that's going to be given to you at all times in the case of a knockdown the man who is standing I'm going to put him in a neutral corner where I want him to be and I expect for him to stay there until I tell him to come out
10:05good luck to both of you protect yourselves at all times let's go to work your trunks are fine here
10:11it's a small ring 16 feet so these guys really look big two guys with just 22 pro fights between them but lots of experience since both have extensive amateur backgrounds both making it to the 2000 Olympic trials Michael Sims two of his 10 knockouts in the first talented rangy switch hitting fighter Felix Cora four of his five knockouts in round one
10:29southpaw with good skills and punching power both presently campaigning in the off the line cruiserweight division sort of a stopover for light heavies and heavyweights not glamorous but certainly wide open and Steve so much for fighter interviews Sims promised us he'd open in an orthopedic
10:59in an orthopedic stand so of course he's boxing as a southpaw he is trained by the highly regarded Freddie Roach Ray Woods is in his corner tonight with Roach on assignment with Manny Pacal Sims in the red with the black trim fighting out of the southpaw stance right now has won his last four by knockout off the second round stoppage of a southpaw named Wesley Martin November 1st it's the only time the only time he's fought a true southpaw
11:29southpaw as a pro Kevin Gilchrist has switched up another opponent what many lefties in the amateurs well congratulations to Michael Sims and Phyllis Cora you've just surpassed our last fight on Showtime Championship boxing over 49 seconds Tyson versus Etienne had to work that in Steve beautifully done thank you
11:52since right now boxing nicely Cora told us he probably would have to be the aggressor in this fight he's the shorter guy
12:03it's Sims landing the power shot with a glove cross and Cora has not landed that shot
12:09yes
12:10Sims hammering to the body then goes upstairs Sims looking for some revenge after losing twice
12:17Cora after losing twice to Sims and the amateurs Sims 12-0 10 knockouts
12:22naturally left-handed as a fighter but rights with his right hand his straight
12:27left is the harder punch and Cora's made assets according to his trainer father
12:31Felix senior is his jab he likes to pressure set a fast pace and he is
12:38pressing the attack here the southpaw Cora Cora out of Galveston Texas Sims out
12:49of Sacramento born in Oakland big Oakland Raiders fan football his first love as
12:56we mentioned and the same goes for Cora wanted to play on the gridiron Cora seems
13:04happy to fight at that distance now he's never really hasn't been crowding Sims
13:09at all he is the shorter fighter it's going to be difficult for him to jab
13:13Sims unless he times his jab perfectly but he is going to the body
13:17Sims 6-2 Cora 5 11 and a half Cora told us he feels he's not the same guy who
13:24fought Sims of the amateurs that was four years ago feels he's a lot more
13:28experienced now he knows how to adjust he can boxer brawl whatever happens against
13:32Sims he doesn't feel that his long seven-month layoff will be a problem as
13:38well he's been working hard in the gym
13:48one round of the books Steve Farhood and his keys to victory for Michael Sims most
13:56important thing keep the distance Sims is the taller fighter he needs to keep Cora an
14:01arm's length away stay off the ropes if he's on the ropes he's square and that
14:05eliminates his reach advantage and switches at the right time we saw Sims
14:08open as a southpaw he should stay there if he's boxing well and not switch it
14:12Felix Cora keys make a jab make his jab a factor he can out jab Sims he's 80% on the
14:18way to winning set a fast pace he can throw a lot of punches and force Sims to lead the
14:23way he needs to do that get into Sims his face makes him bleed and then he can
14:26counterpoint Michael Sims getting set for round number two scheduled for ten there
14:43was a feeling of the amateurs that Sims was holding back it looked like he was
14:47playing around with guys but now he says he's got to pay the bills he's a lot more
14:51serious as Cora hasn't pinned up against the ropes not where Sims wants to be
