DICE Boxing: Muhammad Ali vs Rocky Marciano - The Rematch

I believe the quick win for Rocky Marciano in my first attempt at this fight was something of an anomaly so I endeavoured to try againat a later date, resulting in more of the real thriller I had been expecting thanks in part to my stamina comment for the original fight coming to pass.

Going into the third both men had a round under their belts; Ali totally dominating the first with Rocky unable to land a single punch, and Marciano claiming the second, busting his opponents nose in the process. It was two in a row for Marciano, but only due to a single judge going against his colleagues in scoring it a draw. The fourth proved to be another close one, this time Ali's stick and move strategy impressing the judges enough to unanimously make it two rounds a piece.

Another thoroughly dominant round was Ali's in the fifth, connecting on Marciano eleven times and showing confidence in his movement. The rounds were even again when Rocky was given the benefit of the doubt by all three judges in an electrifying sixth round where both men connected five times and looked as even as a calm. The difference may have come due to the unsightly injury inflicted above Ali's left eye.

It was at this halfway stage that Rocky Marciano looked to be past his best and Ali's superior stamina would threaten to take control of the match. However, another favourable scoring round in the seventh followed by a punishing eighth had Marciano ahead before Ali took a tight one of his own in the ninth outhitting the other man successfully 5-4.

The severe fatigue felt by Marciano was now very apparent as he just connected once on four attempts during the tenth round to Ali's seven from thirteen. It would have been another tough call for the judges after the penultimate round if not for an early stinger from Ali knocking a burned-out but sly in his movement Marciano to the mat. Ali then took a final pounding throughout the final round to give Marciano a 7-5 advantage in rounds won, but it all came down to the judges score.

Punches Landed/Attempted - Ali 61/111 (54.95%), Marciano 52/100 (52.00%)
Total Points (at the end of the last completed round) - Ali 223; Marciano 205
Judges Cards (at the end of the last completed round) - Ali 116-115, 115-114, 114-114 Marciano
Fouls - Ali 0; Marciano 0
Cuts Opened - Ali 0; Marciano 2

TLC - Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2011 - Draw #9

Draw #9 - 5th April 2011 08:30
Sheet A		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
China	*	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	/		3
Scotland		0	0	1	1	1	2	0	2	0	/		7
Sheet B		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Switzerland	*	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	1		5
Norway		1	0	3	0	0	0	1	0	2	0		7
Sheet C		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Sweden		1	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	2	0		7
Germany	*	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0		4
Sheet D		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
USA		0	0	0	1	0	0	1	/	/	/		2
Czech Republic	*	4	1	0	0	0	3	0	/	/	/		8

No shocks were in store for Scotland as they brush aside China, scoring four of their seven points on the steal. Norway quickly returned to wining ways against the Swiss but might be disappointed in how they were outscored in the second half of the match after they led 4-1.

Sweden kept themselves very much in the hunt for a playoff place as they all but shutout Germany through the final six ends; only conceding one point in the eighth. The other match was very one-sided. The Czech rink led 5-0 after two ends and it was no surprise to see the handshake offered at 8-2 after seven ends.

Standings

Pos	Team	Record
1	Scotland	6-0
2	Norway	5-1
3	Sweden	4-2
4	Canada	4-1
5	France	3-2
6	Switzerland	3-3
7	Czech Republic	3-3
8	Denmark	2-3
9	Germany	2-4
10	USA	2-4
11	China	1-5
12	Korea	0-5

TLC - Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2011 - Draw #8

Draw #8 - 4th April 19:30
Sheet A		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
USA	*	1	0	0	0	4	0	2	0	1	0		8
Canada		0	0	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	2		5
Sheet B		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Korea		0	1	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	1		6
Czech Republic	*	1	0	3	0	1	0	1	1	0	0		7
Sheet C		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Switzerland	*	3	0	2	2	3	0	/	/	/	/		10
Denmark		0	1	0	0	0	0	/	/	/	/		1
Sheet D		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
France		0	3	1	1	0	3	0	1	0	1		10
Norway	*	2	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	2	0		7

Only Scotland can boast a perfect record as we approach the halfway point of the tournament with both Norway and Canada losing. The Norwegians lost in a shootout to France and only led after the first end. Canada were taken to school by their local rivals, losing the match in at the end of a very tight first half when they conceded four points in the fifth end.

