Boxing

[Numbers]

I seem to recall there was an Argentine challenger at one stage

I associated that memory with Ali, and in fact the great man defeated three Argentineans during his pro career, but none of them in title fights. Two were prior to his first title, and one - a 15th round TKO over Oscar Bonavera in 1970 - was on the comeback trail after suspension. He did meet one South American in a title fight, however - Uruguay's Alfredo Evangelista, winning on a UD in 77. Given I had started to take an interest in boxing by then (insomuch as Ali's fights were often on TV), that may be the one that triggered the memory.

What are your thoughts on the current situation in the heavyweight division Rowan?

Don't rate most of them. Tyson was the last decent champion, but Ali would've danced around the guy for 12 rounds and won a decision.

Lennox Lewis?
Klitschko?

I would contend that a prime Tyson would have sparked Ali.

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

[rowan]

What are your thoughts on the current situation in the heavyweight division Rowan?

Don't rate most of them. Tyson was the last decent champion, but Ali would've danced around the guy for 12 rounds and won a decision.

Lennox Lewis?
Klitschko?

I would contend that a prime Tyson would have sparked Ali.

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

Yes, when I was a youngster the big debate was Rocky v Ali, but since Iron Mike blasted onto the scene it's always been Ali v Tyson. In their prime it's a hard one to call and everyone has a different view of it. A young Ali (60s) would have stood a better chance against Tyson than an older version (70s), as speed would have been decisive. Lewis and Klitschko (either one) wouldn't have stood up to either of them in their prime, and I think big George Foreman in his prime would have wiped the floor with both of them (Lewis & Klits) as well. I've never been very interested in the other weight divisions, I'm afraid, though I watched a few bouts from the Leonard-Hagler-Hearns-Duran golden era as a kid. So I have no idea who is the best pound 4 pound fighter today. I did a fair bit of boxing in my youth, btw, and although I never entered the ring myself for various reasons, my claim to fame was sparring with a guy who later turned pro (without making much of an impression ). Actually, I got him into the sport. A bunch of us used to get together for sparring sessions on my front lawn. Great fun!

[Big D]

What are your thoughts on the current situation in the heavyweight division Rowan?

Don't rate most of them. Tyson was the last decent champion, but Ali would've danced around the guy for 12 rounds and won a decision.

Lennox Lewis?
Klitschko?

I would contend that a prime Tyson would have sparked Ali.

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

I think a prime Lewis v a prime Tyson would have been one intriguing match up.

[Big D]

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

That is probably is as open a question as it has been for a while.

I think there is a top 5, in no order.

GGG - Been great for a while.
Canelo - Beats everyone he faces bar Mayweather.
Ward - Undisputed best SMW now undisputed LHW champion.
Kovalev - Was undisputed LWH champion and lost a close decision to Ward. Some believe he won that fight.
Gonzalez - lost a complete BS decision last time out. Fights at too low a weight class to be a superstar though.

Struggle to place Lomachenko - he is class but after only 9 fights I find it hard to know where to place him.

I think Linares could end up being top 10 P4P depending on who he fights. And of course it's a matter of time before our boy Callum Smith rules the world............

[rowan]

I've never gone in for the pound 4 pound business much, because the heavyweight division is obviously supreme and the rest are all lower divisions when you think about it. If a light-heavy is good enough, he'll go up and fight for the heavyweight title, and many have . That's just the way I see it personally, of course.

As an aside, I do think all the weight divisions need to be re-evaluated, because people have grown much bigger over the past century and you basically have to be some kind of a midget to qualify for half the divisions. Has any adjustment been made since the Queensbury rules were first drawn up?

[Numbers]

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

That is probably is as open a question as it has been for a while.

I think there is a top 5, in no order.

GGG - Been great for a while.
Canelo - Beats everyone he faces bar Mayweather.
Ward - Undisputed best SMW now undisputed LHW champion.
Kovalev - Was undisputed LWH champion and lost a close decision to Ward. Some believe he won that fight.
Gonzalez - lost a complete BS decision last time out. Fights at too low a weight class to be a superstar though.

Struggle to place Lomachenko - he is class but after only 9 fights I find it hard to know where to place him.

I think Linares could end up being top 10 P4P depending on who he fights. And of course it's a matter of time before our boy Callum Smith rules the world............

