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Fres Oquendo faces Clifford Etienne in a battle of undefeated heavyweights on Showtime Boxing
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00:00We're in the northern end of town at the Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel
00:04where David Tua will try to secure a second shot at the heavyweight title.
00:11Tonight, the big men of boxing on parade as we present a heavyweight doubleheader.
00:16In our main event, number five rated David Tua takes on number three contender Danelle Nicholson
00:21in an IVF heavyweight elimination fight to determine who's number one.
00:25And in our co-feature, you'll see one of the most talked about heavyweights of late,
00:30the Black Rhino Clifford ATN, go against undefeated Prezzo Kendo in a scheduled 10-round attraction.
00:38Packed house on hand, over 2,000.
00:41We welcome you to the Dallas Events Center for a crossroads heavyweight matchup.
00:46The last time David Tua fought in Las Vegas, he went bust,
00:50losing a lethargic 12-round decision to heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in November.
00:54A victory tonight could put him right back in the title hunt.
01:01Hello again, everybody.
01:02Steve Albert ringside from Las Vegas.
01:05When David Tua challenged Lennox Lewis last November,
01:07he was considered the most deserving contender in the world.
01:10But after a reasonably effective start, he never threatened the champion,
01:14losing virtually every round en route to a one-sided decision loss.
01:18Tua's corner initially blamed an injury that was aggravated early in the fight.
01:22However, at a chunky 245 pounds and coming off a handful of ridiculously easy wins
01:28that were meant to kill time until his title shot,
01:31was Tua properly prepared or was it inevitable that he'd be outclassed by Lewis,
01:36who enjoyed a 15-inch reach advantage?
01:39Now tonight, the number five ranked Tua faces number three rated Danel Nicholson
01:43to reestablish himself as a legitimate contender in a lackluster heavyweight division.
01:48With that, let me bring on my ringside partner, former world champion Bobby Chez.
01:53And Bobby, what the heck happened against Lennox Lewis,
01:56and how has this affected Tua's confidence and stature in the division?
02:00Well, Steve, after talking with Lennox Lewis, he did indeed confirm
02:03that the ribs were re-injured previously done in training camp.
02:06But he said that wasn't the biggest problem.
02:08His biggest factor for losing that fight and looking so bad is that he had one fight plan.
02:12When that plan didn't work, he had no plan B.
02:14He had no backup plan.
02:15The corner couldn't make the adjustments.
02:17He couldn't make the adjustments.
02:18Thus, a very long, sorry fight.
02:20He did not look good throughout the entire fight because he just couldn't make the adjustments.
02:23What happened after that is he fired his trainer.
02:25He had a wake-up call, got racked to basics,
02:27and now has a renewed confidence, believes he can do much better.
02:30We'll have more on that later.
02:32But in your opinion, was Tua coddled and babied too much
02:35in terms of opposition leading up to the Lewis fight?
02:37You know, early on, Tua fought everybody.
02:39Moscaev, David Aizan, Ike Ibiabushi, John Ruiz, Rockman.
02:44That's the top talent in the division.
02:46But as he secured that number one spot, he coasted.
02:49He took easy opponents to not jeopardize that number one ranking.
02:51He should have fought someone just like Donald Nicholson
02:54because Nicholson, tall, rangy, same style, might have prepared him much better.
02:58Well, they might have felt that he was a little too dangerous going into the Lewis fight,
03:02but he's got him tonight.
03:03Before we get to David Tua, you'll see the Showtime debut of a contender
03:07who some feel could be the future of the heavyweight division.
03:10He's power puncher Clifford ATN, and he is waiting in the wings.
03:15But first, a reminder.
03:17We invite Showtime subscribers with internet access
03:19to score tonight's bouts online in the boxing area at show.com.
03:23Your vote will instantly update the webpage,
03:25and the results will be announced later on in this telecast.
03:28Online scoring will not influence the outcome of the fight
03:30and is only available to viewers of our East Coast live feed.
03:33So to score tonight's bouts and to learn more about upcoming Showtime boxing events,
03:37log on to show.com.
03:38Our East Coast live feed.
03:40So to score tonight's bouts and to learn more about upcoming Showtime boxing events,
03:44log on to show.com.
03:45Once again, the web address is SHO.com.
03:51All right, let's get to it.
03:52Should we close in on our first fight as rising star and WBC number four heavyweight contender,
03:57Clifford the Black Rhino, ATN, takes on Fresno Kendo in a matchup of undefeated.
04:01ATN from the Louisiana Bayou is one of the most intriguing fighters in the heavyweight division.
04:08It was one of the most exciting fights of last year,
04:18and when Clifford ATN beat Lawrence Clay Bay in a 10-round unanimous decision,
04:23he became a legitimate player in the heavyweight division.
04:27Growing up, ATN had no aspirations to become a fighter.
04:30Instead, he was heavily recruited to play football by such universities as Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
04:37But after an arrest for armed robbery, he was sentenced to 40 years in a Louisiana state penitentiary.
04:43We did things, you know, things I don't like to talk about now, you know,
04:47because that's really my past, you know, committed armed robbers, committed crimes.
04:52This is a bad way to learn a lesson, you know, doing 10 years of your life, you know, behind bars,
04:57but that's a lesson well taken.
05:00It was there he learned how to box.
05:02It just gave me something to really focus on and not be around knuckleheads all day and stuff like that, you know.
05:09I realized that I was pretty good, getting pretty good when nobody wanted to fight me anymore.
05:16And I won the Louisiana Department of Corrections heavyweight title in my second fight.
05:21After a decade behind bars, he was released.
05:25And at the age of 28, he began his professional boxing career, compiling a perfect 19-0 record
05:30and earning the nickname the Black Rhino for his aggressive win at any cost style.
05:36I know, I believe boxing is a battle of the fittest, you know.
05:40Why play around, hold on, hug and everything else?
05:43But get it over with.
05:44Clifford ATN's goal is to become the heavyweight champion of the world.
