“This win is going to change my life,” said bantamweight Mike Plania after upsetting WBO #1 rated Joshua “Night Night” Greer Jr. on Tuesday night. “I think Greer underestimated me. He kept saying ‘Night Night,’ but tonight, it was ‘Magic’ time.
“I thought I could knock him out after the knockdown in the first round, but he was tough and adjusted his strategy. I took this fight on only three weeks’ notice, but I had faith in God that I could win. I wasn’t too tired in the end, but he made adjustments and I made mine.”
Plania won this fight fair and square unfrickenbelievable that the first dirtbag judge could score it a draw shame on him. Great fight though and props to Greer for making it interesting down the stretch.
Either very incompetent judging or paid off. Looked suspicious.
Not sure this a life changing win but definitely in the right direction. Greer Jr. was untested and from his last 2 fights there were doubts about him going in. This is what Boxing needs – competitive matchmaking for young prospects. Win some and lose some but the sport progress. Not matches we know who the winner is.
I agree. Nothing is more frustrating than having televised cards that are nothing but one sided exhibition matches.
Greer always take big shots against limited opposition. He either get rocked or off balance by light shots even off his gloves. So this isn’t really a surprise at least from a viewer of most of his televised fights. Watch his last 3 fights before this one you will see
The Greer vs. Michael Plania (MP) fight is a prime example of underestimating an opponent and taking matters for granted.
The Greer camp (Greer) never heard of MP, and they only saw 12 KOs on MP’s record. Traditionally, the Bantamweight Division usually involves small built fighters of equal size on fight night. I believe the Greer camp more than likely anticipated MP and Greer would have nearly equal size on fight night. Therefore, the stage was set for an easy, glorified Greer performance.
Shockingly, on fight night, it appeared the Greer camp did not anticipate MP’s additional weight gain and size advantage because MP looked a full division bigger than Greer. More importantly, the Greer camp had no idea MP had punching power, a good defense and a good jab. Greer received his wake-up call when he hit the canvas in the first round. The Greer camp was unable to quickly adjust to MP’s shocking size and shocking punching power. During most of the fight, Greer was shocked, and his punches were extremely limited because he realized MP also experienced economic disadvantages in life (“real knows real”) – MP was very hungry in that fight.
During the later rounds, the Greer camp FINALLY realized they had to enter the lion’s den (inside) to nullify MP’s longer reach, size and punching power. Greer fought on the inside very well because MP was very uncomfortable with inside fighting, so MP held for his dear life. However, Greer’s adjustments occurred too late.
MP was hungry and fought well for a well earned victory. I would like to see MP use his authoritative jab more often. MP will also have to judiciously structure his punches to conserve energy. Last, MP is a big bantamweight, so he must improve his inside fighting.
For the Greer camp, STOP with the excuses, STOP underestimating an opponent and STOP taking matters for granted because it tends to bite a person in the ass. There are plenty of hungry, skilled fighters who also experienced economic disadvantages – SURPRISE, GREER CAMP!!
I would love to see a rematch, but MP has to search for bigger and better things. Greer already had his chance, but he also lost to the empty promises of underestimations and taking matters for granted.
DeMarco got robbed. Fight was fixed.
Based on the disgraceful performance by the “judges” in the DeMarco co-feature, I am surprised that Greer wasn’t awarded a unanimous 100-90 decision in the main event. I wonder how many viewers turned off the broadcast in disgust when the DeMarco decision was announced? Boxing officiating always seems seeks new lows, week after week. Nothing ever changes except losing more viewers.
Judges seem to be more then 6 feet awa
y from the ring ?
This was a good fight. The two knockdowns my have influenced those watching and the judges more than they should have. Greer came back well after the second knockdown and a draw would not have hurt either boxers.
Grier didn’t think this guy could punch. A lot of these Philipino fighters study their Idol, Manny Pacquiao, and therefore, are always improving & developing good Boxing tecnique, also. A well deserve win from a humble, hard working, fighter.
The Magic Man impressed me in the first half of the fight but his constant retreat and holding during the second half was frustrating to watch.