The biggest blowout came from Switzerland, scoring five points with the hammer and another five, in back to back ends, through stealing on Denmark. Finally, Korea came close to nabbing their first win of the competition when they came back from a 5-2 deficit, but a steal in the eighth for the Czechs was enough to hold off another comeback.


Standings

Pos	Team	Record
1	Scotland	5-0
2	Canada	4-1
3	Norway	4-1
4	France	3-2
5	Sweden	3-2
6	Switzerland	3-2
7	Czech Republic	2-3
8	Denmark	2-3
9	Germany	2-3
10	USA	2-3
11	China	1-4
12	Korea	0-5

TLC - Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2011 - Draw #7

Draw #7 - 4th April 2011 13:30
Sheet A		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Norway	*	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	4	0	1		8
Sweden		1	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0		4
Sheet B		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Germany		2	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	3		8
USA	*	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	0		4
Sheet C		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Scotland		0	1	0	0	2	0	1	0	2	0		6
Czech Republic	*	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1		4
Sheet D		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
China		0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	1		4
Switzerland	*	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	3	0		7

There were no shocks in store for two of the three unbeaten rinks in the middle of day three. Scotland were never far ahead of the Czechs but they always looked comfortable, and Norway put in a very good display against Sweden, including a four point end in the eighth.

Switzerland put themselves into the mix for fourth place with a win over China. Both rinks only scored in three ends each but the Swiss really made it count. Germany are also a team who will look to try and stay with the chasing pack after their win over the USA. The Germans led 4-1 early on but were pulled back leaving the eventual winners to double up in the final two ends, including help from a complete breakdown by the Americans in the tenth end.

Standings

Pos	Team	Record
1	Scotland	5-0
2	Canada	4-0
3	Norway	4-0
4	Sweden	3-2
5	Denmark	2-2
6	France	2-2
7	Switzerland	2-2
8	Germany	2-3
9	Czech Republic	1-3
10	USA	1-3
11	China	1-4
12	Korea	0-4

TLC - Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2011 - Draw #6

Draw #6 - 4th April 2011 08:30
Sheet A		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
France	*	1	3	0	0	0	4	/	/	/	/		8
Denmark		0	0	0	0	1	0	/	/	/	/		1
Sheet B		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
China		0	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1		4
Sweden	*	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	0		5
Sheet C		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Canada	*	3	0	1	1	2	2	/	/	/	/		9
Korea		0	2	0	0	0	0	/	/	/	/		2
Sheet D		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Scotland	*	2	0	1	0	0	3	1	/	/	/		7
Germany		0	2	0	0	0	0	0	/	/	/		2

Canada brought their a-game to the Koreans who were happy to offer the hand after six ends, and Scotland saw off Germany  in a good performance of their own. Sweden and France both even their records in the round robin with the French ripping up Denmark for four points in the sixth end of their match, and Sweden just holding out in the final end against China.

Standings

Pos	Team	Record
1	Canada	4-0
2	Scotland	4-0
3	Norway	3-0
4	Sweden	3-1
5	Denmark	2-2
6	France	2-2
7	Czech Republic	1-2
8	Switzerland	1-2
9	USA	1-2
10	China	1-3
11	Germany	1-3
12	Korea	0-4

TLC - Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2011 - Draw #5

Draw #5 - 3rd April 2011 19:00
Sheet A		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Sweden	*	4	0	1	0	1	1	1	0	/	/		8
USA		0	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	/	/		3
Sheet B		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Scotland	*	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	5
Switzerland		0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	4
Sheet C		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Norway		0	0	0	3	0	1	0	2	0	2		8
Germany	*	1	2	0	0	2	0	1	0	1	0		7
Sheet D		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Czech Republic	*	1	0	2	0	2	0	0	1	0	0		6
China		0	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	1		7

Three teams sit at the top of the standings with a perfect 3-0 record. Canada gets a rest but both Scotland and Norway win out in close matches. The Scots led 4-2 after nine ends and won out in the extra after Switzerland scored two in the tenth. Norway trailed Germany in the tenth but also ended up with the one point win.