14:57unless he's playing some sort of possum here since didn't read the keys to
15:02victory apparently because we talked about him being on the ropes and when Cora
15:06crowds him he can see one guy's throwing a lot more punches than the other on the
15:10inside since popping some punches off the head of before and this is with a while
15:14left looking impressive as he goes to the body of that upstairs why would since do
15:21this he boxed well in the first round now it looks like he's doing what he did in
15:25the amateur Steve playing around just what he said he wouldn't do as a pro as he's
15:31developing yeah he's fighting off the ropes he's punching he's landing good shots
15:34but it's a lack of focus as far as I'm concerned because he should be in ring
15:37center here he comes
15:43solid punches to the head by since but then he backs up again and stays on the
15:48ropes
15:55and Cora scoring with those uppercuts Sims getting a few punches in there but it's a
16:00dangerous place to be even if he is confident and this is the pace Cora wants
16:04throwing a lot of punches and weakening Sims with a body attack
16:10Cora landing with both the hands nice crisp left uppercut on the inside by Cora
16:18Cora scoring points and finally Sims gets away from the ropes
16:25I'm not exactly sure what he had in mind there well did come through with one
16:30successful flurry he did he seems the harder puncher Steve but Cora's throwing
16:35so many more shots he's winning the round here we go again now just above us
16:39Sims have pinned up against the ropes now he gets away from him
16:46Sims is landing
16:50Cora crowds him again
16:54those punches come when Sims has room to extend
17:04Cora coming in with a lot of confidence having just fired with people like Holyfield and Reggie
17:13Johnson
17:13this is great infighting because you notice they've gone inside almost the
17:23whole round the referee has not been on the scene once neither guy wants to hold
17:28hard body shots by Sims great jab I send a shotgun jab by Sims did follow it up with the right
17:39you can see when these guys are on the inside it's a huge advantage to Cora
18:09Sims is hooking with his right hand that's not his big punch and Cora smartly
18:13working the body against the tall guy he has to do that later in the round and
18:19and that's one of the reasons you see Cora with a little bit of a shoulder but
18:23that keeps the bigger guy on the ropes you gotta not just punch when you're on
18:27the inside you have to move your body so that you can keep the guy on the
18:31inside and the shoulder but will do that for you as soon as Sims gets to the
18:36ring center you see him extending his arms that's where his power is well it's a
18:40little puzzling Steve as to why he spent a good deal of that second round
18:43against the ropes he is so much more effective in the center of the ring again
18:51it's famous Sims in the red fighting out of a southpaw stance he's a switch
18:56hitter but most of this fight is a left-hander against the southpaw Cora
19:10beat Cora convincingly two times in the amateurs he said the difference was that
19:17he just played out box for all right give me a break nice counter left by Cora
19:26Sims just missing with a left hand stop punching he was trying to end the fight
19:32right there Sims
19:43now there were Sims I would think would prefer to be
19:47great right hand by Cora to the chin partially blocked by Sims
20:02then he's gonna need to throw that left hand a little bit more to keep Cora off
20:06him can't do it alone with the Jeff Sims just missing with a left uppercut back
20:12comes Cora
20:15Cora looks pretty good he doesn't Steve he looks like the kind of guy who when he
20:22gets hit hardest that's when he punches hardest in return
20:32Cora better pick up that right hand
20:3710 of Sims 12 wins by knockout
20:46series of punches upstairs by Sims
20:53less than a minute remaining in round 3 scheduled for 10
20:57Cora with a flurry
21:00and Sims nodding as if to say good job
21:07well the best thing you can say about Sims this round is he stayed off the ropes
21:16right
21:18been an impressive round for
21:23Felix Cora jr. and the multicolored trunks
21:27white red with the star
21:29as we head for the bell round 3 put that one of the books for Felix Cora jr.
