BENGAL BOUTS: Hobbins earns first title win over Macias
By BRIAN BURKE
Sports Writer
It was the last chance for Brian "Nightmare" Hobbins, and the senior captain would not be denied. Hobbins won a split decision over Thomas "Boom-Boom" Macias Friday night in the finals and earned a title in his final fight.
"To get that is pretty sweet," Hobbins said.
The bout was one of contrasting styles; Macias charging at Hobbins and trying to fight close, and Hobbins dancing in and out while counter-punching. Hobbins landed several combinations in the first round, resulting in three stoppages to tend to a bleeding Macias.
"The stops were a little frustrating," Hobbins said, "but I'm glad Tom got to finish. He's a tough kid."
Nevertheless, Macias was able to fight the kind of fight he wanted, moving in and jabbing very well. At times, it was all Hobbins could do to avoid a brawl, shuffling around the ring to avoid Macias, at one point even breaking into stride and running away.
The frequent stoppages for bleeding probably worked to Hobbins's advantage, enabling him to rest and continue moving. By the third round, however, both fighters were too tired to either chase or dance away very much, and the two traded punches for most of the round. Overall, it was a very close fight, but Hobbins likely earned the decision by winning the first two rounds.
175 Pounds
The All captain battle between Mark "I'm So Pretty" Criniti and Rob "A.M.D.G." Joyce was much more tactical. Both fighters preferred to move in and out, and box rather than brawl. Joyce did back Criniti into the ropes several times, but Criniti often was able to land his best combinations when he seemed trapped.
"I was trying to pace myself, and save some energy for the third round," Criniti said. "Rob does a great job of moving you around the ring the whole fight, and I guess the way it worked, it wasn't planned, but it worked to my advantage."
Neither fighter wound up in too much trouble, as they both looked to score points rather than knock each other out, but it was Criniti who landed more and came through with a unanimous decision.
"Rob and I both wanted to get in and out, look for openings, make it more of a boxing match," he said. "I was surprised [the decision] was unanimous, I thought it could have been split either way."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, March 6, 2001
