Other fighters, Hall of Famers even, tried to rough up Giardello (101-25-7, 33 KOs) whenever they could, and Briscoe (66-24-5, 53 KOs) - who was 0-3 in world title bouts, losing to Monzon and twice to Rodrigo Valdes - is no different. He bulls inside often enough to do some damage, but more often than not Giardello, the matador, answers with flurries and moves away.
After the scorecards are tabulated, Giardello is awarded a split-decision victory and a berth in the championship round.
Boxing is called the "sweet science," and these two precise and controlled fighters bring Ph.Ds in pugilism to what shapes up as a 12-round experiment. The early going mostly consists of tactical forays, with each man probing for weaknesses in the other's tight defense and not finding much to exploit.
Boxing is called the "sweet science," and these two precise and controlled fighters bring Ph.Ds in pugilism to what shapes up as a 12-round experiment. The early going mostly consists of tactical forays, with each man probing for weaknesses in the other's tight defense and not finding much to exploit.But Benton (61-13-1, 36 KOs) - who, in something of a shock, never fought for a world title - isn't content to continue probing indefinitely, and neither is Hopkins, whose nickname is reflective of his youthful fondness for brawling, before he smoothed his rougher edges.
In the middle rounds the pace quickens, as Hopkins seeks to impose his will and Benton demonstrates he can stand his ground and trade just as ably as he can dip and dodge.
Hopkins takes control down the stretch to win by unanimous decision.
Final
There is a hint of bad blood before the bout. Hopkins, upon winning his middleweight championship, on a seventh-round stoppage of Segundo Mercado on April 29, 1995, had proclaimed himself Philadelphia's first "real" 160-pound titlist, since Giardello had been born in Brooklyn. A miffed Giardello countered that he was as all-Philly as anyone who ever lived and fought there.
There is a hint of bad blood before the bout. Hopkins, upon winning middleweight championship, on a seventh-round stoppage of Segundo Mercado on April 29, 1995, had proclaimed himself Philadelphia's first "real" 160-pound titlist, since Giardello had been born in Brooklyn. A miffed Giardello countered that he was as all-Philly as anyone who ever lived and fought there.Perhaps because of the hint of a turf war, the fight is made at closer range than had been anticipated. Giardello, although lacking one-punch power, is no stranger to working tight, given a resume dotted with such imposing names as Fullmer, Tiger, Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Hank and Ralph "Tiger" Jones.
The exchanges are lively and entertaining, but, as was the case in his semifinal win over Benton, Hopkins proves too strong. He again closes with a rush to win another unanimous decision and with it, recognition as Philadelphia's "King of the Middleweights." *
