boxing

[pinkmoon]

Just watching the news then and the two boxers came on I thought that mayweather chap looks a bit of a soft touch I might have a go at him once my leg gets better.

[Steadmund Brand]

OH NO NOT A BOXING THREAD!!! ( just kidding, I am a boxing writer... not full time anymore, but was at one time) I have mixed feelings about this fight, I love that everyone in the world is talking about it.. but hate the fact that I have not had one good nights sleep since they announced it!!!

Plus I want to remind boxing fans that this weekend may be a HUGE EVENT, but there are better fights coming up, the next weekend Canelo Alvarez V James Kirkland should be a better fight, and the week after that, the most exciting fighter in the sport today Gennady Golovkin will fight Willie Monroe Jr.
... and for my friends across the pond.. there are rumors of a possible showdown between Kell Brook and Amir Khan ( provided Khan gets past Chris Algieri on May 29th and the winner of Manny v Floyd doesn't offer either Khan or Brook the next fight)

plus the Hall of Fame inductions are only about 5 weeks away.. congratulations to the inductees, in the Modern category Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe, the Prince Naseem Hamed- in the Old Timer category- The Fierce Eagle Yoko Gushiken, Masao Oba, and Ken Overlin, in the Non- Participant group John F.X Condon, Rafael Mendoza and Steve Smoger, and the Observer category Nigel Collins and Jim Lampley.!!

Steadmund Brand

[Fleetwood Mac]

Just watching the news then and the two boxers came on I thought that mayweather chap looks a bit of a soft touch I might have a go at him once my leg gets better.

3 or 4 years too late.

Now it doesn't really matter; a few year back it would have been the most eagerly anticipated fight for many a year.

Mayweather is an outstanding fighter obviously, but he doesn't like being put under pressure and Pacquiao is/was quick on his feet, quick hands, bustling style.

Could have beaten Mayweather when both at their best.

Now, doesn't really matter who wins as it's not a fight with the two men at their best.

[Fleetwood Mac]

OH NO NOT A BOXING THREAD!!! ( just kidding, I am a boxing writer... not full time anymore, but was at one time) I have mixed feelings about this fight, I love that everyone in the world is talking about it.. but hate the fact that I have not had one good nights sleep since they announced it!!!

Plus I want to remind boxing fans that this weekend may be a HUGE EVENT, but there are better fights coming up, the next weekend Canelo Alvarez V James Kirkland should be a better fight, and the week after that, the most exciting fighter in the sport today Gennady Golovkin will fight Willie Monroe Jr.
... and for my friends across the pond.. there are rumors of a possible showdown between Kell Brook and Amir Khan ( provided Khan gets past Chris Algieri on May 29th and the winner of Manny v Floyd doesn't offer either Khan or Brook the next fight)

plus the Hall of Fame inductions are only about 5 weeks away.. congratulations to the inductees, in the Modern category Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe, the Prince Naseem Hamed- in the Old Timer category- The Fierce Eagle Yoko Gushiken, Masao Oba, and Ken Overlin, in the Non- Participant group John F.X Condon, Rafael Mendoza and Steve Smoger, and the Observer category Nigel Collins and Jim Lampley.!!

Steadmund Brand

Kell Brook should avoid Khan.

He has absolutely nothing to gain from it.

Brook is an all round quality fighter: quick hands, solid chin, flexible in that he fights the lad in front of him and easily changes style to accommodate this, can genuinely box unlike many British fighters who are brawlers first and foremost, good stamina.

Brook is always in danger of being caught by Khan, as in any fight, as Khan has a decent punch on him; but commentators over here believe, and there is good evidence to support this, that Khan is not remotely in the same league as Kell Brook.

Brook is widely respected here; Khan isn't. Why Brook would want to risk this can only be for money. If that's the case he is being poorly advised as he the chance to go back to the United States and fight the best over there and really make a name for himself. He's capable of doing it.

[Steadmund Brand]

Good day Fleetwood Mac

Let me start by saying that Khan V Brook is a superfight in the UK....they could sell out Wembley faster than Froch V Groves did... very few people on this side of the water would care about the fight, sad as that may be ( I would care.. I think it would be a hell of a fun fight to watch) and here in the states Brook is respected.. but that doesn't mean $$$.. like it should.. so if He doesn't get offered Manny or Floyd... from a business standpoint Khan is a great option... I think Brook beats Khan... but Amir can surprise people and is a better fighter than many people give him credit for he was amazing against Devon Alexander in a fight many people thought he would lose.. let us just hope he doesn't get lazy in training for Chris Algieri...and puts on a good show.

Steadmund Brand

[GUT]

But what a pay day for Floyd and Manny.

To be honest there aren't many fighters at the moment that excite me.

[pinkmoon]

It pains me to say this but since boxing has been made a lot safer and boxers don't take as much punishment and fights are stopped a lot quicker by referees boxing has not been as entertaining.My dad always reckoned that jack Dempsey was always the greatest fighter of all time and having finally got round to watching some of his fights I Wouldn't argue with that .His fighting style was extremley basic get close and kill his opponent but very effective.

[GUT]

Bet Steady wishes he'd stuck to trowing punches rather than writing about it when he looks at the money this pair are getting.

[Robert]

I've never been a really serious boxing fan, and of course there are people I simply never saw, such as Louis and Marciano. But I would be surprised if Ali wasn't the best boxer ever to grace the ring.

[pinkmoon]

I've never been a really serious boxing fan, and of course there are people I simply never saw, such as Louis and Marciano. But I would be surprised if Ali wasn't the best boxer ever to grace the ring.

Ali was the best showman I can remember the build up to his fights and his tv appearances were absolutely fantastic .

[GUT]

Ali was the best showman I can remember the build up to his fights and his tv appearances were absolutely fantastic .

And he admitted he based his "character" on a professional wrestler "Gorgeous George"

[Robert]

Yes, a great personality. And I think the reason he got away with all the hype, was the humour. If he hadn't done boxing, he'd have been a great stand-up.

[GUT]

Yes, a great personality. And I think the reason he got away with all the hype, was the humour. If he hadn't done boxing, he'd have been a great stand-up.

I'm not sure he was the best ever, but he could mix it up, he could box, and once or twice I saw him brawl and rope a dope was pure genius.

And an entertainer.

[Steadmund Brand]

Ali was something special... Most people forget just how HATED he was at the time for standing up for what he believed in ( and he really did, he lost the 3 best years of his career, risked jail time for something he believed strongly in....when it was not popular to do so, and it was not out of cowardice as some suggest, he knew he would NEVER see combat, but would have been doing good will tours and exhibitions for the troops... but he was against the war and stood up for what he believed in!!!)

Also, there were 2 Ali's, the pre suspension, Cassius Clay/ Ali who was all about speed, maybe the fastest heavyweight ever!!, then when he came back, he was older and slower and really was almost more about will over skill, he was still fast, but not blazing.. he could still move and punch, but we learned how well he could take a punch and out think his opponents...

He was and is a very special man, I am so lucky I have had the chance of meeting him a few times.. I know conservative America won’t ever say this, but I feel Ali is truly a national treasure here in the United States... as far as the best of all time... probably not... one of the best heavyweights for sure..but I would have to put Sugar Ray Robinson, Harry Greb, possibly Willie Pep and maybe Henry Armstrong ahead of ALI on the pound for pound greatest of all-time list.. but as far as an important sports figure... nobody in any sport ever was more important than Ali!!!!


Steadmund Brand

[GUT]

Ali's twitter account has just posted "But don't forget who is the greatest".

Not that I believe the great man posted that himself.