05:48But with his efforts to lead a clean and legitimate life, he may have already won his most important victory.
05:54When I think about the past and where I've been and what I've been through and where I am now,
06:00I feel good.
06:02I feel real proud.
06:03Six-to-one favorite Clifford ATN fighting tonight for the first time with a pain-free right elbow.
06:18Recently had surgery to remove bone chips and says he can throw even harder now.
06:23A style predicated on raw power, strength, and aggression.
06:25His impressive decision over previously unbeaten boxer-mover Lawrence Klaibay on the Lewis Tuakard,
06:32a candidate for fight of the year.
06:34And although ATN often rained punches and punished Klaibay, he couldn't stop him.
06:38Bobby, will Okendo pose problems with his jab, his movement, and overall boxing skills?
06:44Well, good boxers can always pose problems for good punchers if they're effective, if they're really that good.
06:48But the problem is, they also have to have some power to get some respect.
06:51Klaibay, a good boxer with some pop, still didn't have enough to keep the black rhino off.
06:56It could be a very long night for Okendo.
06:58ATN feels he's not getting the respect he deserves for his own boxing ability.
07:03And here is Fred Okendo, unrated, trained by Felix Pernadet Sr.,
07:08who Okendo says has raised his confidence, emotion, and conditioning to another level.
07:1293 National Golden Gloves champion, his wins over former World Amateur champ Ramon Garvey,
07:18and previously unbeaten Duncan Dokawari, a 96 Olympic bronze medalist,
07:22also has wins over veterans Everett, Bigfoot Martin, Phil Jackson, and Bert Cooper.
07:27Okendo, nothing spectacular, Bobby, but gets the job done, usually out-hustles opponents,
07:32but his chin a question mark.
07:34He will go down.
07:35Well, I'll tell you, Steve, from what I've seen of the black rhino, he has a lot of the goods,
07:38and he's going to test Okendo's chin early and as often as possible.
07:42If the chin's not good, this fight could be short.
07:45As we check the numbers, let's go to the tail of the tape.
07:49ATN at 31, four years older than Okendo.
07:53Both stand at 6'2".
07:54Okendo with the big 7-inch reach advantage.
07:57At yesterday's weigh-in, ATN 225, Okendo 221.
08:01And the key roles for this fight.
08:03There's no standing eight count, no three-knockdown rule.
08:06A fighter cannot be saved by the belt in any round.
08:08If an accidental headbutt occurs before the end of the fourth round,
08:12the fighters rule they have no contest.
08:14If it happens after the end of round four, they go to the scorecards.
08:17So here at Texas Station, we're getting ready for Clifford ATN versus Fresno Kendo.
08:22We get the formal introductions from our ring announcer, Jimmy Lennon Jr.
08:25Ladies and gentlemen, a very good evening to you,
08:30and we welcome you to the Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel in North Las Vegas, Nevada.
08:37As we have a big night of action coming away,
08:40and it's all brought to you by America Presents,
08:43in association with Showtime, Championship, Boxing, and the Station Casinos,
08:49the leading entertainment company in Las Vegas.
08:53This back coming away also brought to you by Rhino Promotions,
08:57and is sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
09:00The chairman is Dr. Elias Garnham.
09:02Physicians are Dr. James Game, Dr. Jeff Davidson, Dr. Gino Signorino,
09:07and our timekeepers at the bell also keeping count of the knockdowns,
09:11Jane Broadfoot and Mike Lachella.
09:13Our three judges at ringside, all three from Las Vegas, Nevada,
09:17we have Dave Moretti, Dalby Shirley, and Glenn Trowbridge.
09:22And the third man to the ring, the referee in charge of this bout, Jay Nadee.
09:28Fight fans, here we go.
09:30Undefeated heavyweights in the ring, the big boys of boxing,
09:34in a special attraction, scheduled for ten rounds of action.
09:39Introducing to you first on my right,
09:41he is fighting out of the blue corner,
09:43wearing gray trunks with white trim,
09:46fighting out of Chicago, Illinois,
09:48by way of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
09:52He weighed in at 221 pounds,
09:56undefeated in his campaign to the ring with 19 wins,
09:59no losses, ten wins coming by way of knockout.
10:03Please welcome a fighter they call the big O,
10:07Fres Okendo.
10:16And his opponent across the ring on my left,
10:19he is ready to fight out in the red corner,
10:22wearing black trunks,
10:24fighting out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
10:26He weighed in at 225 pounds.
10:31His impressive record stands at 19 wins,
10:34no losses, 13 big wins coming by way of knockout.
10:38Please welcome the WBC number four heavyweight in the world,
10:43introducing the undefeated Clifford,
10:47the Black Rhino, Etienne.
10:50Once again, a referee in charge is Jay Nady,
10:59now to give instructions,
11:0010 rounds of boxing schedule.
11:02All right, do you have any...
11:09Do you have your mouthpiece?
11:11You got it.
11:12You have any questions?
11:14This is 10 rounds.
11:15Obey my commands.
11:19All right, watch your heads.
11:21Let's touch the left now.
11:21The belly button there is the line.
11:23Let's go to work.
11:24Working, working, working.
11:25All right, Bobby, let's get your keys to victory.
11:29Okay, for Etienne, what he has to do first
11:31is keep the pressure on.
11:33That's his style of fighting.
11:34Also, cut off the ring,
11:36stay inside on the move of Rikendo
11:37and land his power shots.
11:39He is the heavier puncher in this fight.
11:44For Rikendo, he's got to establish an effective jab.
11:47He's going to need something to keep the Rhino at bay.
11:49Also, he wants to outwork him,
11:50outpunch him, make him miss, make him pay.
11:52And lastly, box smart from the outside.
11:55That's his best fight.
11:59We're set for round one, scheduled for 10.
12:03Non-title bout.
12:05Build a heavyweight division.
12:06Etienne, fast starting, high-volume power puncher.
12:10Keeps the pressure on.
12:13Rikendo, a notoriously slow starter.
12:16A big test, particularly for his chin,
12:19with a heavy hitter like Etienne.
