Thetownend.com

Any boxing fans on here? Don't think we have a thread.
Brook just convincingly defended his title against the mandatory opponent, called Khan out again straight after.
Really rate Brook, would fancy him against Khan personally.

Would be a cracking fight. Khan can only really afford 1 more high profile loss though and I suspect he'd rather save it for a Mayweather or a Marquez etc

I can't see Khan taking it, for the reasons you've said.
Brook gets some stick, but I don't agree when people say he's only looking good by beating poor opponents, I agree that he has had some poor opponents, but he has beaten them convincingly, where as Khan, who has definitely proved himself against better boxers, has also lost to some average opponents, Brook beat Porter in own back yard, I think he's a class act.

I can't believe that was the number 1 contender. Looked out of his depth. Brook was class though. Some knockout in the fight before too.

Thought the guy in the fight before was in serious trouble for a minute. Thankfully looked OK though.

Brook was class, effortless.

Agree with those that don't think khan will take the fight. Brook is too dangerous and not yet a big enough purse for Khan to risk the end of his career on.

Anyone been watching tonight?
Crolla was superb just then, Joe Gallagher got his tactics spot on and he's just proved how good he is. He's just stopped. Very good fighter.
Going to set my alarm for the Khan fight, what does eveyone think?

I'll watch it back tomorrow. Can't see Khan winning but has to be given huge credit if he does

Gallagher has improved as a trainer brilliantly. There was a stage wher all his fighters were fighting in the same style but he seems to have learnt from that.

Felt for Amir Khan saturday. Absolute shambles the way this country and it's boxing fans treat him

Fighting Canelo instead of Brook has to be one of the worst decisions in boxing history.

On what basis do you work that out?

Supposedly got eight figures for it, and the Brook fight is still there as a money fight because nobody truly expected him to beat Alvarez so he gained a fair bit of credibility for stepping up at all and putting up a decent showing. Thinking like this is why we get fights like Mayweather/Berto, and why GGG can't get anyone of note to fight him.

That said, I'm not sure Khan's doctor would have been delighted with that choice.

I couldn't disagree more, I actually think it was genius.
The Brook fight will still happen and he's still mandatory for Danny Garcia's title, hardly the worst decision ever made.

Two parts, firstly the actual fight…..
On one hand you have Canelo; horrific prospects to win the fight. Style wise alone, was always a terrible fight for Khan and everyone knew it. Even his trainer made noises he didn't like the fight. Even in the best case scenario, he was always realistically looking at some serious heavy blows taken against a much bigger guy. Not good for your health and the longevity of his career.
On the other hand you have Brook who is an excellent fighter, but of comparable size. It's a difficult fight also but it's much closer to a 50/50 fight than fighting a monster like Canelo. You’re not going to take anywhere near the same amount of damage fighting Brook as fighting a guy like Canelo.

Then if you're looking at the money……
Khan reportedly made $2m USD from the fight. Not chump change by any stretch but how much would he have made in front of 80,000 at Wembley which they could have done if the struck when the iron was hot? Not even in the same ball park as $2m USD! Froch made £8m pound sterling for winning his fight at Wembley. Well over 5 times the purse.  Khan may still fight Brook, but he has lost his bargaining power now coming off a loss so won’t get anywhere near the same share of the purse. The fight won't make as much anymore anyway because interest in it won’t be anywhere near as high as if it was done at the right time.

He essentially threw cash down the drain and lost a lot of brain cells for the privilege. Awful decision and whoever is advising him should be ashamed.

$2m was Khan's declared purse, after PPV points & ticket sales the estimate is about six times that. You're comparing guaranteed show money against all the money Froch made from ticket sales & TV, apples and oranges.

Besides, if he lost to Brook then Canelo would be off the table, but this way around, everyone still wants to see the Brook fight.

After Pay per view figures Khan earnt just under £9m with Canelo earning £14m.

I would also add that the Brook fight fight will always be there as he has yet to have one decent payday and still has to resort to after dinner speeches to make a living. On the flip side Khan has had 3 different world champions call him out in the last 24 hours.

I would say the decision was spot on 

I don't know a great deal about Boxing, but apparently Khan won't fight Brook as they just don't get on...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/36250271

I obviously know even less, because that sounds like a good reason why people might have a fight.

Good on him.Why would you let someone be able to retire on a shitload of money you earnt them who has blatantly took the piss and dodged every decent fighter they can just to try get a fight with them

Khan to fight Garcia, if he wins, then he has a better bargaining position for a unification against Brook (Providing he comes through his mandatory) next summer in a big stadium.

This I wont fight him because we don't get on, its just talk to heat the fight up a little, all boxers do the same. Mayweather and Pacman were at it for years.

Figures might be off then, I was just going off what I had seen reported, but he clearly would have made more fighting Brook at Wembley.

He still chose the harder fight for less money, which whatever way you look at it is stupid. Commendable as a fighter and I don't blame him, but the people managing his career need to have a long hard think about the decision making process.

You keep saying that he would have made more money at Wembley without providing any evidence, while your own figures suggest he made more than Froch did for an arguably more saleable fight (lets be honest, Khan has never done as well in Britain as you might expect, and Brook isn't exactly a household name either). Canelo is the biggest PPV star in boxing with Mayweather retired, and Khan has clearly got a very nice pay day.

More to the point, 'managing his career' - the loss to Canelo has boosted his career, he's been called out by all sorts of decent fighters, and could still fight Brook if he wants to, which he clearly doesn't. A loss to Brook, whilst less likely, would more or less end his relevance on the international boxing stage.