21:44well fight fans here's the best way to stay informed about upcoming boxing events on Showtime
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22:18once again that address is s h o dot com
22:22sims is trainer ray woods Diego Corrales his stepfather and and former trainer
22:52Steve Cora prepared for this fight by sparring with Evander Holyfield
22:55you can only imagine what kind what kind of help that is for a 10 fight kid like this he helped Holyfield get ready for Chris bird great experience learn a lot just being around a fighter like the real deal
23:08who lost that fight with the elusive southpaw bird does unanimous decision back in December but a great learning experience for Cora who was in awe of Holyfield at first but then settled down
23:19and I would imagine that's a huge help when you get into the ring for the real thing
23:26both of these guys I think you could see the the amateur experience they've had they're both poised neither guys in a rush they both counter punch nicely they throw straight punches these these are polished young fighters
23:39all right don't punch don't punch well to this point I think it's quite clear that the Cora has had the upper hand
23:46Simms has mentioned a switch hitter fighting lefty a natural left-hander
23:53Cora a southpaw
23:55very aggressive physically strong
24:00a natural left-hander
24:03Cora a southpaw
24:06very aggressive physically strong
24:10still developing going to the body a nice left hand up to the head
24:17that's all right bring it on he's game
24:22oh Simms just walked into one
24:27and all the power punches in this fight have been counter punches I wonder if
24:33either guy has the discipline not to lead as much as they are because they're both throwing first at times but the best punches have been counters and if one guy can have the discipline to just counter punch he might just win this fight based on that alone
24:49Steve in case the folks are wondering Sims has been down one time at his 12 pro fights his fifth fight a rematch with a fighter named Kevin Gilchrist a southpaw
25:00but Sims came back to stop Gilchrist later in the first
25:04and Cora has never been down as a pro in ten fights
25:08Cora very briefly there turned to orthodox
25:11I don't see any point in it
25:13yeah he's doing just as well this one
25:17so why mess it up
25:20Cora the busier of the two setting a nice pace
25:34missing with those deliveries
25:37again Simms with the counter left
25:40he's not landing that left from a one-two only from a counter
25:43I'll be seeing you
25:50sit bucket
25:52sit bucket
25:53sit bucket
25:54don't blow your nose
25:55don't blow your nose
25:56hold, hold, hold, hold
25:59ok, give me the water
26:00let me have a drink
26:01no, no, no
26:02I'm just...I got a towel
26:04alright
26:05alright
26:06let him no more rounds
26:07take it off
26:08you can stop this ball if you hit some combinations
26:11don't try to load up
26:15just snap him off
26:16ok
26:17now how do you feel?
26:20ok
26:21now come on give it to us
26:26give it to me now
26:27come on with it
26:29I need for you to come on with it
26:32let's go seconds on
26:38well Michael Simms has knocked out his last four opponents within four rounds
26:47guess what
26:48it's round five
26:50and Simms has been passed for only once
26:53before this
26:54a ten round
26:55win by decision over Reggie Roberts September of 2001
26:59seven of
27:04I should say ten of Simms twelve wins by knockout
27:09overall
27:12oh there's a hard left hand to the side of the head by Simms
27:15maybe his best punch of the night
27:17working out
27:18again a counter
27:20but it did seem to phase Cora
27:22so that has to perhaps be some concern for Simms
27:27he may be saying to himself now Steve
27:29hey this guy's improved
27:30I'll tell you
27:31definitely the case he has improved
27:33and this is new ground for these two guys
27:35you know
27:36nice left hand over the top by Cora Steve
27:40both undefeated
27:42and there Simms on the ropes again
27:44he's in trouble
27:45he's in trouble
27:46he's in trouble
27:47he's in trouble
27:48he's in trouble
27:49he's in trouble
27:50he's in trouble
27:51he's in trouble
27:52he's in trouble
27:53applying the pressure
27:54Simms inviting him in
27:55I'm not sure
27:56what's going through Simms' mind right here
27:57he's playing around too much
27:58which he said he would not do
27:59hey fatigue could be a factor also
28:01and if Simms gets tired
28:02you're going to see him on the ropes
28:04Simms really playing with fire here
28:06Cora continues to score even with jabs
28:08halfway through the fifth
28:10scheduled for ten
28:11Michael Simms in the red with the black
28:13he beat Cora twice in the amateurs
28:17Olympic trials
28:19Cora in the white with the blue trim
28:22and these guys are really depending on that amateur pedigree because
28:24believe me neither one of them has been in anything like this as a pro
