Alph

DeGale won his IBF title back. 

Every DeGale fight is a long war now. Think he should probably bow out. Go for a big money maker maybe and then retire. 

12 hours ago, curtains said:

Canelo fight on May 5th off 

 

 

 

 

Tarnishing his legacy. Dodgy points draw, drugs failure and now he'll have a couple of comeback fights before going in with a older GGG

1 hour ago, McLovin said:

Wlad’s reach is an inch less than Joshua’s.

Fury’s reach gave him an advantage against Wladimir when they fought in Germany and he landed shots that a normal heavyweight wouldn’t be able land, purely because of the length of his arm, which helped him to accumulate points. His arms are like tree trunks.

Wlad's arm length might be less than AJ but he has a wide stance and a loose dipped shoulder. Wlad uses his jab and front hand to manipulate. He puts his lead foot under your feet. To hit him you have to pass both his jab and foot meaning you're over reaching. Off balance he then nails you with the right hand.

His reach, his invasion of your space is massive. This is why he is the only fighter to be in charge of the center of the ring v AJ. He was the predator in that fight.

Fury has his fights half won in the build up. Look at the long game he's playing with AJ. Fury rates Joshua. He mocks Joshua's boxing skills but AJ is actually quite a complete fighter. He's been a brilliant amateur and Olympian. But Fury wants to fight an angry Joshua. A Joshua looking to knock Fury out. And it's working because Joshua bites now whenever Fury is mentioned. 

Like Wlad. Wlad takes boxing very serious. So Fury made it a joke. Dressing up as Batman and other daft behaviour. It's not because Fury is a clown. He knew exactly what he was doing.

He did it with Haye. 

He takes people out their comfort zone. Then when he gets in the ring at 6ft 9in he's fast, switches stance, rolls along the ropes out of reach, has a stiff jab. As you say he's a huge bloke and the jab from range is heavy. 

He fights like the underdog. Always got an exit strategy. 

Thing about Fury is when he is actually serious in interviews (very rare and never for the full interview) he's a keen student. Top bloke. 

You can't really study Fury's style. He mixes everything up and plays off the opponent. You can't stop the jab. 

The heavyweight division is in great shape imo. 

1 hour ago, McLovin said:

Fury’s reach is 3 inches more than Joshua’s. Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t Joshua has fought against someone with a longer reach than himself?

I don't know what Wlad's arm length is but he's got a longer reach than AJ due to his stance. Wide stance and his front hand he uses to hide his shots

I love Fury. I think him and Joshua would be a dull fight for any casual expecting fireworks.

It'd be a tactical jab competition.

But I do feel Joshua has had the tougher fights and the way people talk you'd think it's Fury. 

Fury has become defined by 1 fight. It's like Cunningham never dropped him!! 

As for Wilder... out classed by Szpilka, Washington and Ortiz had him in all kinds of trouble. Molina rocked him. He fought Gavern in what number fight? And Joshua fought him? 

These are all elite. But it's easy to forget they've all been in the **** at some point.

21 fights, 4 belts, Molina, Wlad, Parker all beaten. Joshua should not have to defend his record to anyone. 

Find it an interesting fight. Thought Parker had all the skills to avoid getting hit with the right hand but had very little to win with

At the start he looked confused that his jab was being dismissed like an annoying fly. 

Joshua seems to struggle in those middle rounds and Parker came back briefly but Joshua recovered well for the late rounds. 

Parker negated the counter right and uppercut by constantly dipping to his right. Joshua had joy with the left hook but barely used it!!! 

Don't see the major problem with the ref. A bit picky but I don't think he denied us anything. 

I had it 9-3. 

Can not for the life of me see how Parker could be given 6 rounds for even the draw. He didn't complain and accepted the defeat.

Can't see any criticism with Joshua. He was up against a guy who ducked and dived. He should have left hooked more but it was an easy points win. 

I guess when you get to this level of great people want to tear you down rather than celebrate an elite fighter and Brit Champion. 

He got the job done. Britain adds another belt. Fook Vegas!! 

18 minutes ago, CWC1983 said:

Talksport commentary for me. John Rawlings and Glen McGrory. 

Something special about boxing on the radio, I remember Bruno v Wetherspoon, Froch v Kessler mk2, Calzaghe v Kessler, Haye v Marmeck etc. Im too tight to pay box office......