For arguments sake, say he made more or at least a figure in the same ball park (lets be honest, none of us really know, it's all speculative articles from journalists). It's still a terrible career decision.

I don't think you're appreciating what a brutal KO like that does to a fighter physically both in terms of being more susceptible to KO's in the future and long term health. Brook represented a regular boxing match with a guy Khans size and stature.
Canelo is a much bigger guy and hits like a fucking truck whereas Khan is hardly known for his chin.  The fact Amir's trainer even admits he thought it was stupid to begin with and was then talked in to it tells you everything you need to know. Taking the fight was like playing football on a minefield and being surprised when your leg gets blown off.

Golovkin v Brook Saturday, can't wait for it, what's everyone thinking?
I genuinely think Brook will do it, he looks in cracking shape, he is such an underestimated boxer too, I think we could be in for a massive surprise. He's going to have to box bear on perfectly but I think we can, and will.

Not a chance

Fair play to Brook for taking the fight, but he's going to get brutalised. Same sort of thing as Canelo/Khan really.

Brook has more chance than Khan did against Canelo, at approximately 0.00000001%. Seriously, many people don't understand how good Golovkin is, which is understandable as there are no bells or whistles attached. But take it from someone who knows, there has barely been a Middleweight in history who could hang with GGG, never mind a blown up Welterweight like Brook.

Have you seen Golovkin?

Ok it's boxing so 1 punch and all that but this is a huge mismatch of a fight

I bet Eubank Jnr is starting to miss his 4 million that daddy cost him!

Fair play to Brook, he has a fighting chance, but is the underdog in this one

I hope Brook gets smashed to fucking bits

Any particular reason why?

Want to watch the Ryan & Liam Walsh fights in October. Met them on holiday - Lovely blokes!

Any info on where and how I can watch would be appreciated.

Mainly because I'm s Khan fan

Haye v Bellew tomorrow, anyone ordered it?
Easy night for Haye I think, as most do. Can't see it going passed 4 rounds. He's a level above Bellew in my opinion.
He's split opinion in the lead up to the fight, Bellew has really got under his skin, hopefully we see a half decent fight.
If Haye does do the business I hope he steps up his opponents later in the year and I'd like to see the AJ fight at some point.

As usual the hype has been ridiculous with the hatred etc in the fight build up. Just trying to shift more pay per view sales of course. But yeah I'll be watching it(for free though)
Think it will go late, maybe points. Wouldn't rule out the draw either

What I don't understand is that in the presser they 'had' to have two blokes between them to avoid any trouble.

They are supposed to be bloody hard, but does it not suggest that the two bouncers are actually harder than they are if they can keep them apart!

I will be watching, Think it will be Haye early but hoping Bellew, just don't like Haye, his 'comeback' has been nothing short of a joke

I'm hoping to watch (at a wedding from 1pm).

I don't either of them to be honest. I can see Haye finishing Bellew off in early rounds (around 3rd or 4th) and if did go the distance, Bellew will tire!

Haye should win but I'd like to see Bellew knock him out. Since 2011 Haye has been a bit of a joke and a bit of a prick to boot. That said if he does finding Belle's off and fights AJ then he will certainly be knocked out by the latter.

Skybet have a new customer promo - join up using the promo link, deposit and bet £5 and they'll email you a code to watch online (google "skybet haye", should be top link).

Streaming only, think it should work through Now TV (you'll need a sky box office account first)

fair play to haye, ankle gone nearly knocked out but still going, nuff respect, one punch could still see haye win it

Well, that's a shame the injury robbed us of a proper fight. Rematch?

fair play to haye tho, strange fight

Disappointed. Want to see the bit where he sustained the injury. Thought he almost put Bellew down at that point.

bellew looks like a flabby twat next to haye :)

Both came out of that fight with there reputations enhanced: Hay for his courage in continuing and Bellow for how he reacted after the fight.

Really enjoyed that last night. Excellent entertainment and i laughed at Eddie Hearn getting shunned at the end.

I wonder whether that was fixed?

Haye bizarrely injured when he put Bellew on the floor?

Both boxers come out of it with reputation intact.

Haye immediately asking for a rematch.

Bellew thanking Haye for safeguarding future of his children and suggesting he was near the end of his career and couldn't take on Joshua etc.

Rematch being another money spinner for both?

There are various slow-mo clips showing where his Achilles goes, not really any doubt about it

Not sure it actually shows it snapping. I am in shock really considering how it appears a little toe injury caused him bigger problems than this,weird this 'snapped' in the round he started blowing and was getting caught.

snapped my arse, injured, strained, slightly torn maybe.

snapped you can't stand up

 :eek:

Snapped, torn, stained, whatever it actually was it tends to be a problem in boxing when you can't plant a foot properly on the canvas

yes fair enough, he looked just about on top until the injury.

Bellew looked far better when he beat Apollo Creed's lad last year as well

:)

Im not a fan of either of them to be honest but i think once Bellew got past the first 3-4 rounds, he was in control.

The whole love affair at the end annoyed me a bit. Yes, i get the respect thing and its nice to see a hug and a hand shake but at one point i though i was watching broke back mountain, it didn't stop.

Just on the achilles snapping thing -

I was once packing down in a scrum (No7 - position of kings) and our tight head snapped his achilles.
Everyone heard it snap, and everyone heard the spine chilling scream.
We then saw the lump in his calf.
(quite a few months before he could play again)

Hayes definitely didn't snap his achilles from what I've seen

(but I'm not a doctor)

Ruptured achilles. Easy enough to find a graphic picture of what it looked like pre surgery. Messy to say the least.