28:27they've won their fights very easily
28:39Simms' opponents only 39% winning percentage
28:42Cora's opponents 43%
28:44they're not used to fighting winning fighters
28:46and uh
28:47right
28:48they're both producing here
28:49and this is a bigger step up in competition for Cora
28:52than it is for Simms going into the fight
28:54theoretically
28:55but Cora's winning the fight from this vantage point
28:59but Simms has landed the bigger shot
29:01so it's going to be very interesting
29:03on the cards if it goes that far
29:05some terrific exchanges here
29:07it has Simms smiling
29:09Simms enjoying this
29:20both landing some very very hard punches
29:22here in the fifth round
29:24remember these are cruiserweights
29:25this is a brutal pace for cruiserweights
29:27190 pound fighters
29:32and both coming in undefeated
29:39both toe-to-toe in the center of the ring
29:41at the bell
29:42give me that
29:48give me that
29:50wake up
29:51give me that suit
29:52give me that suit
29:53well fuck with y'all dudes
29:54sit down
29:55hey you gotta work man
29:59you're gonna have to work
30:00give me that water
30:02you got
30:03okay you got hate
30:10Cora crowding Simms
30:12getting close because Simms isn't giving him a jab to worry about
30:14and then Simms just voluntarily goes to the ropes
30:16puts his arms up
30:18interestingly Cora keeps a distance there
30:20but nothing coming back from Simms
30:22you give Cora carte blanche to punch
30:24and he's gonna land
30:25and that's what happened this round
30:30Simms just in defensive mode there
30:32that's that's the kind of action that gives the judges a reason to give Cora the round
30:36these guys the last minute of the round they just punched right inside against each other heavy shots
30:45big left hands and head and body
30:47you guys got a little faster over there
30:49but they're near the end of round five and
30:51some dramatics in the quarter of Michael Simms
30:53from the mouth of trainer Ray Woods
30:55he said hey you got it
30:56you got to get to work pal
30:58and then it took them half half the time just to get the stool in
31:02so he could sit down
31:04so kind of disorganized there in the Simms corner momentarily
31:07so kind of disorganized there in the Simms corner momentarily
31:11round six scheduled for ten non-title bout
31:14but good action here in our co-feature with Prades Ramirez next the main event
31:21for two belts at 130 pounds
31:28the first world championship fight in the city of Chicago
31:32in close to 16 years coming up next
31:35and a terrific crowd of about 4,000 on hand here at the pavilion
31:40on the grounds of the University of Illinois Chicago
31:43just about 10-15 minutes from famous Michigan Avenue
31:49I think these guys are taking a rest Steve a little bit all of a sudden yeah it's the first time there's been a lull
31:55Sims delivering over the top landed but not a lot of power not a lot of pop behind it
32:02that one had more pop
32:08yeah the pace not as quick here in round six
32:10seems Sims seems to like the slower pace where he can land a single left hand
32:17just dominate that way right now I think he landed the three best punches of this round all straight left
32:23as I say that of course Cora lands a big right hand
32:26of course
32:29nice left hand by Sims
32:34now Sims are pressing the attack more
32:37coming forward he's got Cora on the ropes
32:40and Cora unlike Sims quickly gets off
32:43but now he's pushed back
32:45Sims taking more of the initiative now
32:48heeding his trainer's advice
32:49pepering Cora's head during this infighting Cora should not neglect punching to the body
32:58if he does it he's gonna have a very tired Sims in front of him the last two or three rounds
33:12halfway through unofficially how do you see it right now
33:15well I had Cora one point ahead going into this round but
33:18this is Sims is round as far as I'm concerned because of those big left hands he learned to learn
33:23land in the first two minutes
33:25so this thing could even up after this round halfway
33:30after the fifth round was halfway
33:32still to come as mentioned our main event
33:45Ocelino Freitas versus Juan Carlos Ramirez for the WBA and WBO
33:50130 pound belt
33:52we'll take you into the dressing room with the champion Ocelino Popo Freitas
33:56one of only three world champions all time from Brazil
34:01enter Joffrey and Miguel de Oliveira the others
34:04for you boxing historians
34:07he's become one of Brazil's most sought after celebrities appearing in many commercials
34:12he's up there with soccer star Ronaldo in terms of star status
34:16one of boxing's fine young champions
34:18undergoing a transformation in skills and conditioning
34:20the last 18 months will he return to his explosive ways
34:25tonight
34:29well we could have an even fight here Cora has been past six
34:42twice in his ten pro fights he's two and oh
