He dominated for four straight rounds, but a counter-punch a little after one minute into the fifth Saturday night put V.I. boxer John Jackson on the floor and gave his opponent, “Irish” Andy Lee, the vacant North American Boxing Federation super welterweight title.
The loss dropped Jackson’s record to 18 wins, 15 by knockout, and two losses. Lee’s record improved to 33-2, with 23 KOs.
340 Boxing fans gathered at the official watch party at Eclipse Lounge on St. Thomas Saturday could not believe the sudden turn of events. Jackson had come out strong early, even dropping Lee in the first round, and continued to land a series of combinations that clearly left his opponent winded.
Shouts of “finish him, finish him,” came from the crowd as the bout continued and as the fifth round started, Jackson had Lee against the ropes and looked to be going for the knock out.
But in a matter of seconds, Lee landed a surprise right hook that dropped Jackson to the canvas and there was a moment of stunned silence in the St. Thomas club before everyone started shouting and throwing up their hands.
“The sport of boxing is unpredictable and just one punch can change the outcome,” 340 Boxing managing partner Lesley Comissiong said after the bout, which opened up the Miguel Cotto/Sergio Martinez pay-per-view undercard at Madison Square Garden. “Andy got lucky with one shot.”
This was a make it or break it fight for Lee, according to national boxing experts blogging from the fight, who also made it clear that Lee “hadn’t done much effectively” to defend himself until landing his KO hook.
