Soliman and Johnson win impressively

**Purist** · 07-19-2004 03:45 AM

In an IBF middleweight eliminator on Sunday at the Pechanga Resort in Temecula, Calif., Sam Soliman dominated Ray Joval to earn a future manadatory title shot against Bernard Hopkins (or Oscar De La Hoya). Soliman dropped Joval with a right uppercut in round four on his way to an impressive near shutout unanimous decision. Scores were 120-107, 120-107, 119-108. In other action, heavyweight contender Kirk Johnson battered Gilbert Martinez over eight one-sided rounds. The bout was halted at the end of the eighth due to a bad cut suffered by Martinez. Johnson, incidentally, weighed in at 242, 18 lbs less than he weighed in his crushing loss to heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. The card was promoted by Goossen Tutor.

**Andre** · 07-19-2004 07:31 AM

Did you watch Sam fight Purist?
Have you seen him?
You would appreciate his style.
Lacks a bit of power though which is needed at this weight.
He could do it and gain more power,he has weird angles to work on and can catch you unawares on the up moves.