12:20Rikendo, good athlete.
12:22He's really got himself in better shape
12:24under Felix Trinidad Sr.
12:26And he is still gaining experience for making up for lost time.
12:30A raw but exciting new talent.
12:32Well, the first round is going to be really key.
12:35They're both undefeated.
12:36Both have a reasonable amount of knockouts,
12:38so they have a little power.
12:39But confidence level seemed to be a little more
12:41with the Black Rhino.
12:43At the same time,
12:44neither one of these guys looks like
12:45they want to get too close right away.
12:46A big-time feeling-out process here
12:50in the opening minute.
12:54Etienne got a late start in boxing
12:56due to his conviction,
12:57stopped his first opponent in 31 seconds,
12:59and has maintained that aggressive punching style.
13:03He's even been compared by his own trainer,
13:05Don Turner, to Joe Frazier.
13:07But Turner, who also trains Evander Holyfield,
13:10said he doesn't punch as hard as Frazier did
13:12and gets hit a little less.
13:14You see Etienne really wants to get inside,
13:24work the bodywork that he wants to force a slug face,
13:27and O'Kendo wants exactly the opposite.
13:30O'Kendo will invite nothing but trouble
13:32if he fights Etienne's fight,
13:33which is to slugs.
13:35And O'Kendo, not a particularly big puncher,
13:38therefore Etienne could be brave
13:39and take some chances.
13:41But he's being somewhat tentative,
13:44out of here.
13:45Takes a lot of energy to keep moving like that.
13:47Not only that, you have to stop,
13:49plant your feet to fire
13:50if you're going to generate any real power.
13:51So O'Kendo's got to work that out for him
13:53to show that he's got to be made of a lot
13:55and be in good shape.
13:57Etienne has a good chin.
13:58He's been down only once.
13:59He can't remember who did it.
14:02That must have been a heck of a punch.
14:03That's what he told us.
14:05But defensively, he does get careless on occasion
14:08and can be hit.
14:09But very good recuperative powers.
14:11He's in excellent condition, Etienne.
14:13Do not grab his head.
14:15Box.
14:16You'll notice just in that little sequence
14:18that Etienne bent over and started to lean and lean and lean.
14:20He's never jabbing his way in,
14:21just trying to come in with big power shots.
14:23Sometimes that can be a big mistake.
14:25Stop!
14:26Etienne looking to end this in one punch.
14:29He may need a bit more variety.
14:31Like the jab, mix up the punches more.
14:33Look at this.
14:35That's a knockdown.
14:38Nice right hand again.
14:39He came in with his head down
14:40and he did not work him down the jab.
14:43A clubbing great hand by O'Kendo.
14:45It's only the second time Etienne has been down in his career.
14:49And he goes down again with a looping line.
14:52What is going on here?
14:54Now there's going to be some questions about Etienne's chin.
14:56Five.
14:58Six.
14:59Etienne.
14:59Etienne knocked down twice in the first round.
15:04Final seconds.
15:05He gets up with a smile and he comes back.
15:08And he goes down for a third time.
15:10No free knockdown rule.
15:12Three.
15:12And I'll be saved by the bell.
15:14Except in the...
15:15Six.
15:16In any round.
15:17Seven.
15:18Eight.
15:18You okay?
15:19One.
15:21And there's the bell.
15:23Etienne.
15:25On the deck three times.
15:27Good evening with Justin.
15:34Right here.
15:35The head is down here.
15:36Don't worry about that.
15:37How do you move?
15:37I'm on the back of my head.
15:38I'm on the back of my head.
15:38I'm on the back of my head.
15:39It's all right.
15:39Okay.
15:40Now listen to me.
15:41Listen to me.
15:42I want you to bob and we use the head movement.
15:44Okay?
15:45He's going to come now because he thinks you're hurt.
15:47And I want you to barge your punches from the body on up to the head.
15:50Okay?
15:51From the body on up to the head.
15:53But bob and we.
15:54All right?
15:55All right.
15:55Don't worry about going after him.
15:57He's going to come after you.
15:58Take a look at those three knockdowns.
15:59Very simple.
16:00Jab right hand.
16:02The jab wasn't even anything more than a feeler.
16:04And then he gets hit on top of the head two times after he hits the deck.
16:09Second knockdown.
16:10Same thing.
16:10Same right hand over the top.
16:13Etienne showing he cannot make the adjustments and be defensive.
16:16Here he comes in swinging wildly.
16:18His hand down again.
16:19He gets hit with another right hand on top of the head.
16:22Side of the temple.
16:24Head shake.
16:24So that would be a 10-7 round for Okendo.
16:27Etienne down three times in the last 35 seconds of round one.
16:35Not too reminiscent of Joe Frazier right now.
16:38No, well, you know, boxing ability is one thing.
16:40Toughness is different than how good you are.
16:43If you're going to be good, then not be tough.
16:44And right now, he's not showing a tough chin.
16:47You got to box.
16:48You got to box.
16:49You got to box.
16:51We box.
16:52Okendo got a shot in the bow.
16:54On the head.
16:54And he backed away.
16:57Wait!
16:58Stop!
16:59This looks like it's going to be a sloppy fight, Steve.
17:02The Rhinos charging in.
17:04And as opposed to playing Matador, Okendo's just retreating and holding.
17:07Just looking to get that right hand in again.
17:10You cannot hold!
17:11Okendo holding on to Etienne.
17:14And a straight right hand that backs Etienne up.
17:18Stop!
17:19Stop!
17:20Okendo looking over at the referee, Jane 80,
17:24as the heads clash.
17:26Okendo complaining.
17:28Some of the charges by Okendo looking a little am...
17:30Excuse me, by Etienne looking a little amateurish.
17:33And Okendo not getting out of the way all that smoothly either.
17:36Well, that left hook was blocked by Okendo.
17:43Stop!
17:44Stop!
17:45Don't put your head down!
17:47And now, almost like Evander Holyfield, Okendo pulling Etienne's head down.
