|
|
Sunday, September 17
Viloria, Jackson post first-round wins for U.S.
Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia -- Brian Viloria, looking to add an
Olympic gold medal to a collection that includes a world
championship gold, took a step in that direction Sunday night, but
he almost stumbled.
The 19-year-old Hawaiian, the third youngest fighter on the U.S.
team, built a 6-1 lead after two rounds, then held on for an 8-6
victory over European champion Sergei Kazakov of Russia in a first-round bout at 106 pounds.
|  | | David Jackson, left, pounds Tunisia's Selim Palyani during a 19-7 victory Sunday. |
"I thought I was blocking his punches," Viloria said.
"Defense played a big role. He's a real good boxer. I didn't get
busy in the last round."
It was Viloria's second tough triumph over the Russian. He
outpointed Kazakov 11-10 in a U.S.-Russian dual meet in 1998.
The narrow victory increased Viloria's record in international
tournament competition to 15-2. He is 9-3 in dual meets.
Another American winner Sunday was David Jackson of Seattle, a
replacement at 132 pounds for Marshall Martinez of Fontana, Calif.,
who turned pro. Jackson outpointed Naoufel Ben Rabah of
Tunisia, 19-7.
The 5-foot-4 Viloria, about four inches shorter than Kazakov,
chose to box rather than fight in way inside, and it paid off for
two rounds,
Viloria scored the first point of the fight when he landed a
right to the head with about 1:10 remaining in the first round. He
was able to land two more scoring punches before the head of the
round.
The world champion appeared to be in control of the match in the
second round as he built a 6-1 lead.
Then the taller Kazakov became more aggressive and found the
range with his left and at the end of three rounds Viloria's lead
was down to three points, 7-4.
Viloria tripped and fell at the beginning of the final round He
was on the defensive for the remainder of the bout, just managing
to hold the Russian at bay.
"I'm the type of boxer who gets better as the week goes on,"
Viloria said.
His second-round opponent Friday will be Brahim Asloum of
France, 12-3 winner over Reskall Mohammed Abdelaehim of Egypt.
|  | |
ALSO SEE
Craig, Vinson get first wins for U.S. boxing team
|