Keep your eyes peeled for Gervonta Davis this weekend, he has the makings of the next superstar.

[Big D]

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

That is probably is as open a question as it has been for a while.

I think there is a top 5, in no order.

GGG - Been great for a while.
Canelo - Beats everyone he faces bar Mayweather.
Ward - Undisputed best SMW now undisputed LHW champion.
Kovalev - Was undisputed LWH champion and lost a close decision to Ward. Some believe he won that fight.
Gonzalez - lost a complete BS decision last time out. Fights at too low a weight class to be a superstar though.

Struggle to place Lomachenko - he is class but after only 9 fights I find it hard to know where to place him.

I think Linares could end up being top 10 P4P depending on who he fights. And of course it's a matter of time before our boy Callum Smith rules the world............

Keep your eyes peeled for Gervonta Davis this weekend, he has the makings of the next superstar.

Have heard a little about him, but only in reference to him being Loma's most dangerous challenger in the division. Will keep an eye out but struggling to keep up with all my sports at the minute

[rowan]

Donnie Nietes is 5'2 and 7 stone. I was bigger than that when I was 12. Just saying . . .

[Numbers]

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

That is probably is as open a question as it has been for a while.

I think there is a top 5, in no order.

GGG - Been great for a while.
Canelo - Beats everyone he faces bar Mayweather.
Ward - Undisputed best SMW now undisputed LHW champion.
Kovalev - Was undisputed LWH champion and lost a close decision to Ward. Some believe he won that fight.
Gonzalez - lost a complete BS decision last time out. Fights at too low a weight class to be a superstar though.

Struggle to place Lomachenko - he is class but after only 9 fights I find it hard to know where to place him.

I think Linares could end up being top 10 P4P depending on who he fights. And of course it's a matter of time before our boy Callum Smith rules the world............

Callum fights next weekend against Dirrell, I fancy him to win but it's a definite step up for him. It's a shame the fight is on in Michigan as that'll mean an approximate 3-4a.m. start, however it would be very good for Callum's profile if can put in a dominant display over there.

[rowan]

What if they just had a 'Free Weight' championship anyone could fight for - regardless of weight. Just imagine what kind of match-ups they could come up with! Middleweights against heavyweights, lightweights against middleweights, flyweights and lightweights, flyweights against heavyweights. Imagine Klitschko (2m, 110kg) v. Nietes (1.6m, 49kg), for example. What a fight that would be

[Numbers]

What if they just had a 'Free Weight' championship anyone could fight for - regardless of weight. Just imagine what kind of match-ups they could come up with! Middleweights against heavyweights, lightweights against middleweights, flyweights and lightweights, flyweights against heavyweights. Imagine Klitschko (2m, 110kg) v. Nietes (1.6m, 49kg), for example. What a fight that would be

Your terrific sense of humour is coming to the fore once again Rowan, how about contributing something salient instead of being a tool.

[Big D]

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

That is probably is as open a question as it has been for a while.

I think there is a top 5, in no order.

GGG - Been great for a while.
Canelo - Beats everyone he faces bar Mayweather.
Ward - Undisputed best SMW now undisputed LHW champion.
Kovalev - Was undisputed LWH champion and lost a close decision to Ward. Some believe he won that fight.
Gonzalez - lost a complete BS decision last time out. Fights at too low a weight class to be a superstar though.

Struggle to place Lomachenko - he is class but after only 9 fights I find it hard to know where to place him.

I think Linares could end up being top 10 P4P depending on who he fights. And of course it's a matter of time before our boy Callum Smith rules the world............

Callum fights next weekend against Dirrell, I fancy him to win but it's a definite step up for him. It's a shame the fight is on in Michigan as that'll mean an approximate 3-4a.m. start, however it would be very good for Callum's profile if can put in a dominant display over there.

Didn't know that. Will keep an eye out.

[Numbers]

That is probably is as open a question as it has been for a while.

I think there is a top 5, in no order.

GGG - Been great for a while.
Canelo - Beats everyone he faces bar Mayweather.
Ward - Undisputed best SMW now undisputed LHW champion.
Kovalev - Was undisputed LWH champion and lost a close decision to Ward. Some believe he won that fight.
Gonzalez - lost a complete BS decision last time out. Fights at too low a weight class to be a superstar though.

