The Boxing Thread

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

Callum Smith tonight. Really like him and he should be the next to step up to world level from domestic in the next year.

Should be a really good fight against Rocky Fielding.

 

[Gilly?]

Great fight this, between Cardle and Dodd. If any of them had a bit more punching power it could habe been over long ago.

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

Awful by the referee. Give him an eight count before you call it off. Poor end to a really good British title fight.

 

[Abertawe]

Going to be hard for Rocky to get over that. Callum looked like an animal.

 

[Gilly?]

Absolutely superb by Callum Smith, future world champion, positive on that one.

 

[GodsGift]

I had that nailed on for a wide points decision for Smith, I was never expecting that. Get him a world title shot now.

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

Absolutely superb by Callum Smith, future world champion, positive on that one.

Without a doubt. He beats Jack if he gets that shot next up.

 

[Master D]

Some round that was, devastating. He's extremely big at that weight mind.

 

[ArmchairDiehard]

Stunning performance from Smith, but I'd let him have a couple more fights before throwing him in at the top end. He's still only 25, and has been in the pro game for less than three years.

Why not win the British title outright before moving onto world level?

 

[shane]

I hate an "open letter" but this from De La Hoya to Mayweather is a treat:

Dear Floyd:

You did it. You made it to the 49–0 mark, a milestone that you like to say only the great Rocky Marciano reached but that was actually achieved by others, including my idol Julio César Chávez—but who’s counting? And now you’re retiring. Again. (The first time was after our fight in 2007.) This time you say it’s for real. You’re serious about hanging up the gloves. On to bigger and better things. So I’m writing to you today to wish you a fond farewell. Truth be told, I’m not unhappy to see you retire. Neither are a lot of boxing fans. Scratch that. MOST boxing fans. Why? Because the fight game will be a better one without you in it.

Let’s face it: You were boring. Just take a look at your most recent performance, your last hurrah in the ring, a 12-round decision against Andre Berto. How to describe it? A bust? A disaster? A snooze fest? An affair so one-sided that on one judge’s card Berto didn’t win a single round? Everyone in boxing knew Berto didn’t have a chance. I think more people watched Family Guy reruns that night than tuned in to that pay-per-view bout. But I didn’t mind shelling out $75 for the HD broadcast. In fact it’s been a great investment. When my kids have trouble falling asleep, I don’t have to read to them anymore. I just play them your Berto fight. They don’t make it past round three.

Another reason boxing is better off without you: You were afraid. Afraid of taking chances. Afraid of risk. A perfect example is your greatest “triumph,” the long-awaited record-breaking fight between you and Manny Pacquiao. Nearly 4.5 million buys! More than $400 million in revenue! Headlines worldwide! How can that be bad for boxing? Because you lied. You promised action and entertainment and a battle for the ages, and you delivered none of the above. The problem is, that’s precisely how you want it. You should have fought Pacquiao five years ago, not five months ago. That, however, would have been too dangerous. Too risky. You’ve made a career out of being cautious. You won’t get in the ring unless you have an edge. Sure, you fought some big names. But they were past their prime. Hell, even when we fought in 2007—and I barely lost a split decision—I was at the tail end of my career. Then later you took on Mexican megastar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, but he was too young and had to drop too much weight.

Me? I got into this business to take chances. I took on all comers in their prime. The evidence? I lost. Six times. After 31 wins, my first loss was to Félix Trinidad, and I learned a valuable lesson that is true both in the ring and in life: Don’t run. I didn’t stop taking on the best of the best. After beating Derrell Coley, I took on “Sugar” Shane Mosley at the height of his powers—undefeated and considered by many to be the pound-for-pound best in the world. Again, I lost. After four wins against more top-ranked fighters I took on Mosley again. We can debate who actually won the rematch, but the judges had me losing that one as well.

Did I go easy after that? No. I moved up to middleweight to win a belt and faced one of the greatest middleweights of all time, Bernard Hopkins. After a body shot that I’m still feeling took me out of the fight, I took on two more guys at the height of their power who, many years later, would finally face each other at the ages of 36 and 38—Manny Pacquiao and you. When fighters do that—when they risk losing—that’s when everyone wins. The mantra of my firm Golden Boy Promotions is simple: the best taking on the best. It’s too bad you didn’t do the same.

You took the easy way out. When you weren’t dancing around fading stars (show idea for you: Dancing Around the Fading Stars), you were beating up on outclassed opponents. A lot of your opponents were above-average fighters, but they weren’t your caliber. You’re a very talented fighter, the best defensive fighter of our generation. But what good is talent if you don’t test it? Muhammad Ali did. Sugar Ray Leonard did. You? Not a chance. You spent 2000 to 2010 facing forgettable opening acts like Victoriano Sosa, Phillip N’dou, DeMarcus Corley, Henry Bruseles and Sharmba Mitchell. There were guys out there—tough scary opponents like Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams—but you ran from them. Were you ever on the track team in high school? You would have been a star.

