Sunday, 6 December 2009
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Retrospective: Kaylor vs Christie - Punch for Punch
As everyone was getting ready for Bonfire Night 1985, British Boxing fans had only one thing in mind. The British Middleweight title eliminator between West Ham's Mark Kaylor and the touted amateur from Coventry Errol Christie.
Kaylor (pictured right) was a highly touted boxer, a tough boxer-puncher with plenty of heart and skill but sometimes let his emotions get in the way of his boxing. He had held the British and Commonwealth titles, as well as the number five ranking in the world at middleweight before losing to the excellent sharpshooter Tony Sibson in a unification fight for Sibson’s European title and Kaylor’s British and Commonwealth titles.
Kaylor was now a year on from losing his titles and wanted a way back to the top. Christie was touted ever since he won the 1981 ABA final at light-middleweight. An excellent boxer with a snappy jab and a hard straight right he impressed the legendary Emanuel Steward who gave him his blessing to wear the famous golden Kronk shorts.
Christie looked in fine form before this bout, producing his career best performance in beating Barry Audia in two rounds. However he had been beaten, just once, in a first round KO loss to Jose Seys and many people felt he couldn’t take a good shot. The bout garnered huge interest because of a brawl Kaylor and Christie had outside of a casino the previous month. There was apprehension about the fight taking place due to a large threat of violence from Kaylor’s staunch support from the fans of West Ham Untied Football Club who were infamous for their hooliganism.
The previous year, 200 Kaylor fans had been ejected from the Wembley Arena following their man's loss to the brilliant Tony Sibson. However, the threat of violence was amplified due to racist undertones between the ‘white’ Kaylor fans and the ‘black’ Christie fans who himself was a black man. It did not help that there was genuine needle between the two main participants what over boiled into two instances of ‘street fighting’ outside the previously mentioned casino and at a pre-fight press conference.
However, it did make this bout one of the most anticipated British battles of the decade. For the night extra police reinforcements were called into to keep a watch of the crowd as well as Terry Lawless drafting in a security firm to mingle in with the crowd. As another precaution no alcohol was to be sold at the arena or consumed inside the arena. So the bout got under way despite the threat of violence and crowd trouble.
In front of a packed pro-Kaylor Wembley arena crowd, both boxers looked in marvellous shape. The referee, Harry Gibbs, called both fighters to the centre of the ring. Both stared straight into each other's eyes with killer intent. Gibbs motioned them back to their corners to await the bell. DING-DING! Both fighters came out into the centre of the ring and stood off each other, Kaylor then started the scoring with a lead right hand followed by a left hook to Christie's head before rolling underneath Christie’s return left hook before holding. On the break Christie got up on his toes and started to show the skills he was famous for by jabbing and moving keeping Kaylor at range with Kaylor wondering how to get inside and do damage. Christie kept jabbing as Kaylor started to narrow the distance between them and before long Kaylor slipped inside a jab and landed a straight right of his own that detonated on Christie’s jaw with sickening impact. Christie looked hurt and shaky legged as he got up at the referee's count of three and held onto the ropes to steady his uncontrollable legs. Gibbs waved them on, Kaylor was straight in on the inside landing right uppercuts to Christie but these were smothered by Christie who held on desperately. Just then perhaps mirroring what was going on in the ring a Firework exploded among the fans, fortunately no one was hurt and this was the only incident of crowd trouble the whole evening. Both boxers remained focussed on the task at hand though and did not seem to notice the distraction.
The fight seemed to take a rhythm now as Kaylor bustled forward with straight rights followed by left hooks to the body as Christie feebly tried to keep the advancing Kaylor off with a jab. As Kaylor kept advancing Christie seemed to burst into life landing a one-two combination on Kaylor’s jaw which resulted in Kaylor falling to his knees a few seconds later. But Kaylor was straight back up at a count of three and ready for more action.
Christie, like a shark smelling blood, went to work with solid one-twos and left uppercuts on the hurt Kaylor, who seemed in dire trouble. With about 15 seconds left in the round Christie advanced looking to halt Kaylor but walked on to a massive straight right which staggered him but Errol came fighting back with solid one-twos as the bell rang with a right hand landing after the bell. Kaylor clearly annoyed stuck his right glove into Christie’s face which drew a warning from Harry Gibbs. Christie returned to his corner with a cut over his left eye, however it didn’t have much bearing on the fight except colouring referee Harry Gibbs shirt a nice crimson colour.
The bell for round two was barely audible above the excited drone of the crowd. Christie came out popping his jab and moving off looking to keep to his boxing. With his jab getting more and more success Christie started landing some solid combinations off the jab, in particular his one-two, as Kaylor came forward unsuccessfully. As Christie looked in good form, an echo of ‘Forever Blowing Bubbles’ reverberated around the arena, looking to inspire Kaylor. The effect of the morale boosting chant was shown instantly as Kaylor started to counter Christie's jab as he came forward by moving his head to his right and came back with a straight right over Christie's jab and landing on his chin.
Christie, feeling the need to disrupt Kaylor’s rhythm, grabbed hold of Kaylor as he came forward. Upon the break Christie again began circling and popping the jab and landed a good right hand behind a jab. Mark Kaylor imposed himself on the inside again with some jolting uppercuts followed by some short rights. Christie managed to create some room but Kaylor cut down the space again and landed some more heavy uppercuts to head and body.
Round three, Christie again came out snapping the jab and moved away from the ever advancing Kaylor. As Kaylor advanced, Christie landed a sharp left hook on his head that got his supporters clapping. But it didn’t deter Kaylor who started slipping the jab and landing some straight rights and left hooks to head and body of Christie, before falling inside and landing some more ripping uppercuts. Christie, knowing he needed room, stepped back and feinted a jab before following through with a straight right to Kaylor’s exposed jaw. Kaylor fell backwards onto his bum and took a small rest on his haunches before rising at eight.
As soon as action restarted, Kaylor took a good hold of Christie to prevent any further punishment. As they emerged from the clinch Christie’s ripping left hook and uppercuts forced Kaylor backwards onto the ropes forcing Kaylor to grab on for survival. As the clinch broke up Christie got back on his bike, landing jabs to keep Kaylor off balance as Kaylor advanced forward landing some good hooks and uppercuts to Christie's exposed mid section.
As Christie back-pedalled a big left hook from Kaylor landed on the side of Christie’s head making Errol hold on. All of a sudden Christie was hurt and staggered forward onto a left hook to the ribs and he was shaken as he fell into the arms of Kaylor. Just as they untangled the bell rang and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Christie who wobbled back to his corner for a well needed but deserved minute's rest.
At the start of round four both guys fell into an inside fight as Kaylor landed some good left hook wallops to the head and body of Christie. Christie knowing he couldn’t beat Kaylor on the inside started to get some room and establish his jab and movement again and looked to disrupt Kaylor’s rhythm by holding when Kaylor got near. Kaylor kept pouring on however and landed some combos to head and body mixing left hooks in well.
Christie started to look more and more tired but landed a good right uppercut and made Kaylor’s retaliation attacks miss through deft head movement but Kaylor started to ignore the head and landed some powerful body shots as the pace slowed down. With about 10 seconds to go Kaylor landed a left to the body which rocked Christie to his boots and followed up with four hooks to Christie’s defenceless head just as the bell tolled. But Kaylor landed a hook just after the bell and Christie retaliated but was stopped by Gibbs who warned Kaylor in his corner for punching after the bell as Christie stormed over to Kaylor’s corner but thought better of it and turned back.
The fifth round resembled the fourth with Christie jabbing and moving and Kaylor stalking forward with combos to the head and body. The pace slowed as Christie did more moving than jabbing, not letting Kaylor near him, and could you blame him? Kaylor however landed some classy body shots that bulled Christie back to the ropes but Christie, showing his class spun off the ropes but looked very groggy as Kaylor was straight on him with solid body shots punctuated by a straight right on the bell.
Kaylor seemed to want to come on strong at the end of the rounds but seemed to run out of time making the rounds very hard to score. Again the sixth is more of the same but still brilliant to watch as Christie seemed to be a bit more rejuvenated and sprung around the ring behind a tidy jab, Kaylor still stalking forward behind some combinations off counters but really seemed to be tiring after such a high pace and having Christie looking fresher.
Christie's jab controlled the round and about mid way through it, Kaylor pinned the elusive Errol down with a one-two left hook, straight right combo but Errol came straight back with an eye-watering jab to Mark’s nose. At the conclusion of the round Kaylor got Christie on the ropes and landed a handful of body punches but it was not a good round for Kaylor. The fight seemed to have taken on a rhythm in the seventh round as Christie again looking fresh jabbed the weary looking Kaylor and controlled the ring. Early in the round Christie's jab was pinpoint accurate but Kaylor came back with some fine left hooks and Christie, as if punishing Kaylor for the left hooks, upped his own work rate and landed some combinations that oozed of silk.
Kaylor as a result looked more tired and hopeless as Christie landed a straight right that stunned Kaylor and Christie turns it on but looked very scrappy doing so and didn’t do much damage. Just as Kaylor looked hopeless he showed he was still in it by landing a classic left hook, straight right combination from nowhere that kept Christie honest. Errol heeded the warning of Kaylor and retreated to long range and landed a still jab followed by a stiffer right hand to see out round seven.
Round eight started just as any other with Christie using his sharp jab to pick off Kaylor and fast movement to keep Kaylor at long range. About 30 seconds in Kaylor exploded into action with a one-two, left hook and Christie fell forward and looked to hold onto Kaylor who sidestepped away and let Christie descend to the canvas. Christie called on every sinew of his body to rise and got to his knees and dragged himself towards the ropes at the count of six. At the count of nine he reached the ropes but the count of ten was bellowed as Christie slumped to the canvas from his knees.
Kaylor jumped in joy from his win as Christie solemnly sat in his corner getting a drink of water. The two fighters headed towards each other and embraced, erasing all that memory of bad blood between them as Christie sportingly took Kaylor’s hand and raised it skywards as the whole arena applauded both boxers' courage, fitness and sportsmanship.
Despite being an eliminator, neither man ever got another British title shot. Kaylor had limited success after the bout with two wins before taking on the European Champion at middleweight, Herol Graham and being stopped in eight rounds. Kaylor then moved up to light-heavyweight and campaigned fairly well getting two further European title shots and winning an eliminator for the British title but again the title shot never materialised.
Christie on the other hand campaigned pretty unsuccessfully after this bout going 12-6-1 but never really recapturing that amazing form he showed he was capable of and went down as an underachiever.
This bout went down as one of the greatest bouts in British history for eight rounds these two warriors went punch for punch and showed superb skills and powers of recovery. But ultimately Kaylor had too much heart for Christie and wore him down.
And this was only an eliminator for the British title. Imagine if this fight had been for the title itself?
Kaylor (pictured right) was a highly touted boxer, a tough boxer-puncher with plenty of heart and skill but sometimes let his emotions get in the way of his boxing. He had held the British and Commonwealth titles, as well as the number five ranking in the world at middleweight before losing to the excellent sharpshooter Tony Sibson in a unification fight for Sibson’s European title and Kaylor’s British and Commonwealth titles.
Kaylor was now a year on from losing his titles and wanted a way back to the top. Christie was touted ever since he won the 1981 ABA final at light-middleweight. An excellent boxer with a snappy jab and a hard straight right he impressed the legendary Emanuel Steward who gave him his blessing to wear the famous golden Kronk shorts.
Christie looked in fine form before this bout, producing his career best performance in beating Barry Audia in two rounds. However he had been beaten, just once, in a first round KO loss to Jose Seys and many people felt he couldn’t take a good shot. The bout garnered huge interest because of a brawl Kaylor and Christie had outside of a casino the previous month. There was apprehension about the fight taking place due to a large threat of violence from Kaylor’s staunch support from the fans of West Ham Untied Football Club who were infamous for their hooliganism.
The previous year, 200 Kaylor fans had been ejected from the Wembley Arena following their man's loss to the brilliant Tony Sibson. However, the threat of violence was amplified due to racist undertones between the ‘white’ Kaylor fans and the ‘black’ Christie fans who himself was a black man. It did not help that there was genuine needle between the two main participants what over boiled into two instances of ‘street fighting’ outside the previously mentioned casino and at a pre-fight press conference.
However, it did make this bout one of the most anticipated British battles of the decade. For the night extra police reinforcements were called into to keep a watch of the crowd as well as Terry Lawless drafting in a security firm to mingle in with the crowd. As another precaution no alcohol was to be sold at the arena or consumed inside the arena. So the bout got under way despite the threat of violence and crowd trouble.
In front of a packed pro-Kaylor Wembley arena crowd, both boxers looked in marvellous shape. The referee, Harry Gibbs, called both fighters to the centre of the ring. Both stared straight into each other's eyes with killer intent. Gibbs motioned them back to their corners to await the bell. DING-DING! Both fighters came out into the centre of the ring and stood off each other, Kaylor then started the scoring with a lead right hand followed by a left hook to Christie's head before rolling underneath Christie’s return left hook before holding. On the break Christie got up on his toes and started to show the skills he was famous for by jabbing and moving keeping Kaylor at range with Kaylor wondering how to get inside and do damage. Christie kept jabbing as Kaylor started to narrow the distance between them and before long Kaylor slipped inside a jab and landed a straight right of his own that detonated on Christie’s jaw with sickening impact. Christie looked hurt and shaky legged as he got up at the referee's count of three and held onto the ropes to steady his uncontrollable legs. Gibbs waved them on, Kaylor was straight in on the inside landing right uppercuts to Christie but these were smothered by Christie who held on desperately. Just then perhaps mirroring what was going on in the ring a Firework exploded among the fans, fortunately no one was hurt and this was the only incident of crowd trouble the whole evening. Both boxers remained focussed on the task at hand though and did not seem to notice the distraction.
The fight seemed to take a rhythm now as Kaylor bustled forward with straight rights followed by left hooks to the body as Christie feebly tried to keep the advancing Kaylor off with a jab. As Kaylor kept advancing Christie seemed to burst into life landing a one-two combination on Kaylor’s jaw which resulted in Kaylor falling to his knees a few seconds later. But Kaylor was straight back up at a count of three and ready for more action.
Christie, like a shark smelling blood, went to work with solid one-twos and left uppercuts on the hurt Kaylor, who seemed in dire trouble. With about 15 seconds left in the round Christie advanced looking to halt Kaylor but walked on to a massive straight right which staggered him but Errol came fighting back with solid one-twos as the bell rang with a right hand landing after the bell. Kaylor clearly annoyed stuck his right glove into Christie’s face which drew a warning from Harry Gibbs. Christie returned to his corner with a cut over his left eye, however it didn’t have much bearing on the fight except colouring referee Harry Gibbs shirt a nice crimson colour.
The bell for round two was barely audible above the excited drone of the crowd. Christie came out popping his jab and moving off looking to keep to his boxing. With his jab getting more and more success Christie started landing some solid combinations off the jab, in particular his one-two, as Kaylor came forward unsuccessfully. As Christie looked in good form, an echo of ‘Forever Blowing Bubbles’ reverberated around the arena, looking to inspire Kaylor. The effect of the morale boosting chant was shown instantly as Kaylor started to counter Christie's jab as he came forward by moving his head to his right and came back with a straight right over Christie's jab and landing on his chin.