I snapped my Achilles playing football in Luxembourg in our weekly Sunday kickabout. Not a soul near me and I was just jogging back to my penalty area and all of a sudden a loud crack as if i had trodden on a twig in the woods and I was down on the floor.

Of course someone helped me to my feet and to put weight on it but it was totally gone and took me about 30 minutes to shuffle home on my normal 5 minute walk.

I can't actually remember the pain but I was told that I screamed like a girl so it must have been painful!

Rupturing my ligament in the other knee was painful also! I reckon I'm going to hobble around when I'm an old(er) man!

I've done something to my Achilles, been really painful for about 4 weeks and unable to run on it.
I think it's Achilles tendonitis.

Brook v Spence tonight. Hell of a fight.
What we all thinking?

Mods, I hope you don't mind me posting this:

If any fellow town fans fancy following my round by round analysis of Brook v Spence, you can do so at my website, savedbythebell-end.com. Your participation will be appreciated.

Again, hope its ok for me to push my site here, ta

50/50, Spence is one hell of a fighter but has never faced anyone like Kell, who is a true elite. I give Kell the edge, just. No result will surprise me here. Just hope they are allowed to fight, as both can take a punch.

Well done George Groves, while we are here. Great fight and a well deserved win

Swindon's Jamie Cox is fighting for a world title tonight against George Groves, with the winner going on to face Chris Eubank Jr.
Tough fight for him and a massive step up, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was to cause an upset.
It's on ITV box office for anyone that wants to watch, there should be plenty of streams about too.

Hopefully he has got his temperament under control, think it could cost him one day.

Would be a nice payday if he got through as Eubank is on the verge of being legimate box office material. Groves should have too much for him though I’d imagine.

Really like this new tournament setup though

Had plenty of practice smacking people about aint he

arse

Just back from London. Absolute war zone. Expected to see a scuffle or two but not 20 man brawls in the audience. Left as soon as the fight ended as it was ridiculous. Missed the end of the fight as there was one about 10 metres away from us and heading our way.

Other than that it was a decent experience.  Cox was game as ever but Groves was too quick and the body shot was crushing.

Groves Eubank should be a great fight.

I'm off to the AJ fight in Cardiff in a couple of weeks, it's the same day as Cardiff - Millwall so I'm expecting a war zone too.

I went to see neilson fight Bruno at Albert hall. Was chaos with scrapping everywhere. I was scared as bad as any football match.

Did anybody manage to land one on that frecin band ?

Yeah I mean I expected a few incidents but not to the point where it felt legitimatly unsafe. Security ill equipped. People being bollocked for vaping in the stands yet go into the toilets and loads are smoking weed unchallenged.

Summing up of the evening was seeing a fight come down the stairs onto the concourse. One guy approaches a steward for help who puts her arms up helplessly as the other guy runs up and punches him in the back of the head. Both are sent BACK TO THEIR SEATS.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=293659944372652&id=191446484593999&_rdr



https://twitter.com/Nashat_Hassan/status/919314565300662272

Looks like a fairly common problem then...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-41627420

Swindon’s Luke Watkins about fight on Sky Sports.

And lost in 3

A close friend of mine and fellow Swindon supporter, Stu Greener, is fighting on BT Sport on Friday for anyone that’s interested.

Expect this to be the first fight on, and just after 7PM if anyone is interested.

https://twitter.com/frankwarren_tv/status/1281247039330844675?s=21

town badge on display, good lad

oh.

well, I'm still not starting an argument with him in the concourse anyway

Gutted... actually gutted.
Godfather to his daughter, big night tonight was for him. Runs his own Sparky business and took the fight 2 weeks ago. Sometimes got to admit got beat by the better man, but he’s fought live on TV - more than I’ve done.

2 weeks isn't much prep time. got caught with a peach, fair play to the Portsmouth lad

Manny Pacquiao retires. Many boxing fans would have him in their top ten favourite fighters ever, his achievements are phenomenal. Wish he'd left after beating Keith Thurman a couple of years ago but, alas, he couldn't help himself and Father Time finally caught up. Happy retirement you legend

I guess what inside makes you great doesn't shut up when it's time to stop.

was it really as many world championships over eight weight divisions and 4 decades??!

legend

‘tis true. Won 12 belts in all from Flyweight all the way up to Super Welterweight. For perspective, he won in weight classes from the very small all the way up to just shy of the weight Hagler fought at. Mad talent

Roll on Sunday morning. LFG Tyson  :beers:

Wilder wins this one

I don't see how. What's your thinking? He was mauled in the second fight and was (imo) fortunate to scrape a draw in the first. Personally thought he lost the first fight despite the two knockdowns such was Fury's dominance otherwise.

*Edit* Having said that I acknowledge Wilder's right hand can be utterly devastating when it lands. Possibly the hardest single shot I've ever seen. You could argue that he only he only has to land flush once to ko Fury.

Can't fucking wait pal. Just finished watching Wilder Fury II again while I should have been doing an online course. As I said in my text, Wilder looked like he knew Fury had his number as the first bell rang. He looked terrified

I hope Fury wins. Really good boxer and a likeable/relatable person. Wilder will no doubt have excuses ready if he loses.

Agreed. Fury has some glaring faults. But it’s his acknowledgment of those faults that makes him relatable

Fury win - 6th round stoppage

That reason is my thinking tbh. I have not liked the noises coming from Fury the last few months and just have a feeling we see a different Wilder. He was totally outboxed the last 2 fights there is no doubt and he is the better fighter i jusyt have a feeling Wilder will put pressure on very early this time around

Wilder can’t box though Dean, that’s his issue. Where as Fury is the best technical heavyweight there is (ignoring Usyk).

I just can’t see Wilder much success again.