17:54Etienne missing with most of those shots.
17:56The style of these two fighters match up to be as awkward as could humanly be possible, I think.
18:05And it's causing all kinds of frustration for Etienne.
18:09Etienne's charging with his head down, swinging wildly.
18:11Don't grab his head!
18:11And Okendo's not smoothly stepping aside or using the jab.
18:14He's just trying to hold it, but he's putting his arms out to do it.
18:17Don't grab his head!
18:17He's getting tangled up with Etienne.
18:20Etienne going to the jab, now missing wildly with the right.
18:26Okendo landing with the right to the head, which worked three times in the end of the first round.
18:31If you're just joining us, Etienne, the black rhino, went down three times in the final 35 seconds of round one.
18:41Clubbing right hands, he went to the knee.
18:45Etienne's got to work him behind the jab, but he'll not only bring him inside, he'll shut down the gap.
18:48Keep your head up!
18:49And he'll put him where he's feet.
18:50There's another right hand to the head!
18:52And Etienne is down for a fourth time.
18:55Three, four, five, six, you okay?
18:58Seven, eight, you gotta keep your head up!
19:01Seven seconds in round two.
19:06Okendo trying to end it with another right hand.
19:09And you know, Okendo should just do what he's doing, but step with the jab.
19:12Use a little power jab.
19:13Get Etienne's head up in here, then take it off the right hand.
19:16Etienne is wobbly.
19:17He's on unsteady legs, and he looks out of it right now, just trying to be defensive.
19:22At the belt, he almost went down again.
19:31Take a look at one of them right here, charging in with his head down, not intentional, but just charging in with his head down.
19:36This is what happens when he keeps his head up. He gets it taken off.
19:41Right on the, right on the temple side, part to top of the head.
19:47And getting hit on top of the head truly does hurt Steve. I've been hit there hurts very much.
19:51That's not a big shot. That's not a big shot at all.
19:53Not a real clean shot, but the place he's putting it...
19:57Etienne is evidently weak.
19:58Not intentional, but just charging him with his head down.
20:02And this is what happens when he keeps his head up.
20:05He gets it taken off.
20:06Right on the temple side, part of the top of the head.
20:10And getting hit on top of the head truly does hurt Steve.
20:12I've been hit there hurts very much.
20:14That's not a big shot.
20:15That's not a big shot at all.
20:18Not a real clean shot, but the place he's putting it,
20:21ATN is evidently weak.
20:24It is round three.
20:25ATN has been on the canvas four times
20:27over the first two rounds.
20:31All on right hands by the boxer, Okendo, not the puncher.
20:37ATN comes in with the reputation of being a powerful puncher.
20:40And the puncher's chance is such that every second of the fight,
20:43he has a chance by just landing that home run ball.
20:46But again, ATN is not working his way in.
20:48He's not setting up the chance to land anything really clean.
20:51He's charging him his head down and swing wildly.
20:54Not effective.
20:57He's trying to win his head down and bounce gripping Belarus.
21:00He's going to go for 8.
21:02So that's a financial attack.
21:04Great!
21:05Stop, don't hold.
21:06O'Kendo, being cautioned for holding.
21:09O'Kendo being cautioned for holding.
21:11Jensen.
21:12Jensen.
21:13Kendo working the jab heavy right hand there that startled ATN momentarily
21:24ATN not using a lot of head movement again not working there's a good jab but not working
21:29behind two or three jabs then fire the right hand two or three jabs go to the bottom here
21:33he's just swinging putting his head down looking at the floor Steve I'm a little confused ATN is
21:38confused too as he just dives into Okendo how can you look this good against Lawrence Klaibay
21:44and have this much trouble against Okendo is it simply the awkward style no it could be a number
21:49of different things maybe Klaibay just didn't punch as hard as many of us gave him credit for
21:53and the chin is not really that good here at the right hand maybe the awkwardness of Kendo is
21:58confusing maybe he can't get his timing but boy he does not look good now Klaibay a little more
22:03orthodox throws punches from a stereotypical boxer standpoint Okendo is a little more awkward
22:09body shot by Flippert ATN that has Okendo complaining not sure what he is complaining about he said
22:16that was low but uh referee didn't see it that way that was right on the belt
22:19oh
22:21oh
22:22now
22:23what about it
22:30goes down as a result of its game thats fire back something I've never seen.
22:35the fighter slips or Kendro ran after.
22:37Oh, and another right hand, and Etienne is a down again.
22:41Three, four, five, six.
22:45I think we're almost past the point of no return winning a decision here.
22:48That is number five.
22:52And 30 seconds to go on the third.
22:58Another roundhouse right by Okendo.
23:00This time, Etienne remains standing.
23:02And Etienne's trying to bounce back and end it on one or two punches, but he's in trouble.
23:12Final seconds of round three.
23:15Etienne missing again wildly.
23:17He just can't get near Okendo, who keeps eluding those big punches.
23:21Let's see, there's just been no strategy here to swing wildly.
23:25Brett Yen.
23:26Where is the game plan?
23:30He's punching too far out.
23:32You hear what I say?
23:35You're punching too far out.
23:36That's the reason you're getting caught with your hand down here.
23:39Keep your hands up, man.
23:40You're never wearing up.
23:41You got to keep shifting that body like you're doing.
23:44Never great.
23:45But still go to the body.
23:46The body is a measuring point for the head.
23:48Why not, Vaseline?
23:52Still go to that body.
23:53But go with combination.
23:54Let's take a look at what's clear.
23:55It's become a pattern.
23:57Right hand on top of the head.
23:59And Etienne goes directly to his knees.
24:02This is the fifth knockdown in just three rounds.
24:07Look from overhead.
24:08You see right on the side of the head.
24:09Combination on top of the temple.
24:10Right there.
24:12It's just every time he gets hit there, Stevie goes down.
24:14And, Bobby, these are wide punches.
24:16They seem to be telegraphed.
24:18Etienne just can't see them coming.
24:20Etienne's defensive skills are limited.