Christie, feeling the need to disrupt Kaylor’s rhythm, grabbed hold of Kaylor as he came forward. Upon the break Christie again began circling and popping the jab and landed a good right hand behind a jab. Mark Kaylor imposed himself on the inside again with some jolting uppercuts followed by some short rights. Christie managed to create some room but Kaylor cut down the space again and landed some more heavy uppercuts to head and body.
Round three, Christie again came out snapping the jab and moved away from the ever advancing Kaylor. As Kaylor advanced, Christie landed a sharp left hook on his head that got his supporters clapping. But it didn’t deter Kaylor who started slipping the jab and landing some straight rights and left hooks to head and body of Christie, before falling inside and landing some more ripping uppercuts. Christie, knowing he needed room, stepped back and feinted a jab before following through with a straight right to Kaylor’s exposed jaw. Kaylor fell backwards onto his bum and took a small rest on his haunches before rising at eight.
As soon as action restarted, Kaylor took a good hold of Christie to prevent any further punishment. As they emerged from the clinch Christie’s ripping left hook and uppercuts forced Kaylor backwards onto the ropes forcing Kaylor to grab on for survival. As the clinch broke up Christie got back on his bike, landing jabs to keep Kaylor off balance as Kaylor advanced forward landing some good hooks and uppercuts to Christie's exposed mid section.
As Christie back-pedalled a big left hook from Kaylor landed on the side of Christie’s head making Errol hold on. All of a sudden Christie was hurt and staggered forward onto a left hook to the ribs and he was shaken as he fell into the arms of Kaylor. Just as they untangled the bell rang and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Christie who wobbled back to his corner for a well needed but deserved minute's rest.
At the start of round four both guys fell into an inside fight as Kaylor landed some good left hook wallops to the head and body of Christie. Christie knowing he couldn’t beat Kaylor on the inside started to get some room and establish his jab and movement again and looked to disrupt Kaylor’s rhythm by holding when Kaylor got near. Kaylor kept pouring on however and landed some combos to head and body mixing left hooks in well.
Christie started to look more and more tired but landed a good right uppercut and made Kaylor’s retaliation attacks miss through deft head movement but Kaylor started to ignore the head and landed some powerful body shots as the pace slowed down. With about 10 seconds to go Kaylor landed a left to the body which rocked Christie to his boots and followed up with four hooks to Christie’s defenceless head just as the bell tolled. But Kaylor landed a hook just after the bell and Christie retaliated but was stopped by Gibbs who warned Kaylor in his corner for punching after the bell as Christie stormed over to Kaylor’s corner but thought better of it and turned back.
The fifth round resembled the fourth with Christie jabbing and moving and Kaylor stalking forward with combos to the head and body. The pace slowed as Christie did more moving than jabbing, not letting Kaylor near him, and could you blame him? Kaylor however landed some classy body shots that bulled Christie back to the ropes but Christie, showing his class spun off the ropes but looked very groggy as Kaylor was straight on him with solid body shots punctuated by a straight right on the bell.
Kaylor seemed to want to come on strong at the end of the rounds but seemed to run out of time making the rounds very hard to score. Again the sixth is more of the same but still brilliant to watch as Christie seemed to be a bit more rejuvenated and sprung around the ring behind a tidy jab, Kaylor still stalking forward behind some combinations off counters but really seemed to be tiring after such a high pace and having Christie looking fresher.
Christie's jab controlled the round and about mid way through it, Kaylor pinned the elusive Errol down with a one-two left hook, straight right combo but Errol came straight back with an eye-watering jab to Mark’s nose. At the conclusion of the round Kaylor got Christie on the ropes and landed a handful of body punches but it was not a good round for Kaylor. The fight seemed to have taken on a rhythm in the seventh round as Christie again looking fresh jabbed the weary looking Kaylor and controlled the ring. Early in the round Christie's jab was pinpoint accurate but Kaylor came back with some fine left hooks and Christie, as if punishing Kaylor for the left hooks, upped his own work rate and landed some combinations that oozed of silk.
Kaylor as a result looked more tired and hopeless as Christie landed a straight right that stunned Kaylor and Christie turns it on but looked very scrappy doing so and didn’t do much damage. Just as Kaylor looked hopeless he showed he was still in it by landing a classic left hook, straight right combination from nowhere that kept Christie honest. Errol heeded the warning of Kaylor and retreated to long range and landed a still jab followed by a stiffer right hand to see out round seven.
Round eight started just as any other with Christie using his sharp jab to pick off Kaylor and fast movement to keep Kaylor at long range. About 30 seconds in Kaylor exploded into action with a one-two, left hook and Christie fell forward and looked to hold onto Kaylor who sidestepped away and let Christie descend to the canvas. Christie called on every sinew of his body to rise and got to his knees and dragged himself towards the ropes at the count of six. At the count of nine he reached the ropes but the count of ten was bellowed as Christie slumped to the canvas from his knees.
Kaylor jumped in joy from his win as Christie solemnly sat in his corner getting a drink of water. The two fighters headed towards each other and embraced, erasing all that memory of bad blood between them as Christie sportingly took Kaylor’s hand and raised it skywards as the whole arena applauded both boxers' courage, fitness and sportsmanship.
Despite being an eliminator, neither man ever got another British title shot. Kaylor had limited success after the bout with two wins before taking on the European Champion at middleweight, Herol Graham and being stopped in eight rounds. Kaylor then moved up to light-heavyweight and campaigned fairly well getting two further European title shots and winning an eliminator for the British title but again the title shot never materialised.
Christie on the other hand campaigned pretty unsuccessfully after this bout going 12-6-1 but never really recapturing that amazing form he showed he was capable of and went down as an underachiever.
This bout went down as one of the greatest bouts in British history for eight rounds these two warriors went punch for punch and showed superb skills and powers of recovery. But ultimately Kaylor had too much heart for Christie and wore him down.
And this was only an eliminator for the British title. Imagine if this fight had been for the title itself?
Monday, 23 November 2009
Unbeaten Scottish Prospect Craig McEwan gets a good test
Scotland's best prospect at the moment Craig McEwan gets a good match up when he fights San Diegos James Parison on the Bute vs Andrade 2 undercard.
McEwan who left Scotland to train with Freddy Roach is a brillaint prospect. A tall lanky southpaw with a classical boxing style. I will be honest i know nothing about Parison's except what McEwan has said about him:
" Jamie Parison is greatly admired as a boxer over here but I believe that I have enough artillery in my arsenal to beat him."
McEwan has been working hard in the LA Wildcard gym and looks tobe improving in every fight. He has started getting more coverage mainly headlining an ESPN Friday Night Fight vs Darnell Boone earlier this year. This is another great oppertunity for the Scot to showcase his talent. This is the first time he has fought since his mooted bout with Vernon Forrest fell through due to the atrocious death of Forrest.
I can not anaylisise this fight but look for it to be a chance for Craig to showcase himself to a wide audience and make his homeland proud. He is just on the verge of cracking the Light Middleweight top 10. And expect McEwan with a superstar team behind him consisting of Golden Boy promotions as his promoter and Freddy Roach as his manager, he looks destined for success. Promoter De La Hoya has alot of faith in Craig:
"Oscar dropped into The Wildcard and as soon as he saw that I was there he came straight over to speak to me and wish me well. He told me that he would be in Quebec next Saturday to cheer me on!"
Explains McEwan.
Scottish boxing has a bright future ahead with Craig leading the way.
McEwan who left Scotland to train with Freddy Roach is a brillaint prospect. A tall lanky southpaw with a classical boxing style. I will be honest i know nothing about Parison's except what McEwan has said about him:
" Jamie Parison is greatly admired as a boxer over here but I believe that I have enough artillery in my arsenal to beat him."
McEwan has been working hard in the LA Wildcard gym and looks tobe improving in every fight. He has started getting more coverage mainly headlining an ESPN Friday Night Fight vs Darnell Boone earlier this year. This is another great oppertunity for the Scot to showcase his talent. This is the first time he has fought since his mooted bout with Vernon Forrest fell through due to the atrocious death of Forrest.
I can not anaylisise this fight but look for it to be a chance for Craig to showcase himself to a wide audience and make his homeland proud. He is just on the verge of cracking the Light Middleweight top 10. And expect McEwan with a superstar team behind him consisting of Golden Boy promotions as his promoter and Freddy Roach as his manager, he looks destined for success. Promoter De La Hoya has alot of faith in Craig:
"Oscar dropped into The Wildcard and as soon as he saw that I was there he came straight over to speak to me and wish me well. He told me that he would be in Quebec next Saturday to cheer me on!"
Explains McEwan.
Scottish boxing has a bright future ahead with Craig leading the way.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
The Fierce Eagle - Yoko Gushiken, The Master of the Light Flyweights
The ‘Fierce Eagle’ just brings connotations to your mind of a magnificent bird circling its prey looking for the right time to strike with save intensity. This ring moniker suited Yoko Gushiken to a tee. A brilliant ring general with a huge punch in both hands and an astonishing turn of pace.
A friend of mine describes watching Gushiken as an experience and he is right. The first time you watch this master in the ring you are transfixed to his excellence. He is not the most exciting fighter or a very flashy one but by lord is he excellent to watch.
The first thing that strikes you when you watch Gushiken is his marvellous ring generalship. He moves round the ring like the eagle circling its prey. He slowly makes openings and starts to control his prey through his brilliant mastery of distance. Once he has his prey where he wants him he strikes with relentless ferocity, exploding from long range with long straight shots from his southpaw stance. The straight left being his money punch. After he has landed his combination with laser like precision he bounces back out to continue circling his prey.
Gushiken is one of the most composed fighters I have seen in the ring. He is so relaxed but yet always ready to strike. It sounds a weird mix his style and believe me it is hard to describe but it really is a very pleasant style to watch.
His combinations are another great thing about him. Very rarely does he throw single shots he almost always explodes into 4 or 5 punch combinations. These combinations are mainly composed of right hooks and straight lefts all thrown with such proficiency. They are sharp combinations the type that do real damage as they catch an opponent unaware and Gushiken has full extension on his shots so inflicts maximum damage. This is what attracts him to fans that are not so aware of intricate ring generalship and tactics. Gushiken is definitely one of the best combinational punchers I have seen at Light Flyweight just threw the sheer accuracy of them and the damage they inflict.
His whole style of boxing is controlled but you feel the sense of him about to explode at any minute into a combination. Like a lid on a can about to burst. His explosions come out in super accurate controlled combinations, but this underlying anger comes through when he hurts his man as he throws relentlessly but still keeps his technique and precision. His merciless attack is a sight to behold. When his man is dropped from the attack Yoko can't seem to controll himself and 90% of the time lands a glancing shot when his oppoennt is on the floor which is very odd for such a controlled boxer.
Well, thats Yoko Gushiken the afroed master of the Light Flyweights. Many people rate him the bst Light Flyweight that ever lived i would disagree and say the fantastic Jung-Koo Chang holds that honour but Gushiken is second on my list just a fantastic fighter.
A friend of mine describes watching Gushiken as an experience and he is right. The first time you watch this master in the ring you are transfixed to his excellence. He is not the most exciting fighter or a very flashy one but by lord is he excellent to watch.
The first thing that strikes you when you watch Gushiken is his marvellous ring generalship. He moves round the ring like the eagle circling its prey. He slowly makes openings and starts to control his prey through his brilliant mastery of distance. Once he has his prey where he wants him he strikes with relentless ferocity, exploding from long range with long straight shots from his southpaw stance. The straight left being his money punch. After he has landed his combination with laser like precision he bounces back out to continue circling his prey.
Gushiken is one of the most composed fighters I have seen in the ring. He is so relaxed but yet always ready to strike. It sounds a weird mix his style and believe me it is hard to describe but it really is a very pleasant style to watch.
His combinations are another great thing about him. Very rarely does he throw single shots he almost always explodes into 4 or 5 punch combinations. These combinations are mainly composed of right hooks and straight lefts all thrown with such proficiency. They are sharp combinations the type that do real damage as they catch an opponent unaware and Gushiken has full extension on his shots so inflicts maximum damage. This is what attracts him to fans that are not so aware of intricate ring generalship and tactics. Gushiken is definitely one of the best combinational punchers I have seen at Light Flyweight just threw the sheer accuracy of them and the damage they inflict.
His whole style of boxing is controlled but you feel the sense of him about to explode at any minute into a combination. Like a lid on a can about to burst. His explosions come out in super accurate controlled combinations, but this underlying anger comes through when he hurts his man as he throws relentlessly but still keeps his technique and precision. His merciless attack is a sight to behold. When his man is dropped from the attack Yoko can't seem to controll himself and 90% of the time lands a glancing shot when his oppoennt is on the floor which is very odd for such a controlled boxer.
Well, thats Yoko Gushiken the afroed master of the Light Flyweights. Many people rate him the bst Light Flyweight that ever lived i would disagree and say the fantastic Jung-Koo Chang holds that honour but Gushiken is second on my list just a fantastic fighter.
Monday, 16 November 2009
The Perfect Boxer-Puncher - Yuri Arbahakov
When you say 'Boxer-Puncher' to me i instantly think of Alexis Arguello, to me he is the epitome of the Boxer-Puncher style. He was the patient boxer who in his case looked to counter behind his long jab like the boxer but also looked to hurt his opponent and was relentless in finishing him like the puncher. But he was not the perfect Boxer-Puncher as it signifies a whole range of varieties on the style but Arguello was abit more puncher than boxer.
Others would say Thomas Hearns is the best boxer puncher but i feel he was either a boxer or a puncher. He seemed to either look to bomb a guy out or to box his head off he never really managed to combine the two aspects into one style. Others might say Carlos Ortiz or Jose Napoles, the debate is endless.
However, i think i have found THE boxer-puncher. His name is Yuri Arbachakov a long time WBC Flyweight champion in the 1990's. He was a brillaint Soviet amateur but moved to Asia to start his professional career a he felt it was a better area for lighter weight fighters.
His style is brillaint to watch an almost perfect textbook boxer. He keeps his hands high, his feet the sme distance apart etc... In other words he has excellant fundamentals. Besides from this he had brillaint movement and excellant technical skills in both offence and defence. He came forward just as good as he did as he boxed on his back foot. He combined this all well to be a brilliant boxer, but what he also had was genuine concussive 1 punch power, especially in his right, which is rare for such a little guy. It made him in my eyes the best Boxer-Puncher.
He wasnt too much of a boxer or a puncher he combined it well. He would box to suss out his opponent and measure him before boxing to try and set up his punching and combinations. When he did set up his shots he would come into life with a hard straight right that often finished off his opponents with one decisive blow. When he got his opponent hurt he went about his work with the clean, effective almost hitman like precision. He would slowly pick the helpless opponent apart with hard, vicious blows usually resulting in the end.
Now Arbackakov dosent usually get mentioned alot among fight fans, this is because a general lack of knowledge in him. He was an Asian-based Flyweight, and most fight fans are more in tune with the American based heavier weights which is a great shame as greats like Arbackakov and others like Yoko Gushiken, Myung Woo Yuh and Jung-Koo Chang are almsot forgotten about.