34:46round seven scheduled for ten
34:49two unbeaten fighters coming in and Cora goes right to work
34:53he's got Sims again on the ropes
34:56and he's landing
34:59some of those punches are being blocked but he's getting through
35:02he should be punched into the body a lot more than he is
35:06Sims once again says come on in
35:08an inviting target
35:10but he doesn't fight back he doesn't offer anything back
35:12I mean that would be okay if he countered
35:15and Sims trying the conventional stance now let's see if it makes a difference in
35:21how he boxes
35:24yeah he's back to orthodox now after fighting most of the fights southpaw
35:26I don't know Cora is saying something to Sims and Sims smiling
35:36don't reach
35:38that was interesting
35:40so you have this fight even
35:43right even after six yeah 57 57 on my card
35:45four rounds to go
35:52now goes to the body
35:56Sims able to spin out
35:59gotta love this effort from both guys but especially
36:05whoa big too big right hand
36:08sims
36:10turning it on
36:12I'm waiting on that
36:14and you may have heard Cora say
36:16I was waiting on that
36:18and Sims acknowledges with a smile
36:20these guys have a running conversation going on
36:22Michael Sims an admitted Raider fan but clearly wearing the colors of the Tampa Bay Bucs
36:30changing allegiance in mid-stream
36:34fatigue setting in clearly both guys but only one is punching right now
36:40Felix Cora
36:51Cora just leaning and unleashing
36:57they're not hard punches but he's being busy
37:00and he's winning the judges over
37:02Cora can stick his head on Sims' shoulder
37:06he basically takes Sims' left hand out of the fight
37:10when Sims is squared up
37:12that's the best way to do it
37:13he's not gonna he's not gonna get hurt
37:14he's not gonna take any big shots if he does that
37:17Sims continues to fight as an orthodox conventional
37:21he missed with that
37:23and he smiles
37:24straight right hand that's scored by Sims
37:27no knockdowns in the fight
37:36I think Sims just clowning around a little too much here
37:38and it could get him in a rut
37:41unless he's got something up his sleeve
37:42you hear the crowd reaction
37:44they're not happy
37:49they're not happy
37:50hey, he's starting to come on now
37:52stay right-handed
37:54stay right-handed
37:55stay right-handed
37:57I'm gonna cut by
37:59okay
38:00three rounds baby
38:02he's starting to pull it out now
38:04and you keep doing that
38:06you've got three rounds
38:08this thing's getting a little wild in the middle of the ring
38:11Cora jumping
38:13and as a result he gets smacked by a counter right hook
38:15typical southpaws
38:17there's not much hooking going on with these guys
38:19but it seems Sims definitely has the better hook
38:22and this is why Cora has to lead in with his jab
38:26he's totally off balance after missing
38:28and Sims comes in with the big right hook
38:30Sims was able to extend
38:32and throw a real long wide shot because Cora was off balance
38:34was in no position to counter punch
38:43as we enter into round eight
38:45you guys a little too slow over there
38:47fuck
38:49we'll see if these two guys can change the
38:51the cheers into cheers here in Chicago
38:56three more rounds scheduled
38:59a very close affair
39:00we have Cora ahead
39:04just slightly
39:06by one point
39:09I get the impression Steve last three rounds
39:11maybe even the last two rounds
39:13it's just gonna be which guy can move his hands more
39:16because they're both gonna be very tired
39:18how could they not be I mean they just haven't fought at this level
39:21up to this point as professionals
39:23yeah it's the first ten rounder for Cora
39:26a little slippery as Sims looked down
39:30Sims really has to get it going here
39:33they said in his corner they liked what he did in the last round
39:37he's starting to come on
39:39we'll see if he can continue
39:43when Sims is buying time the way he is now by jabbing and moving
39:46it's up to Cora to really pressure him
39:48the Cora pressures him he will get Sims on the ropes again
39:52but he can't take his time and rest
39:55Sims in the red with the black trim really has to get down to business
39:59and again the fans
40:04with the going
40:07the straight left hand to the to the jaw by Cora
40:10and no counter attack by Sims
40:20Sims missing
40:23Cora came up short
40:25got to get in closer
40:29Sims not really using the usual weapon against the southpaw which is a lead right hand
40:33he's trying to trying to jab his way in
40:36and Steve he told us yesterday that his stronger hand is his left
40:41not his right
40:43and again you hear the fan reaction
40:46that was terrific action earlier on
40:48Cora landing there with the left hand and opening up
40:50all right
40:53come here break
40:55make no mistake that's Sims holding right there
41:03little loose tape
41:05deep breath
41:06We approach 20 seconds remaining in the 8th.
