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04/13/2008 Archived Entry: "Nguyen Edges Dulaz in a Featherweight Battle in Boston"
Nguyen Edges Dulaz in a Featherweight Battle in Boston
By Pavel Yakovlev at ringside
BOSTON, MA - Dat Nguyen won a controversial decision over Robert DuLaz in a featherweight battle held tonight at The Roxy Nightclub Boston. Nguyen forced the action in every round with his swarming, relentless attack, but he was never able to cut off the ring against the elusive DuLaz. The decision for Nguyen was split, with two judges favoring him by scores of 78-74 while the other judge called it a draw at 76-76.
The match was difficult to score because neither fighter connected with many clean blows. There were few exchanges of punches and rarely was either boxer able to put combinations together. Ultimately the scoring hinged on whether to credit Nguyen for constantly forcing his foe to retreat, or to favor DuLaz for superior defense and ring generalship.
This writer scored the match 77-77, which was generous to Nguyen. The feeling expressed by many fans after the bout was that DuLaz had scored with enough jabs to deserve the decision.
Nguyen, 5’6”, 124 lbs., was very aggressive from the opening bell and at no point in tonight’s match did he relax his attack or step backwards. But he was rarely able to force his way inside the taller, lanky DuLaz, who utilized fast footwork and slick defensive tactics to keep the action in center ring. Most of Nguyen’s punches missed their mark because DuLaz was constantly retreating, moving effectively from side-to-side and blocking punches with his arms and shoulders.
DuLaz, who weighed 124 ½” lbs., was not able to score much either, as he was constantly forced to retreat and dodge the punches of the onrushing Nguyen. Nguyen’s bobbing-and-weaving tactics also made him difficult for DuLaz to hit.
Nguyen won the first two rounds by backing DuLaz up and scoring with a few solid body punches. Towards the end of the second, Nguyen shifted his attack upstairs and he scored with a good left hook to the head, which seemed to rattle DuLaz.
In the third and fourth rounds, there was very little to choose between the fighters. Nguyen missed with most of his punches, but he scored occasionally with a solid body shot. DuLaz, who was constantly moving on his feet, connected at times with light jabs to the head.
The same pattern continued between the fifth and seventh rounds. DuLaz seemed to have a slight edge in rounds five and six, as he was scoring with occasional grazing left jabs while Nguyen was missing with almost all of his blows. DuLaz easily won the seventh round, as he connected with several solid right hands and left hooks to Nguyen’s head.
Nguyen came on strong in the eighth and final round, perhaps because he sensed he might be behind on the scorecards. He won the round by a clear margin, scoring with several solid body shots and rocking DuLaz twice with sharp left hooks to the head.
As a result of tonight’s win, Nguyen’s record is now 12-1, with six knockouts. In his defense it should be stressed that he entered tonight’s bout after a lengthy layoff (he has not fought since the summer of 2007). DuLaz’s record is now 10-11-2, with nine knockouts. The Vietnamese born Nguyen now lives in Vero Beach, Florida.
DuLaz, of Providence, Rhode Island, was exuberant and confident during the post fight interview. “I scored with the cleaner, more effective punches…I showed better ring generalship. I know I won”, he stated.
The following is description of the highlights of each round as observed by this writer.
ROUND ONE
Nguyen exhibits a relentless offensive, constantly moving forward and firing jabs, left hooks and right hands. DuLaz is constantly dancing backwards, using his foot speed and quick defensive reflexes to avoid being hit. Most of Nguyen’s punches miss their mark, but several times Nguyen closes the distance and scores with left hooks to the body. DuLaz scores with a few light left jabs.
NGUYEN’S ROUND
ROUND TWO
Nguyen continues to set the pace of the bout with his relentless attack, even though most of his punches are missing. Nguyen lands a solid left hook to the body, and he scores with a few left jabs to the head. DuLaz seems focused on survival, as he is fighting a retreating, defensive fight. Near the end of the round, Nguyen seems to stun DuLaz with a sharp left hook to the head.
NGUYEN’S ROUND
ROUND THREE
The same pattern continues in this round, with Nguyen constantly attacking DuLaz, who shows fast, effective footwork by dancing away from his foe. Both fighters miss with most of their punches, but DuLaz seems to be scoring with more grazing left jabs. Nguyen lands a few solid body shots in this round. Late in the round DuLaz lands a sharp left hook to Nguyen’s head.
EVEN ROUND
ROUND FOUR
Nguyen continues to attack DuLaz relentlessly, and DuLaz exhibits excellent ring generalship and defensive skills. Nguyen is finding it difficult to hit DuLaz, who blocks many punches with his arms and shoulder. Both fighters miss with most of their punches, but DuLaz is scoring more often with grazing left jabs. Late in the round Nguyen scores with a strong right to the body, and DuLaz lands a solid right hand to the head.
EVEN ROUND
ROUND FIVE
The fighters clinch then tumble to the floor as they wrestle. DuLaz scores with several light left jabs.Nguyen scores with a solid left hook to the head. DuLaz connects with a sharp right to the head. Nguyen is the still the aggressor, but most of his punches miss. Nguyen is also unable to force his way inside of DuLaz, who effectively uses his height, reach and footwork to keep the fight at long range. DuLaz scores with several light left jabs late in the round.
DULAZ’S ROUND
ROUND SIX
Nguyen continues to aggressively chase DuLaz around the ring, but most of his punches miss or they are picked off by DuLaz’s arms. Both fighters are swinging wildly in this round, with almost all of their shots missing the mark. DuLaz seems to have a slight edge in this round because he connects with several light left jabs while Nguyen seems unable to score at all.
