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Jason Litzau knocked out in the 8th round by Jose Henandez
Photos and Report By Geoff George

In a fight which would have launched Jason Litzau on the journey to a title match, things didn't play out the way the young featherweight prospect would have liked. Dropped in the 1st round by a right hand Litzau fought back winning the next 7 rounds with speed and sheer boxing ability. No doubt the more skilled fighter at times Litzau appeared to be able to hit Hernandez at will. But at other times he felt compelled to move in and start trading blows with Hernandez as if obsessed with knocking out an opponent who has never been knocked out. There in lies the mistake.

I had the opportunity to speak with Hernandez on the shuttle to the airport the next morning. He too said litzau was surprisingly fast but never really hurt him. He new he was losing the fight at that point as well "In the 8th round I felt his power weaken but he still wanted to bang with me. I knew then I had a chance". Henandez then caught Litzau with the same over hand right as in the 1st round and this time he didn't get up.

Jason Litzau shouldn't have lost this fight. There is a reason Hernandez has never been knocked out. There was more of a chance of the ref stopping the fight due to the condition on Hernandez's face than anything else. All he had to do was follow the instructions of his corner and the fight was his. Easy for all of us to say but harder to follow in the heat of battle, perhaps that's one of the things that makes a champion.

So what now? The perfect record is gone and his chin is now in question.
As in all aspects of life knowing ones limitations is a big help. I have no doubt that litzau can box with anyone in his weight class. He has both speed and enough power to take him to a title match. Can he bang with the best of them? Probably not, but you don't need to. In the long run I think this could wind up being the best thing that could have happened to him but only if he learns from it. Better to learn this lesson now than in a title fight. St Paul still loves you Jason, get back into the ring and move on, and keep that left hand up a little will ya.

Photos Copyright 2006 By Geoffrey George
To see more of Geoff's work visit www.geoffreygeorge.com