41:34Both guys clearly tired after a lot of earlier action.
41:45Yeah, this isn't Corvus' fight.
41:47He has to pressure and be on top of Sims.
41:51That's what he's trying to do here.
41:54At the foul.
41:57Alright, you're the man.
42:06You're doing real good there.
42:08Don't ever let me give up nothing.
42:10Alright, don't give it up.
42:11Don't give up.
42:12You're the man.
42:14Walk him down.
42:15You walk him down now.
42:16Yeah, no doubt.
42:17Alright.
42:18Don't let him rest.
42:19He's trying to rest.
42:20You know he got the reach.
42:21Yeah, okay.
42:22My game is on the other side.
42:27Sims finding himself in the corner again.
42:30Hands down as Cora lands that long left hand.
42:33And who's the guy throwing most of the punches right there?
42:36It's Felix Cora.
42:37In an otherwise close round, that affects the judges.
42:43Straight left at the end of the round.
42:45That definitely leaves an impression with the judges.
42:48That was a close round, but Cora might have pulled it out with that left hand at the very end.
42:53And that's the action just before the bell.
42:55Okay.
42:56And there's the bell to a single round nine.
42:58Alright.
42:59Scheduled for ten.
43:03So what do you have?
43:04Cora up now by two.
43:09You have Cora up by two now.
43:25Working out.
43:30Again, I'm just not sure what Sims is thinking right here.
43:45This is certainly not the Michael Sims who dominated Felix Cora Jr. four years ago twice in the amateurs.
43:53Different story here to the pros.
43:55Of course, this one's still far from over because Sims has a knockout punch.
44:00And a good punch there by Sims upstairs.
44:03Another wicked right hand, but that more of a grazing shot.
44:06This fight there to be won, Steve.
44:08I have it dead even after eight rounds.
44:10You do?
44:11Okay.
44:12I thought maybe you'd get Cora that last round, but you went the other way.
44:18Despite that Cora left hand toward the end.
44:20Interesting to see how the judges see it.
44:34Three local Illinois judges.
44:41Sims left hand there, but again a glancing blow.
44:48Sim's still the harder puncher for individual shots.
45:01And that's what makes this fight so interesting to score because Cora's been the busier guy pretty much all the way.
45:07Very little on Cora's punches at this point on the inside.
45:22But Cora, the busier.
45:28Definitely Sims's punches with more impact.
45:33And I placed a lot of importance on that.
45:36That's what separates amateur from pro scoring.
45:38So it may not be the volume of punches by Sims tonight, but the weight of the punches, the power, that could give him a victory.
45:56And again, the crowd to buoy.
46:06Breathe.
46:07Breathe deep.
46:08Look up.
46:09Look up.
46:10Breathe deep.
46:11Breathe deep, baby.
46:13Inside the ropes with Steve Farah.
46:15Let's dissect this thing a little more.
46:17Feel as Cora has done his best work when in close.
46:20It totally negates Sims's reach advantage.
46:23Also negates Sims's power advantage.
46:26Mixing his shot early in the fight, Cora punched to the body a lot more against the square target when he was on the inside.
46:32Later in the fight, he hasn't.
46:33But there Sims answering back at the bigger shots.
46:36That's the judge's dilemma.
46:38Could it be Cora's revenge?
46:52Felix Cora on the right.