Boxing will also be a better place without the Mouth. Your mouth, to be precise, the one that created “Money” Mayweather. I know you needed that Money Mayweather persona. Before he—and Golden Boy Promotions—came along, nobody watched your fights. You couldn’t even sell out your hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Mouth made you money. More money than you could spend in a lifetime. (Wait, I’ve seen those episodes of 24/7. You probably will spend it all.) But the Mouth doesn’t have a place in boxing; save it for the WWE. Unless you’re someone like Ali, whose fights were as scintillating as his banter, the all-talk, no-entertainment model cheapens our sport. Boxers should speak with their fists and with their hearts. They don’t have to say anything to prove themselves. You’re going to have a legacy. You’ll be remembered as the guy who made the most money. As for your fights? We’ve already forgotten them.

Now that you’re stepping aside, attention can be turned to the sport’s real stars: the brawlers, the brave, the boxers who want nothing more than to face the best and therefore be the best. There’s Canelo, Kazakh KO sensation Gennady Golovkin, ferocious flyweight Román González, slugger Sergey Kovalev and a host of up-and-comers including Terence Crawford, Vasyl Lomachenko and Keith Thurman. Want to see what a monster fight looks like? Canelo takes on Miguel Cotto on November 21. It won’t do 4.4 million in PPV buys, but everyone who watches it will be thrilled. And that’s no empty promise.

You’re moving on to a new phase of life now, a second act. I’m sure it will be nice not to have to train year-round. To get out of the gym and spend time with your family. But I’m wondering what you’re going to do. You have a lot of time and, at the moment, a lot of money. Maybe you’ll put your true skills to work and open a used-car dealership or run a circus. Or maybe you’ll wind up back on Dancing With the Stars. It’s a job that’s safe, pays well and lets you run around on stage. Something you’ve been doing for most of your career.

Anyone disagree?

 

[Master D]

Oh look it's Oscar crying again. Nobody forced people to watch Mayweather box but his PPV numbers speak for themselves. They call it the sweet science for a reason and Floyd mastered it in the same way Pernell Whitaker mastered it and now Rigondeaux masters it. Nobody gets excited watching a Rigo fight but you watch it to appreciate his mastery of the art.

I don't regard Mayweather as one of the greatest welterweights, he doesn't compare to the greats of the 1980s but he is certainly one of the best super featherweights. He won 12 world titles and was lineal champ in 4 weight classes so he's an ATG regardless of what anyone says. He was always missing that fight that defined his career though, maybe you would say it was the DeLaHoya fight that propelled him. Perhaps Oscar should give back all the money he made from that fight if he feels so strongly about it.

The fact he uses Chavez in terms of records is a joke, he fought 49 Mexican taxi drivers before even winning his first title. Mayweather beat 25 world champions.

 

[Master D]

 

[Leewilson]

I hate an "open letter" but this from De La Hoya to Mayweather is a treat:



Anyone disagree?

Fantastic letter in my opinion. I don't think Mayweather would disagree either in his heart of hearts. Mind you, it depends what is more important to you as an individual. For Mayweather, it was the money.

 

[GodsGift]

Fascinating stuff from Tyson once again. Yesterday's Frampton/Quigg press conference was also a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.

 

[Stagat]

That Klitschko / Fury one is from before the pull out the other month, isn't it?

Not that it takes away from it. Still a decent watch.

 

[spireite]

I much prefer Tyson Fury when he's talking boxing instead of being a clown. I do think he's got a chance vs Klitschko due to his age. I wouldn't put the house on it though, Wlad is so robotic and 'proper'

 

[Master D]

I think he's got a very, very slim chance. Wlad is a great champion and a self proclaimed 'boxing historian' like Fury knows that, the trash talking from him is naturally to promote the fight.

 

[spireite]

I think Fury is better on the inside than Wlad, which is a plus for him. What Fury needs to do is try and get Wlad off his game and worried, get inside and make it messy. Wlad likes a constructed game plan. If Wlad gets his jab going and establishes a zone of control and cruises a nice slow pace to the fight, Fury will just get outboxed and maybe KO'd late. I don't think I've ever seen Wlad in a situation where he's having to dig deep and try to empty the tank on the front foot. Fury will need to be careful how he goes about it though, as Wlad has 1-punch KO power in both hands, and if Steve 'cruiserweight' Cunningham can put Fury down, Wlad will knock him cold with a clean hit. Fury can definitely put down Wlad though, on the flip side... Wlad's reach and height which he plays on aren't an advantage vs Fury, as Fury is taller and longer. It will be very interesting, I'm looking forward to it. I just hope Fury doesn't go there, not take any risks and try and outbox Wlad because he won't get a decision in Germany if it's even remotely close

 

[Abertawe]

Fury beats him.

