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ESPN Friday Night Fights Recap

March 23, 2007

Foxwoods Resort and Casino Mashantucket, Connecticut

Junior Welterweight (140 pounds) 4-Round Match:

Ray Robinson (1-0, 139 pounds) vs. Daniel Sostre (2-2, 142 pounds)

That first fight went so short, that we are now on to the reserve filler match. I appreciate the fact that one of the competitors took the opportunity to miss weight in his national television debut. For Sostre's sake, I really hope that is just a typo on behalf of the ESPN graphics department. As the graphic indicates, he weighed in at 142 pounds for a fight contracted at 140 pounds. This might be this guy's only chance to fight on television ever, and that wasn't even guaranteed. Sostre took the one factor he could absolutely control, his pre-fight weight, and messed that up on potentially the biggest night of his life. Sostre has a lot of hair and losing that could at least cut a pound.

Robinson fights southpaw, and is the taller fighter. Robinson is a very lanky fighter with a tremendous reach. Sostre holds his hands real low and does not have near the speed needed to get them back up in time to block the punches coming from Robinson. Sostre apparently won the 2002 Puerto Rican amateur championship. From what I've seen, out of these first two fights, if anyone wants to go win an amateur title and not work that hard, move to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has a long tradition of great fighters; these guys so far tonight are not doing their homeland proud. After round 1, I've got the score 10-9. Robinson is showing a lot of potential, and may belong on television in a few years. Robinson is just entering his twenties and needs some more seasoning. Sostre actually is working with a great trainer and is also in his early twenties, so given several more years could be ready for this spot again. Robinson has had 54 amateur fights with some success. He is still very green. The commentators are really digging into the filler material here to pull out facts about these boxers to disguise the fact, they're not real good. Teddy Atlas has noticed that Robinson is telegraphing his punches. Sostre has now gone down and it is ruled a slip. It looks like the right call, but I'll have to see more replays to be sure. It appears Sostre tripped over Robinson's right leg while throwing a punch. Robinson is using his superior height and reach to win rounds. I score round 2 for Robinson 10-9. Robinson is now dropping his lead right hand, in addition to telegraphing his punches, so there are plenty of opportunities for Sostre to score big, if he can capitalize. Compounding Robinson's other flaws, is habit of closing the distance too much with his own opponent. Robinson then can't extend his long arms to punch fully. It also, makes Robinson a much easier target for Sostre to hit. This has not been a good fight.

Through the first 2 rounds Sostre has hit Robinson with zero jabs, while throwing 16. Robinson has landed 18 of the 66 jabs he has thrown. Atlas also has the fight 20-18 for Robinson through 2 rounds. Robinson has decided to get in close and engage more with Sostre, which is not the best idea when working for a win here, but makes this fight more exciting. Robinson still won the round. Blood is starting to leak from the mouth of Sostre as the round comes to a close. It has become evident that Robinson has no punching power in his right hand. It appears to start round 4, Robinson will once again tempt the boxing gods by fighting Sostre on the inside. Between rounds Sostre's corner, which is excellent, advised Sostre to go for broke in this the final round, That is the correct advice, because it is clear Sostre needs a knockout to win. A little less then 45 seconds into round 4 Sostre is knocked down, but will easily continue. Robinson has clearly dictated this fight, Sostre has just been knocked down, but he appears unhurt and steady, yet Sostre knowing the scorecards are not likely to be friendly does not push the action. Sostre is not showing the heart and fire to go out and win, but is instead sitting back. This was awful and not up to the ESPN standards. Round 4 goes to Robinson 10-8 and he will clearly win the fight 40-35.

The official scorecards read: 40-35, 40-35, 40-35 all for the winner by unanimous decision Ray Robinson. Sostre landed one jab in the entire fight. Both of these fighters have huge holes in their games and really need to spend years training before they belong in this spotlight again. Sostre's style is just ugly. He has a great trainer though and Robinson's corner isn't bad either so I think they can both improve, but they are many years away. When this fight comes on find anything else to do you can this is just ugly bad boxing.