Others would say Thomas Hearns is the best boxer puncher but i feel he was either a boxer or a puncher. He seemed to either look to bomb a guy out or to box his head off he never really managed to combine the two aspects into one style. Others might say Carlos Ortiz or Jose Napoles, the debate is endless.
However, i think i have found THE boxer-puncher. His name is Yuri Arbachakov a long time WBC Flyweight champion in the 1990's. He was a brillaint Soviet amateur but moved to Asia to start his professional career a he felt it was a better area for lighter weight fighters.
His style is brillaint to watch an almost perfect textbook boxer. He keeps his hands high, his feet the sme distance apart etc... In other words he has excellant fundamentals. Besides from this he had brillaint movement and excellant technical skills in both offence and defence. He came forward just as good as he did as he boxed on his back foot. He combined this all well to be a brilliant boxer, but what he also had was genuine concussive 1 punch power, especially in his right, which is rare for such a little guy. It made him in my eyes the best Boxer-Puncher.
He wasnt too much of a boxer or a puncher he combined it well. He would box to suss out his opponent and measure him before boxing to try and set up his punching and combinations. When he did set up his shots he would come into life with a hard straight right that often finished off his opponents with one decisive blow. When he got his opponent hurt he went about his work with the clean, effective almost hitman like precision. He would slowly pick the helpless opponent apart with hard, vicious blows usually resulting in the end.
Now Arbackakov dosent usually get mentioned alot among fight fans, this is because a general lack of knowledge in him. He was an Asian-based Flyweight, and most fight fans are more in tune with the American based heavier weights which is a great shame as greats like Arbackakov and others like Yoko Gushiken, Myung Woo Yuh and Jung-Koo Chang are almsot forgotten about.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Paul Butlin Interview
Paul Butlin is a hard working Heavyweight from Melton Mowbray in the midlands of England. He started boxing at 24, after training in martial arts, and turned pro at 26 so has been learning on the job so far, his 12-9 record does not show his boxing ability.
On the 20th of June he faces arguably his toughest fight to date against the highly touted Kronk fighter Jonathan Banks on the undercard of Klitschko vs Chageav. Banks recently fought Tomas Adamek for the IBF Cruiserweight title and gave a brave showing before being knocked out in the 8th by the Ring Magazine Cruiserweight champion, but against Butlin he is fighting at Heavyweight.
Paul is ready for the fight saying, “ I boxed a 8 rounder a few weeks ago (vs Derek Chisora) and a 10 rounder a few weeks before that (vs Lee Swaby) so that’s 18 rounds in a month so I’m ready.”
Paul is going to Germany to win, He said that Banks was a stylish boxer but “He won’t be able to be stylish when a 17 stone man is in front of him.” Paul’s attitude is a credit to the sport as he is always willing to learn and promises to throw more punches this fight and said “I have been working on my overhand right, He (Banks) carries his left low.” He is up for this fight as he was honest about that “It is not good money but it is a great opportunity to fight in front of 60,000 people.”
This isn’t the first time he has boxed in Germany; he fought the rising German Prospect Sebastion Koebar in February of 2008. Sebastian beat him on an Unanimous decision over 8 rounds but Paul disputes that.
“I beat Koebar, there were two guys in my team who said I won, there were two European officials who said I deserved the victory and Micky Vann said I deserved a draw. It was disgusting.”
However he still likes fighting in Europe as he says, “You are well looked after.” And “The money is good.”
He also has a little surprise in store for the German crowd on the 20th of June.
“I’m going to go to the ring with a German football top on, I’ll get cheered there (In Germany) but my mates wont like it. I’ll probably get hate mail when I get home.”
Also on the bill is Michael Sprott who faces the unbeaten Alexander Ustinov. So even if David Haye has pulled out of the fight with Wladimir Klitschko, we still have two Brits to support that night.
On the 20th of June he faces arguably his toughest fight to date against the highly touted Kronk fighter Jonathan Banks on the undercard of Klitschko vs Chageav. Banks recently fought Tomas Adamek for the IBF Cruiserweight title and gave a brave showing before being knocked out in the 8th by the Ring Magazine Cruiserweight champion, but against Butlin he is fighting at Heavyweight.
Paul is ready for the fight saying, “ I boxed a 8 rounder a few weeks ago (vs Derek Chisora) and a 10 rounder a few weeks before that (vs Lee Swaby) so that’s 18 rounds in a month so I’m ready.”
Paul is going to Germany to win, He said that Banks was a stylish boxer but “He won’t be able to be stylish when a 17 stone man is in front of him.” Paul’s attitude is a credit to the sport as he is always willing to learn and promises to throw more punches this fight and said “I have been working on my overhand right, He (Banks) carries his left low.” He is up for this fight as he was honest about that “It is not good money but it is a great opportunity to fight in front of 60,000 people.”
This isn’t the first time he has boxed in Germany; he fought the rising German Prospect Sebastion Koebar in February of 2008. Sebastian beat him on an Unanimous decision over 8 rounds but Paul disputes that.
“I beat Koebar, there were two guys in my team who said I won, there were two European officials who said I deserved the victory and Micky Vann said I deserved a draw. It was disgusting.”
However he still likes fighting in Europe as he says, “You are well looked after.” And “The money is good.”
He also has a little surprise in store for the German crowd on the 20th of June.
“I’m going to go to the ring with a German football top on, I’ll get cheered there (In Germany) but my mates wont like it. I’ll probably get hate mail when I get home.”
Also on the bill is Michael Sprott who faces the unbeaten Alexander Ustinov. So even if David Haye has pulled out of the fight with Wladimir Klitschko, we still have two Brits to support that night.
Bradley vs Campbell - The Changing Battle
Saturday the 1st of August brings us a potential Fight of the Year
between Timothy Bradley and Nate Campbell for the formers WBO Light Welterweight title.
In boxing there’s a famous cliché of the old, maybe even unmotivated, champion fighting the young upstart contender. Well in this fight the roles are reversed Nate Campbell is an outspoken Granddad who having giving up the Lightweight championship has moved to Light Welterweight to fight the polite and determined Timothy Bradley.
Campbell has been a perennial contender at Lightweight for what has seemed like decades and after 2 failed chances before he proved to be third time lucky in upsetting the rising star Juan Diaz in a barnburner. Nate has now tasted the success and is determined to recapture it up at Light Welterweight.
Timothy Bradley came out of nowhere to defeat the tricky and experienced WBC Light Welterweight champion Junior Witter to take his belt. Since winning this title the determined, devout Christian Bradley has defended it twice against Edner Cherry (UD over 12) and in a unification against the brilliant but lazy Kendall Holt (UD over 12). After partially unifying the championships Bradley was forced to give up his WBC title. Bradley is the rising star of the division and is one of boxing’s hottest prospects as an undefeated, young champion but so was Juan Diaz when he fought Campbell.
The style clash in this fight is an interesting one. They are both pressure fighters as well as good classic boxers. Both of them are excellent athletes in terms of speed, strength and stamina. Bradley is
an aggressive pressure fighter who uses his fast hands and feet to score quick flurries. Campbell is more of a steady aggressive boxer putting on a more subtle pressure, however Campbell often fights his
opponents fight instead of his own but he has shown he can beat his opponent at their own game.
Both fighters have weaknesses and strengths that counteract each other. A major factor in this fight will be who can capitalise on his opponent’s weakness and use their own strengths to their advantage.
Nate Campbell thrives on fighting his opponents fight and beating him at it so perhaps Nate Campbell couldplay into Bradleys’ hands in doing so.
This fight, I think, will be a great one – a possible fight of the year as I mentioned before. The early rounds will start with Campbell trying to make a statement perhaps taking the fight in close quarters. Bradley
often squares up when in close and this will play into Nates’hands as Bradley will be off balance and not in a position to gain leverage in his punches. Bradley however has very fast hands and could pose
problems early for Campbell who will have to adjust to his speed and time him accordingly. The early rounds I feel will be fought in close with Campbell gaining the edge.
Bradley showed when he fought Kendall Holt he can adapt in fights and this is what he will have to do. The middle rounds will become more interesting as Bradley will have adjusted and will try to use his foot speed to get in and out with fast flurries. In doing so Bradley will be forced to lead and he has some major flaws when leading. He throws his jab and drops it after he’s thrown it. Campbell has a expert right hook counter uncommon to most fighters which will be able to find a home over Bradleys left hand. Bradley’s speed however should help him here and maybe just let him edge these sessions.
If you think the middle rounds will be interesting the late rounds will be fascinating. Both fighters will know each others style better and have made the necessary adjustments. I think Bradley, who has superb fitness, will try to carry the fight to Campbell who at 37 might lack the stamina of the younger fighter. However as Bradley carries a fight forward he can lack concentration and be caught with silly shots as he
advances, Campbell being an old and clever pro will be more than happy to take advantage of these openings.
In the end it will come down to who can make the adjustments and perhaps who wants to make the adjustments. I feel each fighter can beat the other so its hard to pick a winner. This is a great fight for boxing as this is a well matched, exciting fight and a brave defence for a young champion like Bradley. As much as I would like to say the young focused Bradley to win I feel Nate Campbell will just edge it in a split decision. However that won’t be the end of Bradley as a young determined fighter like himself will not give up after a loss and will strive to be the best as he is doing now.
between Timothy Bradley and Nate Campbell for the formers WBO Light Welterweight title.
In boxing there’s a famous cliché of the old, maybe even unmotivated, champion fighting the young upstart contender. Well in this fight the roles are reversed Nate Campbell is an outspoken Granddad who having giving up the Lightweight championship has moved to Light Welterweight to fight the polite and determined Timothy Bradley.
Campbell has been a perennial contender at Lightweight for what has seemed like decades and after 2 failed chances before he proved to be third time lucky in upsetting the rising star Juan Diaz in a barnburner. Nate has now tasted the success and is determined to recapture it up at Light Welterweight.
Timothy Bradley came out of nowhere to defeat the tricky and experienced WBC Light Welterweight champion Junior Witter to take his belt. Since winning this title the determined, devout Christian Bradley has defended it twice against Edner Cherry (UD over 12) and in a unification against the brilliant but lazy Kendall Holt (UD over 12). After partially unifying the championships Bradley was forced to give up his WBC title. Bradley is the rising star of the division and is one of boxing’s hottest prospects as an undefeated, young champion but so was Juan Diaz when he fought Campbell.
The style clash in this fight is an interesting one. They are both pressure fighters as well as good classic boxers. Both of them are excellent athletes in terms of speed, strength and stamina. Bradley is
an aggressive pressure fighter who uses his fast hands and feet to score quick flurries. Campbell is more of a steady aggressive boxer putting on a more subtle pressure, however Campbell often fights his
opponents fight instead of his own but he has shown he can beat his opponent at their own game.
Both fighters have weaknesses and strengths that counteract each other. A major factor in this fight will be who can capitalise on his opponent’s weakness and use their own strengths to their advantage.
Nate Campbell thrives on fighting his opponents fight and beating him at it so perhaps Nate Campbell couldplay into Bradleys’ hands in doing so.
This fight, I think, will be a great one – a possible fight of the year as I mentioned before. The early rounds will start with Campbell trying to make a statement perhaps taking the fight in close quarters. Bradley
often squares up when in close and this will play into Nates’hands as Bradley will be off balance and not in a position to gain leverage in his punches. Bradley however has very fast hands and could pose
problems early for Campbell who will have to adjust to his speed and time him accordingly. The early rounds I feel will be fought in close with Campbell gaining the edge.
Bradley showed when he fought Kendall Holt he can adapt in fights and this is what he will have to do. The middle rounds will become more interesting as Bradley will have adjusted and will try to use his foot speed to get in and out with fast flurries. In doing so Bradley will be forced to lead and he has some major flaws when leading. He throws his jab and drops it after he’s thrown it. Campbell has a expert right hook counter uncommon to most fighters which will be able to find a home over Bradleys left hand. Bradley’s speed however should help him here and maybe just let him edge these sessions.
If you think the middle rounds will be interesting the late rounds will be fascinating. Both fighters will know each others style better and have made the necessary adjustments. I think Bradley, who has superb fitness, will try to carry the fight to Campbell who at 37 might lack the stamina of the younger fighter. However as Bradley carries a fight forward he can lack concentration and be caught with silly shots as he
advances, Campbell being an old and clever pro will be more than happy to take advantage of these openings.
In the end it will come down to who can make the adjustments and perhaps who wants to make the adjustments. I feel each fighter can beat the other so its hard to pick a winner. This is a great fight for boxing as this is a well matched, exciting fight and a brave defence for a young champion like Bradley. As much as I would like to say the young focused Bradley to win I feel Nate Campbell will just edge it in a split decision. However that won’t be the end of Bradley as a young determined fighter like himself will not give up after a loss and will strive to be the best as he is doing now.
Bradley vs Campbell – The Aftermath, The Controversy and the Cut
What a fight this was going to be! I had it a physical battle of wills and skills to determine supremacy between the two proud warriors Timothy Bradley and Nate Campbell, how wrong was I?
Campbell came to the ring with the same detached look he always wears for fights, the sound of ‘Thunder’ by AC/DC boomed round the arena in tribute of Arturo Gatti. In contrast Bradley came into the ring with a live rapper rapping his stuff in the ring as Bradley focused himself and sang along on the way to the ring.
In the ring Bradley looked so focus, I thought he was possessed; Campbell had that same detached look as if Bradley didn’t even bother him. The fighters were announced still they never waivered in there own confidence.
The start of round 1 Campbell came out to the centre of the ring as I anticipated but that’s where my prediction of the fight ceased to be correct. Campbell tried to put pressure on Bradley and got him into the corner in the first 30 seconds; Bradley turned Nate in the corner and landed a flurry, brilliant stuff by the young champion. Campbell still trudged forward trying to cut off the and get Bradley on the inside where Nate could fight him. Bradley turned Nate and landed flurries ,with good body shots mixed, in the entire first round in a great show 0A of ring generalship – which I admit I thought Campbell would have the edge here. Campbell’s only success in this round was when he side stepped to his right and bulled Bradley backwards onto the ropes where Campbell landed a straight right to the body and a left hook. There was a lot of holding up close by both fighters and 1 or 2 slight head clashes but that was anticipated. Bradleys’ round.
Round 2 had much the same sort of feel as round 1. Bradley seemed to control the ring and Campbell just couldn’t corner him and when he did he seemed slow to let his shots off, like his reflexes had diminished greatly since the Funeka fight. Bradley this round started to fight up close whenever they ended up there and was getting the better of Campbell. Again my prediction was coming to be portrayed as horribly wrong. Again a few more head clashes and Campbell complained to the referee about them. Bradleys’ round.