DULAZ’S ROUND
ROUND SEVEN
The same pattern continues, with Nguyen attacking and DuLaz dancing away. However DuLaz is able to connect with more solid punches in this round, and he seems to be taking control of the fight. DuLaz scores with a solid left jab, and moments later he connects with a sharp right hand to Nguyen’s head. DuLaz connects with several light left jabs. Nguyen lands a solid left hook to the body. DuLaz scores with another sharp right to the head. Late in the round, DuLaz snaps Nguyen’s head back with a solid left hook, which is his best punch of the fight.
DULAZ’S ROUND
ROUND EIGHT
Nguyen continues his relentless attack, but in this round he connects with more punches. Nguyen lands several solid body punches. Nguyen connects with a good left hook to the head. Nguyen scores with another left hook to the head. Late in the round Nguyen lands a solid left jab and DuLaz connects with a sharp right hand to the head.
NGUYEN’S ROUND
Tonight’s card was promoted by Cappiello Boxing Promotions, and it featured three undercard matches.
EDWIN RODRIGUEZ vs. JEFFREY OSBORNE, JR.
Highly touted Edwin Rodriguez stopped Jeffrey Osborne Jr. at 2:55 of the fourth round in a middleweight bout. Rodriguez hurt Osborne with a sudden, explosive left hook and was battering him on the ropes when the referee waived the match off. Osborne, of Davenport, Iowa, fought a competent bout but he was on rubbery legs and unable to defend himself when the fight was stopped.
Rodriguez controlled the action from the opening bell, making full use of his left jab to keep the action at long range as the shorter Osborne (5’9” to Rodriguez’s 6’0”) tried to force his way inside. Standing straight up and exhibiting a fluid, technical boxing style, Rodriguez used effective footwork to maintain his punching range and he scored frequently with long left hooks to the head and body. Rodriguez threw his punches fast and effortlessly, and it was hard not to be impressed with the relaxed poise and self-confidence he exhibited in the ring.
The variety of punching angles displayed by Rodriguez impressed this writer. A couple of times he swung wide, strong, right uppercuts from the outside that looked almost like bolo punches. Rodriguez is getting more power into his punches since turning professional earlier this year.
Osborne, 165 lbs., showed skill in tonight’s bout. He kept his guard high – his gloves were always glued to his chin and his elbows were kept tight against his ribs – as he steadily tried to take the fight inside against his taller opponent. But Osborne had no answer for Rodriguez’s jolting right crosses and left hooks, and from the opening bell the only question was how long Rodriguez would take to close the show. Osborne’s record is now 4-11-1, with one knockout.
Rodriguez, who weighed 163 lbs., is now 4-0, with three knockouts. Born in the Dominican Republic and now living in Worcester, Massachusetts, Rodriguez is a former amateur star who won several national titles and competed in world championship tournaments. New England fight fans are rightfully excited about his potential to someday emerge on the world level as a professional.
DONALD ORR vs. CLARENCE TAYLOR
In a middleweight bout, Canada’s Donald Orr won a lopsided eight round decision over Clarence Taylor. Orr was simply too strong and technically proficient for Taylor, and he controlled the action in every round with his hard, ramrod left jab. Taylor, of Wilmington, Delaware, seemed focused chiefly on survival, and he spent most of the bout pulling away from Orr’s punches.
The scorecards read 79-73, 80-72, and 80-72 for Orr. This writer scored the bout 80-72 for Orr, who has an impressive amateur pedigree. Orr represented Canada in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and he finished fifth in the 2001 World Championships in Belfast, Ireland. He is now fighting out of Boston after spending the first two years of his professional career based in Las Vegas.
Orr, 162 lbs., spent the entire bout stalking the elusive Taylor, who weighed 160 lbs. Fighting out of a stand-up boxer-puncher’s position and keeping his gloves positioned close to his jaw, Orr pumped his strong left jab steadily throughout the bout. Whenever possible, Orr followed his jab with thumping rights to the head and strong left hooks to the body. The few times Taylor attempted to counterattack he made no progress, as Orr resembled a well-oiled machine in the way he utilized quick rolling maneuvers (bending down from his waist) to escape punishment.
In the seventh and eighth rounds, Orr forced Taylor to the ropes and punished him with strong left hooks and right uppercuts at close quarters. At certain moments it appeared that the stronger Orr might be able to win by stoppage during the final two rounds, but Taylor held on and he was able to finish the fight on his feet.
Orr’s record is now 12-0, with six knockouts. Taylor falls to 12-15 with six wins by kayo.
SIMEON DUNWELL vs. DAMON ANTOINE
Junior welterweight Simeon Dunwell, of Lynn, Massachusetts, scored a unanimous six round decision over Akron, Ohio’s Damon Antoine. The battle was a free-swinging affair with both fighters missing with most of their punches. Antoine, 139 ½ lbs., had his moments and sometimes he rocked Dunwell, 138 lbs., with solid right hands. Dunwell, however, managed to score with just enough jolting left hooks and overhand rights to edge Antoine on the scorecards. The final scores were 59-56, 58-57, and 58-56. This writer favored Dunwell by a margin of 59-58.
Dunwell is now 7-0 with two knockouts as a professional. He reportedly fought tonight’s match despite being weakened by the flu. Antoine’s record is now 2-23, with seven knockouts.