All on YouTube in the morning anyway

Well that wasn't nice viewing. 

Gutted for Price. He had his chance though! Up against an elite fighter he comes out for the next round dazed... is it not worth the risk to fire away?

I mean Price only has 6 rounds before he tires anyway! 

Gutted

8 minutes ago, Norman said:

Come on then @CWC1983, @Alpha, @coneheadjohn, @Ted McMinn Football Genius, @Bris Vegas and anyone else i've forgotten.

We've seen them both come in lighter, Parker has had elbow operations and by all reports is punching hard, although I believe he is giving away a 9 inch reach. What round number and winner are we going for?

Joshua on points for me.

 

 

Joshua on points but to score a knockdown. Early - mid fight knockdown that Parker just survives.

All fights to go to the favourites. AJ, Povetkin, Kelly, Crolla, Buatsi aaaaand I've forgot who else is on 

On 27/03/2018 at 00:59, Ted McMinn Football Genius said:

Just watched ‘The Gloves Are Off’ on Skysports with AJ, JP & JN. 

Very interesting indeed, AJ was cool as a cucumber and JP had a moment where his body language gave him away. 

When AJ asked JP directly to tell him that he is going to knock him out there was a brief couple of blinks before responding. This alone is why I feel that even JP doesn’t truly believe he can beat AJ. 

There’s also a level of aggression in AJ that I’ve not seen at this stage before too. In the ring he switches it on, but on this showing i believe him when he says in AJs words “I’m going to punish him”. This is going to be his most brutal performance to date. 

And I can’t wait, absolutely love boxing ? great sport. 

You see the face off at yesterday's conference?

Joshua was different. He sort of leaned over Parker and held the stare beyond the break before walking away looking like he'd scored a victory. While Parker was tending his jaw. 

If you go back to the Wlad fight there's footage of Parker watching it in a bar with Kevin Barry and others. It's a very interesting to watch his reactions. 

I don't think Parker has as much confidence as his team claims. I believe they want the fight. But I just think he's coming to survive, collect the money, survival will boost his profile.

I think he sees that while the Takam fight shows Joshua isn't 100% every fight it's also kicked him into gear for this fight. I think he'd be facing a weaker Joshua if Joshua had actually got rid of Takam quickly. 

And as for all this "Joshua has been hurt, I haven't".... well if you've never been in trouble then you've probably never taken risks. How many heavyweights don't get caught? They all get clipped

Next week I'm calling Parker to be the first to go the distance with Joshua. 

I think he loses most rounds, they complain they were robbed, he walks away with pride, maybe calls for a rematch. 

I like Parker. But I don't think he'll pressure AJ. 

8 hours ago, Bris Vegas said:

I totally missed it. Damn work!

Was Browne as poor as they say? Or was I completely wrong about Whyte in terms of having proper KO power?

I hope it’s the latter, but anyone who has seen Browne fight knows he has no technical ability and little defence... Was it just a case of him finding that level above?

In terms of Wilder ve Whyte. I think Wilder beats him easy, but he’s another who is hard to judge due to the tomato cans he has easily dispatched.

 

You were right when you said he's looking for one punch. He walked onto Whyte's fists. 

I think if Whyte had real one punch power it would have ended earlier.  By the time the KO came Browne was beat up and looking very heavy. Hands down, flat feet and getting caught square.

Wilder has too much power and Whyte loves a punch up. As soon as Whyte opens up I think Wilder knocks him out. 

Browne got picked to pieces by Chagaev. But the reason the heavyweights are so popular is because that one punch can turn a fight. Huge blokes on heavy legs dropping bombs. Chagaev looks a better fighter.

I still don't rate Whyte. Funny likable guy but I just don't think he is much better than Browne. Younger, fitter and hungrier. Browne came in knowing Whyte can't resist a tear up. But he came in looking like a pub brawler. 

I don't think Whyte goes much further than this. It's a good level. He can fight Breazeale, Duhaupas, Miller, Washington, Hughie Fury. Good fights for the also rans

He can be the new Chisora. A door for any heavy with serious elite level ambitions can try to walk through. 

The likes of Parker, Joshua, Wilder, Ortiz, Povetkin, Tyson will all have the edge on him imo. They fight smarter.

Whyte thinks he's got a much better defence than he has. He thinks he's got much more power than he has. He's brave, he's got more guts than most. 

