Normally Kellerman can acknowledge pure boxing ability and gives boxers their credit. But for whatever reason last night HBO guys seemed to be judging the fight like it was the Strong Man competition. They kept referencing how hard Ruslan's punches were and nothing more. I thought Provodnikov was gonna murder ol boy BUT instead I got to see a new Paulie Maliggnagi. He boxed his ass off and dare I say it, Algieri looked Ali-esque! He was floatin, jabbin, stingin, movin. You can't tell me he hasn't patterned his style off the Sugar Ray's etc, just he doesn't have the same power.
He kept Ruslan honest the whole fight after he got dropped. Ruslan doesn't deserve the belt if he only wants to fight boxers w/ a style that cater to him. That'd be like a football team refusing to play a rush-only approach cuz they have a soft front 7.
Last night was an all American feel good story but even better a recognition of the lost science of Boxing. When boxing beats brawling its the way its supposed to be. The only ppl who lose are those "boxing fans" who only watch for KO's. Kinda like a basebal fan who cant assess talent unless they see a homerun, let alone a pitchers duel or small ball