46:54Michael Sims on the left.
46:55They touch gloves and here we go.
46:57What do you say going into 10?
46:59I gave Sims that ninth round.
47:01I have him head by a point.
47:02You do?
47:03You disagree?
47:04Well, I'm not scoring it.
47:06So, but I, I just, I just, just from a feel that Cora is ahead, but we'll have to wait and see if this thing goes the distance.
47:21But Sims certainly has more power than Cora and is capable, more capable of Cora, of ending this fight on a knockout.
47:35Yeah, both guys have shown excellent chins.
47:39Especially Cora because Sims is the bigger puncher.
47:42There's a heck of a body shot by Cora just a second ago.
47:45Right on the borderline.
47:52Tenth and final round.
47:55This round could decide the fight.
47:56I don't know, maybe Sims thinks he has it in the back.
48:10You hear the crowd again, their reaction, they're not happy.
48:14Cora now pressing.
48:18Sims is trying to end it here on one.
48:23Just flinging, wailing.
48:28Cora coming back, has him up against the ropes.
48:33This round has been a microcosm of the fight.
48:44It's been a little bit of Sims moving, a little bit of infighting.
48:47Cora busier, Sims throwing the heart of punches.
48:49It's been this way for all ten rounds.
48:51And as you said in your keys to victory, Sims had to stay off the ropes.
48:54He spent a good portion of this fight on the ropes.
49:00Which has to be a disadvantage.
49:04And Cora taking advantage of the opportunity.
49:07And here we go again.
49:15It's just inexplicable.
49:20Well, Sims' legs are gone.
49:22And he can't dance anymore.
49:24Yeah, he's lost his power.
49:26And Cora continues to be the busier of the two.
49:29And I think this fight can go either way.
49:32I'm just going to say Cora.
49:34It could be a draw.
49:47But nobody wants to see that.
49:52They're going at it just before the bell.
49:56And that's it.
49:58Hell of an effort by both guys, given what they have done as pros up to this point.
50:03Both raising their arms in trial.
50:10Is it Cora?
50:11Is it Sims?
50:12Is it even?
50:15We'll soon find out.
50:19Could be interesting.
50:20Two guys have met two times in the amateurs.
50:24Both fights won by wide margins on points by this, by that guy who was kneeling, Michael Sims.
50:30And a very concerned look on the face of Cora.
50:34We need to stay busy, man.
50:36Let's take one day at a time.
50:37Still not sure.
50:39All right.
50:41Put your phone through.
50:42You know I got these.
50:43Let me get a picture of you guys.
50:44Turn around for a minute.
50:45Turn around, okay?
50:46You know I got these, man.
50:47You guys close it.
50:48Here, let's see another one.
50:49Let's see another one.
50:50Have a little fight, you know?
50:51Good fight, guys.
50:52Good fight.
50:53One, two, three.
50:54One, two, three.
50:55That was a wonderful team.
50:56Ain't nothing different, you know?
50:57Do the same way in the open.
50:58There you go.
50:59Hey, guys.
51:00You did a good job.
51:01Yeah.
51:02Thanks.
51:03It's obvious, Steve.
51:04Two guys are really, really like each other.
51:06They know each other well.
51:07They know each other a lot better now.
51:09Two.
51:31You know what?
51:32You'd think, style-wise, collar would have been advantage as a professional.