Totally agree i just have this gut feeling he will land earlier than he did in the first fight. Just a feeling buddy

Smith outclasses Fowler though earlier in the night.

Yes mate definitely. So overrated Fowler is

Are you folks staying up for it?

At 4.30 in the morning I would say more like getting up rather than staying up!

My plan was to kip this evening, go to the pub for a couple late doors then go to my mates house for the fight (Boy About Town, holla’). The kip hasn’t happened. Too excited. Will probably sleep through the undercard now

Hunk has youth on his side!

It looks Wilders team are already looking for excuses!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uv5H_EupiQs&t=608s

crap mind games

Having watched the weigh in I wouldn't be surprised if its fixed

It’s not fixed.

I used to think that about wrestling in the 70's

What about the weigh in made you think it’s fixed?

Hah, indeed I do. I’m a very young 35 😎

Not so much the weigh itself all the razzmatazz which sounded fake

Ah best crack the beers open and get the party started then😀

I think that’s because Wilder is so god awful at trash talking. He’s a wally whereas Fury is very savvy indeed. And fear ye not, the beers have been cracked. But now it’s time for the pub

Enjoy and don't wake the neighbors up when you stagger home at dawn! No rock & roll for me off to bed and setting the alarm for 4.25 so I can hear it on five live!

 :beers: :beers: :beers:

oh shit I've woken up late.

dosser: nope

remember when ring walks were simply putting  your Mrs bath robe on and getting in the ring

Let’s go Tyson!!!

Wow

fucking hell

This. Is. Brilliant

booom!

great few rounds early on but wilder was reduced to a swingers chance - good heart but outclassed

Well that was fun.  I dont think I have felt quite so hurt without really being so.  Wilder was basically some insane robot taking a beating.

What an amazing fight. Fury’s skill almost matched by Wilder’s heart, but in the end the accumulation of punches was too much

Oh what a night  :pint:

Does Fury win tomorrow? Or does Whyte snatch the titles? Welcoming all opinions!!

Fury with a ninth round tko

The cynic in me says that it's all staged😀

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsOnVNRbrE

Whyte has to knock him out to win, there is no way he wins on points, and also can’t see Fury stopping Whyte.

I’m gonna go with a late Whyte KO.

Fury on points!

Fury inside 7

I would like to see Whyte win

Imagine the outrage if there was a knockout in the first round! It would never happen😀

You don’t watch much boxing, do you?

I do actually, just saying with a crap undercard and 94,000 fans in the stadium as well as fans all around the world streaming the fight there would be a lot of disgruntlement.

never in doubt

Shame to see Whyte undone by another uppercut.

Good . Just not good enough.

Whyte is not far above domestic level and never will be.

So Usyk v Joshua II.
Who's up for this?
Bit pricey on ppv but always worth it to watch a true master  of the noble art of self defence at work.
Will be interesting to see how Joshua gets on as well.

A certain air of inevitably about this with Usyk carrying the hopes of a beleaguered nation.
AJ has a punchers chance of course but going for a comprehensive points win or a late stoppage for the cossack warrior.
Not convinced that AJ's chin can take too many shots.

Usyk is far too good

AJ by knockout

Usyk stoppage between 10 and 12.

so where does aj go from here?

Nowhere.

He failed to take advantage when he had usyk wobbly I think around round 8 I think. Maybe 7-9. No ruthlessness, and he'd lost enough on points in the earlier rounds that it was always going to be a controversial win if he got it.

Presumably Joshua will take on Wilder to determine the best of the second division of heavyweights

He gave everything and come up short against a superior skilful boxer. There's plenty of fights out there for him Joyce, Parker, Whyte etc but has he still hot the hunger to step back knowing that he was once the number 1 in the world. I've purposely left Wilder off the list as his management team are a nightmare to deal with and don't think it would happen.

Would love to see Usyk v Fury now.

usky v fury
AJ v wilder

that's what I'd like. not sure either will happen

Anthony Joshuas post fight speech was a weird one. i wonder whether someone in his team shouldve stepped in and stopped him

I fell asleep watching in my neighbours house.

He definitely had a melt down after and didn't do himself any favours swearing when he's always been known as a role model to boxing. Maybe the rumours his head wasn't right before the Ruiz loss are correct.

It was pretty obvious he was concussed, hence the meltdown.

Poor from the medical staff if true letting him wander around concussed on his own.

Benn v Eubank possibly off.

   https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/63146437

Or is it

Benn has bulked up pretty quick😀

Fertility drug?

Was he trying to get pregnant?

A bit more info!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sARHeyGEltg&t=83s

Pretty uninterested in the fight even with the history between their old men. Eubank is nothing special but his natural size advantage should see him cruise to victory if it happens. Benn is ok from what I’ve seen but he should be testing himself against the elite in his own weight class, but then again I suppose money talks and he might not get another opportunity to make a payday as good as this

Apparently it can be used to mask the presence of a ped.

In which case it’s right the fight has been postponed.

yeah, that's put a right cloud over Benn hasn't it.

Needs to now clear his name, or not.

been a bit of a mess this fight

Absolutely it has. Just read up and what he took it’s an anti-oestrogen drug for women. Unless, as you intimated, he was trying to get himself up the duff, he was surely trying to either mask the presence of something else or upping his testosterone (allegedly, by me)

Gotta love the humour😀

Works ipad Jimmy?

Not my doing saw it on counterpunch boxing

Swindoner Luke Watkins has got a big fight for an IBF rankings belt on a Matchroom card in April, Cordina undercard on Cardiff.

Too many eggs :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Awful Eggscuse, total Yolk. Free range to continue his career now.

