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Shields
came out more aggressive than normal early in this fight
against Washington.
Shields won the earlier rounds with jabs
and combinations, showing good strength, movement and conditioning. But
it was the first time in 27 pro fights he faced someone with a winning
record.
Washington
landed a solid right to the head of Shields in round
one, while Shields came back in the second round
with a left-right combination and then an uppercut
to the head.
Washington's corner continued to tell him through
round three to "Be first" in the exchanges with
Shields, but he generally was not, as Shields got
off before Washington and landed the more solid
shots. But Washington finished the round with three
counter-right hands to the head of Shields, forcing
him into the ropes and finishing with a combination
of punches to the body and head.
Shields continued to
land the jab against Washington in round four.
Washington, who had lost his five previous fights,
pressed forward, perhaps sensing he was falling
behind on points.
Shields however remained elusive, and seemed to come
out just slightly ahead on most exchanges.
Finally in round six Washington came back and ripped Shields with several
big shots to the head, but unlike the lone loss in Shields'
career earlier this year, in which he was caught
with a big shot in the sixth round and suffered a
TKO, the "White Tiger" never seemed hurt.
"Yeah he
was tougher", (than some of Shields' earlier
opponents), Shields said after the bout. "I missed
with a lot of shots. I usually don't miss. I can
always adapt and pull through. I wasn't moving my
feet enough, being a little lazy, but it was good
work for me. He was a good fighter, a tough
fighter. I'm working hard. I'm ready for whoever.
I'll fight whoever they give me."
Two judges scored the bout at 58-56 for Shields,
while the third judge called it at 57-57, a draw. Shields improves to 25-1-1 with 13 KO's. Washington
falls to 9-9 with 6 KO's.
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