Tackie Wins Again

Also fighting for a number 1 contendership with the IBF, this time at junior welterweight, Ben Tackie (24-2, 15 KOs) and Teddy Reid (19-5-1, 13 KOs) fought for five explosive rounds before the free-swinging Tackie managed to force a stoppage.

Reid, who struggled to make 140-pounds, came out quickly and let his hands go. Constantly coming forward, Reid worked the body and unloaded power punches to the head. The first half of the round belonged to him, but his Ghanan opponent stole the round with his overhand right hand. Tackie wobbled Reid with a looping right on two separate occasions, following it up with a hard uppercut.

Reid battled back in the second, continuing the work to the body and winning the round by staying busier. It would be the last time Reid was in control, however, because Tackie proved why he is such a great TV-fighter in the next three rounds.

The third round was all Tackie, stunning Reid multiple times. A right lead uppercut sent Reid's neck snapping, and Tackie moved with a flurry of punches that forced Reid to tie up to stay on his feet. At the end of the round Tackie landed yet another overhand right, sending Reid stumbling into a corner, and unloaded on him until the bell rang.

The fourth round was carried by the big right hand of 'Wonder' Tackie again, coupled with effective work inside. When Reid came in close, dangerous territory for the bigger man, he paid. Tackie threw double uppercuts that kept Reid off balance. Teddy didn't back up, but he wasn't landing anything to make Tackie think about doing so either.

The end came in the fifth round when Tackie landed two crushing right hands that put Reid out on his feet. Ben followed up with a left-right combo that send Reid stumbling across the ring and into the ropes. Tackie followed, flurrying, and the referee stepped in to stop it.

Ben 'Wonder' Tackie is now a mandatory for undisputed 140-pound champion Kostya Tszyu.