In the first four rounds of the heavyweight boxing match, the action was tentative. Junior Fa, one of the boxers, effectively maintained control of the center of the ring. During this period, there were mainly jabs exchanged between Fa and his opponent, Frank Sanchez, as they tried to measure the distance between them.
Measuring Distance – Round 1 to 4
In boxing, measuring distance allows fighters to gauge their range and positioning in relation to their opponent. By keeping a constant sense of the distance, boxers can effectively land punches while minimising the risk of getting hit. It also helps them in planning their offensive and defensive strategies. Maintaining the appropriate distance enables boxers to maximise the impact of their punches and avoid getting countered. It is a fundamental aspect of boxing technique that helps in controlling the tempo and flow of the fight.
A famous example of too much distance measuring is the eventual boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Both fighters possess excellent skills in maintaining the right range throughout the fight, effectively fencing as Fa and Sanchez did today much to the chagrin of the fight commentators.
For four rounds, jabs and limited footwork were used to measure the distance. In the next 3 rounds, the fight changed, but it seemed as if Fa’s intimidation tactic and occasional jab that snapped Sanchez’ head back was not enough.
Round 6 First Knockdown
In the final exchanges of Round 6, Frank Sanchez was able to figure out Fa’s timing. He effectively baited Fa about four times, using the ropes to evade shots, but also to swing and connect somewhere in Fa’s vicinity until ultimately dropping Fa for him to receive the count just as the round ended.
By round 7, Sanchez was pressing the action and managed to knockdown Fa in the first minute, likely because Fa had not fully recovered. In fact, this issue of recovery could just as well have been his limited conditioning as the ring commentators were noting a soft belly.
At the time of the second knockdown, Junior Fa’s look was disoriented and dazed. The referree waves it off and quickly the Hrgovic mismatch began.