Boxing 2023

[Rory]

Best thing I've read about the fight:

'Popstar Drake shared a screenshot of his $400,000 (£335,000) bet on a Paul KO win, while Home Alone actor Macaulay Culkin tweeted: "There's no better way to celebrate your half birthday than to watch Jake Paul get punched in the head repeatedly.'

Half birthday? Wtf is that?

No idea, but I agree with the sentiment.

[Rory]

Paul was better than I thought he'd be; he's the sort of fighter who if he sold tickets would win a few against journeymen then lose to the first opponent who fights back and pack it all in. If Fury knuckled he might, given that he's got the right connections, get to English title level. In reality both will have a couple more fights against YouTubers then retire to count their money.

Yeah, both just third-rate celebrities using boxing to market themselves. Mayweather/McGregor was a circus, but at least McGregor was a noted pugilist, albeit I find MMA nauseating.

[Villa Lew]

Please God no rematch.

Sadly Paul is saying there will be a rematch.

[Risso]

Richard Riakporhe was at VP on Saturday, I assume he's a Palace fan. I know it's true of every boxer, but bloody hell you wouldn't mess.

[dave.woodhall]

I've only just read that Joe Bugner has advanced dementia and is in a bad way.
 

[Villa Lew]

That is sad news, last month was the 50th anniversary of his first fight with Ali.

[Brazilian Villain]

That is sad news, last month was the 50th anniversary of his first fight with Ali.

Yes indeed, wouldn't wish dementia on anyone. Was very surprised to see he's only 72.

[Simon Page]

Was looking a Bugner's full record earlier. Christ boxing has changed. Lost his first fight, won the next 18 or something, fought the best, and some bums. His was a ridiculous career. I know it was dodgy as and criminally dangerous at times, but I miss the days before there were 27 world champions per pound of weight difference. It's like football: better in so many ways now but, ultimately, maybe not.

[dave.woodhall]

Fighting until he was about 48 didn't help, and for all the abuse he got, when motivated he was world-class.

[Simon Page]

I always put him in with those that I saw as a kid. Magri, Watt, Minter, etc. Thinking of those names, he definitely went on way too long.

[dcdavecollett]

Like McLeish, Bugner was more bothered about not losing than winning.

[nigel]

Joe never really got the backing of the British public, either.
That was more down to beating Henry Cooper than boxing ability.

Our ‘Enry’s last fight and everyone wanted him to go out with a win. Unfortunately, Joe didn’t read the script.

[dcdavecollett]

Yeah, Joe was booed loudly by the crowd when the ref gave him the verdict over Cooper.

The fact that Bugner was far from an 'exciting' fighter, meant he never really got over that start, apart from a bout against Frazier where he really had a go.

[dave.woodhall]

It was part he beat Cooper, part he always looked the, er, the part but never delivered when we were desperate for a world heavyweight champion, part that we loved gallant losers which he never was and part I suspect that he loved playing the pantomime villain.

[Rory]

It was part he beat Cooper, part he always looked the, er, the part but never delivered when we were desperate for a world heavyweight champion, part that we loved gallant losers which he never was and part I suspect that he loved playing the pantomime villain.

Granted it's well before my time and I haven't done any particular research, but Cooper's popularity always slightly puzzled me. Not that I had/have anything against him, mind.