Anthony Stephens vs Jesse James Hughes *USBA 147lb title* WAR! [26-10-1994]

Описание: Like a meteorite, "Jesse" James Hughes emerged seemingly out of nowhere as one of the fight game’s most exciting, tough-as-nails welterweights and the fans came to love him both as a fighter and as a person with an obvious big heart, full of personality and limitless promise.

He was the quintessential blood and guts warrior who always seemed to grab victory from the throes of defeat.

His come-from-behind victories over Anthony Stephens, Adrian Stone, and, in his final fight, over Nick Rupa, won him not only the USBA welterweight title, but a huge fan following throughout the boxing world and the ESPN circuit.

Big fights were on the horizon and names like Tito Trinidad and Yori Boy Campas were being mentioned. The rumor went that Hector Camacho said, ‘I ain’t fighting that animal.” In boxing parlance, he was a hot property. Hell, he was Gatti before Gatti. He was the ultimate thrill ride.

James “Buddy” McGirt once said, “I remember my fight with him like it was yesterday, He came up to me before the fight and asked for my autograph. He was wearing a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, had a chew of tobacco in his mouth and a [spit] cup in his hand. He definitely could have been someone to look out for. He had an awkward style, but he could sure fight.”

With a no-defense but a non-stop stalking offense, Hughes would take several blows to land one of his heavy-handed straight rights. Only a fool would ever count him out.

Hanging tough and knowing precisely how to close off the ring, he would suddenly and dramatically turn the tables at the end. And once he had his opponent hurt, he closed matters decisively, definitively, and frighteningly.

Things exploded quite literally on October 26, 1994 when he fought Anthony Stephens for the USBA welterweight Title.

The fight was televised on ESPN. In a previous bout, Stephens had knocked Felix Trinidad off his feet before being KO'd by Tito.

Coming from behind in the scoring, Hughes savaged Stephens (who had his moments as well), knocking him down five times before the fight was mercifully halted in the twelfth and final round.

Becoming the new USBA champion, he was now looking ahead to better fights and bigger paydays.

#boxing #boxeo #usa #ko