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Boxing Round By Round: Sam Soliman – Raul Munoz

ByAdam Matson

One of the top middleweights in the world, Sam Soliman, stepped in as a late replacement to face Raul “El Toro” Munoz, of Topeka, KS as the headlining bout of Goosen – Tutor’s Pechanga fight card in Temecula, CA. The Melbourne, Australia man applied his trademark hurricane style which proved to be too much for the Midwestern journeyman to handle. Next up for Slippery Sam may be a challenge to WBC/WBO Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor next month.

Round one: The first round of this main event middleweight bout starts with Soliman stalking Munoz around the ring with his jab. Soliman is the only one to throw any punches in the early going, throwing them in typical Sam Soliman fashion, throwing punches a mile a minute. Sam is dominating through the first hald of the fight as he is throwing from all angles and has Munoz constantly covering up. Munoz lands his first punches of the fight with only a minute left in the fight, a right hand to Soliman w! hile Soliman is kneeling down. The Aussie looks unaffected by the glancing blows and continues to dance around Munoz and throw from all angles. The round comes to a close and Soliman looks like the same old Soliman, seemingly unaffected by taking this fight by short notice.

Round two: Round 2 begins just as round 1 did, with Sam stalking Munoz around the ring with his jab and then incorporates his hook and uppercuts. Soliman really is doing impressive work on the inside, and it is very clear now that they are on the inside that he is the much taller of the two fighters. Munoz already looks tired, as Soliman throws an abundance of hooks to the body of Munoz. Munoz looks befuddles early on constantly covering up wary of Sam throwing from all angles. Munoz’ game plan looks to be to hold and punch Soliman as that is the only way he can keep him still. The only efforts Munoz has made to throw punches is when the two are in the cl! inch. As the round closes it is abundantly clear that Munoz is i n over his head fighting Soliman.

Round three: Munoz comes out of his corner swinging very wide with a right hook and is countered with a Soliman uppercut. Munoz has landed next to nothing thus far, and Soliman is winning the fight so far with his right hand and uppercuts. About two minutes into the round Munoz lands his first combo of the fight, a right hand and left hook in sucession. Soliman looks anything but hurt though and continues pressing forward on Munoz without giving him a chance to take a breather. Soliman has been relentless so far as has always been the case with him.

Round four: Soliman starts the 4th round on this 10 round contest by immediately pressing Munoz against the ropes and landing a pair of hooks upstairs. Munoz looks like he is starting to break down now, barely being able to get himself off the ropes. 2 minutes through the round Soliman steps back and lands a huge overhand that sends M! unoz stumbling backwards into the ropes as Soliman swarms him and continues his constant press forward. The round closes with Munoz being overwhelmed on the ropes by a barrage of hooks and uppercuts by Soliman.

Round five: Round 5 starts with Soliman doing what he’s done every round so far, come out of the gate fast and get a quick start on Munoz. Munoz’ punches are as slow as molasses at this point and Soliman is avoiding them fairly easily. It seems Munoz is content with just trying to survive the last half of the fight as he is completely worn down by the fast moving Soliman. As the round closes Soliman escapes from a Munoz clinch and nails hhim with a right uppercut that sends Munoz plodding into the ropes. Soliman is in total control of this fight.

Round six: Munoz gets a good look from the ref at the beginning of the round and is allowed to keep fighting. Soliman swarms Munoz and presses him against where they go to ! the ropes where Soliman once against works at a rapid pace highlited b y an uppercut that slips the guard of Munoz. Soliman then slams Munoz with a right hand and that prompts the ref to stop the fight immediately.

Sam Soliman climbs to 32-8 (13) while Raul Munoz falls to 17-8 (14).