24:22And, again, he started late.
24:23And there's a lot of pressure up he needs to do.
24:26A work in progress.
24:28Clifford Etienne.
24:29But now he comes out with a purpose.
24:32He came out behind a triple jab and two shots of the body.
24:35The most effective combination maybe he's had all night.
24:39Maybe Etienne should go to some boxing technique here.
24:42He continues to swing wildly.
24:44No plan.
24:47You heard Don Turner in the corner saying,
24:49you're fighting from too far outside.
24:50You're throwing punches, leading from way too far outside.
24:53Work your way in first.
24:54And that's Okendo style to fight from the outside.
24:57Good right hand there to the temple by Etienne.
25:00But they're wild and he's getting tired because he's missing.
25:02Another big left hook.
25:03A big left hook by Etienne.
25:05He's starting to score more now.
25:08And he's registering those hard punches on Okendo.
25:12We'll see what kind of conditioning and stamina Okendo has.
25:16Well, at this pace, both fighters throwing a lot of punches,
25:18missing a lot of punches.
25:19Okendo missing less.
25:20But moving more, we're going to see if attrition becomes a factor.
25:24Those left hooks by Etienne are starting to get in there more regularly.
25:29Missed with the right.
25:35Etienne seems to have a second wind all of a sudden
25:38after being knocked down on five occasions.
25:42And we're only in round four.
25:50Etienne backing Okendo up, using the forearm.
25:53Yeah, using that little forearm slash elbow.
25:57The left hook was blocked by Okendo's glove.
26:00When Etienne comes in, watch how low he puts his left hand
26:02as he leans to the right and leaves his whole left side of his head,
26:05jaw, ear, and top of his head wide open
26:07to that right hand from Okendo.
26:25Etienne stuffing the jab on Okendo.
26:27So far, this is the first round that Etienne's actually been affected
26:31winning this round so far,
26:33but it's for the end of every round that we won
26:34and getting knocked down.
26:36Here's a big right hand by Etienne, a straight right.
26:38And it's got Okendo thinking, got his attention.
26:43Right now, this is just sheer guts and determination by Etienne.
26:47He just refuses to stop.
26:48He's not allowing Okendo to think now.
26:5130 seconds in round four, and Etienne on a rampage.
26:56Right!
26:57Etienne himself is going to need to show some good condition
26:59to keep his face up.
27:00He's missing some of these punches.
27:01That's huge.
27:02Back comes Okendo with a straight right hand that scored.
27:13But a much better round for Etienne,
27:15and as I say that,
27:17he stumbles a bit off a right hand by Okendo.
27:29John Paul Gonzalez, our translator.
27:31How are you feeling there?
27:38You've got to open that mouth.
27:40Take a deep breath.
27:43That's it.
27:48Don't run.
27:49You've got to walk.
27:49Walk side to side.
27:51You've got to walk.
27:52Don't run.
27:54You're in great shape right now.
27:56The guy's throwing punches, crazy punches.
28:01Are you listening to me?
28:05Walk, don't run.
28:06Walk, don't run.
28:06Walk, don't run.
28:07Put them up, is it?
28:08My hand is greater than anything.
28:11Come on.
28:11You've got to impose.
28:12Come on.
28:12I'll impose your will on this guy.
28:15Close and combination.
28:17Follow what I'm saying.
28:18The hardest punch Okendo may have taken all night was from Felix Trinidad Sr.
28:22Well, I'll tell you what, Felix Trinidad Sr. is just trying to keep him calm.
28:26He saw that last round, maybe the tide turned a little bit.
28:29The momentum surely moved.
28:30It's the first round.
28:31Etienne's actually won.
28:32And Okendo's giving it up because every time he throws a right hand, and he throws it well,
28:37he hurts.
28:37Etienne.
28:38Round five.
28:39This is a big right hand that hit the jaw of Okendo.
28:43Maybe the best punch of the night for Etienne.
28:46And it's got Okendo just hanging on.
28:49You can hear Don Turner saying, Etienne, you just outwilling.
28:51Use your will.
28:53Beat it with your will.
28:56Etienne now outworking.
28:58Okendo all over him, pulling it off to the body and to the head.
29:08Etienne living up to his nickname, the Rhino just charging in relentlessly.
29:14And he does just keep coming, Steve.
29:15There's no quitting him.
29:16And, you know, again, if he's going to have a problem with a lot of big punchers,
29:20a guy like Lennox Lewis will have a field day with the right hand that he has,
29:24the range that he has, the speed that he has,
29:26if the Rhino's chin is really not that good.
29:28Pushing Okendo back with the jab, trying to drop him with the right.
29:32Okendo comes back with a slapping left that somehow sent Etienne back.
29:44One thing's for sure, we have to re-question Etienne's chin.
29:52Down five times in this fight.
29:57And on punches that didn't look particularly ferocious.
30:01Sometimes a punch doesn't need to be that devastating,
30:04but put in the right place, there's a weak spot in Achilles' heel, so to speak.
30:09A few of them walk to the top of Etienne's head.
30:15Which, as Bobby has pointed out over and over, is a very loaded of his spot.
30:19We approach the final minute of round five.
30:28Hey, slowing down just a little bit.
30:31Oh, Kendo continues to box from the outside.
30:39They told him to walk, don't run.
30:42Well, he's close to running.
30:43He is.
30:46A left-right combination to the head by Okendo.
30:50Okendo doing a nice job with the jab, and some good movement.
30:54But he can't get trapped on the rope.
30:55That's a good body shot by Etienne.
30:59He wants to keep Etienne out to the center of the right.
31:02That's where he's had most of his success.
31:06And Etienne has not made that many adjustments.
31:08The right hand is just sheer aggression.
31:10Again, that's a bad spot for Okendo on the ropes.
31:15A left-right combination to the head by Okendo.
31:17And Etienne weathers it.
31:19Hits another beautiful right hand to the head by Okendo.
31:22Just before the bell to win round five.
