Paul Samuels 21-7-2 (12) once again came out on top over Cello Renda 18-9-1 (11)
tonight. Although the bout was never going to be as good as their first epic encounter,
this fight was still a thriller.
Samuels dominated the opening round and threw some meaningful body shots and hurt Renda more than once. In the second round Renda had blood all over his face, coming from his nose which was possibly broken. Samuels then decked Renda hard and although the younger man got up he looked wobbly. Renda then caught Samuels and wobbled him but Samuels came on strong again and had Renda in all sorts of trouble. Samuels even called the referee to stop the bout but the bell saved Renda.
In the third Samuels hurt Renda badly and again it looked like the end was near but Renda landed a big punch that had a clear effect. Samuels smiled but was shaken. Both men unload on the other and Samuels starts to puff although he dominated a great round. Then to the fourth and Renda landed a big punch which dropped and hurt Samuels. Samuels got up but looked tired and Renda landed a big left hook to the body which made Samuels sag but although he retreated to the ropes he didn’t go down. A clear round for Renda but once again Samuels hurt him in the last 30 seconds.
Renda was then given instructions from his corner to box more which he tried to do in the sixth. Renda’s output was by now higher than Samuels although Samuels punches looked classier. Samuels was again hurt to the body in the last 30 seconds but kept talking to Renda. The seventh was a quieter round which lead to the final round and the final effort from these two warriors. Both threw good combinations with Renda punching non stop but again I felt Samuels threw the higher quality shots.
It seemed very close at the end but the referee awarded the bout to Samuels much to the surprise of Renda. I felt Samuels was the winner but thought 77-74 ( referees card) was possibly a bit wide.
By JIMMY LAST (EDITOR)