The 3rd round started off the same Bradley controlling the fight using the ring and boxing with flurries. About half way through the round Campbell went against the ropes and Bradley came along the rope towards him, as he did so he threw a flurry, in the middle of the flurry Bradleys head recklessly came flying towards Campbell and hit him above his right eye. Campbell ducked his head as he stepped back as Bradley threw a left and a right uppercut which seemed20to have hit Campbell’s gloves. As Campbell stepped out of Bradleys’ range he pointed to his eye to show the referee he had been cut by a clash of heads. As Campbell was protesting to the referee Bradley (rightly) unleashed a barrage of punches all over Campbell for a good 20 seconds. Campbell weathered the storm well but his eye was obviously bothering him. Bradleys hellacious attack rescinded for a moment as Campbell got out of the corner but that was only a momentary respite as Bradley unleashed another flurry of shots but again Campbell weathered them well for 30 odd seconds before getting close enough to hold and Bradley obliged to hold to get his wind back. After the referee broke them apart Bradley flurried for the remaining 10 or so seconds, then the bell rang.
As Campbell walked back to his corner he told his cornermen, ‘I can’t see!’. The corner sat him down but he persisted saying he couldn’t see. Soon the doctor was in the corner and again Campbell said ‘I Can’t see!’ The doctor then asked him if he wanted to continue and I couldn’t make out Campbell’s answer but a few seconds later the referee stated ‘If you can’t see, I will have to stop the fight.’ And he did exactly what he said he would by stopping the fight at that moment.
Watching it live I hadn’t noticed the head butt by Bradley that caused the cut so when the ref called it a TKO win ,on cuts, for Bradley I thought it was deserved as you should always give the benefit of the doubt that a punch caused a cut and not a head clash. However after seeing the replay I saw the sickening accidental clash and knew instantly this should be a No-Contest as per the rules.
The referee in the ring exclaimed to the Showtime presenter, ‘I saw the headbutt but I saw a punch after it and I’m going on what I saw last.’ Now I thought the referee could have ruled this as a TKO if he hadn’t seen the headbutt like myself but he had claimed to have seen the headbutt but still called it a clash of heads. This astounds me. This is why I propose there should be an extra official who has the benefit of ‘play back TV’ to view such instances and make the call himself instead of the referee, as incidents’ like this would be avoided.
Campbell was fuming at this decision and directly questioned the referee and was shouting abuse around the ring. This to me is not the behaviour I like to see in the ring, if Campbell had an issue he could have gone about it in a more appropriate way. However, saying that Campbell is a likeable guy and he said himself ‘I have never questioned decisions going against me before but this is about right and wrong.’ And he did have a point that he hadn’t complained about decisions before and maybe this was a moment of madness (but deserved) for him.
The Showtime presenter asked Bradley what he thought of it all. Bradley was quite diplomatic saying ‘he did feel a headbutt but he just did his job.’ And he ‘didn’t know’ if a headbutt caused the cut. The presenter then asked Campbell and Don King what they thought but the protested the stoppage and said it should have been a NC. After this Campbell claimed he still couldn’t see right and left to go to hospital. At this moment the Showtime presenter then enquired about a rematch. Don King was delighted at the idea but Bradleys camp was quite evasive of the question and responded, ‘If Showtime want to buy the fight and the money is right.’ Which they repeated several times. Bradley himself however conceded, ‘He didn’t care’ who he fought next and even alluded to a rematch with Campbell in Campbell’s hometown. This delighted Don King and led to a hilarious situation between Bradley’s trainer Joel Diaz and Don King.
Campbell came to the ring with the same detached look he always wears for fights, the sound of ‘Thunder’ by AC/DC boomed round the arena in tribute of Arturo Gatti. In contrast Bradley came into the ring with a live rapper rapping his stuff in the ring as Bradley focused himself and sang along on the way to the ring.
In the ring Bradley looked so focus, I thought he was possessed; Campbell had that same detached look as if Bradley didn’t even bother him. The fighters were announced still they never waivered in there own confidence.
The start of round 1 Campbell came out to the centre of the ring as I anticipated but that’s where my prediction of the fight ceased to be correct. Campbell tried to put pressure on Bradley and got him into the corner in the first 30 seconds; Bradley turned Nate in the corner and landed a flurry, brilliant stuff by the young champion. Campbell still trudged forward trying to cut off the and get Bradley on the inside where Nate could fight him. Bradley turned Nate and landed flurries ,with good body shots mixed, in the entire first round in a great show 0A of ring generalship – which I admit I thought Campbell would have the edge here. Campbell’s only success in this round was when he side stepped to his right and bulled Bradley backwards onto the ropes where Campbell landed a straight right to the body and a left hook. There was a lot of holding up close by both fighters and 1 or 2 slight head clashes but that was anticipated. Bradleys’ round.
Round 2 had much the same sort of feel as round 1. Bradley seemed to control the ring and Campbell just couldn’t corner him and when he did he seemed slow to let his shots off, like his reflexes had diminished greatly since the Funeka fight. Bradley this round started to fight up close whenever they ended up there and was getting the better of Campbell. Again my prediction was coming to be portrayed as horribly wrong. Again a few more head clashes and Campbell complained to the referee about them. Bradleys’ round.
The 3rd round started off the same Bradley controlling the fight using the ring and boxing with flurries. About half way through the round Campbell went against the ropes and Bradley came along the rope towards him, as he did so he threw a flurry, in the middle of the flurry Bradleys head recklessly came flying towards Campbell and hit him above his right eye. Campbell ducked his head as he stepped back as Bradley threw a left and a right uppercut which seemed20to have hit Campbell’s gloves. As Campbell stepped out of Bradleys’ range he pointed to his eye to show the referee he had been cut by a clash of heads. As Campbell was protesting to the referee Bradley (rightly) unleashed a barrage of punches all over Campbell for a good 20 seconds. Campbell weathered the storm well but his eye was obviously bothering him. Bradleys hellacious attack rescinded for a moment as Campbell got out of the corner but that was only a momentary respite as Bradley unleashed another flurry of shots but again Campbell weathered them well for 30 odd seconds before getting close enough to hold and Bradley obliged to hold to get his wind back. After the referee broke them apart Bradley flurried for the remaining 10 or so seconds, then the bell rang.
As Campbell walked back to his corner he told his cornermen, ‘I can’t see!’. The corner sat him down but he persisted saying he couldn’t see. Soon the doctor was in the corner and again Campbell said ‘I Can’t see!’ The doctor then asked him if he wanted to continue and I couldn’t make out Campbell’s answer but a few seconds later the referee stated ‘If you can’t see, I will have to stop the fight.’ And he did exactly what he said he would by stopping the fight at that moment.
Watching it live I hadn’t noticed the head butt by Bradley that caused the cut so when the ref called it a TKO win ,on cuts, for Bradley I thought it was deserved as you should always give the benefit of the doubt that a punch caused a cut and not a head clash. However after seeing the replay I saw the sickening accidental clash and knew instantly this should be a No-Contest as per the rules.
The referee in the ring exclaimed to the Showtime presenter, ‘I saw the headbutt but I saw a punch after it and I’m going on what I saw last.’ Now I thought the referee could have ruled this as a TKO if he hadn’t seen the headbutt like myself but he had claimed to have seen the headbutt but still called it a clash of heads. This astounds me. This is why I propose there should be an extra official who has the benefit of ‘play back TV’ to view such instances and make the call himself instead of the referee, as incidents’ like this would be avoided.
Campbell was fuming at this decision and directly questioned the referee and was shouting abuse around the ring. This to me is not the behaviour I like to see in the ring, if Campbell had an issue he could have gone about it in a more appropriate way. However, saying that Campbell is a likeable guy and he said himself ‘I have never questioned decisions going against me before but this is about right and wrong.’ And he did have a point that he hadn’t complained about decisions before and maybe this was a moment of madness (but deserved) for him.
The Showtime presenter asked Bradley what he thought of it all. Bradley was quite diplomatic saying ‘he did feel a headbutt but he just did his job.’ And he ‘didn’t know’ if a headbutt caused the cut. The presenter then asked Campbell and Don King what they thought but the protested the stoppage and said it should have been a NC. After this Campbell claimed he still couldn’t see right and left to go to hospital. At this moment the Showtime presenter then enquired about a rematch. Don King was delighted at the idea but Bradleys camp was quite evasive of the question and responded, ‘If Showtime want to buy the fight and the money is right.’ Which they repeated several times. Bradley himself however conceded, ‘He didn’t care’ who he fought next and even alluded to a rematch with Campbell in Campbell’s hometown. This delighted Don King and led to a hilarious situation between Bradley’s trainer Joel Diaz and Don King.
Malignaggi robbed in Houston
Paulie Malignaggi has every right to feel hard done by in a fight I certainly felt he won along with Harold Lederman – the unofficial HBO fight scorer. I had it scored 115-113 to the Magic Man, who I felt fought the best he had ever fought. It was a close but clear decision. I don’t know what the judges were thinking. Gal Van Hoy even had it 118-110. In my opinion, Gal Van Hoy should never judge a fight again!
Round 1 started with Paulie coming out fast with a beautiful jab combined with elegant movement. He kept Diaz turning and never set while peppering him with fast jabs with the occasional flurry. Malignaggi through a staggering 85 jabs! Diaz however this was a quiet round for him as he couldn’t get set and when he did Paulie was gone. He landed one punch of note a long overhand right that cut Paulie over his left eye just 10 seconds from the end of the round. This was a Paulie round.
The next round started the same but Paulie started to stand in front of “The Baby Bull’ who just licked his lips and started ripping shots at
Malignaggi. Diaz had a lot of success but Malignaggi did show glimpses
of what he used in the first round and I was wondering why he wasn’t
moving but it didn’t do to much harm as Diaz picked up a cut which is
an ominous sign for Diaz who has never won a fight where he sustained a cut. Diaz landed a great left hook halfway through the round that knocked ‘The Magic Man’ off balance, he then followed itup with some good shots to seal the round. Diaz round. The referee against the rules conferred with the judges if a headbutt had caused the cut, luckily the judges seen no headbutt.
The 3rd was another great display from the flamboyant Paulie Malignaggi who started to introduce his right hand to target that cut on Diaz that was situated just on his left eyelid. Again Paulies footwork and angles kept Diaz guessing and not letting him get set up. Around the 2 minute mark of the round a stray elbow from Malignaggi cut ‘The Baby Bull’ this was a worse cut on the eyebrow of Juan. Paulie Malignaggi sweeped this round.
Round numero 4. Malignaggi again stood infront of the bull of the baby
variety and again lost the round. Diaz was landing more on the
seemingly non-mobile Malignaggi who later again showed glimpses of what he could do.
Rounds 5 and 6 were again boxing clinics of Malignaggi however they
were closer as Diaz started to step to his right and through his
punches. I think Malignaggi’s jab was the key to these rounds as it was keeping Diaz off balance and not letting him get set up to throw his shots.
Round 7 was back to Diaz who used cut off Malignaggi with that side
step to the right to counter Malignaggi’s clockwise movement. He landed several good right hands in this round but it wasn’t as dominant as any of Malignaggi’s rounds.
The 8th and 9th were dominant for Maliginaggi as he showed glimpses of the great Ralph Dupas in the way he made angles for himself then landed a flurry or a jab. I was very impressed by his skills and repertoire. Mixing up his combos and his jabs with his movement really confused Juan who just couldn’t set himself up for his shots.
The 10th was for Diaz who just managed to suss out the slick movement of the Italian-American. He managed to get set up and land some good body shots to take the round but Malignaggi was blocking and slipping a lot of punches but wasn’t using the same foot movement and angles that had served him so well.
The 11th was for me Malignaggi’s most impressive round. He showed the things that had won him the rounds so far and more. Diaz tried cutting him off by stepping to his right and Malignaggi calmly sailed past the oncoming right hand almost like Willie Pep. Smooth as his normally gelled and greased hair. He just gave to many questions to the college student Juan Diaz who couldn’t come up with the answers quick enough
and Malignaggi the school master punished him with a sharp jab and
quick as you like combinations.
Both guys knew they needed this last round and they both came out to take it in spectacular fashion. Malignaggi played into Diaz’s hands
abit as he was aggressive but still got his licks in but ultimately
Diaz pounded out the hard fought last round like he had pounded out so many other rounds through his career.
Then I thought fair enough Malignaggi has got it in an entertaining
fight. I enjoyed the fight it was the classic Boxer-vs-pressure-fighter. And lived up to its expectation but surprisingly Malignaggi threw just over 200 more punches than the supposedly higher volume puncher Diaz, although they were mainly jabs.
You already know the decision and my thoughts on it but it went to Diaz which I won’t keep going on and on about which is quite frankly a joke and is what is bad about boxing.
Malignaggi shared my sentiments and was upset at the decision saying
the ‘politics is what he has to deal with.’ And ‘an fighter that comes
to Texas doesn’t get a fair decision.’ However he praised Houston
saying it had a great fan base and they made a lot of noise. Malignaggi obviously upset stated ‘I used to love this game, its bullshit I just do it as it’s a good pay day.’ Now I think Malignaggi said this in
anger and regrets it as he obviously loves boxing but the constantly
bad decisions and politics in boxing are bull shit and drive away fans
and would be boxers. It needs to stop.
I want to do something about it so I recommend everyone who reads this email the Texas licensing board and complain about the judging. It
might not do nothing but at least we are trying and letting them know
us fans don’t appreciate it. I would also recommend you email Golden
Boy Promotions venting your disgust in the decision and hopefully they
will do something like a rematch. It will only take 5 minutes
Heres the addresses
boxing@license.state.tx.us
ramiro@goldenboypromotions.com
Take care.
Greg Paterson
Round 1 started with Paulie coming out fast with a beautiful jab combined with elegant movement. He kept Diaz turning and never set while peppering him with fast jabs with the occasional flurry. Malignaggi through a staggering 85 jabs! Diaz however this was a quiet round for him as he couldn’t get set and when he did Paulie was gone. He landed one punch of note a long overhand right that cut Paulie over his left eye just 10 seconds from the end of the round. This was a Paulie round.
The next round started the same but Paulie started to stand in front of “The Baby Bull’ who just licked his lips and started ripping shots at
Malignaggi. Diaz had a lot of success but Malignaggi did show glimpses
of what he used in the first round and I was wondering why he wasn’t
moving but it didn’t do to much harm as Diaz picked up a cut which is
an ominous sign for Diaz who has never won a fight where he sustained a cut. Diaz landed a great left hook halfway through the round that knocked ‘The Magic Man’ off balance, he then followed itup with some good shots to seal the round. Diaz round. The referee against the rules conferred with the judges if a headbutt had caused the cut, luckily the judges seen no headbutt.
The 3rd was another great display from the flamboyant Paulie Malignaggi who started to introduce his right hand to target that cut on Diaz that was situated just on his left eyelid. Again Paulies footwork and angles kept Diaz guessing and not letting him get set up. Around the 2 minute mark of the round a stray elbow from Malignaggi cut ‘The Baby Bull’ this was a worse cut on the eyebrow of Juan. Paulie Malignaggi sweeped this round.
Round numero 4. Malignaggi again stood infront of the bull of the baby
variety and again lost the round. Diaz was landing more on the
seemingly non-mobile Malignaggi who later again showed glimpses of what he could do.
Rounds 5 and 6 were again boxing clinics of Malignaggi however they
were closer as Diaz started to step to his right and through his
punches. I think Malignaggi’s jab was the key to these rounds as it was keeping Diaz off balance and not letting him get set up to throw his shots.
Round 7 was back to Diaz who used cut off Malignaggi with that side
step to the right to counter Malignaggi’s clockwise movement. He landed several good right hands in this round but it wasn’t as dominant as any of Malignaggi’s rounds.
