Michigan: Laila Ali vs. Kendra Lenhart 

The event was surrounded by potential controversy, mainly due to Tyson’s and Golota’s past tarnished reputations with previous fights with others. Both fighters labeled, “The Bad Boys of Boxing” had a list of reasons for having such a name!  Tyson hitting Norris after the bell, biting Holyfield’s ear and trying to continue to hit one of his opponents after the ref stopped the fight. Golota had his own closet full of skeletons that included hitting below the belt, many times…..losing to Lennox Lewis in 95 seconds….Boxing fans shelled out $49.95 to watch tonight’s fight on Showtime, that was promoted by Tommy Hearns, America Presents, and Main Events Inc.

But little did fans know that the controversy would begin tonight with the women’s bout between Laila Ali and Kendra Lenhart!

Just at the time that Laila Ali was to make her entrance to the ring, Showtime announced that there was a conflict about the amount of time each round would be. The fight was scheduled to be a six-rounder.  Apparently the Michigan Commission said that in their state that all rounds were three minutes in duration!

That is not something a commission should tell two fighters, minutes before climbing into that squared circle to fight their hearts out.  Luckily all was resolved when both fighters’ teams agreed that the rounds should be two minutes long.

THE FIGHT 

This was a true test for Ali as she stepped up her competition with Kendra Lenhart, other than her fighting Karen Bill.   Not only did Laila step up to the plate to fight a tougher opponent, but she also fought a six rounder for the first time.

Both Ali and Lenhart  immediately came out the first round and went toe-to-toe against each other.  Laila appeared to be more technically sound and tried to box with Lenhart.  Lenhart has not given up on the “Throw the haymaker” hoping it will land and add to her KO’s on her record.

By the end of the second round, both fighters looked a little fatigued, but both continued to throw any and everything and showed tremendous heart in this fight.

There were no knockdowns, and by the sixth round both fighters had slowed slightly with Lenhart looking like she had taken the worst end of the deal.  I had Laila ahead, winning four rounds out of the six.  Laila Ali won by a unanimous decision,  58-56, 58-56, 60-54, and she has improved her record to 8-0 (7KO). Lenhart has fallen to 6-8-1.

I was disappointed that Lenhart looked at about the same skill level as when I covered her when she fought Trina Ortegon last February 11th in Louisiana.

Comments About the fight and the fighters….

Taking Laila’s dad out of the picture, I will say that Laila has the makings of a champion.  She is young, very athletic, and many insiders have told me that she is completely committed to her training.  She may not have made the money she has made from the sport if not for who her father is, but she would have made it in boxing on her own to become a potential champ if she keeps up the hard work learning the skills in boxing.

Kendra Lenhart needs to either change trainers, or get a boxing trainer.   She continues to telegraph her moves, and is flat-footed at times, throwing wild punches hoping to connect that one punch, and exhausting herself in doing it. She is taking too many punches (unnecessarily by the way) because she doesn’t move properly….. or block.  This sport is not kind to boxers who have loose technical skills.

TYSON VS GOLOTA FIGHT

Well folks, this fight did not last long at all.  Mike Tyson did nothing wrong, and yet controversy still fell into his lap when Poland fighter Andrew Golota just up and quit after the second round.

Golota had been knocked down in the first round, and got a cut over his left eye.  He came out the second round and Tyson pretty well controlled that round also.  Golota was like the gentle giant that could hardly move.  Then during the second round break going into the third round, Golota just decided to quit. His trainer demanding him to continue, pointing his finger at him and attempting to put Golota’s mouthpiece in his mouth, which he spit out by the way.  Golota paced in the ring, not listening to anyone.  The referee, attempted to talk with him, and Golota pushed him away.

They finally just stopped the fight as a TKO, and Golota left the ring to the crowd throwing cups and drinks at him.  Gotota was saturated from being hit with the drinks by the time he got to his dressing room.

When he was interviewed by Showtime, he said that he slipped in the first round…. NOT

He said that Mike Tyson headbutted him….. NOT

He said that it was, “Just not his night.”

THE FIGHT I THOUGHT SHOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED, AND THE GUY WINS!

This was a lightweight championship fight between current champion Alex Trujillo(136)  and Jose Juarez(134).   Trujillo was a quick handed fighter that had the fight in control, until 2:53 seconds of the fourth round. He took a shot that threw him backwards, onto the canvas, and his head bouncing on the canvas. He had a problem getting up. His eyes looked dazed, and the ref counted to 9 1/2 seconds and he was up and ready to fight but looked completely out of it.  The bell rang and it gave him a little bit of an opportunity to regain himself.  I was amazed that the fight was not stopped. To my surprise, not only did Trujillo continue but he won the fight with a unanimous decision, 95-94, 95-94, 97-92. He remains undefeated with a 19-0 record.

THE REFEREE OF THE GOLOTA / TYSON FIGHT

Frank Garza, a referee in Michigan took some criticize for being chosen as the ref of the Tyson / Golota fight.  The reason– he had limited experience, that only included being a referee for one title fight, and never disqualifying a boxer. He did not help matters when he asked both Tyson and Golota for their autograph at Tuesday’s press conference!

Sue TL Fox  10/20/00