Sam Clarkson Scores Major Split Decision Upset on DiBella Westchester Card
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent-Ringside
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
Rye Brook, NY (February 22, 2015)– In a battle of southpaws, Samuel Clarkson Jr. scored a major eight round split decision upset over world ranked Cedric Agnew in a strategic eight rounder. Clarkson, now 13-3 with seven knockouts, Cedar Hill, Texas, a former Police Athletic League national amateur champion at 175 pounds, came off the canvas in the second round to wage technical war and decision Agnew, a DiBella Entertainment fighter, on a 10 bout card at the Hilton Westchester Grand Ballroom in Rye Brook, New York, Friday evening, February 20, 2015.
Agnew, now 27-2, 14 knockouts, Chicago, Illinois, won the first two rounds with his trademark come forward and bang in your face style, tagging Clarkson standing in front of him with crisp body combinations, and dropping him in the second round. The knockdown was a turning point, with Clarkson realizing he had to make immediate style adjustments.
Clarkson appeared to win the next six rounds, using a straight jab, and combinations while moving side to side to outpoint Agnew in rounds three through eight. Perhaps the last round went to Agnew as the pace slowed, and Agnew was a bit busier. However, Agnew, with his one dimensional walk straight forward style, was unable to adjust to his moving opponent’s fast hands and fast foot movement, and rarely if ever did Agnew have a target to attack from round three on. Clarkson appeared hungry and lived dangerously, taking the fight to Agnew and willing to risk counters to score, and putting rounds in the bank.
Agnew is a well-trained fighter, it is just his style is not helpful against fighters with superior movement, who are too smart to play his game and can outpoint him. Clarkson is the first pro to accomplish it by recognizing Agnew’s fundamental style flaw, and carrying out the right game plan. In addition, the bout went off at a cruiserweight catch weight of 178 pounds plus or minus two pounds. Agnew did not move as well at the higher weight. Clarkson noted after the bout it definitely felt like a cruiserweight bout. Clarkson stated he felt comfortable at 168 to 175 pounds, but would not be fighter at a higher weight again.
Result: Samuel Clarkson Jr. Win Split Decision 8 Cedric Agnew, Cruiserweights (178 + – 2)
Scoring: 76-75, 76-75 Clarkson. 76-75 Agnew. Referee: Danny Schiavone
Agnew was warned for low blows in the fourth round. Brief stoppage in the action.
A full write up of the other card results will follow in a separate Real Combat Media story.
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