China takes their first victory of the tournament with a comeback of their own. Scoring three points in the second they trailed 5-4 at the halfway point of the match and went on to steal the game from the Czechs. The other match was an easy win for Sweden as they opened the scoring with four points and never looked back.

Standings

Pos	Team	Record
1	Canada	3-0
2	Norway	3-0
3	Scotland	3-0
4	Denmark	1-2
5	Sweden	2-1
6	China	1-2
7	Czech Republic	1-2
8	France	1-2
9	Germany	1-2
10	Switzerland	1-2
11	USA	1-2
12	Korea	0-3

TLC - Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2011 - Draw #4

Draw #4 - 3rd April 2011 13:00
Sheet A		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Korea		0	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	/	/		3
Scotland	*	0	0	0	0	4	0	3	1	/	/		8
Sheet B		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Canada		0	1	0	2	0	1	0	1	2	/		7
Germany	*	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	/		2
Sheet C		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
China		0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1		4
Denmark	*	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	1	0	0		5
Sheet D		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Sweden	*	0	1	0	2	0	2	1	0	0	0	1	7
France		1	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	6

Canada's early march continues with their easiest victory so far; the Germans unable to score after leading 2-1 heading into the fourth end. Scotland are also unbeaten, but their points came in two big ends against Korea who are still looking for a win after three matches.

China are in the same boat as their Asian neighbours after falling just short of an impressive comeback against the Danes who led 5-2 in the ninth end for their first win. Sweden  round out the winners of the draw in what was easily the most exciting match in the afternoon. Trailing 6-4 in the ninth France pulled one back and then stole another to take the match to an extra end, but the Swedes still came out on top.


Standings

Pos	Team	Record
1	Canada	3-0
2	Norway	2-0
3	Scotland	2-0
4	Denmark	1-2
5	France	1-2
6	Czech Republic	1-1
7	Germany	1-1
8	Sweden	1-1
9	Switzerland	1-1
10	USA	1-1
11	China	0-2
12	Korea	0-3

TLC - Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2011 - Draw #3

Draw #3 - 3rd April 2011 08:30
Sheet B		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Czech Republic	*	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	2	0	6
Norway		0	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	2	0	3	9
Sheet C		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Switzerland	*	1	0	1	0	0	4	0	0	2	0		8
USA		0	1	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	2		6

The second day of the tournament consisted of just two matches. Norway was pegged back in the tenth end but came through with a big score to take the win, and a four point end in the sixth for Switzerland was a game changing moment against the USA.

Standings

Pos	Team	Record
1	Canada	2-0
2	Norway	2-0
3	Germany	1-0
4	Scotland	1-0
5	Czech Republic	1-1
6	France	1-1
7	Switzerland	1-1
8	USA	1-1
9	China	0-1
10	Sweden	0-1
11	Denmark	0-2
12	Korea	0-2

TLC - Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2011 - Draw #2

Draw # 2 - 2nd April 2011 19:00
Sheet A		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Germany		0	3	0	1	0	1	1	0	1	0	3	10
China	*	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	7
Sheet B		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
France	*	4	0	4	0	3	0	/	/	/	/		11
Korea		0	2	0	2	0	2	/	/	/	/		6
Sheet C		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Sweden	*	0	3	0	2	0	1	0	0	2	0		8
Scotland		1	0	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	3		9
Sheet D		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ex	F
Denmark		0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0		3
Canada	*	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	0		5

Canada wins a lackluster contest to go 2-0, and Denmark is winless after two matches. Korea also starts out 0-2 as they were destroyed by the French; conceding eleven points in the three ends that France had the hammer.

China trailed 7-5 going in the tenth end but rallied and took the match to an extra end where Germany made up for their lapse in focus and ended with a safe margin of victory. The final winner in the draw was Scotland who came back from two-down in the tenth themselves, this time scoring three on a good looking Sweden rink.

Standings

Pos	Team	Record
1	Canada	2-0
2	Czech Republic	1-0
3	Germany	1-0
4	Norway	1-0
5	Scotland	1-0
6	USA	1-0
7	France	1-1
8	China	0-1
9	Sweden	0-1
10	Switzerland	0-1
11	Denmark	0-2
12	Korea	0-2