Assume he is fighting Sam Eggington next.

Barret vs Dilminghani added also. Hearn putting on a decent card in Wales. If Wimbledons a dead rubber I might make the short trip up seeing as Watkins on the card also.

Usyk agrees to a 70/30 split it will be interesting to see if Fury really wants the fight.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uNgjHV2ANgc

Absolutely no chance Fury fights him, the bloke is full of shit.

I totally agree full of shit and always looking to blame others.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DqK7FcaeImM

Agreed terms apparently. Would still temper expectations as we've heard that before.

Could have Usyk vs Fury, Inoue vs Fulton and Tank vs Garcia all within three weeks of each other. Would certainly perk the schedule up which had been pretty dire first quarter.

Don't forget AJ as well😀

Really is a shit pointless fight. If he was going to fight some no mark he should have fought one of Furys many shite opponents. Perfect excuse then.

AJ oozes class always has time for everyone.

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IiSXcND8rSQ

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvh-OspwGp0

.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=34btM3cB_c0

Can’t stand him, personally. His cringe speech after his second loss to Usyk was the icing on the cake for me

Inoue is my favourite fighter now that GGG is a shadow. The Monster is just that. His natural power is phenomenal, and he can Box decently too.

Think Davis is going to starch Garcia. I can see him exposing him badly

Yeah definitely one of mine too. Inoue now rescheduled though and on the traditional fight day in Japan of a Tuesday.

Feel like GGG should cash out now and move up to fight Bivol

agree Davis should starch Garcia, only thing I worry about Davis is his discipline.

Prime GGG V Bivol would have been one helluva fight, although I think even in his prime Bivol might have just a bit too much thanks to the size advantage. Even though he'd lose to most of the champs in the Middle and Supermiddle weight divisions now, he does deserve to milk one more cash cow. I'd like to see him fight Charlo

Bivol is so underrated, one slightly offish night against Craig Richards and everyone thought he was average

Prime Pirog v GGG woulda been something else also I reckon. As for the Charlos, I just hope they start boxing more and get active. Billy Jo Saunders fight at 168 would sell tbf.

Weigh ins's plus decent undercard.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5jGXATCmegM

Pirog was a very special fighter. Pretty sure he and GGG were booked but Pirog did his back.

Bivol proved his class (never doubted by me) against Canelo. His movement and combos were brilliant. He doesn’t possess pure ko power but he can add those punches up.

The Charlos are wasting their careers. A bit like Andrade, another very good fighter but inactive with a poor resume. BJS GGG would sell but I think it would be a classic GGG beat down, despite his age

Rubbish from AJ. It’s increasingly obvious he’s always been overrated, and become a bit of a dickhead to boot. Fury to retire him

Wasn’t a great watch, expected a little more. Thought he was quite guarded tbh, Shame as no way Franklin has the power to make him think twice.

Dross undercard also, Wardley stoppage was premature. Think Adeleye beats him but Fraser Clarke beats both with ease.

Usyk has already made Joshua irrelevant

He’s been guarded since Ruiz knocked his block off. If you think about AJs past fights, he’s never been fun to watch, has he? Klitschko was a cracker, but he was very much at the end of his career and AJ still came close to being knocked out on several occasions. I can think of so many stinkers. Takem was dross (I was there). Parker was dross. Both Ruiz fights were dross. Franklin was dross. Povetkin was dross until the KO. He was embarrassed by the considerably smaller Usyk, twice. He’s probably the most overrated Boxer we’ve ever produced.

Ordinary Harrison springs to mind as well.

I don't think he's been the same man since the Wlad fight tbh, he's lost that fearless approach (albeit it being against poorer opposition) got it back very slowly but like you said lost it again after the Ruiz double. It Was the Pulev fight, no way that should of gone as long as it did, he had him gone in round 4 or 5 I think..

Disagree to an extent with the stinkers thing, Furys clear by long old way but I've lost count at the amount of stinkers that man has had from the early days in all. As for Usyk, first fight he was poor, thought second fight he was much better and enjoyed the fight- still wasn't enough though. Worth noting Usyk is a special fucking talent in all.

He and Hearn brought British boxing back to the casuals, PPVs, selling out stadiums for fun etc etc, boxing was rancid before that - nobody gave a fuck, it was a fun ride but I think that's done now. AJ surely now just fights Whyte, who Is far past his 'best', then cashes out against Fury - not a chance in hell he gets close to beating Fury.

Sadly AJ's  time at the top has come to an end and probably no better or worse than Dillian White. It's also noticeable that his personality has changed and we're starting to see a nasty side to him which we've never seen before and isn't doing him any favours.

AJ's boxing ability looks limited, but he's up there with power.

I'd like to see him fight Wilder, but there's not much point at the moment.

Agree that he's still got power but there's definitely something holding him back from releasing it compared to his earlier fights. I don't think he gets anywhere near Fury, Joe Joyce just too strong for him, Wilder would be a great contrast of styles but probably won't ever happen and a hard fight to call. The most likely fight would be White which would be an even match up based on current form.

Has he got the power though, and did he ever? You’d expect any hard hitting heavyweight to have more than two or three highlight reel knockouts. He has Wlad and Whyte by my reckoning, both when they were as good as out on their feet when they hit the deck. I don’t think his power has ever been anything to write home about. You could say the same about Fury of course, but he never had the mystique that comes with somebody who supposedly has huge power. He’s always been much more of a pure boxer. The whole AJ being a powerhouse is nonsense in my opinion.

AJ is hugely overrated, but then he's been a marketing dream. He's got the looks, the stature, the rags to riches storyline and Eddie Hearn has taken full advantage of it. AJ has earned a hell of a lot of money compared to other boxers of a similar level but he's been found seriously wanting against the best in the game. He looks terrified to finish someone off ever since the Klitschko fight.

