Ryan Coyne vs David McNemar
ST. CHARLES, Mo.–Local cruiserweight contender Ryan Coyne (16-0, 6 KOs) enters to a nice ovation accompanied by a parade of bagpipes and Irish flags. The “Irish Outlaw” is clearly a hometown favorite; the crowd is going crazy for him. David McNemar (13-0, 10 KOs) is undefeated but hasn’t fought since late 2007 and only once outside of his home state of West Virginia. He was a late substitute for WBA titlist Guillermo Jones, who pulled out with an injury last week.
Slow first round doesn’t produce many fireworks and draws a few boos from the crowd. Coyne shows a little more purpose in the second but also a healthy respect for the power of McNemar.
Since our journalistic ethics generally prevent us from taking anything from the press buffet your correspondent was forced to miss the 3rd round for a hot dog run. Apparently we didn’t miss much. Coyne is looking a little more up for it on our return, but there’s also plenty of clenching. For a guy that hasn’t found in over 3 years McNemar is in pretty good shape.
Coyne lands a couple vicious lefts against the ropes followed by a right hook but McNemar shakes his head as if to deny that he had been hurt. The 5th round featured the only notable action to this point. Both men land a couple good shots but neither is showing much power for a cruiserweight. At least Coyne is gettng a good workout.
This fight was supposed to be an exhibition for Coyne in front of a supportive local audience and the national boxing press, but he isn’t doing much to impress to this point. It’s hard to imagine him doing better against a veteran like Jones. The 6th and 7th rounds were especially painful to watching knowing the feast of prize fights waiting once this snoozer ends.
The reporter to my left on press row is here to cover Coyne and mentioned the local fighter was planning to turn it on after the 7th. We’re in the 8th and he’s definitely coming forward with more intent but McNemar is not crumbling as expected. Perhaps the West Virginian has more than Don King’s matchmakers realized when they brought him in on late notice.
It will be very difficult for McNemar to secure a decision in Coyne’s backyard. We’re not scoring this fight but David would have to win these rounds fairly convincingly in our minds to get the nod on points and he hasn’t been doing it so far. Still, Coyne shouldn’t be satisfied with just a W with so many luminaries of the boxing world in attendance; he should be trying to impress enough to land a TV fight. Hopefully he’s been pacing himself.
Heading into the championship rounds Coyne is the one showing the effects of the fight in the form of redness on his left cheek. McNemar is game and craftier than expected. Aside from lack of nearby competition it’s hard to understand why he hasn’t fought more often. Coyne’s best damage has come from his left uppercut but neither man has really hurt his opponent with any single punch.
Crowd is chanting Coyne’s name in the 12th and final round, hoping to urge him to victory. He looks pretty fresh for this stage of the fight but so does McNemar. I’m wishing I had scored this fight because I really have no idea who is ahead. My gut says Coyne will win but I’m not sure if he deserves to. McNemar tries a late combo to the body but Coyne fights his way off the ropes. Crowd is booing loudly to end the fight.
Guy next to me on press row opines, “That was bad for Coyne.” Have to agree. Even if he wins, he didn’t look great against a fighter with three years on the shelf. If anyone impressed tonight it was McNemar. He would make a good addition at cruiserweight to any DMV-area fight card.
Judges score 115-113 (twice) and 116-112 for Coyne.
Wow, that was long. Finally time for the HBO portion of the card.