Poor showing from Browne. But to use that as the springboard to a AJ or Wilder fight? 

Hearn wants him in with Wilder because they'll create a huge build up. It's a great advert for the real fight. 

Exactly why he's got poor David Price in with Povetkin next week.

In other news... Frank Buglioni eh? Been talking a lot lately. Bet he'll be quiet now

Oh, nice to see the corruption was in place just in case it went to points. 

Wilder ahead on all 3 cards? I could see him getting 2 rounds plus a 10-8 round. 

That's 84- 86? 

To put him ahead they found him 2 more rounds? Where? 

Why were fans booing Ortiz v Wilder. I thought it was great. Sure there were periods of nothing but what do you expect a shootout? 

Impressive performance by both. Massive well done to Wilder for the way he held on. I thought he was finished. 

He really has got power. Even in the long range sort of slaps he does where he's not generating the power from his core. Very awkward fighter. 

Joshua will be fitter and faster than Ortiz. Well, providing he's not 18st again! That should be even better. I'd say the styles of Joshua and Ortiz aren't massively different. Joshua better counter puncher. Other than that he's just a bigger, faster and stronger man. But then does he have the craft like Ortiz? Ortiz controlled the ring for every minute.

Good fun!

1 hour ago, CWC1983 said:

Good performance from Josh Taylor, albeit against a stand in. 

There will be some fun in Glasgow tonight for his Hibbee fans. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love Taylor. Great to watch, seems like a good lad. He's so good.

Feel for Easton. What a fight though. Relentless. Foot just seemed to have it so easy getting inside and firing away. Easton fights very upright don't you think. He's got like a stiff style that seemed to suit Foot getting inside. A relaxed jab sort of approach could have made for a different fight. Like Easton. Entertaining, very tough, likes to entertain with a variety of shots and movement. He just couldn't get away tonight for 9 or 10 rounds. He battled well but it just never really looked like his kind of scrap.

Dave Allen with a disappointing draw after a 1st round stoppage. Cut to the eye. 

Missed Kell Brook but apparently it was routine stuff. Still think we don't know what Brook has left in him. Have to see him go through a real battle before you can be convinced he's got that toughness for big dangerous fights. Think GGG fight has been a disaster for him really.

Wilder v Ortiz next. 2am is it? 

Be interesting to see if Ortiz can catch him. Literally catch him. Wilder's best bet is to toy with him like the "38 year old" man he is. 

2 hours ago, CWC1983 said:

A week late to comment, however I watched a few bouts on the BT sport card last week and the Ronnie Clark v Zelpha Barrett fight was a classic. 

Big upset seeing Clark win, but his experience helped. Mind you, he's got a bit of a ropey past.......

Next up was Daniel Dubois, his opponent was ex army and game. Dubois didnt impress, im not convinced the Warren stable has a genuine heavyweight contender with him.

They were also talking up Nathan Gorman, but blimey, talk about out of shape and labouring to a win.....

On to tomorrow and Kel Brook.  It seems to have passed the mainstream press over. Lets see if he still has the desire if he takes a few decent shots. 

I saw the Yarde and Dubois fights.

Dubois managed to win by a 3rd round KO and his reputation would have actually gone down. He struggled massively with such a obvious and poorly executed smother tactic. DL Jones had heart and chin but wow he looked poor. Dubois being mentioned in the same sentence as Joshua at the minute is unbelievable and yet the media are on it.

Yarde isn't being tested enough imo. Boring mismatches by Warren 

Never seen Gorman. He's not very good then? 

Rooting for Dave Allen tomorrow. Commonwealth title shot 2.  

23 minutes ago, Bris Vegas said:

Can only see Wilder beating Ortiz by KO fairly comfortably.

Brook's a strange one. I had him winning at least four of their first six rounds against Spence. Whether he gassed or was hurt, it was bizarre to see Spence thoroughly dominate him for the next few rounds after.

Groves is the number one in the super middleweight division. Reckon he will beat Smith on points.

There aren't too many fights on the horizon I'm particularly looking forward to. We're seemingly at that lull stage where a number of boxers need one more 'tune up' fight before going in to a blockbuster.

Would love to see Lomachenko destroy Gervonta Davis.

Davis doesn't want it does he? Or Floyd doesn't want him to. Doesn't look good for the Lomachenko v Linares fight either. 

