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ROUND 1
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At last! - the action is due to get underway in Las Vegas after a farcial delay of more than 45 minutes due to a problem with Naz's gloves. Hamed swung into the ring in a sort of suspended hula-hoop above the crowd that included thousands of British fight fans but Naz has surprised them by refusing to do his usual flip over the ring ropes. There is a fantastic atmosphere in the Grand. The time has come for Naz. Naz fights from a southpaw style throws the first punch but Hamed is caught by a short right. Naz makes Barrera miss with a hook but its a tentative opening but then Naz looks in trouble as Barrera lands with a hook. Naz is in trouble already. What a start to the fight. Hamed is taunting Barrera by holding his hands low and Barrera lands before the boxers exchange combinations. But Hamed is having a bad round and right at the end of it Naz is in desperate trouble as Barrera lands with three punches that all catch Hamed.
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ROUND 2
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Hamed has problems here and his trouble starts early with a warning from the referee. Barrera is not charging forward as we expected and the Mexican is definitely on top. Barrera goes to work again before both fighters wrestle each another to the floor amid remarkable scenes and are warned by the referee. Barrera is landing with all the best punches and the contest is one-sided at the moment. Naz has to improve on this because if he doesn't he will lose. |
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ROUND 3 | It's a bad start by Hamed but Hamed gets three successful jabs into Barrera's face, but Barrera replies with a stiff left to the head. Another hook from Barrera catches Hamed who is looking marked around his right eye. Barrera is using totally different tactics to what we expected. Hamed jabs well but takes punishment to the body but Hamed looks slightly better in this round. Barrera tries to land another hook but Hamed moves out of distance. At last Naz is getting his jab working but is still making little impression on his opponent. |
| ROUND 4
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Barrera lands with two early jabs and then ducks a Naz bomb and counters to the body. A big left from Barrera has Naz in trouble but the Englishmen is riding this storm well. Barrera is attacking and doubles up to the chin and is outscoring Naz. Hamed is breathing hard already as Barrera applies the pressure. The action has slowed slightly as both boxers try to work each other out. The pair clinch and take a breather in a close round that will, nevertheless, still be given to Barrera. Hamed gets in range towards the end of the round but Barrera replies with three good punches, the last of which is a sweet left hook that lands on Naz's cheek. |
| ROUND 5 | Hamed goes on the early attack with a right-left combination but the pair are standing off each other, showing respect. The boxers wrestle in the middle of the ring but Barrera lands with a right before the pair are separated. The Mexican is more accurate with his jabs but its a quiet round with little leather thrown so far. Barrera is warned for a low blow and as the bell sounds there was little to chose between the boxers in the three minutes as they went back to their corners. |
| ROUND 6 | Naz starts the sixth at least a couple of rounds behind and makes Barrera miss with a combination. This is not the fight we anticipated with Barrera waiting for his chance. Barrera throws a right but Naz takes it on his glove. Hamed misses with two rights and the crowd boos. Barrera is a cute fighter and connects with a big left hand that Naz takes well. Barrera is the counter puncher in theis fihgt and who would have expected that? Naz needs a change of approach if he is not to lose his unbeaten record. Hamed lands with two jabs at the end of the ring but it was Barrera's round. What can Naz do to turn this fight around?
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ROUND 7
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The second half of the fight starts with Naz about three rounds behind. Hamed is trying to work out Barrera but Naz gets caught with a left cross. Hamed is using his jab and throws a good left hand before the boxers exchange blows in the middle of the ring. Barrera is scoring again as his fans cheer an unbelievable performance. Hamed smiles as Barrera falls short with a left but Barrera catches with a right-left combination. Both are landing but Barrera finished the round by landing to just about take the round. Barrera 's nose is bleeding but he is leading and catches Naz with superb combination punches.
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ROUND 8
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Barrera flicks out his jab as Naz tries to go forward. The fight is developing into a tactical battle but Barrera has again success with a three punch combination. Naz tries to get close but is caught to the body. At least Naz is trying to take the fight to the Mexican but then is in trouble when Barrera lands with great shots, particularly a straight right hand off the ropes.
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ROUND 9
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Naz has to do something special to pull this one out of the fire. Barrera finds Naz with a slapping left hook. The Mexican catches with hook and then ducks under a right hook from Naz. Hamed has surely got to knock Barrera out to win.Hamed has improved this round but takes a blow to the ribs by a good body shot from his opponent. Both lands hooks but Naz is looking tired at the end of the fight before Barrera lands three great punches and it was remarkable that Naz remained on his feet. Naz is in deep, deep trouble here. |
| ROUND 10 | Naz waits for Barrera but then takes a cracking left hand from Barrera. Naz is soaking up punishment here but sudenly rallies and now Barrera looks in difficulty. What a round as both land bombs but this is better from Naz. Barrera lands with a right hook but Naz replies with a shot to the body. Naz has survived well and suddenly Barrera is looking tired at the end of the round. Naz has done much better in this round. |
| ROUND 11 | The contest is a tremendous scrap but Barrera starts with the cleaner punches. Both go in close and Naz holds on for a moment. Naz misses with a left lead and then connects wiht a left hand but has to take two punches on his way in. Barrera attacks walking through Naz's punches and he is taking the round again. Barrera comes off the ropes and lands with two punches, one a hook and then lands a beauty of a straight right hand. Naz is a mile behind. Naz misses with a wild left hook and is almost down and out here on the strip. |
| ROUND 12 | Barrera is winning the fight hands down. Naz, to preserve his unbeaten record, has to knock out Barrera. Simple as that. The boxers touch gloves and then Barrera lands with a slapping hook and Barrera is landing the leather again. A right, left hook from Barrera has Hamed hanging on. What a fight this is but Naz is going to lose ans the pair stumble across the ring. Naz takes more punches in the home straight as Barrera catches his rival easily. Barrera pushes Hamed into the corner of the ring and Barrera is deducted a point but surely it does not matter. Barrera is miles ahead. The action is frenetic at the end , Naz misses, Barrera lands with a uppercut but its all over and surely Naz has been beaten.
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