 

[The_Boss]

What I can see happening in the heavy's over next 12 months or so:

Wlad beats Fury in wide UD
Fury announces retirement within minutes of final bell

AJ wipes the floor with Whyte
Whyte drifts back off into obscurity for couple of years

Haye announces comeback fight for Feb 2016, small heavyweight Brian Minto-esque - Wins with early KO
AJ to steps up in quality on undercard (Thompson etc), and still dismantles them inside 3 rounds

Fury starts gobbing off on Twitter about Haye previous pull outs against him
Haye vs. Fury announced for Summer 2016
AJ ringside to see Haye retire Fury for good

AJ vs. Haye made for December 2016

In all this time Wlad has won another wide UD over Wilder

AJ KO's Haye inside 7/8 rounds
Haye retires again

Wlad retires before having to fight AJ
AJ wins world belts in spring 2017

 

[spireite]

I think AJ is the real deal. I want to see his chin tested though.

 

[Master D]

Not a bad prediction but Klitschko does serious damage to Wilder. KO within a few rounds. Wilder is hiding one of the worst chins in boxing, it is just waiting to be shattered brutally. Wlad's jab alone would have him doing a silly dance first time it connected.

AJ, yep real deal for me too but there's no need to rush him. The Whyte fight will be a joke event. Haye is obviously skint, as Fury says, and I can see that being made for next summer. Imagine the trash talking this time

 

[Abertawe]

Whyte ain't no joke. The guy has the bare bones to be a feared HW. He's packed himself off to Klitschko's base and got himself into tremendous shape. He's a hardcore dude and it sounds silly but he'll actually come to fight, if AJ isn't special then he will be in trouble. He's shorter than AJ, if AJ doesn't devastate him at range then he's gonna have to endure some horrible shots from Whyte when up close.

I'm still surprised they made the fight. They must have real confidence in Joshua. I just got a feeling if he's anything other than top dollar then Whyte is gonna be horrible for him.

Good night for boxing. Perfect excuse to save money a week before payday. Crolla & Murray in world title bids then Canelo v Cotto
Haskins becomes world champ without stepping into the ring. UK now has more world champs than any other country.

BTW Mr Boss, Fury beats Klitschko so you'll need to reevaluate your plot.

 

[Gilly?]

Big ask for Martin Murray to get the decision in Germany, think he's going to have to focus on the body to really wear Abraham down to get anything from it. It's been a good start though, I have him two rounds up.

 

[spireite]

I didn't see the fight but a SD in Germany suggests he was robbed. Was that the case?

Chuffed for Crolla to get the win

 

[RavenBish]

Murray didn't nearly want it enough for me, didn't win rounds clearly enough either. I thought he won by a round or so but it wasn't a robbery by any stretch, it's the old thing about having to win a title. He didn't do enough to warrant kicking up a fuss.

Chuffed for Crolla, hopefully see Flanagan/Crolla next year.

 

[Abertawe]

Murray is weird. He's been there or there abouts in all his title tilts (excluding GGG) but he hasn't stepped on the pedal when it mattered.

Don't think many expected Crolla to do it let alone stop Perez, well played.

Canelo gets the UD against Cotto. Please GGG, what a war that'd be.

 

[Gilly?]

At a neutral venue Murray could have got the nod, I had him a round up or so but I can't argue either way at the result.

How one judge had it 116-111 I don't know.

 

[spireite]

Murray is weird. He's been there or there abouts in all his title tilts (excluding GGG) but he hasn't stepped on the pedal when it mattered.

Don't think many expected Crolla to do it let alone stop Perez, well played.

Canelo gets the UD against Cotto. Please GGG, what a war that'd be.

Canelo might just be stupid enough to go in with triple G, given all the talk and hype around him. Canelo strikes me as one of these proud types that wants to cement a legacy. Good on him if he does, and you're right it would be a proper battle in the middle of the ring. And a huge step up for Golovkin...

 

[Master D]

I expected him to get Cotto out of there to be honest so it was slightly disappointing but the kid is an A level fighter, his CV is great and he's only 25 but Golovkin is an elite fighter and it'll be a step too far for him same way Mayweather was.

It's a great matchup though and it will surely be made but this catchweight bollocks has to stop as you've now got Canelo as lineal middleweight champion even though he has never fought officially at the weight in his life. I'm not sure GGG can make 154 in any case and nor should he have to and Canelo is a big guy, as big as Golovkin on most fight nights anyway.