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Kostya
Tszyu retained his titles in the 140 pound division with
an easy victory over Ben Tackie at the Mandalay Bay
Events Center in Las Vegas. The three judges had it
120-108, 120-108 and 119-109 for Tszyu. Only Judge Duane
Ford gave Tackie a round: the 11th.
Fightnews had it 118-108 for Tszyu.
Neither fighter was in trouble in this fight, but Kostya
controlled the bout with a jab that consistently
connected on Tackie and effective counterpunching.
Tackie was the aggressor the entire fight but kept
running into the brick wall that is Tszyu. Every time
Tackie scored, Tszyu either counterpunched and stopped
Tackie's momentum or in the later rounds, held up Tackie.
In the 4th round, a beautiful right by Tszyu rattled
Tackie. But Tackie having the chin he does, was able to
absorb the punch and did well at the close of the round.
Credit does go to Tackie in this fight. He was not able
to do anything against Kostya, but Tackie kept
attacking. He did not back down and had Tszyu back
pedaling in the 11th round. As Tszyu said, "You hit
him - he just keeps coming forward. I was always aware
of his right hand."
Overall, Tszyu did what he had to do to net the win. It
was a cautious but nevertheless impressive performance.
The crowd, however, was never able to observe his raw
punching power. "The key to this fight for me was
patience. I knew I had to be patient," Tszyu said.
Although Tszyu's jab and counter punching were the best
things going for him against Tackie, he sprinkled in the
right amount of uppercuts and body shots to throw off
Tackie.
Speculation on who Tszyu will fight next was on people's
minds after the fight, which was attended by Vince
Phillips, the only fighter to beat Kostya. "I am
going home now to get some rest," Tszyu said.
"I expect I will fight at least one more time this
year."
Tackie had nothing but praise for Tszyu. "I think
Kostya is the best pound-for-pound fighter I have faced.
He is really the best," Tackie said. "I tried
to get him in the later rounds, but faltered,"
Tackie said. I should have fought a smarter fight."
Tszyu improved to 29-1-1 with the victory, while Tackie
fell to 24-3.
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