51:38professionally he's a very relaxed fighter in there going 10 is not doesn't seem to be very
51:42hard for him and he wants to make him an inside fight you can build by punching to the body
51:47tiring your man out over 10 rounds but you can't do that over four rounds but sims was surprisingly
51:54his stamina was pretty good for a guy who had gone 10 only once and fighting against a guy like
51:59cora who set a pretty fast pace but you'd think as pros cora would have the advantage
52:03i think this this fight was just about dead even i don't think there was any advantage for
52:09either guy it just went back and forth yeah you could make a pretty good case for uh an even fight
52:13here at draw so we wait for the uh announcement by jimmy lennon jr jimmy is set he's got the scorecards
52:30in his hand he's just making sure it's uh it's right because it's so close here we go ladies and
52:36gentlemen after 10 rounds of action we go to the scorecards we have a split decision here the score
52:42totals judge at ringside 10 ted gimza scores about 96 to 94 in favor of michael sims judge ringside
52:53jerome jim cubco scores about 96 to 94 in favor of felix cora yeah right and judge at ringside mike liana
53:02sees about 95 95 even a draw the decision is even a draw so a split decision draw if you will that's all
53:15right well you hear cora saying that's all right well he didn't lose the sims again and both of them
53:23get a blemish well you know both of them look incredulous that means the decision was probably
53:27the right one right yeah one guy had a 96 94 sims 96 94 cora for another and then 95 even
53:45here amusement park on a beautiful day in chicago temperature reaching nearly 60 standing by for the
53:57first world title fight in the windy city in over 15 years freighters versus riveras for a pair of 130
54:04pound belts
54:08and right now we're set for post fight reaction from our opening bout here's jim ray jim
54:12all right steve thank you very much felix michael both join us michael first your thoughts
54:17on this draw did you believe you won the fight i mean i mean i can't say i really felt that i won
54:22110 percent for sure i knew it was close i thought that i came back going pretty strong um seven eighth
54:27ninth and tenth round and um i started getting going i turned more back to orthodox conventional
54:34jab was getting in more um he was throwing real good to the body and uh i don't know the draw was
54:41the last thing i thought it would happen why did you stay on the rope so much and and how much
54:45has he changed felix as a fighter since you won those two amateur fights um when i seen him at the
54:50weigh-ins we talked about you know what's different what's new and uh he was leaning over at the table
54:54and uh when he stood up we thought why everything was still the same old same old and i realized
54:57first thing right away he told him what he was the first two times we fought would you like a rematch
55:02i'd love to i mean that's that's something i think a lot of people like to see it's boxing
55:05it's banging inside i mean it's a little bit everything in there and um i'd love definitely do
55:10it again michael thank you thank you all right felix let's turn to you here no doubt did you think
55:15you won this fight or did you feel as though this was was pretty close in the draw yeah i thought i pulled
55:20it off uh to be honest with you i thought i was the most aggressive he threw some
55:24shots in there that were that was some nice shots you know i thought i uh did enough to get away with
55:29the fight by uh being aggressive throwing more shots uh working the body and uh hey i understand it
55:35happened sometime you know i didn't expect it to be a draw but uh unfortunately i look forward to uh
55:41coming back and doing it again and i commend michael sims for giving me the opportunity to do it here
55:46on showtime uh and i just look forward to doing it again in the in the in the in the near future so hopefully
55:53did you learn a lot fighting against michael and the amateurs and in addition to that how much did
55:57sparring with evander holyfield help you well swan with holyfield uh to be honest with you is
56:02is better than getting paid because he showed me with the experiences he has uh how to be how to relax in
56:09the ring how to be more of a professional and he really helped me out with this fight uh you i tried
56:14to use some of his tactics unfortunately my man over here i've known him since he was an amateur
56:19i knew that he'll try to uh counteract what i do and i and i look forward to uh doing it again all
56:25right felix thank you congratulations on the draw no doubt okay steve a lot of respect up here in the
56:30ring back down to you no doubt thank you very much uh jim let's see how the scoring went for sims versus
56:36cora the third time around first is pros as mentioned ted gimza had it 96 to 94 sims mike gliena had
56:44it a draw and jerome had it 96 94 for cora sims won the final round on gliena's card to earn the draw
56:51in fact he won the last five rounds and the press row scoring went something like this
56:59michael hersley from the chicago tribune had cora ahead robert hoppin from fightnews.com had cora
57:05ahead by four points and david mayo from the grand rapids press had sims up 96 to 94. so they had the
57:14split decision steve forehead going to cora interesting well you see a little bit of
57:18everything in the scores between the judges and press row i had a 95 95 and in a sense given the
57:24pace these guys fought at i i think it would almost be unfair for either one to have gotten his first l
57:30in this fight all right so that's the story of draw before we settle in for the main event here's what's
57:36coming up in the near future on showtime and
57:50you
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