Gianfranco Rosi vs Vincent Pettway 2

Vincent ‘The Ambassador’ Pettway ended Gianfranco Rosi’s five-year reign as International Boxing Federation light-middleweight champion with a left-hook knockout in the final second of the fourth round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Rosi, making his twelfth defence of the championship, had already been down in the second round and was counted out by referee Jay Nady at 2 minutes 59 seconds. Pettway became champion at the second attempt after their first meeting six months earlier had ended inconclusively.

Rosi had held the IBF title since defeating Darrin Van Horn in 1989 and had subsequently retained it against a succession of challengers in Europe. A former WBC champion as well, the 37-year-old Italian entered the contest with 57 victories, three defeats and one draw. He was an experienced, economical boxer who relied on movement, judgement of distance and the accumulation of points rather than heavy punching. Pettway, from Baltimore, was the more forceful man and held the United States Boxing Association championship, although four defeats on his record had prevented him from receiving the same standing as the long-serving champion.

Their first contest, also held at the MGM Grand, had taken place in March. Rosi dropped Pettway in the opening round and was leading on all three scorecards when an accidental collision of heads opened a severe cut above his left eye 19 seconds into the sixth. Because IBF rules then required six completed rounds before the cards could determine a technical decision, the match was declared a technical draw. The return was therefore necessary to settle the championship properly.

Rosi weighed the light-middleweight limit of 154 pounds for the second meeting, while Pettway came in one pound lighter. The champion began in his familiar upright manner, attempting to control the range with his jab and lateral movement. Pettway applied pressure from the opening bell, keeping his hands high and looking to close the distance before Rosi could settle into a steady rhythm. He was less careless than in their first contest and did not leave himself as exposed while advancing. Pettway’s greater strength and urgency earned him the first round on all three official cards.

The bout became rougher in the second. There was holding and punching during the referee’s attempts to separate the two men, and Pettway was penalised one point for striking on the break. The deduction might have checked a less determined challenger, but Pettway continued pressing and soon produced the first decisive punch of the fight. A right hand caught Rosi cleanly and sent him to the canvas. The champion regained his feet, but the knockdown cancelled much of the advantage he should have gained from Pettway’s penalty. Two judges scored the round 9–8 for Pettway, while the third had it even at 9–9.

Rosi tried to restore order in the third, using his longer reach and attempting to make Pettway follow him. The challenger nevertheless remained close enough to deny him comfort. Whenever Rosi paused to punch, Pettway answered immediately and forced him back into exchanges. The champion could not establish the measured tempo on which his long reign had been built. Pettway was again awarded the round by all three judges and led 29–26 on the cards of Roy Francis and Nelson Vazquez, with Dave Moretti scoring it 29–27.

The fourth round contained further disorder at close quarters. Rosi, under increasing pressure and having difficulty keeping Pettway at the end of his punches, struck during a break and was himself deducted a point by Nady. The offence reflected the champion’s growing frustration. He was being denied room, forced to fight more often than he wanted, and made to trade with the harder puncher. Pettway continued to force him towards the ropes, working for openings rather than allowing the clock or Rosi’s reputation to slow his attack.

With the round almost over, Pettway found the finish. He landed a powerful left hook which dropped Rosi heavily. The champion remained down as Nady completed the count, the official time being 2:59. The bell could not rescue a boxer already under a count, and Rosi’s championship passed to Pettway one second before the scheduled end of the round.

The result was entered as a knockout rather than a technical stoppage. Pettway had won every completed round on all three scorecards, despite losing a point in the second, and had knocked Rosi down twice. No judges were required to settle the matter this time. Rosi’s long service as champion ended with his first defeat since Donald Curry stopped him in 1988, while Pettway secured the championship he had been unable to claim because of the accidental ending to their first encounter. The challenger had not attempted to outbox Rosi at the Italian’s preferred distance. He shortened the ring, maintained the pressure and used the greater authority of his punches to bring a clear conclusion to their unfinished business.

Rosi had held the IBF light-middleweight title for five years and made 11 successful defences, but his style was built around controlling distance, slowing the pace and nicking rounds with clever, economical work. Pettway had already shown in their first fight that he could upset that rhythm. Rosi dropped him early, but the contest ended in a technical draw after an accidental clash of heads opened a bad cut over the Italian’s eye.

The rematch removed any doubt. Pettway didn’t chase Rosi carelessly this time. He applied steady pressure, closed the space and made the older champion fight far more often than he wanted. Rosi was used to opponents following him around and allowing him to dictate matters. Pettway gave him no such luxury.

A right hand put Rosi down in the second, although Pettway lost a point for hitting on the break. The fight became untidy, with Rosi later penalised for the same offence, but the fouls weren’t the reason he lost. He couldn’t keep Pettway off him or take the power once the challenger got into range.

The left hook that finished it at 2:59 of the fourth was conclusive. Rosi was counted out, and his long reign ended without an argument. Pettway was younger, stronger and far more purposeful. Sometimes an experienced champion can solve pressure with movement and timing. On this night, Rosi had neither the legs nor the punching authority to make Pettway respect him.