The 8th and 9th were dominant for Maliginaggi as he showed glimpses of the great Ralph Dupas in the way he made angles for himself then landed a flurry or a jab. I was very impressed by his skills and repertoire. Mixing up his combos and his jabs with his movement really confused Juan who just couldn’t set himself up for his shots.
The 10th was for Diaz who just managed to suss out the slick movement of the Italian-American. He managed to get set up and land some good body shots to take the round but Malignaggi was blocking and slipping a lot of punches but wasn’t using the same foot movement and angles that had served him so well.
The 11th was for me Malignaggi’s most impressive round. He showed the things that had won him the rounds so far and more. Diaz tried cutting him off by stepping to his right and Malignaggi calmly sailed past the oncoming right hand almost like Willie Pep. Smooth as his normally gelled and greased hair. He just gave to many questions to the college student Juan Diaz who couldn’t come up with the answers quick enough
and Malignaggi the school master punished him with a sharp jab and
quick as you like combinations.
Both guys knew they needed this last round and they both came out to take it in spectacular fashion. Malignaggi played into Diaz’s hands
abit as he was aggressive but still got his licks in but ultimately
Diaz pounded out the hard fought last round like he had pounded out so many other rounds through his career.
Then I thought fair enough Malignaggi has got it in an entertaining
fight. I enjoyed the fight it was the classic Boxer-vs-pressure-fighter. And lived up to its expectation but surprisingly Malignaggi threw just over 200 more punches than the supposedly higher volume puncher Diaz, although they were mainly jabs.
You already know the decision and my thoughts on it but it went to Diaz which I won’t keep going on and on about which is quite frankly a joke and is what is bad about boxing.
Malignaggi shared my sentiments and was upset at the decision saying
the ‘politics is what he has to deal with.’ And ‘an fighter that comes
to Texas doesn’t get a fair decision.’ However he praised Houston
saying it had a great fan base and they made a lot of noise. Malignaggi obviously upset stated ‘I used to love this game, its bullshit I just do it as it’s a good pay day.’ Now I think Malignaggi said this in
anger and regrets it as he obviously loves boxing but the constantly
bad decisions and politics in boxing are bull shit and drive away fans
and would be boxers. It needs to stop.
I want to do something about it so I recommend everyone who reads this email the Texas licensing board and complain about the judging. It
might not do nothing but at least we are trying and letting them know
us fans don’t appreciate it. I would also recommend you email Golden
Boy Promotions venting your disgust in the decision and hopefully they
will do something like a rematch. It will only take 5 minutes
Heres the addresses
boxing@license.state.tx.us
ramiro@goldenboypromotions.com
Take care.
Greg Paterson
After The Clouds Have Settled....
The 175lb Division has a new all action Champion in the new IBF Champion Tarvoris Cloud after defeating the tough Englishman Clinton Woods by Unanimous Decision.
Cloud in only his 20th fight fought the tough veteran Clinton Woods who was taking part in his 49th fight. This was a good test for Cloud and a good measuring stick to gauge his ability and potential.
The fight was a good one the early rounds were tit for tat as Cloud had the better workrate but Woods was picking his shots well and landing clean accurate shots. This was the case for 6 rounds (I had it scored 37-37 at this point)In the 7th Cloud came on strong late in the round with a whirlwind attack and there was no looking back as for the next 5 rounds he kept a torrid pace and a ferocious attack. In the 8th he staggered Woods near the end of the round and pinned him against the ropes with a merciless barrage but couldn’t finish off the tough veteran. The 9th I scored 10-8 in favour of Cloud as he dominated the round with his fast combinations and Woods did virtually nothing. The rest of the rounds all went to Cloud due to workrate and some impressive power shots.
But what does this tell us about Cloud and his potential? It tells us a lot. He reminds me of Aaron Pryor with his whirlwind
attacks and hard combinations but he lacks the dynamic movement and boxing ability of ‘The Hawk’. He does however exert more pressure than Pryor as he stalks his opponent round the ring. It’s refreshing to see such a high energy fighter in the Light Heavyweight division.
Cloud is very hittable. He at times shows some good defensive and counter punching moves but on the whole is there to be hit because of his tremendous punch output. This makes him a very exciting fighter as he throws a lot but also will take a lot as he steps up his competition.
I can see Cloud doing well as he improves, as he is still young. He’s a very exciting fighter and will figure in some great fights. Imagine a fight with Glen Johnson and himself. I think the other rising star in the division can beat him though. That star being Chad Dawson. I feel he could take advantage of his defensive deficiencies but I have been proved wrong so many times.
Whatever happens I think American TV companies has found there new marketable, exciting young Champion.
Cloud in only his 20th fight fought the tough veteran Clinton Woods who was taking part in his 49th fight. This was a good test for Cloud and a good measuring stick to gauge his ability and potential.
The fight was a good one the early rounds were tit for tat as Cloud had the better workrate but Woods was picking his shots well and landing clean accurate shots. This was the case for 6 rounds (I had it scored 37-37 at this point)In the 7th Cloud came on strong late in the round with a whirlwind attack and there was no looking back as for the next 5 rounds he kept a torrid pace and a ferocious attack. In the 8th he staggered Woods near the end of the round and pinned him against the ropes with a merciless barrage but couldn’t finish off the tough veteran. The 9th I scored 10-8 in favour of Cloud as he dominated the round with his fast combinations and Woods did virtually nothing. The rest of the rounds all went to Cloud due to workrate and some impressive power shots.
But what does this tell us about Cloud and his potential? It tells us a lot. He reminds me of Aaron Pryor with his whirlwind
attacks and hard combinations but he lacks the dynamic movement and boxing ability of ‘The Hawk’. He does however exert more pressure than Pryor as he stalks his opponent round the ring. It’s refreshing to see such a high energy fighter in the Light Heavyweight division.
Cloud is very hittable. He at times shows some good defensive and counter punching moves but on the whole is there to be hit because of his tremendous punch output. This makes him a very exciting fighter as he throws a lot but also will take a lot as he steps up his competition.
I can see Cloud doing well as he improves, as he is still young. He’s a very exciting fighter and will figure in some great fights. Imagine a fight with Glen Johnson and himself. I think the other rising star in the division can beat him though. That star being Chad Dawson. I feel he could take advantage of his defensive deficiencies but I have been proved wrong so many times.
Whatever happens I think American TV companies has found there new marketable, exciting young Champion.
Mayweather vs Marquez Preview
Greg Paterson – Next Saturday, as I’m sure you are all aware come backing Pound For Pound King Floyd Mayweather Jr tackles the great Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in a battle for pound for pound supremacy.
This is for me the fight I have looked forward to most this year. Now I normally analyse the boxers in an in depth technical way but for some reason I just got a feeling on this fight.
Juan Manuel Marquez is the great Mexican technician, textbook skills nothing fancy but great at what he does. He’s up against it all in Floyd Mayweather who has everything on Marquez but one thing. The heart, the indomitable will to win, Marquez will try everything to win. Juan Manuel is a special fighter one that comes along every so often but when they do come along the results are spectacular. Marquez will produce something special on Saturday night he has that with in him. Roberto Duran has tipped Marquez to win. This fight, to me, will harkens back to the night Duran beat Leonard. Marquez has it within his fiery soul to do that. Marquez also I believe has a grudge factor on Mayweather he seems to have wanted him since the 2nd fight with Pacquiao and maybe his destiny is to beat Mayweather like Duran was meant to beat Leonard.
Mayweather is a marvel. So far the best boxer of the decade. His skills are simply phenomenal up there with the likes of Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and20Jose Napoles. A gifted counterpuncher with a knack for defence, entrusted by god with the gift of super quick hands which back a punch. Analysing the fight I see no way in which Floyd can lose this fight. Floyd is near unbeatable in fact so far he is unbeatable but he’s facing the guy who does not lose easy. Mayweather is going to be tested like no other fight before.
The stage is set for ultimately the crowning of the Pound for Pound king, whether it’s a renewal of vows or a new coronation, we will find out.
Right now I got my sentimental bull shit out of the way here’s how I see the fight going.
Mayweather wins the early rounds behind his fast hands and sharp defence. Marquez is often vulnerable early and takes a few rounds to figure out his opponent and adjust. Mayweather takes advantage here but his habit to not go for the kill early can cost him here. If he can get on Marquez early he can force a stoppage or a KO but I don’t see it happening.
Once Marquez has adjusted and realised he’s losing deep down in side of him a spirit is evoked he will fight out of his skin. Expect fast counter shots and lots of body work. A clever cunning fight much like Duran vs Leonard y being 2 steps ahead of Mayweather.
The late rounds are what separates them. We all know Marquez will come on strong here and its up to Mayweather to rise=2
0to it and show to the world that he can mix it, he can tough it out. But can he do it?
I’ll leave that for you to decide.
This is for me the fight I have looked forward to most this year. Now I normally analyse the boxers in an in depth technical way but for some reason I just got a feeling on this fight.
Juan Manuel Marquez is the great Mexican technician, textbook skills nothing fancy but great at what he does. He’s up against it all in Floyd Mayweather who has everything on Marquez but one thing. The heart, the indomitable will to win, Marquez will try everything to win. Juan Manuel is a special fighter one that comes along every so often but when they do come along the results are spectacular. Marquez will produce something special on Saturday night he has that with in him. Roberto Duran has tipped Marquez to win. This fight, to me, will harkens back to the night Duran beat Leonard. Marquez has it within his fiery soul to do that. Marquez also I believe has a grudge factor on Mayweather he seems to have wanted him since the 2nd fight with Pacquiao and maybe his destiny is to beat Mayweather like Duran was meant to beat Leonard.
Mayweather is a marvel. So far the best boxer of the decade. His skills are simply phenomenal up there with the likes of Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and20Jose Napoles. A gifted counterpuncher with a knack for defence, entrusted by god with the gift of super quick hands which back a punch. Analysing the fight I see no way in which Floyd can lose this fight. Floyd is near unbeatable in fact so far he is unbeatable but he’s facing the guy who does not lose easy. Mayweather is going to be tested like no other fight before.
The stage is set for ultimately the crowning of the Pound for Pound king, whether it’s a renewal of vows or a new coronation, we will find out.
Right now I got my sentimental bull shit out of the way here’s how I see the fight going.
Mayweather wins the early rounds behind his fast hands and sharp defence. Marquez is often vulnerable early and takes a few rounds to figure out his opponent and adjust. Mayweather takes advantage here but his habit to not go for the kill early can cost him here. If he can get on Marquez early he can force a stoppage or a KO but I don’t see it happening.
Once Marquez has adjusted and realised he’s losing deep down in side of him a spirit is evoked he will fight out of his skin. Expect fast counter shots and lots of body work. A clever cunning fight much like Duran vs Leonard y being 2 steps ahead of Mayweather.
The late rounds are what separates them. We all know Marquez will come on strong here and its up to Mayweather to rise=2
0to it and show to the world that he can mix it, he can tough it out. But can he do it?
I’ll leave that for you to decide.
Darren Sutherland - RIP
The world class prospect and Beijing 2008 Bronze Medallist Darren Sutherland, only aged 27, was found dead last night in his London flat. It appears to have been suicide.
Darren captured the hearts of the Irish people, and British people for that matter, with amazing displays of boxing in the Beijing Olympics before losing narrowly to the eventual Gold winner James DeGale, whom Sutherland had beaten before. He then turned pro and won 3 straight fights in spectacular fashion. Most people felt he was the outstanding fighter of the 2008 Olympic class with many claiming him to be a dead certainty for a World Title. He was definitely a top prospect but also a charming and charismatic man and a great ambassador for Boxing and a perfect role model for children. It’s a tragedy that this amazing human being, and boxer, has been taking away from this world, hopefully he is happy now.
I met Darren about 7 months ago in Gleason’s gym in London whilst I was down in London training myself. I had just walked into Gleason’s as the bell went to signal the end of sparring between Sutherland and a young Nigerian prospect Tony Salam. As soon as Sutherland came out of the ring his trainer instructed him on to the Heavy bags. He got straight on the bags and did 4 rounds. After which his trainer, Brian Lawrence, allowed him to speak to me and the guys I was with. Darren spoke like we had known him for years and was a happy, engaging person, I felt honoured being around him. We spoke about a lot of things and when it got to his future he was very humble and very grounded it made a huge impact on me, this was a guy tipped for world honours being so humble about it. It was how you imagine your heroes to talk to you. I can honestly say it was one of the best moments of my life.
Rest In Peace Darren.
My thoughts are with your family.
Darren captured the hearts of the Irish people, and British people for that matter, with amazing displays of boxing in the Beijing Olympics before losing narrowly to the eventual Gold winner James DeGale, whom Sutherland had beaten before. He then turned pro and won 3 straight fights in spectacular fashion. Most people felt he was the outstanding fighter of the 2008 Olympic class with many claiming him to be a dead certainty for a World Title. He was definitely a top prospect but also a charming and charismatic man and a great ambassador for Boxing and a perfect role model for children. It’s a tragedy that this amazing human being, and boxer, has been taking away from this world, hopefully he is happy now.
I met Darren about 7 months ago in Gleason’s gym in London whilst I was down in London training myself. I had just walked into Gleason’s as the bell went to signal the end of sparring between Sutherland and a young Nigerian prospect Tony Salam. As soon as Sutherland came out of the ring his trainer instructed him on to the Heavy bags. He got straight on the bags and did 4 rounds. After which his trainer, Brian Lawrence, allowed him to speak to me and the guys I was with. Darren spoke like we had known him for years and was a happy, engaging person, I felt honoured being around him. We spoke about a lot of things and when it got to his future he was very humble and very grounded it made a huge impact on me, this was a guy tipped for world honours being so humble about it. It was how you imagine your heroes to talk to you. I can honestly say it was one of the best moments of my life.
Rest In Peace Darren.
My thoughts are with your family.
Mayweather vs Marquez
By Greg Paterson - I wanted to start this article with a quote from a favourite Poet of mine Robbie Burns.
‘The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang oft a-gley.’
I better translate for those of you who won’t speak Scottish. It means no matter how hard we plan are plans often go awry.
This sums up Floyd Mayweather Jr’s career. He kept reminding us before last night that 39 men had come with game plans (to defeat him) but none had succeeded. Now it’s 40 men. Juan Manuel Marquez prepared meticulously for this fight with his trainer Ignacio Beristein. They had what they thought the perfect foil to beat Mayweather but they failed along with the other 39.
However, Marquez had it all against him by moving up two weight classes, fighting a faster counter puncher. Perhaps he couldn’t have won as we all know styles makes fights and in retrospect Mayweather has the perfect style to defeat Marquez. But I think it’s more than that.
The type of talent Mayweather has comes along very seldom, although we have had two such talents in recent years in Roy Jones Jr and Floyd Mayweather and some would say Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather has the talent of an all time great, he compares with Barney Ross, Alexis Arguello and Thomas Hearns. He is a sure fire all time great. I honestly don’t see a fighter who can challenge him in the near future. Some say20Shane Mosley but not me!