31:25Bobby, let's go inside the ropes and further examine these knockdowns of Okendo against Etienne.
31:42There's a right hand on top of the head, side of the head combination.
31:46Another one, same place, same position.
31:50One more.
31:51On the top of the left side of Etienne's head.
31:54That one also.
31:54Top left side.
31:56And must be to kill his heel because he's been hit with better punches.
31:59Those all put him on the floor.
32:04Later, he came back with a right hand of his own.
32:06Not too bad.
32:07Over the top that really shook up Okendo.
32:09Talk about give and take.
32:13Not to be outdone, Okendo comes back here and wobbles Etienne one more time.
32:19Bobby, we're halfway through the bout unofficially.
32:21How do you see this?
32:22I see this as a trainer's nightmare.
32:24I have it three rounds to two, but 48-43 with all the knockdowns in favor.
32:29Okendo.
32:31Okendo has registered five knockdowns.
32:34The last two rounds, though.
32:36Etienne outworked him, pressed him, outpunched him.
32:39And looked better, but I wouldn't go as far as to say really good.
32:43Well, we said at the outset, Etienne couldn't remember who knocked him down the first time.
32:46He'll remember Okendo.
32:48Got a pretty good feeling you're right about that.
32:52You push him down, he'll hit you low.
32:54Don't push down.
32:55Okendo being warned not to push Etienne down by referee Jane Adie.
33:00And he said if you don't push him down, his punches won't hit you low.
33:02Oh!
33:03The heads collide!
33:04Oh!
33:04Oh!
33:04Oh!
33:04Oh!
33:05Oh!
33:05Oh!
33:05Oh!
33:06Oh!
33:06Oh!
33:07Oh!
33:07Oh!
33:08Oh!
33:08Oh!
33:09Oh!
33:09Ok?
33:10Etienne came charging in.
33:12Time!
33:12And they just both bent over and slammed into one another.
33:16No blood.
33:19I'm sure when Etienne gets back to home base, wherever he calls home base, he's gonna put
33:23this tape in and watch that he doesn't move in behind the jab when everything comes around
33:26nothing straight.
33:27And just a moment ago, as you were talking, a perfectly timed straight right hand by Okendo,
33:32just as etn was cocking to throw a punch
33:39left hook is scoring by okendo this is the jab right hand again on the top of the head
33:44wide out it's been successful now okendo digging to the body now you see a little bit oh a low blow
33:50perhaps a low blow well okendo certainly feels it is over there go over there jade eddie sends
33:56him to the neutral corner he'll have uh five minutes and now he gets down to where he's
34:04thinking but i don't know about that no but you know what it's a combination of he pulled
34:11it turns head down to kendall did and the hook went south
34:15now he seems to a little bit better he's trying to recover as his trunks nearly fell off
34:21well the rule once again no coaching he has five minutes to recover if he needs that much time
34:30if he doesn't recover he automatically loses which once again i thought is a strange rule i think the
34:36rest right here is going to help etienne more than it does again they're trying to
34:42really no the truck's up because they're loose they're slipping down
34:49you ready roughly halfway through round six the pocket's been stopped and here we go he comes racing up
34:56on the rhino okay maybe i'm going to have to rest up most well it seems to rejuvenate okendo
35:05again blocking those punches and then whipping the job right uppercut missing by okendo
35:19okendo the more active setting the pace
35:24a right hand by okendo that gets in a little snappy right uppercut
35:28see sheer aggression without some skill behind it is not necessarily worthless but does not
35:33necessarily make you make you a good fighter or a championship caliber fighter etienne here is
35:38showing very wild movement some sloppy punches terrible defense even when he's coming in no elbow
35:46okendo with a little bit of a forearm elbow okendo is making etienne look silly here making him look like
35:52like an amateur he's dancing all around him he's scoring with jams uppercuts he keeps looking over
35:59to the right do you notice that i thought he's looking at us maybe he can hear us well he's not
36:03going to learn much from me maybe from you
36:07and again he stuffs the jab okendo with a slapping left everything's getting firm
36:14you notice the netten misses he misses wildly and he turns his body around because he commits so much for
36:18the punch and it doesn't turn back too quickly leaves himself wider and then does a nice job
36:24defensively okendo eluding the punches right uppercut to the chin by okendo
36:31okendo with all kinds of confidence
36:34we took control of this fight
36:43take it easy now we got control of this fight now
36:46and we're going to win
36:51boxing is your business man
36:53the jab is doing great
36:58okendo is your business man
37:12watch this now as as okendo's standing here etienne's going to come in his head's going to be somewhere
37:17around here and okendo's going to take it and pull it and his left hook comes way on there short
37:22because it winds up being bent all the way over and it's one of those things where
37:27watch him pull he push the head down and it helps to bring his shoulder down
37:31and the punch winds up south and it didn't look that solid to take a break
37:35don't grab his head after a one-minute break to recover from the low blow
37:38okendo looked the fresher of the two and i think won that round
37:43i agree with you steve again that round i have a fortitude with the scoring
37:46and points are still huge there aren't enough rounds left to win every round by one point
37:51for etienne he's past the point of no return to a degree again a purposeful flipper etienne
37:59has to end it right here saying enough is enough of a low blow with the left hand
38:03and okendo complains jay nady not doing anything above and the rage continues
38:10a left hook off the top of okendo's head okendo though standing up to it
38:14he heard a little bit but i don't know that etienne has the energy as much as he's still charging for
38:23it has the energy to execute properly and continue these good combinations
38:27the fans trying to urge on etienne by chanting in unison rhino right hand by the rhino that got in
38:35but okendo's showing a pretty good chance
38:40and now i tell you etienne may have punched himself out he may have punched himself out but
38:46right now okendo doesn't look that much better and atien just walked into a right hand by okendo
38:52and that right hand more flush than the other ones dropped him and this time apn remains standing
39:00half way through the seven
39:03apn backing okendo up this is where apn wants okendo against the ropes and powers to the uh to the body
39:11and okendo runs away from him and turns his side to him
39:16okendo just leaning out of the way not really offing up any smart defense and then holding on
39:20blue just backing up his hand pointing the ropes this is where conditioning will really pay off
39:27etienne supposedly in great condition we'll see if he's got enough to come back from five knockdowns
39:35at the end just chasing okendo from side to side a right upper cut followed by a left hook by okendo
39:48etienne's so tired he's got his hands down a left hook file etienne
39:53and that's what he's going to need to do because the points are just too too much
40:06etienne just stumbling around almost went down on his own right hand off the top of etienne's head
40:12i think etienne needs a knockout here to win this fight
40:23and right now you wonder if he's got it in him
40:25oh big right hand by okendo and apn's down for the sixth three
40:29that was the most solid of the right hand steve that one landed well
40:33seven and right the dead center of the right
40:37you okay hey come to me you all right all right
40:41all right etienne is exhausted as the bell sounds
40:45let's see if he's going to get out of the right hand
40:51shut down
40:55are you all right well he's gone
40:57that's right then don't use him and move your body i don't give a damn
41:01beat this you understand i don't care if your arms are hurt
41:05work you
41:07that's how you doing
41:08all right
41:20all right this is probably the best right hand that
41:23okendo and sloan spark landing it was solid right on the same exact spot
41:28it's almost like an instant replay of the first knockdown over and over again
41:32but this one even cleaner
41:38cleppard atn telling don turner my legs are gone turner replied i don't care then use your body
41:46the more lightly regarded fighter franzo kendo with six knockdowns to the first seven
41:55one of these two fighters will suffer the first loss of his career they're each 19 and 0.