I thought the year had a good start! 

On 25/02/2018 at 17:57, Norman said:

Only one winner for me. 

Wilder v Ortiz? Might be a shock there.

Kell Brook too next weekend.

Reckon it will be a boring fight don't you? Groves v Smith. Two jabbers and the one that does force the issue has a height disadvantage 

Smith bores me a bit. He does some great boxing and then falls back on the jab and let's opponents off the hook.

The only thing about Ortiz is his mobility. How old is he really? No way is he under 40. I'm not buying that. Can take a punch, has the power to do Wilder but can he keep up with him?

I wonder which Kell Brook we'll get? Think he may have lost his way a bit? GGG hurt him and Spence was a level above. Brook quitting in that fight... do you think he will have that desire to go through brick walls to win? 

Callum Smith v Groves final. 

Smith falls asleep during fights. Needs to be more spiteful

3 hours ago, David said:

Brilliant!! 

If only he'd actually do it!! 

4 hours ago, CWC1983 said:

5 live Bunce and Costello podcast this morning pretty much saying father and son need to split up.

At the press conference Eubank senior saying that Jnr didn't listen to a word of advice during the fight. 

Talksport had Bellew, McGrory and John Rawlings doing the live coverage.

It was a really good listen as they covered all upcoming fights at home and abroad. 

All 3 of them are concerned for Joshua if he fights Wilder.    

I would think Joshua could box Wilder's head off for 12 rounds. But he might be best pacing himself and trying to win it on points. 

Show him the same respect he showed Wlad and I think it's an easier fight. Come in slow and heavy like v Takam or come for a brawl like v Whyte and he just gives Wilder a bigger chance. 

Eubank Snr.. I thought Jnr didn't need advice? I thought the only concern was that Groves might get seriously hurt if the ref didn't end it? 

How quiet was that corner for the middle rounds?

They did the showboating prep talk early on. And at the end I heard "knock him out. You don't need to look good" 

Totally unprepared and disrespectful. Got what they deserved. 2 rounds. 3 at best

I didn't find the fight boring. It never really exploded but being on the edge like that was exciting. Plus it was exactly the right approach for Groves. Why brawl when you have the class?

I found it boring ITV claiming the up close fighting suited Jnr. He lost the inside work too! Groves was rolling and ducking and man handling him most the time. The rest of the time he was answering shot for shot. He was stronger, far more skilful and I thought he scored a knockdown. I think he could have taken him out too. Should have. 

I thought Walsh beat Lowe. The draw was a bit of an easy way out for what would have been a unrewarding ending for Lowe's great efforts. But Walsh snuck it.

Jnr Could be an exceptional fighter. His discipline, his prep, his physique and arrogance are all great. 

But it's the stunts and the Dad. Stupid stunts and a Dad who is trying to showboat through a very dangerous sport. He can't help him in the corner. He's been there purely for show. And when Jnr  needs help then what's he got? What is his back up plan? 

Before he goes in at this level again he needs to ditch the Dad. Stop being a celebrity. 

The production of these Super Series shows is amazing

23 minutes ago, CWC1983 said:

Im maybe not giving Joyce enough credit given its only his 2nd pro fight. 

Off topic, I was in a Derbyshire pub last Sunday and from afar I saw a poster promoting a Clifton Mitchell promotion at the Derby arena. I forgot to look at the detail before I left but cant find anything online. 

Ultra White Collar is coming up. It might be that event? It's not at the arena though.

They have a promising Asian lad but I can't remember his name. Could be to do with him?

And then there's Zach Parker who is the Derbyshire boxer fighting on the Groves undercard. 

9 minutes ago, CWC1983 said:

Joe Joyce. 1st round ko mismatch against a big Croatian journeyman. 

Another uk heavyweight to watch out for in the next 2 to 3 years. 

Yeah, I think the guy didn't fancy it as soon as a right hook took him in the temple during the opening minute. Body shots looked heavy.

The KO punch didn't look THAT heavy. Reckon he was looking for an exit? 

His first fight was more impressive. He cruised past Lewison. Really beat him up and it could have been stopped earlier. 

For some reason Hughie Fury is fighting Sexton for the British title. Dave Allen fights soon for the commonwealth and you've got Chisora and Dubois that are probably sticking on the domestic circuit for this year. 

Some good scraps could be made.