But let’s get back into the styles. Mayweather can adapt that’s what makes him so great. He’s normally a slick counter punching, defensive wizard but I have seen him turn Boxer-Puncher and even a Stalker. He is dynamic and perhaps that’s why 40 men have tried but 40 men have failed. You just can’t prepare for Mayweather. The only fighters I think who can beat Mayweather are the elite of the divisions he has fought in like Roberto Duran, Benny Leonard, Ray Robinson, Jose Napoles and a select few others.
So just remember that night on the 19th of September as the confirmation of a legend. He’s passed so far with flying colours.
P.S
I would just like to say a few words on Juan Manuel Marquez. What an honourable warrior he is. 12 rounds of being out-boxed (I gave him the 4th though) and he was still trying the whole way through to beat Mayweather. That’s another great fighter passing a test, Juan Manuel is another great fighter and he lived up to that last night.
‘The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang oft a-gley.’
I better translate for those of you who won’t speak Scottish. It means no matter how hard we plan are plans often go awry.
This sums up Floyd Mayweather Jr’s career. He kept reminding us before last night that 39 men had come with game plans (to defeat him) but none had succeeded. Now it’s 40 men. Juan Manuel Marquez prepared meticulously for this fight with his trainer Ignacio Beristein. They had what they thought the perfect foil to beat Mayweather but they failed along with the other 39.
However, Marquez had it all against him by moving up two weight classes, fighting a faster counter puncher. Perhaps he couldn’t have won as we all know styles makes fights and in retrospect Mayweather has the perfect style to defeat Marquez. But I think it’s more than that.
The type of talent Mayweather has comes along very seldom, although we have had two such talents in recent years in Roy Jones Jr and Floyd Mayweather and some would say Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather has the talent of an all time great, he compares with Barney Ross, Alexis Arguello and Thomas Hearns. He is a sure fire all time great. I honestly don’t see a fighter who can challenge him in the near future. Some say20Shane Mosley but not me!
But let’s get back into the styles. Mayweather can adapt that’s what makes him so great. He’s normally a slick counter punching, defensive wizard but I have seen him turn Boxer-Puncher and even a Stalker. He is dynamic and perhaps that’s why 40 men have tried but 40 men have failed. You just can’t prepare for Mayweather. The only fighters I think who can beat Mayweather are the elite of the divisions he has fought in like Roberto Duran, Benny Leonard, Ray Robinson, Jose Napoles and a select few others.
So just remember that night on the 19th of September as the confirmation of a legend. He’s passed so far with flying colours.
P.S
I would just like to say a few words on Juan Manuel Marquez. What an honourable warrior he is. 12 rounds of being out-boxed (I gave him the 4th though) and he was still trying the whole way through to beat Mayweather. That’s another great fighter passing a test, Juan Manuel is another great fighter and he lived up to that last night.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Joe Frazier (Old Article)
Today the 12th January 2009 is the 65th Birthday of one of my favourite boxers ever. I will just concentrate on his boxing career as this is a boxing blog. Joe for me summarised a swarming fighter using his bobbing and weaving to great effect to get close to an opponent then unleashing his great left hook to the body and the head.
Born Joseph William Frazier on the 12th January 1944 in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was born to two poor farmers. Joe worked the feilds with his parents. He was noticed as a promising Boxer by Yank Durham an ex-Middleweight from Philidelphia. With Durham and his assistant Willie Reddish, Frazier became an outstanding amatuer this culminating in him winning the Heavyweight Gold Medal in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
After winning the medal 'Smoking' Joe. as he was know called, quickly turned pro trained by Yank Durham and backed by Cloverlay a group of businessmen. Frazier then started a meteoric rise to the top. Winning his first 11 fight by KO.
He then ran into the tough contender Oscar Bonavena in only his 12th fight. Joe was winning the fight till walking on to a right hand from Bonavena that sent him crashing down heavily in the second. Joe was hurt but bravely got up but was put down again by more of a push than a punch but got up and survived the round. JUST. Joe then came back brilliantly slipping Oscar's jab and punishing him with a left hook to the body and head and eventually won the fight on a razor thin split desicion over ten rounds.
Joe wasnt matched easy on his rise to the top in his next fight he fought the tough challenger Eddie Machen whom he stopped on a TKO in round 10 in a fight he was dominating. Joe then fought another eight times before getting a shot at the NYASC 'World' title.
Joe fought the challenging fighter of Buster Mathis for the title stripped from Muhammed Ali for his refusal to fight in the Vietnam war. The fight was for the vacant NYASC 'World' title. Joe won the title with an 11th round TKO.
Joe fought Manuel Ramos in his first defence on 24th June 1968 of the NYASC 'World' title. Joe was truly 'Smoking' in this fight starting fast and dropping Ramos twice in the second before the referee Arthur Mercante stopped the fight.
Joe then made three more defences of his crown against Bonavena, Dave Zyglewicz and Jerry Quarry respectivly before unifying his title by beating Jimmy Ellis for the vacant WBA and WBC 'World' titles. Joe knocked out Ellis with a perfectly timed left hook to the chin in the fifth round.
Joe then defended his new Undisputed Title against Bob Foster KOing him in two rounds before fighting Muhammed Ali.
Alot is mentioned of the pre fight talk of Frazier-Ali but i will saty out of it and concentrate on the fight. The fight was made for third of August 1971. Frazier fought the fight of his life slipping Ali's jab and constantly pressuring Ali forcing him on to the end of his damaging left hooks. Frazier was winning the fight and in the last round decked Ali with a leaping left hook to the chin which was the pinnacle of the great fight. Ali got up but lost the fight via a unanimous desicion to Frazier.
After his fight with Ali, Frazier seemed to have lost his desire and heart to fight as if his goals had been achieved. However, this did not stop him making to more defences of his crown before facing George Foreman.
George Foreman won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1968. He was a menacing, hard punching slugger who had worked his way to a shot at the world crown by destroying everyone in front of him.
Frazier came out at Foreman and was almost instantly decked but got up and was decked agian. He was knockdown 3 times in both the first and second but got up from them all showing his heart but the referee stopped the fight after the sixth knockdown.
Frazier came back from the defeat with a 12 round unanimous desicion over the defensice fighter Joe Bugner. It was a relativly dull fight with the highlight of Frazier knocking down Bugner in the 10th.
After beating Bugner, Frazier had a rematch with Ali but this match did not live up to the first meeting as there was no title on the line and it wasnt as intense. Ali won a well deserved unanimous desicion.
After Ali, Frazier stopped two old foes in the form of Quarry and Ellis in the 5th and ninth rounds respectivly. Thus setting him up for a rubber match against Ali in Manilla.
The thrilla in Manilla was in my eyes the bes fight between Ali and Frazier. Frazier was considered a safe option for Ali as many believed Joe was passed it. However, Joe grasp this chance in both hands and trained like a demon whereas Ali had a lax training routine spending alot of time with his Girlfreind. The fight itself was exhilarating Ali won the first 5 rounds through his better boxing but then the fight changed. Ali decided to go on the ropes and let Frazier tire himself out on him. However, Joe was hiting Ali cleanly and was using his right hand alot more than he usually did what confused Ali. From the 6th round onward Joe's eye was swelling and in the 11th it completly shut and Ali took advantage of this and pummeled a game ever going forward Joe with Right hands. Until Joe's trainer Eddie Futch pulled Joe out of the fight at the start of the 15th round with Joe down on the cards by afew points. Joe's bravery in that figth was something else.
After Manilla, Joe got to fight Foreman again but was stopped in the fifth after being down twice in a one sided affair.
However, Foreman wasnt the end of Joe. Joe came back 5 years after his last figth and got a draw against the prospect Jumbo Cummings.
Joe was a brave warrior with heart to spare. He had a bobbing and weaving style that pressured opponents. He had a great left hook he used to the head or body to equal effect. He was also a great Heavyweigth champion and a true gentleman.
Born Joseph William Frazier on the 12th January 1944 in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was born to two poor farmers. Joe worked the feilds with his parents. He was noticed as a promising Boxer by Yank Durham an ex-Middleweight from Philidelphia. With Durham and his assistant Willie Reddish, Frazier became an outstanding amatuer this culminating in him winning the Heavyweight Gold Medal in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
After winning the medal 'Smoking' Joe. as he was know called, quickly turned pro trained by Yank Durham and backed by Cloverlay a group of businessmen. Frazier then started a meteoric rise to the top. Winning his first 11 fight by KO.
He then ran into the tough contender Oscar Bonavena in only his 12th fight. Joe was winning the fight till walking on to a right hand from Bonavena that sent him crashing down heavily in the second. Joe was hurt but bravely got up but was put down again by more of a push than a punch but got up and survived the round. JUST. Joe then came back brilliantly slipping Oscar's jab and punishing him with a left hook to the body and head and eventually won the fight on a razor thin split desicion over ten rounds.
Joe wasnt matched easy on his rise to the top in his next fight he fought the tough challenger Eddie Machen whom he stopped on a TKO in round 10 in a fight he was dominating. Joe then fought another eight times before getting a shot at the NYASC 'World' title.
Joe fought the challenging fighter of Buster Mathis for the title stripped from Muhammed Ali for his refusal to fight in the Vietnam war. The fight was for the vacant NYASC 'World' title. Joe won the title with an 11th round TKO.
Joe fought Manuel Ramos in his first defence on 24th June 1968 of the NYASC 'World' title. Joe was truly 'Smoking' in this fight starting fast and dropping Ramos twice in the second before the referee Arthur Mercante stopped the fight.
Joe then made three more defences of his crown against Bonavena, Dave Zyglewicz and Jerry Quarry respectivly before unifying his title by beating Jimmy Ellis for the vacant WBA and WBC 'World' titles. Joe knocked out Ellis with a perfectly timed left hook to the chin in the fifth round.
Joe then defended his new Undisputed Title against Bob Foster KOing him in two rounds before fighting Muhammed Ali.
Alot is mentioned of the pre fight talk of Frazier-Ali but i will saty out of it and concentrate on the fight. The fight was made for third of August 1971. Frazier fought the fight of his life slipping Ali's jab and constantly pressuring Ali forcing him on to the end of his damaging left hooks. Frazier was winning the fight and in the last round decked Ali with a leaping left hook to the chin which was the pinnacle of the great fight. Ali got up but lost the fight via a unanimous desicion to Frazier.
After his fight with Ali, Frazier seemed to have lost his desire and heart to fight as if his goals had been achieved. However, this did not stop him making to more defences of his crown before facing George Foreman.
George Foreman won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1968. He was a menacing, hard punching slugger who had worked his way to a shot at the world crown by destroying everyone in front of him.
Frazier came out at Foreman and was almost instantly decked but got up and was decked agian. He was knockdown 3 times in both the first and second but got up from them all showing his heart but the referee stopped the fight after the sixth knockdown.
Frazier came back from the defeat with a 12 round unanimous desicion over the defensice fighter Joe Bugner. It was a relativly dull fight with the highlight of Frazier knocking down Bugner in the 10th.
After beating Bugner, Frazier had a rematch with Ali but this match did not live up to the first meeting as there was no title on the line and it wasnt as intense. Ali won a well deserved unanimous desicion.
After Ali, Frazier stopped two old foes in the form of Quarry and Ellis in the 5th and ninth rounds respectivly. Thus setting him up for a rubber match against Ali in Manilla.
The thrilla in Manilla was in my eyes the bes fight between Ali and Frazier. Frazier was considered a safe option for Ali as many believed Joe was passed it. However, Joe grasp this chance in both hands and trained like a demon whereas Ali had a lax training routine spending alot of time with his Girlfreind. The fight itself was exhilarating Ali won the first 5 rounds through his better boxing but then the fight changed. Ali decided to go on the ropes and let Frazier tire himself out on him. However, Joe was hiting Ali cleanly and was using his right hand alot more than he usually did what confused Ali. From the 6th round onward Joe's eye was swelling and in the 11th it completly shut and Ali took advantage of this and pummeled a game ever going forward Joe with Right hands. Until Joe's trainer Eddie Futch pulled Joe out of the fight at the start of the 15th round with Joe down on the cards by afew points. Joe's bravery in that figth was something else.
After Manilla, Joe got to fight Foreman again but was stopped in the fifth after being down twice in a one sided affair.
However, Foreman wasnt the end of Joe. Joe came back 5 years after his last figth and got a draw against the prospect Jumbo Cummings.
Joe was a brave warrior with heart to spare. He had a bobbing and weaving style that pressured opponents. He had a great left hook he used to the head or body to equal effect. He was also a great Heavyweigth champion and a true gentleman.
Joe Frazier (Old Article)
Today the 12th January 2009 is the 65th Birthday of one of my favourite boxers ever. I will just concentrate on his boxing career as this is a boxing blog. Joe for me summarised a swarming fighter using his bobbing and weaving to great effect to get close to an opponent then unleashing his great left hook to the body and the head.
Born Joseph William Frazier on the 12th January 1944 in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was born to two poor farmers. Joe worked the feilds with his parents. He was noticed as a promising Boxer by Yank Durham an ex-Middleweight from Philidelphia. With Durham and his assistant Willie Reddish, Frazier became an outstanding amatuer this culminating in him winning the Heavyweight Gold Medal in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
After winning the medal 'Smoking' Joe. as he was know called, quickly turned pro trained by Yank Durham and backed by Cloverlay a group of businessmen. Frazier then started a meteoric rise to the top. Winning his first 11 fight by KO.
He then ran into the tough contender Oscar Bonavena in only his 12th fight. Joe was winning the fight till walking on to a right hand from Bonavena that sent him crashing down heavily in the second. Joe was hurt but bravely got up but was put down again by more of a push than a punch but got up and survived the round. JUST. Joe then came back brilliantly slipping Oscar's jab and punishing him with a left hook to the body and head and eventually won the fight on a razor thin split desicion over ten rounds.
Joe wasnt matched easy on his rise to the top in his next fight he fought the tough challenger Eddie Machen whom he stopped on a TKO in round 10 in a fight he was dominating. Joe then fought another eight times before getting a shot at the NYASC 'World' title.
Joe fought the challenging fighter of Buster Mathis for the title stripped from Muhammed Ali for his refusal to fight in the Vietnam war. The fight was for the vacant NYASC 'World' title. Joe won the title with an 11th round TKO.
Joe fought Manuel Ramos in his first defence on 24th June 1968 of the NYASC 'World' title. Joe was truly 'Smoking' in this fight starting fast and dropping Ramos twice in the second before the referee Arthur Mercante stopped the fight.
Joe then made three more defences of his crown against Bonavena, Dave Zyglewicz and Jerry Quarry respectivly before unifying his title by beating Jimmy Ellis for the vacant WBA and WBC 'World' titles. Joe knocked out Ellis with a perfectly timed left hook to the chin in the fifth round.
Joe then defended his new Undisputed Title against Bob Foster KOing him in two rounds before fighting Muhammed Ali.
Alot is mentioned of the pre fight talk of Frazier-Ali but i will saty out of it and concentrate on the fight. The fight was made for third of August 1971. Frazier fought the fight of his life slipping Ali's jab and constantly pressuring Ali forcing him on to the end of his damaging left hooks. Frazier was winning the fight and in the last round decked Ali with a leaping left hook to the chin which was the pinnacle of the great fight. Ali got up but lost the fight via a unanimous desicion to Frazier.