42:01you know and i will tell you i watched the eclebe fight start to finish and i thought
42:05clave hit him much cleaner than akendo has shown us today yet he did not drop him at will as well
42:11hey okay go ahead okay box
42:13A.T.N. on very, very weak legs.
42:23Don't grab. He doesn't have much left.
42:30This is sheer will by A.T.N. and Hart.
42:33A hard left hook by A.T.N. got in.
42:35Best punch he's landed in a couple of rounds,
42:37but once again, he's one and done.
42:39That would have been low. That would have been low.
42:42A.T.N.
42:47Now you notice who's backing up.
42:50A.T.N., a pure sign of exhaustion.
42:53He has nothing left.
42:55And he's eating a lot of jabs, A.T.N.
43:00A.T.N. really shocking wins.
43:05Every time A.T.N. has knocked A.T.N. down,
43:08it's going to right off the top of the head like that.
43:11And now he's going for the summer time.
43:14And I'm not sure he can continue after this.
43:16Four, five, six, seven, eight.
43:21That's it.
43:23That's all she wrote.
43:28And upset.
43:30Ungraded French Okendo showing the emotion.
43:33Can't fight back the tears as he surprises
43:37number four WBC heavyweight contender, LeBron ATN.
43:43You know, Steve, I never used to understand
43:44when people cried and they were happy.
43:46I told you about my first little title,
43:47and, yeah, I did. I cried.
43:48You can relate.
43:50Finally, I can relate.
43:51And look at this show of emotion and drama.
43:56Well, he said that no one gave him any credit coming in here.
43:58He's a big underdog.
43:59Everybody is looking past him.
44:01And lo and behold, he proved a lot of the critics dead wrong.
44:05And I didn't think he was going to win this fight myself.
44:07A sixth Toronto underdog, his wife Stacy there,
44:11and a lot of relatives in attendance,
44:13his father, his brothers, his sister.
44:16And they're all able to celebrate.
44:17And now a great show of sportsmanship here.
44:21As French Okendo not only hosts ATN,
44:23but trainer JC Davis.
44:26Here's Hector Cabacho, Jr., fellow Puerto Rican.
44:31Quite an upset here in Las Vegas tonight
44:34as Okendo derails heavyweight prospect Clifford the Black Rhino,
44:38ATN,
44:39who came in rated number four by the WBC,
44:42number seven by the WBO,
44:44but tonight's result
44:45has not helped his cause.
44:47Okendo was unbeaten,
44:50but he was unbeaten.
44:55He knocked down ATN a total of seven times.
45:00Watch his last knockdown.
45:02He's working on the ropes,
45:03and his right hand is landing.
45:04There you see the stagger,
45:05and there you see the finisher.
45:11Incredible susceptibility
45:12on the right,
45:13the whole left side by the right hand.
45:16ATN just showing no way to defend against right hands
45:18as they come around.
45:20I mean,
45:20he just doesn't even pick his left hand up,
45:22Steve.
45:22I'm shocked.
45:24He was totally fatigued and exhausted.
45:27Couldn't do it.
45:36Down he goes for a seventh and final time.
45:39What a big blow to the highly regarded Clifford ATN,
45:44who was perhaps still feeling the effects of his war
45:47with Lawrence Klaibbe.
45:48Let's get the official numbers from Jimmy Lennon Jr.
45:51Ladies and gentlemen,
45:54we have the time of one minute,
45:5637 seconds in round number eight.
45:59A referee in charge,
46:00Jay Nadey,
46:01stops the contest.
46:03Upon advice of the corner,
46:05the winner by way of technical knockout,
46:07he is still undefeated,
46:10the big O,
46:11Fred O'Kendo.
46:17So Fred O'Kendo pulls off the upset.
46:20He moves to 20-0 with 11 knockouts.
46:24Meanwhile,
46:24Clifford ATN suffers his first career loss
46:27and slips to 19-1.
46:29Fred O'Kendo
46:30on the shoulders of seven knockdowns,
46:34surprising,
46:35previously undefeated,
46:38Clifford ATN.
46:39Coming up next,
46:40our main event for the big men,
46:43number five IVF heavyweight contender,
46:45David Tua goes against the number three IVF rated,
46:48Donnell Nicholson,
46:49with the winner emerging as number one.
