Boxing thread 2016

[paul_e]

Pro boxers allowed at Rio Olympics, I think it's a stupid decision.

Depends how much difference it's going to make really, I'm not sure anyone meaningful will go for it given the qualifying event they'd need to enter to get to the olympics is in about 4-5 weeks.  If any of them have a pro fight scheduled in the next 3-4 months you can write them off as well.  I think you'll find it's the prizefighter type boxers who will show an interest rather than the top end and I'm not sure how much difference in quality there will between them and the top amateurs in this format.

it's 2020 I'd be worried for where I suspect you'd be looking at mostly young pro's if this isn't reversed which would largely see the end of amateur boxing as anything other than a step into the pro circuit.

[tomd2103]

Pro boxers allowed at Rio Olympics, I think it's a stupid decision.

The majority of 'pro sports' in general really.  If the Olympic gold isn't the biggest achievement in the particular format of the sport, then it shouldn't be in it.   

[LTA]

Very sad to read that Muhammad Ali is apparently close to death.  I knew he was ill, but seems his condition has worsened.

[peter w]

Spent an evening chatting to John Conteh's son. Very entertaining.

[dave.woodhall]

Thomas Stalker's in a right battle now.

[PGW]

Thomas Stalker's in a right battle now.

He won comfortably though didn't he. Unlike Farrag stopped in 3rd, i believed the hype pre fight during the week and thought he would win at
a canter.....how wrong of me.

[dave.woodhall]

How the fuck can you get up right after the ten count in a world title fight? It happens all the time with journeymen but a world title?

[dave.woodhall]

We may as well sttart tonight's fun right here.

[PGW]

Eubank v Doran was a poor match up.
Hopefully he will give up British title and move on. Be nice to see him get GGG but may be a step to far.

Murray and Groves could & should be a good one.

[PaulWinch again]

That was a fine performance from Groves.

[paul_e]

I thought Groves did ok but the commentary here is overselling it a fair bit given that Murray looked like he was fighting in the wrong weight and didn't have the power to hurt Groves.

[tomd2103]

This isn't going to last a round is it?

[paul_e]

This is actually turning out to be a really good fight for Joshua because this guy can take a hit.  Joshua is boxing really well to just stick to his plan and trust that it will happen.

[tomd2103]

All credit to Brezeale, he is absorbing some big punches but is still in there.

[paul_e]

I'll happily admit that I'm a bit of a fair weather boxing fan, I just can't get interested in the lower level stuff, much like non-league football holds no real attraction for me.

That said, Joshua really does look the real deal every time I've seen him, his hand speed and accuracy would be good 2-3 weight division down, in the heavyweights he just looks like he's toying with people.  The guy today (who had one hell of a chin to be fair) looked like he was in slo-mo the difference was that stark.  To that end I reckon a focused Joshua who is kept working hard and fighting to his plans will comfortably unify the division and go down as a genuine great of this era, he's got absolutely everything to be as good as he wants to be.