Sorry, but I'm still buzzing about the Delvin Rodriguez-Pawel Wolak fight. The whole FNF card was special. Four guys who fought hard, Teddy losing his voice with enthusiasm, well judged, well refereed, well doctored and well cornered. Just an exemplary night.

But of course the magic comes from the hearts and minds and fitness of the participants.

Early in round one Rodriguez made an important, and what I thought was a mistaken, decision. He seemed to decide that he could not successfully move and win the fight given Wolak's energy level and determination. So he allowed himself to get moved to the ropes. TO the ropes, but not often ON the ropes. What do I mean? Rodriguez allowed his right calf to touch the bottom rope but he retained sound punching position, he didn't square up. That enabled him to still punch with authority and to move when he could. What Rodriguez seemed to recognize as well was that Wolak WOULD square up and therefore, while he could throw frequently, not usually with maximum power. So Rodriguez's punches had more authority when they landed.

Wolak use marvelous upper body technique on the inside. He used shoulders, forearms, elbows and his hands to paw and clutch and grab for space and position. This did two things. First it prevented Delvin from tying him up (had he wanted to), and it kept Delvin focused up high so that then Wolak could suddenly shift the attack and land effectively to the body. Wolak crowded Rodriguez, but he never got so close he didn't have punching room. Wolak kept his shots short and crisp and he never got wild.

Occasionally Rodriguez would actually lean on the ropes but even when he did that he was not squared up. He presented Wolak with a narrow target so that he could still punch and maybe more importantly as the fight went on he could do a mini-George Foreman push off and then throw a sharp combination. When he did this he almost always stepped violently to a new angle before he punched. Great to watch.

You folks know how hard I am on the current level of craft in the sport. Well in this fight you had two thinking, adaptive fighters. Both had adversity to deal with and both dealt with it admirably. Both showed great "bottom," the British word from the 19th century that signifies the combination of fighting spirit, stamina and resilience.

If you didn't see it? Rounds 9-10 are already on Youtube and my guess is the rest will show up this weekend.