Fight Day

The following is a round-by-round recap of the exhibition boxing match between former champion of the world, the "Master of Disaster" Apollo Creed and the challenger Travis "Blog Daddy" Naughton that took place today in the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Missouri.

Pre-Fight: This bout is scheduled for 15 three minute rounds. There will be no standing 8 count and fighters cannot be saved by the bell. Said Apollo Creed prior to the opening bell, "I'm 60 years old. My doctor advised against me taking this fight. I said, 'Have you seen whom I'm fighting?'" Naughton's reply, "My training was derailed by a bad bout with strep throat, but I still don't think that old man can take me."

Round 1: Lot of dancing around the ring as both fighters try to feel out their opponent. Blog Daddy landed a few quality jabs. We'll give round one to Naughton.

Round 2: Naughton continued to use the jab effectively, setting up shots to the body with a strong left. Creed show-boated for the crowd, taunting Blog Daddy for most of the round. Round two goes to Naughton.

Round 3: Blog Daddy flew out of his corner and immediately went to work on the body of Creed, setting up a devastating overhand right to Creed's temple. Naughton landed several scoring shots and by round's end began mugging for the cameras and taunting Creed. Round three scored for Blog Daddy.

Round 4: Naughton's punches lacked some of the zing of the early rounds. First signs of fatigue setting in. Creed winks at Naughton and begins to use his awesome jab. Round four goes to Creed.

Round 5: Creed landed several body blows of his own, causing Naughton to drop his guard. Creed landed two solid rights to the head leaving Naughton with swelling over his left eye. Score round five for Creed.

Round 6: Naughton mounts a furious attack to begin the round leading to a surprise knockdown of Creed at the 1:35 second mark. The former champ regained his feet and narrowly avoided a second knockdown as the bell rang. Round six to Naughton.

Round 7: Gassed from his round six explosion, Naughton fails to do more damage. Creed resumed his attack on the body and caused Blog Daddy's eye to swell even more. Round seven, Creed.

Round 8: The spring returned to Blog Daddy's step once more as he danced around the ring. Creed wears himself out pursuing the younger fighter. Creed lost mouthpiece after a wicked succession of eight unanswered rights by Naughton. Creed staggered to his corner as the bell sounded. Round eight, Naughton.

Round 9: Naughton foolishly stands toe-to-toe with the larger Creed and takes a lot of punishment. The left eye is now swollen completely shut. Round nine goes to Creed.

Round 10: In an apparent attempt to confuse his opponent and perhaps protect his left eye, Naughton fights the entire round southpaw style. Creed managed to land several scoring blows to the head. Back in his corner, Naughton yells to his trainer, "Cut me Mick." Round ten to Creed.

Round 11: In a rage caused by seeing his own blood, Naughton unleashed an overwhelming number of combinations to the head and body of Creed. Apollo hits the mat for the second time of the fight, but climbs to his feet before the bell rings. Round eleven clearly goes to Naughton.

Round 12: Apollo bounced back again as the blood trailing into Naughton's left eye hinders his vision. Once again, Creed pandered to the audience only this time was met with "boos." Round twelve to Creed.

Round 13: Unable to see out of his left eye, Naughton was caught by an earth shaking overhand right by Creed. Blog Daddy was knocked to the canvass and remained there until the referee counted to seven. Miraculously, he managed to stay on his feet until the end of the round. Round thirteen is Apollo's.

Round 14: Naughton stormed out of his corner and let loose a barrage of punches not seen since the early part of the fight. Both fighters exchanged vicious blows until the bell rang, saving nothing for a rematch. Naughton landed more punches, leaving the fight all square at seven rounds a piece.

Round 15: Both men looked dead on their feet. The torrent of punches slowed to a near stop as both fighters drained their energy in the fourteenth. In the closing seconds, Creed caught Naughton with a crippling body blow, causing the challenger to take a knee. He quickly regained his footing, but the damage was done in the eyes of the judges. The fight is over.

The decision: The fight is scored 8 rounds to 7 in a split decision as Apollo Creed is named the winner. Both fighters embraced in the middle of the ring. Creed was overheard telling Naughton, "No rematch." Naughton replied, "Don't want one." In this reporter's humble opinion, this fight was one for the ages. It promised theatrics, action, and entertainment- and it delivered. Thanks for tuning in and good night.