I mean, I don't disagree with that.

I really don’t agree he’s over rated, he’s beaten everyone he’s been in a ring with except the pound for pound number 1.

Klitscho, Whyte, Ruiz, Franklin, Parker, Pulev, Povetkin.
They’re not mugs are they?

I agree, he’s not looked as good as he once was, but the only person he hasn’t beat is the best boxer in the world.

Usky?

Correct

Was surprised you called him pound for pound #1, that's all.  Fury destroys him IMO (unfortunately).

edit: Unless you are referring to some official ranking (i.e. #1 challenger)- in which case I stand corrected.

No, he’s P4P number 1 in my opinion. Also think the Fury fight is closer than people think. He’s technically better than Fury in my opinion, it’s whether the size comes in to play.

Fair enough. I like boxing but as you are probably suspecting I know shit!

Klitschko at the end of his career (and still nearly knocked AJ out). Whyte not really done anything of note since the AJ fight, lost to Ruiz then beat a very undisciplined Ruiz 2.0 in the rematch, Franklin was a roofer last year, Parker fight was a stinker, Pulev Povetkin both good scalps but again, very much in the twilight of their careers. His resume is really not that great, all things considered.

How do you think he fairs against Wilder? Obviously the man is a pretty atrocious boxer, but he has insane natural power and the only man who has beaten him is Fury. Wilder would ko him with the first right he lands, imo.

As for Usyk v Fury, I don’t think it’s an attractive matchup, style wise. They are both very good technical boxers, but Fury has the big size advantage. I could see it being a hug fest. Usyk, while not my p4p number 1, is definitely top five though. Great fighter.

A few years back he was being hailed as the next big thing in boxing. Whilst I agree he's up and around the top 5 heavyweights in the world, there's a huge gap between Fury/Usyk to Wilder, then to everyone else. Joshua won against Franklin largely because he had a much longer reach and jabbed the hell out of him and just stayed out of trouble because he can't take a punch. He did the same in the Ruiz rematch.

The fact that he was completely outclassed by a much smaller Usyk tells its own story. I don't think AJ gets anywhere near Fury mainly because Joshua has a proper glass chin.

Do you think Wilder would beat AJ? I don’t, he’s a terrible boxer with a good right hand.

Yup, I do. While I agree with you that he is a very poor boxer, the right hand is the kind of equaliser you rarely see in Boxing. He possesses insane power, and Joshua isn’t wily enough to avoid it, and doesn’t have the chin to cope when he can’t

AJ v Wilder would be an intriguing fight and a hard one to predict. Even if Joshua is able to land his punches and withstand Wilders big right hand he proved against Fury he's a tough opponent and doesn't know when he's beaten.

He’s a bit of an enigma. He appeared to tire easily against Fury, but then he was being leaned on a lot by a significantly bigger man. And even if his engine isn’t great, he can withstand some punishment, he’s very durable. I don’t think AJ can break him down like Fury did. Even Fury was knocked down 5/6 times by Wilder over the course of those fights, and he has a brilliant chin. Just can’t see AJ withstanding the power

I'm with you I doubt AJ would break Wilder down.


Relaxing😀
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RTqF_YhF12U

Chat shit get ZHANGED

Joyce not as the races and completely out boxed.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1mglsVBAqj8&pp=ygUOemhhbmcgdnMgam95Y2U%3D

Got absolutely fucking starched didn't he. They all overlooked him. Spent the week talking about what he'd do to AJ in interviews instead of the Zhang fight.

Not one of these guys are remotely close to Fury.

Spot on Mango, Joyce was a big let down and not one of them could get close to Fury leaving just the threat of Wilder even tho he's failed three times and can't see Usyk doing anything either.

One of the greatest wins by a Brit abroad ever tonight. Quality.

Shame about the poor scoring in the Lona fight. It wasn’t quite daylight robbery but I thought Loma was clearly the winner

Yeah, agree. The yanks always fuss over every bad UK scorecard but its just accepted over there.

Trying to work out what fight you are talking about?

I went looking on BBC sport and ended up watching Cameron vs Taylor, which looked an awesome fight.

I'm guessing Devin Haney beating Lomachenko on points

But Haney is an American and Lomachenko Ukrainian. So neither are a 'Brit abroad'.

Fair point, maybe Chalky thought he was a Brit unless there was another fight on the undercard.

Cameron

 :clap: :clap:

Thought Cameron won with gears left to go through. Katie Taylor has looked vulnerable for a couple of years now and she deserved to lose yesterday

Yeah Cameron vs Taylor. Didn't think it was remotely close. The one scorecard having it a draw was a disgrace.

Had it 6-4/7-3 myself. Good Cameron didn’t get robbed. Wasn’t that surprised tbf, weight above and Cameron just looked the fresher stronger fighter, don’t see much change in a rematch. KT came off a career best performance against Serrano but looks like that fight and the two persoon fights are possibly starting to take toll.

AJ v Whyte off

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-RUaDQfdt00

Waterlogged ring?

3rd time there has been a drug test issue with Whyte now. Be hard to wriggle out of this one.

Idiot. Ah well, shit fight anyway. Barely even registered it. Unless Joshua fights Fury or Wilder he’s yesterday’s news as far as I’m concerned

Well he's lined up for Wilder in Saudi in December providing he got past Whyte. So that'll be his next fight unless he is getting a replacement in for next Saturday.

Hrgovic was on the card but that might be a tough ask late notice.

Remember his last replacement in 2019 when Miller failed a drugs test!

