JESSE JAMES LEIJA RIDES AGAIN

(INSIDE BOXING) On his 35th birthday Jesse James Leija was robbed. Not on the streets of Brooklyn, New York but in the 16 foot boxing ring set up in Coney Island, New York where he did battle with Hector Camacho, Jr.

The elder Leija was immediately shown to be at a huge disadvantage. Fighting in the back yard of the younger and speedier Camacho, Leija was hit by left and right punches faster than one could say, "It's Macho Time". A nasty gash was opened over the left eye of Leija, the result of an accidental head butt.

Late in the first round a solid left hook sent the young Camacho reeling into the ropes. The superior foot speed of Camacho allowed him to weather the round as he speedily retreated while Leija attacked.

Leija was patient, almost to a fault, while stalking the surprised Camacho. The round was that of Leija as he let Camacho off the hook. The youngster was much too fast both in hand and foot speed to allow Leija the big shot needed that would end the fight.

The 3rd and 4th rounds were very close as Leija was again the patient veteran and Camacho re-establishing his dominant hand and foot speed. Leija daring Camacho to do battle inside with Camacho content to stay outside after having felt the power of Leija.

The 5th round had Leija attempting to pick up the pace with Camacho shooting sharp left and right hand combinations. An accidental clash of heads opened a slight cut over the right eye of Camacho.

Referee Steve Smoger took a good look at the eye of Camacho and signaled the boxers to box. The blood trickling down the face of the young Camacho sent him into a panic. He immediately dropped both hands as if the fight had been stopped. Leija threw a mean intentioned right hand that barely missed Camacho. Hector Camacho, Jr. clearly was traumatized by the sight of his own blood and was done fighting on this night.

The next few minutes were totally unbelievable.

With Camacho having clearly quit fighting at the end of the 5th round, the ringside physician along with the referee were discussing the fight going to the scorecards!

Camacho claimed he could not see and that his sight was blurred as a result of the accidental head butt. The referee and doctor concurred and the New York rules state the fight had to got to the judges scorecards.

The scores of the 3 ringside judges were unanimous in favor of Hector Camacho, Jr. There was no concern on the part of anyone in authority with the fact that Camacho, Jr. was cut no worse than Leija.

When a fighter claims, as did Camacho, that he cannot continue there is no discussion as to what to do next. The fight is stopped with the opposite fighter declared the winner. This would not be the case on this night.

Cudos to Jesse James Leija who put on an outstanding performance against a younger, faster and sharper opponent who was exposed as one who cannot take a serious punch or stand the sight of his own blood.

The now 33-0 Hector Camacho, Jr. should retire. There are no more 35 year old opponents the caliber of a Jesse James Leija. There are only the 140 pound fighters left that carry the word CHAMPION before their names.

The young Camacho should retire now, wait 4 or 5 years, come out of retirement and give it another shot. He can beat none of the 140 champions presently fighting.

Zab Judah and Kostya Tszyu are out of the question for Camacho. Any of the top 5 in the IBF, WBA or WBC are too much for Camacho. His carefully selected opponents by AMERICA PRESENTS now mean nothing as Camacho has been exposed.

Tonight another in the long line of contenders to the throne was exposed as just another pretender. His name is Hector Camacho, Jr.

Happy 35th Birthday, Jesse James Leija.

Stephen S. Johnson 07/07/01