(APR 26) In a welterweight
crossroads matchup, Sarah Kuhn, 145, Albany, moved to (6-3-1, 1
KO) with a split-decision victory over Nicole Woods (11-12-2, 3
KOs) 145, Atlanta, over a hard-fought six-round battle at the
Empire State Plaza, in Albany, New York.
Sarah Kuhn, during her nearly three years as a professional
boxer, has transformed herself from a straight-line lead puncher
to a boxer/puncher with the ability to fight from different
ranges. Against the experienced Nicole Woods, a long-range
stylist, Kuhn’s versatility was on display as she reverted to
old form aggressively moving forward behind a stiff left jab
that landed more than it missed. It was evident from the early
stages of the fight that Nicole Woods had difficulties fighting
while forced to move backwards by Kuhn’s effective aggression.
After handily winning rounds one and two, Kuhn ran into
difficulties in rounds three and four as Woods, who was
noticeably taller and longer, established her jab causing Kuhn
to hesitate and sit at a longer range. Woods enjoyed a strong
round three, her best round of the fight, landing blistering
right crosses behind the jab to the head of Kuhn who appeared
dejected at the rounds end.
With the outcome of the fight in the balance, Kuhn seized the
moment rallying over final two rounds throwing loads-of-leather
at close quarters landing more than she received. Woods, whose
punch volume is at best conservative, competed valiantly during
the final two rounds, but found it difficult to initiate an
attack due to Kuhn’s smothering aggression.
In the end, two of the three assigned judges favored Sarah Kuhn
59-55 with the third scoring in favor of Nicole Woods 58-56.
This reporter favored Sarah Kuhn 58-56.
With the win, Sarah Kuhn enters the picture as a serious
contender in the already muddled welterweight division that
boasts pound-4-pound elite and three-division world champion,
Cecilia Braekhus (WBA, WBC, and WBO), Ava Halasi (IBF), Jessica
Balogun, Alexsandra Magdziak Lopes, Holly Lawson, and the
iron-fisted Anne Sophie Mathis.
WBAN
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