Boxing is in an absolutely awful place at the moment in the UK.

I used to watch every single card, without fail, but I have completely lost interest in it. The politics have got silly, the heavyweight division is pathetic and the amount of failed drugs test is scary, and that’s just the ones we are told about.

Whole show is cancelled they have started issuing refunds already

It’s in quite a poor place in general to be honest, not just the UK. Just look how long it took to get Spence v Crawford made. Not to mention the fact that Jake ‘Pretend Boxer’ Paul and Nate ‘Not a Boxer Either’ Diaz will probably be the best selling fight of the year tonight…the future doesn’t look rosy.

Outside the UK its been booming. Spence vs Crawford and Inoue vs Fulton happened in the same week. The fights people want to see are generally happening now outside of the heavies, which the UK is a big part of,

The UK is in a slump right now. Eddie Hearn is focused on taking matchroom global and the talent just hasn't been coming through like it had been.

Spence vs Crawford just did over 600k buys in the US alone. Paul vs Diaz will be lucky to do a third of that.

Then there's the farce of Furys next fight.

If I wake up this morning and see it’s done less than 200k buys, I’ll breathe a sigh of relief and gladly eat humble pie. I just hope it gets nowhere near the 600k that Spence v Crawford did, bearing in mind that those two are in pretty much everyone’s top 5 p4p rankings and really should have been selling anything upward of 800k.

Having said that, Inoue is possible the Messiah

Inoue is the bollocks. One of my favourite boxers to watch ever.

I think the Jake Paul bubble has burst a bit. It may have done half a million or so if he hadn't have lost. But you'd expect that to drop considerably now he's lost.

Although the MMA fans will probably prop it up hoping to finally see an MMA fighter shut him up.

If he's going to fight MMA fighters, he should probably fight one his own age and size.

Innocent until proven guilty!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zAdzddYmY50

3 times?

It does sound very suspicious. The only way around it is to have two separate test done independently at the same time with a thorough breakdown on what he says supposed to have failed on.

they usually take 2 samples to try to eliminate the possibility of contamination - though I assume that risk to be near zero.

No doubts a long drawn out process before any conclusion.

This isn’t Boxing for Christ’s sake

Under the table, under the rug, behind the scenes! We're know shortly if there's any truth in what Chisora told Haye😀

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n-eXKqV-uQQ&t=334s

Robert Helanius steps in then. Meh.

Was never going to be anyone with any risk though.

Are boxers subject to (and if not, why not) the same regular and strict testing that people in athletics and cycling for instance subject to?

Depends.

Mostly the answer is no. They're tested on fight night. Failing one of those tests is akin to failing an IQ test. You just didn't come off your PED cycle early enough and are a bit dim.

Random drug testing costs a lot. For big fights they will often pay a company like VADA, USADA, or UKAD to do random drug testing in camp, but you could still in theory be using out of camp.

If you're ranked with the WBC then you have to comply with potential random drug testing 365 days a year but it costs a fuck ton of money, so the chances of them turning up for you are slim, but at least the threat is there.

In the UFC fighters have to comply with random year round drug testing through USADA unless they are retired. Interesting Conor McGregor was 'retired' and has packed on size in that time and not enrolled back in to the testing pool yet, something he will have to do six months before he fights next.

Jordon & Hearn 49 minutes of pure debate & entertainment!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SGrPhjbIdtg

Ta, still seems strange though that it can be done in certain sports but not others, cycling for instance is hardly awash with cash but someone is paying for it, including the extra expense of the biological passport system and athletics seems even skinter!

My opinion is that Helenius would be a dangerous opponent for Joshua with a full camp, and that on short notice he shouldn’t be. But as somebody who is sceptical with regards to Joshua’s talent, I’m not going to be enormously surprised if he loses tonight.

He’s had a full camp… he had a fight last weekend so trained 8 weeks for that. He’s in good shape.

Who was the guy Helenius fought recently does his name carry any credibility🤔

He might have had a full camp but that was in perpetration for a completely different fighter. The guy he prepared for and beat is nothing like Joshua. It’s an incredibly fast turn around. He’s a huge underdog and the lack of preparation influences that.

No. Domestic level fighter who was only there to kill time. In other words, it was a glorified sparring sesh

Cheers, I've not really followed his career other than the Wilder fight.

Aka, a bodybag

Joshua ''fought'' 6 rounds like he was stoned. 7 rounds to KO a replacement card is poor showing. DAZN trying their best to make it seem like it had some significant worth...on the flip, it's been a while since Joshua actually KO'd anyone and it was a hefty KO with Helenius pulling away. Should have done it in may a max of four rounds though.

Old Munchkin face Essex boi can fuck off as well with his ''Anthony is a more complete fighter now, that's why it took him seven rawnds to KO''. Go and count your money Mr Hearn  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Really poor showing from Joshua. And as usual his ring speech was utterly cringeworthy. Somebody from his team needs to step in next time he tries to say something he thinks is either funny or profound.

A really strange performance from Joshua and based on that performance he's got very little chance of beating Wilder and even less against Fury.

He might be able to outbox Wilder for a few rounds, then will get knocked out by the first big right hand. Fury, I think, embarrasses him from start to finish and eventually knocks him out through an accumulation of punches

Against Wilder Joshua would need to get close and let his hands go. Fury would be too quick and elusive for him and would make him tire after 5/6 rounds then pick him off.

Anyone beats Wilder if they get into him early. The same can be said for one [very good] punch Wilder himself. The trouble is, it took Joshua 6 rounds to even get in close to Hellboy. He wouldn't be afforded that luxury v Wilder or Fury, probably gets away with it v Whyte just about.