After his fight with Ali, Frazier seemed to have lost his desire and heart to fight as if his goals had been achieved. However, this did not stop him making to more defences of his crown before facing George Foreman.
George Foreman won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1968. He was a menacing, hard punching slugger who had worked his way to a shot at the world crown by destroying everyone in front of him.
Frazier came out at Foreman and was almost instantly decked but got up and was decked agian. He was knockdown 3 times in both the first and second but got up from them all showing his heart but the referee stopped the fight after the sixth knockdown.
Frazier came back from the defeat with a 12 round unanimous desicion over the defensice fighter Joe Bugner. It was a relativly dull fight with the highlight of Frazier knocking down Bugner in the 10th.
After beating Bugner, Frazier had a rematch with Ali but this match did not live up to the first meeting as there was no title on the line and it wasnt as intense. Ali won a well deserved unanimous desicion.
After Ali, Frazier stopped two old foes in the form of Quarry and Ellis in the 5th and ninth rounds respectivly. Thus setting him up for a rubber match against Ali in Manilla.
The thrilla in Manilla was in my eyes the bes fight between Ali and Frazier. Frazier was considered a safe option for Ali as many believed Joe was passed it. However, Joe grasp this chance in both hands and trained like a demon whereas Ali had a lax training routine spending alot of time with his Girlfreind. The fight itself was exhilarating Ali won the first 5 rounds through his better boxing but then the fight changed. Ali decided to go on the ropes and let Frazier tire himself out on him. However, Joe was hiting Ali cleanly and was using his right hand alot more than he usually did what confused Ali. From the 6th round onward Joe's eye was swelling and in the 11th it completly shut and Ali took advantage of this and pummeled a game ever going forward Joe with Right hands. Until Joe's trainer Eddie Futch pulled Joe out of the fight at the start of the 15th round with Joe down on the cards by afew points. Joe's bravery in that figth was something else.
After Manilla, Joe got to fight Foreman again but was stopped in the fifth after being down twice in a one sided affair.
However, Foreman wasnt the end of Joe. Joe came back 5 years after his last figth and got a draw against the prospect Jumbo Cummings.
Joe was a brave warrior with heart to spare. He had a bobbing and weaving style that pressured opponents. He had a great left hook he used to the head or body to equal effect. He was also a great Heavyweigth champion and a true gentleman.
Born Joseph William Frazier on the 12th January 1944 in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was born to two poor farmers. Joe worked the feilds with his parents. He was noticed as a promising Boxer by Yank Durham an ex-Middleweight from Philidelphia. With Durham and his assistant Willie Reddish, Frazier became an outstanding amatuer this culminating in him winning the Heavyweight Gold Medal in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
After winning the medal 'Smoking' Joe. as he was know called, quickly turned pro trained by Yank Durham and backed by Cloverlay a group of businessmen. Frazier then started a meteoric rise to the top. Winning his first 11 fight by KO.
He then ran into the tough contender Oscar Bonavena in only his 12th fight. Joe was winning the fight till walking on to a right hand from Bonavena that sent him crashing down heavily in the second. Joe was hurt but bravely got up but was put down again by more of a push than a punch but got up and survived the round. JUST. Joe then came back brilliantly slipping Oscar's jab and punishing him with a left hook to the body and head and eventually won the fight on a razor thin split desicion over ten rounds.
Joe wasnt matched easy on his rise to the top in his next fight he fought the tough challenger Eddie Machen whom he stopped on a TKO in round 10 in a fight he was dominating. Joe then fought another eight times before getting a shot at the NYASC 'World' title.
Joe fought the challenging fighter of Buster Mathis for the title stripped from Muhammed Ali for his refusal to fight in the Vietnam war. The fight was for the vacant NYASC 'World' title. Joe won the title with an 11th round TKO.
Joe fought Manuel Ramos in his first defence on 24th June 1968 of the NYASC 'World' title. Joe was truly 'Smoking' in this fight starting fast and dropping Ramos twice in the second before the referee Arthur Mercante stopped the fight.
Joe then made three more defences of his crown against Bonavena, Dave Zyglewicz and Jerry Quarry respectivly before unifying his title by beating Jimmy Ellis for the vacant WBA and WBC 'World' titles. Joe knocked out Ellis with a perfectly timed left hook to the chin in the fifth round.
Joe then defended his new Undisputed Title against Bob Foster KOing him in two rounds before fighting Muhammed Ali.
Alot is mentioned of the pre fight talk of Frazier-Ali but i will saty out of it and concentrate on the fight. The fight was made for third of August 1971. Frazier fought the fight of his life slipping Ali's jab and constantly pressuring Ali forcing him on to the end of his damaging left hooks. Frazier was winning the fight and in the last round decked Ali with a leaping left hook to the chin which was the pinnacle of the great fight. Ali got up but lost the fight via a unanimous desicion to Frazier.
After his fight with Ali, Frazier seemed to have lost his desire and heart to fight as if his goals had been achieved. However, this did not stop him making to more defences of his crown before facing George Foreman.
George Foreman won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1968. He was a menacing, hard punching slugger who had worked his way to a shot at the world crown by destroying everyone in front of him.
Frazier came out at Foreman and was almost instantly decked but got up and was decked agian. He was knockdown 3 times in both the first and second but got up from them all showing his heart but the referee stopped the fight after the sixth knockdown.
Frazier came back from the defeat with a 12 round unanimous desicion over the defensice fighter Joe Bugner. It was a relativly dull fight with the highlight of Frazier knocking down Bugner in the 10th.
After beating Bugner, Frazier had a rematch with Ali but this match did not live up to the first meeting as there was no title on the line and it wasnt as intense. Ali won a well deserved unanimous desicion.
After Ali, Frazier stopped two old foes in the form of Quarry and Ellis in the 5th and ninth rounds respectivly. Thus setting him up for a rubber match against Ali in Manilla.
The thrilla in Manilla was in my eyes the bes fight between Ali and Frazier. Frazier was considered a safe option for Ali as many believed Joe was passed it. However, Joe grasp this chance in both hands and trained like a demon whereas Ali had a lax training routine spending alot of time with his Girlfreind. The fight itself was exhilarating Ali won the first 5 rounds through his better boxing but then the fight changed. Ali decided to go on the ropes and let Frazier tire himself out on him. However, Joe was hiting Ali cleanly and was using his right hand alot more than he usually did what confused Ali. From the 6th round onward Joe's eye was swelling and in the 11th it completly shut and Ali took advantage of this and pummeled a game ever going forward Joe with Right hands. Until Joe's trainer Eddie Futch pulled Joe out of the fight at the start of the 15th round with Joe down on the cards by afew points. Joe's bravery in that figth was something else.
After Manilla, Joe got to fight Foreman again but was stopped in the fifth after being down twice in a one sided affair.
However, Foreman wasnt the end of Joe. Joe came back 5 years after his last figth and got a draw against the prospect Jumbo Cummings.
Joe was a brave warrior with heart to spare. He had a bobbing and weaving style that pressured opponents. He had a great left hook he used to the head or body to equal effect. He was also a great Heavyweigth champion and a true gentleman.
Old Article from me Murray vs McAllister
On ITV4 this saturday there is an intriuging match up between the British Lightweight Champion John Murray (25-0 13KO's) and the former '2 weight' WBU 'World' Champion Lee Mcallister (27-1 5KO's).
This match is a compelling one for many reasons. A English vs Scottish, Puncher vs Boxer, Champion vs Contender, Conventional style vs awkward style. But when it comes down to it, its John vs Lee for the British Lightweight Title.
John was voted British Writers Prospect of the Year in 2007 but has failed to capitalise on the coveted award with 2 lacklustre performances against Miguel Angel Munguia and the tricky journeyman Youssef Al Hamidi. However in his last fight he looked spectacular destroying Lee Meager who was still a good fighter albeit a bit shopworn.
Lee has had a good last year and a half stopping tricky veteran Craig Docherty in the 9th for the WBU Lightweight title. After that he moved to Light-Welter and won the WBU Light Welterweight strap by beating the unknown African Mihaita Mutu. And, in his last fight, a warm up boat for Murray, he defeated an unknown European journeyman Arek Malek.
So the fighters are both coming off wins going inot this fight. Now heres my anaylisis of the fight.
I think Murray dosent cope with movement vey well as Al-Hamidi showed before he ran out of energy and i think Mcallister will be able to capitalise on this as he is a good mover. Murray also dosent move his head alot and boxes in straight lines and Lee again can capitalise this using his accuracy and laterral movement. But dont get me wrong Murray has a chance to win this as Lee can be put down as he is off balance when he changes stance and Murray can capitalise on this.
My fight plan for Mcallister would be to work behind a jab, stay away from Murrays right hand, use plenty of movement and angles, keep the fight at a distance, work the body consiatantly, have a high workrate and dont get involved in a fight.
My fight plan for Joe is hands nice and high putting Lee under lots of pressure, working the body constantly not letting him rest or get a distance, catch him as he steps back as he is off balance and move the head to get close.
However there are afew key questions in the fight and whichever fighter answers these questions better will win.
Can Lee cope with Johns pressure and strength?
Does Lee have enough power to keep John off of him?
As you can probably guess I am rooting for Lee but Iwish them both well on Saturday and hope the best man wins.
Cant wait till Saturday!
This match is a compelling one for many reasons. A English vs Scottish, Puncher vs Boxer, Champion vs Contender, Conventional style vs awkward style. But when it comes down to it, its John vs Lee for the British Lightweight Title.
John was voted British Writers Prospect of the Year in 2007 but has failed to capitalise on the coveted award with 2 lacklustre performances against Miguel Angel Munguia and the tricky journeyman Youssef Al Hamidi. However in his last fight he looked spectacular destroying Lee Meager who was still a good fighter albeit a bit shopworn.
Lee has had a good last year and a half stopping tricky veteran Craig Docherty in the 9th for the WBU Lightweight title. After that he moved to Light-Welter and won the WBU Light Welterweight strap by beating the unknown African Mihaita Mutu. And, in his last fight, a warm up boat for Murray, he defeated an unknown European journeyman Arek Malek.
So the fighters are both coming off wins going inot this fight. Now heres my anaylisis of the fight.
I think Murray dosent cope with movement vey well as Al-Hamidi showed before he ran out of energy and i think Mcallister will be able to capitalise on this as he is a good mover. Murray also dosent move his head alot and boxes in straight lines and Lee again can capitalise this using his accuracy and laterral movement. But dont get me wrong Murray has a chance to win this as Lee can be put down as he is off balance when he changes stance and Murray can capitalise on this.
My fight plan for Mcallister would be to work behind a jab, stay away from Murrays right hand, use plenty of movement and angles, keep the fight at a distance, work the body consiatantly, have a high workrate and dont get involved in a fight.
My fight plan for Joe is hands nice and high putting Lee under lots of pressure, working the body constantly not letting him rest or get a distance, catch him as he steps back as he is off balance and move the head to get close.
However there are afew key questions in the fight and whichever fighter answers these questions better will win.
Can Lee cope with Johns pressure and strength?
Does Lee have enough power to keep John off of him?
As you can probably guess I am rooting for Lee but Iwish them both well on Saturday and hope the best man wins.
Cant wait till Saturday!
Rudkin vs McGowan II – Brutal, British Battle
On the 6th of September 1966, two fighters embraced as the bell rang and waited anxiously for the referee to make a decision on who had won.
In one corner was the slick Scottish Flyweight Walter McGowan who was WBC World Flyweight Champion. The other was the reigning British and Empire Bantamweight champion and he was named Alan Rudkin.
The decision was given. McGowan had won a controversial decision, most believing Rudkin had taken it, although respected veteran broadcaster Harry Carpenter believed McGowan had done enough but just. There were calls for a rematch that seemed inevitable. However, Rudkin felt hard done by feeling he won the fight and had been stolen of his titles.
22 months later the fighters re-entered the ring in the long awaited rematch. It was a natural to sell; the first fight was an epic and close fight and ended with a disputed decision. And here it was.
McGowan had lost his Flyweight title to the great Chatchai Chinoi in a war but eventually his eye gave out and he lost on cuts. In the rematch he was ahead on the cards before his left eye fell to pieces and again he lost on cuts. He took 8 months out before signing to fight Rudkin again.
Rudkin on the other hand was quite successful in the interim with 6 wins including 2 stoppages. However he had lost on points in a fight for the European Bantamweight crown but still longed for his British and Empire titles. After the defeat by Mimoun Ben Ali (for the European title) he rebounded with a brilliant second round KO over the touted American Ronnie Jones, landing a perfect right hand to lay Jones out.
The action got under way.
The early rounds were close with McGowan the pure boxer he was landing fast jabs but Rudkin fought back well with the harder shots and edged these early rounds. Both fighters produced beautiful boxing of the highest quality.
As the fight wore onto the middle rounds Rudkin hid fine form in the eight he turned up his pressure and McGowan started to struggle as Alan forced himself forward with hard straight punches to the head and brutal body shots. He continued this in the 9th causing TV commentator, Harry Carpenter, to a liken him to a ‘Bulldog’. A few seconds later Alan seemed to floor Walter with a wicked right hand but the legendary referee Harry Gibbs ruled it a slip, which was highly plausible as the ring was very slippy. But, Alan turned it on believing Walter to be hurt and really bullied the Scotsman for the rest of the round. In the 10th Rudkin kept the pressure and looked to be in complete control with the average card being 8-2 to the scouser and Rudkin was keeping a ferocious pace.
Walter sat down on his stool after the 10th his right eye was shut and in the last round Rudkin had opened a cut over his left cheek bone. Looking at him you wouldn’t have expected what was about to happen.
The bell for the 11th rang. McGowan sensing the need for a big push in the late rounds got up on his toes and started to land beautiful combinations and fast jabs on the advancing Rudkin. No-one could believe it Walter looked to be fading in the last few rounds but had started this amazing comeback but could he keep it up.
As Walter came out for the 12th round he walked onto a brilliantly placed shot by Rudkin that seemed to shake the Scotsman. Watching it I had the feeling this could be the end for the Scotsman as he tied up Rudkin to avoid his follow up attacks. As they broke Walter got up on his toes and proceeded to box as he had done in the last round but this round he was landing with authority and landed a precise right uppercut onto the onrushing Alan’s chin, forcing Alan back. This brilliant comeback continued in the 13th as Walter boxed brilliantly but Alan was always forcing the pace. Now the solid lead for Rudkin had evaporated and now the fight was in the balance but all Rudkin needed to do was win 1 of the last 2 rounds to secure victory.
The 14th round commenced and Alan tore straight into McGowan with punishing body shots. The tide started to turn as Rudkin found the target more and more with hard accurate shots. Commentator, again Harry Carpenter, commented Rudkin had ‘Savage Intensity’ which summed it up brilliantly, Alan wasn’t going to be denied of his titles that he believed rightfully belonged to him. Alan’s ‘Savage Intensity’ caused a horrific cut over the cut-prone McGowan’s left eye.
‘Second’s Out, 15th and Final round’ Shouted the timekeeper.