46:52Into the dressing room
46:53with the always affable,
46:54easygoing David Tua,
46:55born on a tiny island in West Samoa,
46:58now living in South Auckland, New Zealand,
47:00has totally revamped his training regimen
47:02and mode of preparation
47:03since the embarrassing loss to Lennox Lewis.
47:06Manager Kevin Barry,
47:07new trainer Joe Goosen,
47:09you see Joe right there on the left,
47:11brought in a strength coach,
47:12a dietician to get his weight down
47:13and add even more lean muscle mass,
47:16but his weight is actually up
47:17from the Lewis fight,
47:18somewhat surprising.
47:21Historically,
47:21he has had difficulty with boxers
47:23and Nicholson falls into that category,
47:26but he is heavily favored to bounce back tonight.
47:30Set for post-fight reaction,
47:31let's go to Jim Gray.
47:32All right, thank you very much, Steve,
47:35as the two continue to exchange words here.
47:37Clifford, let me ask you first,
47:39you were heavily favored in this fight.
47:41You went down seven times,
47:42three times in the first round.
47:43What happened?
47:44He caught me.
47:45He caught me.
47:46He caught me.
47:46I still got a little right there
47:47on the back of my head.
47:48Might be able to see it.
47:49I was balled.
47:50But, I mean,
47:50it was good shots.
47:51He hit me.
47:52Did he catch you all three of those
47:53knockdowns in the first round?
47:54Were they all clean?
47:55I think the first one was,
47:56he kind of pushed me
47:57with his elbow.
47:58But, I mean,
47:58he caught me on the back of my head.
47:59But that wasn't nothing, man.
48:00The other two,
48:01that was a good knockdown.
48:02That was legit.
48:03So, I got a tip of my head to him,
48:04and I'm a sportsman.
48:05He was a better man than that.
48:07Are you surprised by his performance?
48:08Yeah, I'm not, yeah.
48:10Because he was more elusive
48:12than I thought.
48:12It wasn't just the foot speed,
48:14because I knew he was moving.
48:15It was a leaning back.
48:17You know what I'm saying?
48:18Because I could catch you
48:19if you're just moving.
48:21But when I throw,
48:21and you lean back,
48:22that gives you another five inches,
48:24six inches.
48:25You know, he did good.
48:26I'm glad.
48:26I want him to handle his business, too.
48:28He's young, you know.
48:29I want everybody,
48:31I have enough money
48:31for all of us, man.
48:32Yeah, baby.
48:33You know what I'm saying?
48:34All right, Clifford Fraze,
48:35let's ask you.
48:36What realistically did you
48:38expect coming into this fight tonight?
48:39You were a big, big underdog
48:41and virtually unheard of.
48:42First of all, I want to...
48:44Translate for us as you go along.
48:53We have a lot of
48:54English-speaking people, too, as well.
48:55Yeah, I'm showing out
48:56representation where I was born.
48:57San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rio Piedra,
48:59Ramos, Montanini,
49:00the projects,
49:01where I was from.
49:06All right, now to the question.
49:07What did you expect?
49:08A lot of people haven't heard of you
49:09until tonight.
49:11Virtually unheard of
49:12for you to pull off
49:13a performance like this.
49:14Like I told everybody,
49:16first of all,
49:16I want to thank Showtime
49:17for giving me this opportunity.
49:19Dan Goosen,
49:20number one promoter in the world.
49:21He top down came with this one.
49:22But anyway,
49:23I always had confidence in myself.
49:26Since my tempo fight,
49:27when Dan and Tom put me in there
49:28with Duncan Duckworth,
49:29another dangerous guy
49:30who was 14 and 0,
49:31and another one,
49:33Don Fetty,
49:34the genius.
49:34He made me what I am today.
49:36The last fight,
49:37I wasn't even nothing like
49:38I am today.
49:38It's all natural.
49:39This man got the greatest champions,
49:41Tito Freso Kendo.
49:42You knocked him down six times,
49:44and you weren't able
49:45to put him away.
49:45Were you starting to think
49:46in your mind,
49:47uh-oh,
49:47I might be caught by a shot,
49:48and I could lose this fight
49:49even though I've dominated?
49:50Like Don Fetty said
49:51in the press conference,
49:51everybody don't be surprised.
49:53If I don't knock him out,
49:54I'm prepared to go 10 rounds.
49:56What's next for you?
49:57Well,
49:58we got to sit down.
49:59The Gia Papa Don Fetty
50:00and Dan Goose of American Possession.
50:02People always had confidence
50:03since I turned pro.
50:04Out of all the heavyweight
50:05that you had,
50:06Pye Walker,
50:07Clay Bialdo,
50:07I was the least,
50:09the least,
50:10to make it where I am today.
50:11And thank God
50:12he gave me the opportunity.
50:13And I love that man for this.
50:14I'm not pouring no more.
50:16Congratulations to you.
50:18Thank you very much.
50:19Thank you,
50:19American Possession.
50:19I love you.
50:20All right,
50:20let's go back over to you, Steve.
50:21Thank you, Jim.
50:22Nice Guy,
50:23Fres Okendo,
50:24humbled.
50:25Clifford Etienne
50:27in the eighth round
50:28with seven knockdowns.
50:30We'll check the online scoring results here
50:32from our opening bout.
50:34The fans at home
50:35had Fres Okendo
50:36ahead 5-2.
50:38And at the time
50:39of the stoppage,
50:41the official judges
50:42here at ringside
50:43here in Las Vegas
50:44had it this way.
50:45Dave Moretti,
50:4668-61.
50:48Dolby Shirley,
50:4968-60
50:50for Okendo
50:50and Glenn Trowbridge
50:5268-60.
50:55I noticed a sprinkling
50:56of 10-6 here.
50:57You know,
50:58I see Steve on the scorecard.
50:59A few of the fighters,
51:00excuse me,
51:00judges scored
51:01that first round 10-6.
51:03I had it 10-7
51:04and I still had it 68-60.
51:06There were a couple rounds
51:07in there that they scored
51:08even,
51:09not even,
51:10but they gave to Okendo
51:11that I just didn't think he won.
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