The trouble is though, it's only really Joshua in this division who is fighting anyone [whether or not he is forced by his marketing team and Hearn] at the moment. The others keep bloody ducking. Wilder, he's got the punch and it's a hell of a punch but technically about as adept as Scott Lindsay or John Sheridan. Anyone could fight Wilder and keep their distance, dance around him like Eubank [Snr] used to and just score some points. Basically with Wilder you'll either get knocked out by his one trick pony or you'll win on points. Ironic nemesis for Wilder though really, has a killer punch but that's about it

People seem to forget Joshua actually took some solid hits against Vlad Klitschko including a knock down he got back up from and also poss from Whyte too

Fury, he's also been ducking and when he won't sign a contract or talk [business not posturing] then it's pretty difficult to get a fight sorted. Some will say he doesn't really have to.

Usyk would probably fight AJ again but that's not going to happen. They had their bouts and so he'd probably have to fight Wilder...but AJ is marked for that. Fury won't fight anyone so Usyk wouldn't get another go so that leaves Whyte but he likes his drugs too much so they'll never fight - plus what would really be the point as there would be nothng to fight for other than opening up a poss yet another fight with AJ or Wilder. Not going to happen.

The division is stagnating and it's kind of in a bit of disrepute atm. Whyte with getting continually caught, Fury not wanting to fight anyone, Joshua who seems to have mentally lost his genuine mojo and charisma [he either looks totally fucking drained after three rounds or has this faux charisma - it's different from what it was before.] and I think he's suffering mental burnout and he probably can't wait to get out of the whole environment. which is why he's keen to fight. Sometimes it's like he's saying to any boxer in the ring [regardless of ability], come on please just knock me out and end this shit for me. I think that's what happened with and where it started with Ruiz I, since then he's not been the same. Which only makes the sport weaker.

The only one in the division who kind of can stand proud is Usyk, but he's in a weird void of not really having anyone of particular note that he can fight with.

Boxing ey, stick 'em in a ring that's :pint: a square, punchy punchy, wallopy knockout. Marvellous

.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Shuk205znvk

Smith v Eubank II

comprehensive from Eubank, totally destroyed Smith this time

Masterclass performance very one sided :clap:

Didn’t see that coming. Smith very poor

Anyone else think Ngannou was robbed🤔

100% robbed

But it's crossover. It's a revenue generator not a sport. You can't go upsetting the proper boxing order, the Usky fight needs to happen.

Exactly that. If the Usyk fight is happening on the 23rd December Fury could never lose any judge decision with the amount of money involved!

Absolutely no chance that fight happens in December after last night.

:D

Totally agree, Fury won’t admit it but he was well ring rusty and face was pretty well beaten up so a lot of soul searching and Frank Warren bullshit needed :D

I think it's unconfirmed delayed isn't it.

Is that the worst Tyson Fury performance as a pro?

Frank warren saying after the fight it won’t take place in December.

Cracking card in Saudi on the 23rd December.

Big Baby Miller has gone quiet :D

Brilliant performance from DD. Thought Miller was going to wear him down but DD ran through him the last three rounds. Bring on the next!

Spot on. It does make Miller look a prick after his antics yesterday

Predictions re Wilder and AJ, Jimmy (obviously Bivol will win)?

I’m saying a third round ko in favour of Wilder and I’m predicting AJ is sent into retirement in round 8.

Yawn.

Wilder too old now one trick pony that’s been found out. AJ to win late on but it won’t be easy,

I didn’t factor in his inactivity. He fought terribly, looked genuinely gunshy.

Parker, on the other hand, was masterful. Executed the game plan to perfection. I always thought Andy Lee would make a good trainer and he proved himself tonight.

I wouldn’t want to be the guy who has tripped over the sound wire (that’s a technical term) right now. Heads will roll. Maybe literally.

Wow, the old AJ is back……I bet Frank Warren didn’t like that😁

That was very unlike recent AJ. He fought like a boxer rather than a robot. Still don’t like him, but humble pie has been served.

Wilder had a fucking stinker didn’t he? Didn’t even seem arsed at the end- was very odd. Boxed how his trainer used to box 😂
Fucked up the AJ fight. Guess that’s what happens when you fuck about with pointless fights.

Credit AJ, thought he’d struggle, battered Wallin who gave Fury absolute Hell which is kinda where he made his name away from being a sparring partner. Gassiev half the man he once was but even that was a good win

Good to have AJ winning for the division imo, much rather back him than your dirty ped cheating drug test failing smack talking men like Fury, Whyte, Milller (thank fuck DD done him) and your canelos etc.

Jai Opetaia is a freak.

There’s a monster in the Super Bantamweight division. Inoue is the GGG heir apparent.

Fury v Usyk off due to a cut on Fury’s eye during sparring.

Bottler

I bet his surrogate dad Frank Warren is pissed off😁

To be fair, that’s a deep cut he’s got. Two weeks of healing won’t be enough to stop that splitting open again the first meaningful blow that hits the area.

Having said that, he’s slowly turning into a circus act. The fight against Francis was an absolute shit show by Fury. So he’s hardly helped himself.

They’re saying a minimum of 90 days recovery so probably wouldn’t fight until at least August.

  Mrs merton is on I player and I have just rewatched the  episode with Chris Eubank

Both Fury and Usyk technically lost their last fight but the Boxing powers that be couldn't have those two losing their belts just yet.

Fury still ducking the supposed big fights, would not surprise me if his team intentionally got his eye cut  during sparring.

Talking of circus acts, if you saw the absolute cringefest that was the ''trailer'' for the fight...fuck me it was awful