Both men rose from their stools Rudkin cut over his left eye and McGowan with both eyes shut and cuts above and below his left eye. You knew these guys had been in a fight. They got to centre ring and touched gloves and proceeded to tear into each other like hungry dogs. Rudkin landed furiously to the body making sickening BOOM’s every time they landed. Walter threw fast flurries to the body back in an attempt to keep Alan off of him but he couldn’t as they both kept trading. McGowan had to give ground and he did as Alan stalked him landing bloodying combinations as McGowan leaped in with fast flurries in a brilliant last round.
As the bell sounded both men embraced tightly and Walter planted a kiss, instead of a hook, on the cheek of Rudkin, which summed up the love and respect each guy had for each other. In a fight of such savagery they could embrace like this was a testament to their sportsmanship.
Harry Gibbs walked over to Rudkin and raised his hand; he had scored it to Rudkin by a round or half a point – the closest it could be!
Rudkin was delighted he had redeemed himself and won back his treasured titles. The look on Rudkin’s face showed it all he was full of relief and joy for winning as he was raised onto someone’s shoulders and paraded around the ring as the crowd cheered for his and McGowan’s amazing performance. Oddly there was some booing but this writer believes it to be of fans disagreement with the decision but the booing was minimal.
Thus concluded the greatest most savage yet superbly skilled fight to take place in the British ring. Many would say that one of the Kevin Finnegan vs Alan Minter trilogy, or Jamie Moore vs Mathew Macklin. But for me this honour belongs too the incredible fight between two of the almost forgotten greats of the British ring in Alan Rudkin and Walter McGowan.
In one corner was the slick Scottish Flyweight Walter McGowan who was WBC World Flyweight Champion. The other was the reigning British and Empire Bantamweight champion and he was named Alan Rudkin.
The decision was given. McGowan had won a controversial decision, most believing Rudkin had taken it, although respected veteran broadcaster Harry Carpenter believed McGowan had done enough but just. There were calls for a rematch that seemed inevitable. However, Rudkin felt hard done by feeling he won the fight and had been stolen of his titles.
22 months later the fighters re-entered the ring in the long awaited rematch. It was a natural to sell; the first fight was an epic and close fight and ended with a disputed decision. And here it was.
McGowan had lost his Flyweight title to the great Chatchai Chinoi in a war but eventually his eye gave out and he lost on cuts. In the rematch he was ahead on the cards before his left eye fell to pieces and again he lost on cuts. He took 8 months out before signing to fight Rudkin again.
Rudkin on the other hand was quite successful in the interim with 6 wins including 2 stoppages. However he had lost on points in a fight for the European Bantamweight crown but still longed for his British and Empire titles. After the defeat by Mimoun Ben Ali (for the European title) he rebounded with a brilliant second round KO over the touted American Ronnie Jones, landing a perfect right hand to lay Jones out.
The action got under way.
The early rounds were close with McGowan the pure boxer he was landing fast jabs but Rudkin fought back well with the harder shots and edged these early rounds. Both fighters produced beautiful boxing of the highest quality.
As the fight wore onto the middle rounds Rudkin hid fine form in the eight he turned up his pressure and McGowan started to struggle as Alan forced himself forward with hard straight punches to the head and brutal body shots. He continued this in the 9th causing TV commentator, Harry Carpenter, to a liken him to a ‘Bulldog’. A few seconds later Alan seemed to floor Walter with a wicked right hand but the legendary referee Harry Gibbs ruled it a slip, which was highly plausible as the ring was very slippy. But, Alan turned it on believing Walter to be hurt and really bullied the Scotsman for the rest of the round. In the 10th Rudkin kept the pressure and looked to be in complete control with the average card being 8-2 to the scouser and Rudkin was keeping a ferocious pace.
Walter sat down on his stool after the 10th his right eye was shut and in the last round Rudkin had opened a cut over his left cheek bone. Looking at him you wouldn’t have expected what was about to happen.
The bell for the 11th rang. McGowan sensing the need for a big push in the late rounds got up on his toes and started to land beautiful combinations and fast jabs on the advancing Rudkin. No-one could believe it Walter looked to be fading in the last few rounds but had started this amazing comeback but could he keep it up.
As Walter came out for the 12th round he walked onto a brilliantly placed shot by Rudkin that seemed to shake the Scotsman. Watching it I had the feeling this could be the end for the Scotsman as he tied up Rudkin to avoid his follow up attacks. As they broke Walter got up on his toes and proceeded to box as he had done in the last round but this round he was landing with authority and landed a precise right uppercut onto the onrushing Alan’s chin, forcing Alan back. This brilliant comeback continued in the 13th as Walter boxed brilliantly but Alan was always forcing the pace. Now the solid lead for Rudkin had evaporated and now the fight was in the balance but all Rudkin needed to do was win 1 of the last 2 rounds to secure victory.
The 14th round commenced and Alan tore straight into McGowan with punishing body shots. The tide started to turn as Rudkin found the target more and more with hard accurate shots. Commentator, again Harry Carpenter, commented Rudkin had ‘Savage Intensity’ which summed it up brilliantly, Alan wasn’t going to be denied of his titles that he believed rightfully belonged to him. Alan’s ‘Savage Intensity’ caused a horrific cut over the cut-prone McGowan’s left eye.
‘Second’s Out, 15th and Final round’ Shouted the timekeeper.
Both men rose from their stools Rudkin cut over his left eye and McGowan with both eyes shut and cuts above and below his left eye. You knew these guys had been in a fight. They got to centre ring and touched gloves and proceeded to tear into each other like hungry dogs. Rudkin landed furiously to the body making sickening BOOM’s every time they landed. Walter threw fast flurries to the body back in an attempt to keep Alan off of him but he couldn’t as they both kept trading. McGowan had to give ground and he did as Alan stalked him landing bloodying combinations as McGowan leaped in with fast flurries in a brilliant last round.
As the bell sounded both men embraced tightly and Walter planted a kiss, instead of a hook, on the cheek of Rudkin, which summed up the love and respect each guy had for each other. In a fight of such savagery they could embrace like this was a testament to their sportsmanship.
Harry Gibbs walked over to Rudkin and raised his hand; he had scored it to Rudkin by a round or half a point – the closest it could be!
Rudkin was delighted he had redeemed himself and won back his treasured titles. The look on Rudkin’s face showed it all he was full of relief and joy for winning as he was raised onto someone’s shoulders and paraded around the ring as the crowd cheered for his and McGowan’s amazing performance. Oddly there was some booing but this writer believes it to be of fans disagreement with the decision but the booing was minimal.
Thus concluded the greatest most savage yet superbly skilled fight to take place in the British ring. Many would say that one of the Kevin Finnegan vs Alan Minter trilogy, or Jamie Moore vs Mathew Macklin. But for me this honour belongs too the incredible fight between two of the almost forgotten greats of the British ring in Alan Rudkin and Walter McGowan.
Nicolay Valuev vs David Haye Preview
July 4.--Jack Dempsey won the heavyweight championship of the world this afternoon in an affair which was not a battle, but a slaughter. Never in the history of the American Ring has a Heavyweight Champion offered such a spectacle in defense of his title as that of Willard. From sixty seconds after the fight began Dempsey punched Willard virtually at will.’
New York Times – July 5 1919
You may wonder why I am starting an article on the upcoming Nicolay Valuev vs David Haye bout with the Newspaper report of the famous Jack Dempsey vs Jess Willard bout.
Firstly you need to understand the background to the Dempsey-Willard clash. Jess Willard became biggest Heavyweight champion of the world ever when he stopped the great Jack Johnson in the 26th round of a scheduled 45 round fight. Jess beat the great Johnson with a mixture of strength, toughness and determination.
Now Jess wasn’t the best Heavyweight champion but at the time many people believed he was the best of the current crop of Heavyweights. He was huge for the day standing at no less that 6’ 6 1/2. His physical strength was marveled at by boxing fans and he was loved and adored by fans for the determination he showed when de-crowning the hated and loathed Jack Johnson of the Heavyweight Championship of the World. Willard’s success was mainly due to his size. He used his considerable height and reach advantages to keep opponents at range with a long, but slow, jab. When an opponent did get inside the jab he would tie them up and tire them out using his great strength. He also traded on his toughness being able to take a solid whack and having the stamina to outlast his opponent. But he wasn’t particularly technically skilled or he did not pack a big punch but he was efficient.
Dempsey was still a big man for the day at 6’1 and 187 ½ lbs. However he fought as a littler man in a bob and weaving, crouching style. He had dynamite in either fist with both fists being lighting quick. He had the mentality of a killer in the ring. He was looking to bomb you out! With his great technical skills and his flash speed and devastating power he was the ultimate offensive machine in the Heavyweight division.
When Willard fought Dempsey he wasn’t in the best of shape having just less than a 3 year lay off. He did however still have these gifts he always had. But he did regard Dempsey as easy prey. But you know the story of the fight so no bother telling you guys any more.
Now what has this got to do with David Haye fighting Nicolay Valuev?
David Haye is the former Cruiserweight Champion of the world. He has recently moved up to Heavyweight where he demonstrated his strengths when beating the Gatekeeper Monte Barret in 5 power-packed rounds. He also revealed what many think are his weaknesses, a questionable chin and a lack of stamina. The strengths David revealed where like Dempsey although not as great. He showed good head movement to get inside. He showed quick handed combinations and power shots. He showed brutal power in either hand. But most importantly he displayed the mentality of Dempsey the kill or be killed savagery of knocking your opponent out as quick as you can.
Now Valuev in his last fight looked fairly lackluster in his last fight with Evander Holyfield. Letting the Ancient Holyfield circle him and land flurries while Valuev displayed his long, slow jab. Valuev like Willard uses his size but being 7’2 he is quite a bit bigger. Valuev is strong and tough (never being down in his whole career). He isn’t the best technician or the hardest puncher but he is effective and hits strong – but he lacks that snap you see in the huge punchers.
You might have by now noticed my Dempsey-Willard comparisons to this fight. I can see the fight being like that unforgettable night in 1919. I think Haye has the tools to bomb Valuev out early by getting under the long blows of Valuev and coming up with hard bombs and combinations to the chin of the Russian Giant. People will highlight Valuev’s brilliant chin but people thought Willard had a rock hard chin when he fought Dempsey. But this time I think the littler man will stop the fight in the 1st round. However, I don’t think Haye will risk trying this very very dangerous strategy.
I think Haye will play it more cautious taking counter punching chances as they come his way to land the big bombs on Valuev early. Around the 3rd or 4th Haye will realize Valuev is there to be hit and start looking for the KO with those trademark big haymakers. Now I do think Valuev has a good chin but there are only so many solid shots a man can take and I expect him to fall by the 9th. Reminiscent of Mosley’s masterful destruction over the ‘invincible’ Antonio Margarito. Some may say that Valuev’s punches will deter Haye but I don’t believe Valuev carries the snap in his shots to cause damage as he lacks the speed and precision and he doesn’t counterpunch well.
Whichever way this fight turns out expect a great fight and a Haye victory. And we will see a new owner of one of the myriad of titles that is ‘Heavyweight Championship of the World.’ Jus this Heavyweight Championship that’s being contested on Saturday is not as important or as valued as the one Jack Dempsey brutally ripped from the Pottawatomie Giant.
New York Times – July 5 1919
You may wonder why I am starting an article on the upcoming Nicolay Valuev vs David Haye bout with the Newspaper report of the famous Jack Dempsey vs Jess Willard bout.
Firstly you need to understand the background to the Dempsey-Willard clash. Jess Willard became biggest Heavyweight champion of the world ever when he stopped the great Jack Johnson in the 26th round of a scheduled 45 round fight. Jess beat the great Johnson with a mixture of strength, toughness and determination.
Now Jess wasn’t the best Heavyweight champion but at the time many people believed he was the best of the current crop of Heavyweights. He was huge for the day standing at no less that 6’ 6 1/2. His physical strength was marveled at by boxing fans and he was loved and adored by fans for the determination he showed when de-crowning the hated and loathed Jack Johnson of the Heavyweight Championship of the World. Willard’s success was mainly due to his size. He used his considerable height and reach advantages to keep opponents at range with a long, but slow, jab. When an opponent did get inside the jab he would tie them up and tire them out using his great strength. He also traded on his toughness being able to take a solid whack and having the stamina to outlast his opponent. But he wasn’t particularly technically skilled or he did not pack a big punch but he was efficient.
Dempsey was still a big man for the day at 6’1 and 187 ½ lbs. However he fought as a littler man in a bob and weaving, crouching style. He had dynamite in either fist with both fists being lighting quick. He had the mentality of a killer in the ring. He was looking to bomb you out! With his great technical skills and his flash speed and devastating power he was the ultimate offensive machine in the Heavyweight division.
When Willard fought Dempsey he wasn’t in the best of shape having just less than a 3 year lay off. He did however still have these gifts he always had. But he did regard Dempsey as easy prey. But you know the story of the fight so no bother telling you guys any more.
Now what has this got to do with David Haye fighting Nicolay Valuev?
David Haye is the former Cruiserweight Champion of the world. He has recently moved up to Heavyweight where he demonstrated his strengths when beating the Gatekeeper Monte Barret in 5 power-packed rounds. He also revealed what many think are his weaknesses, a questionable chin and a lack of stamina. The strengths David revealed where like Dempsey although not as great. He showed good head movement to get inside. He showed quick handed combinations and power shots. He showed brutal power in either hand. But most importantly he displayed the mentality of Dempsey the kill or be killed savagery of knocking your opponent out as quick as you can.
Now Valuev in his last fight looked fairly lackluster in his last fight with Evander Holyfield. Letting the Ancient Holyfield circle him and land flurries while Valuev displayed his long, slow jab. Valuev like Willard uses his size but being 7’2 he is quite a bit bigger. Valuev is strong and tough (never being down in his whole career). He isn’t the best technician or the hardest puncher but he is effective and hits strong – but he lacks that snap you see in the huge punchers.
You might have by now noticed my Dempsey-Willard comparisons to this fight. I can see the fight being like that unforgettable night in 1919. I think Haye has the tools to bomb Valuev out early by getting under the long blows of Valuev and coming up with hard bombs and combinations to the chin of the Russian Giant. People will highlight Valuev’s brilliant chin but people thought Willard had a rock hard chin when he fought Dempsey. But this time I think the littler man will stop the fight in the 1st round. However, I don’t think Haye will risk trying this very very dangerous strategy.
I think Haye will play it more cautious taking counter punching chances as they come his way to land the big bombs on Valuev early. Around the 3rd or 4th Haye will realize Valuev is there to be hit and start looking for the KO with those trademark big haymakers. Now I do think Valuev has a good chin but there are only so many solid shots a man can take and I expect him to fall by the 9th. Reminiscent of Mosley’s masterful destruction over the ‘invincible’ Antonio Margarito. Some may say that Valuev’s punches will deter Haye but I don’t believe Valuev carries the snap in his shots to cause damage as he lacks the speed and precision and he doesn’t counterpunch well.
Whichever way this fight turns out expect a great fight and a Haye victory. And we will see a new owner of one of the myriad of titles that is ‘Heavyweight Championship of the World.’ Jus this Heavyweight Championship that’s being contested on Saturday is not as important or as valued as the one Jack Dempsey brutally ripped from the Pottawatomie Giant.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)