Struggle to place Lomachenko - he is class but after only 9 fights I find it hard to know where to place him.

I think Linares could end up being top 10 P4P depending on who he fights. And of course it's a matter of time before our boy Callum Smith rules the world............

Callum fights next weekend against Dirrell, I fancy him to win but it's a definite step up for him. It's a shame the fight is on in Michigan as that'll mean an approximate 3-4a.m. start, however it would be very good for Callum's profile if can put in a dominant display over there.

Didn't know that. Will keep an eye out.

It's the same night as the Errol Spence Kell Brook fight, that should be a good one too.

[rowan]

What if they just had a 'Free Weight' championship anyone could fight for - regardless of weight. Just imagine what kind of match-ups they could come up with! Middleweights against heavyweights, lightweights against middleweights, flyweights and lightweights, flyweights against heavyweights. Imagine Klitschko (2m, 110kg) v. Nietes (1.6m, 49kg), for example. What a fight that would be

Your terrific sense of humour is coming to the fore once again Rowan, how about contributing something salient instead of being a tool.

It's you who's being the tool by acting like such a precious little bore. I bet you'd be useless in the ring with a temperament like that

I actually do think a free weight championship would be great entertainment.

[rowan]

Holyfield, 1.9m, looks like a midget fighting this guy! Imagine if Tyson (1.8m) had taken the guy on

[Numbers]

What if they just had a 'Free Weight' championship anyone could fight for - regardless of weight. Just imagine what kind of match-ups they could come up with! Middleweights against heavyweights, lightweights against middleweights, flyweights and lightweights, flyweights against heavyweights. Imagine Klitschko (2m, 110kg) v. Nietes (1.6m, 49kg), for example. What a fight that would be

Your terrific sense of humour is coming to the fore once again Rowan, how about contributing something salient instead of being a tool.

It's you who's being the tool by acting like such a precious little bore. I bet you'd be useless in the ring with a temperament like that

I actually do think a free weight championship would be great entertainment.

Rowan, I am not being a bore, you incessantly troll threads with b0llocks offering very little input other than being a t1t, I don't know whether you have worked out how to use forums yet but the idea is you reply to a previous comment with an opinion in order to engage debate, not just wade in with nonsense. Your ascertions to know anything about boxing are weak at best, you've just decided to stink up another thread with your bullsh1t.

That would be the Heavyweight division you claim to know so much about (tho only from the black and white era).

[rowan]

Your terrific sense of humour is coming to the fore once again Rowan, how about contributing something salient instead of being a tool.

It's you who's being the tool by acting like such a precious little bore. I bet you'd be useless in the ring with a temperament like that

I actually do think a free weight championship would be great entertainment.

Rowan, I am not being a bore, you incessantly troll threads with b0llocks offering very little input other than being a t1t, I don't know whether you have worked out how to use forums yet but the idea is you reply to a previous comment with an opinion in order to engage debate, not just wade in with nonsense. Your ascertions to know anything about boxing are weak at best, you've just decided to stink up another thread with your bullsh1t.

That would be the Heavyweight division you claim to know so much about (tho only from the black and white era).

Yes Numbers, you are being a bore, and it is you who trolls - not me. I asked a trivia question related to rugby-playing boxers, which seemed to disturb you greatly, for some weirdo reason, and then when asked to give my view on the other weight divisions I pointed out that my main field of interest was the heavyweight division, then commented that a 'free weight' championship open to all divisions might be an interesting concept. This also seemed to disturb you immensely, for some weirdo reason. So what I can gather from this is you regard it as your personal responsibility to tell people what they can and can't discuss, and to decide what is nonsense while at the same time contributing this juvenile nonsense yourself. So it is you who has stunk the thread up with bullshit with your hideous arrogance. & I wouldn't be surprised if the very reason you have done so was to cover up some shortcomings regarding your own knowledge of the sport's history. You certainly couldn't answer the trivia question

[Numbers]

It's you who's being the tool by acting like such a precious little bore. I bet you'd be useless in the ring with a temperament like that

I actually do think a free weight championship would be great entertainment.

Rowan, I am not being a bore, you incessantly troll threads with b0llocks offering very little input other than being a t1t, I don't know whether you have worked out how to use forums yet but the idea is you reply to a previous comment with an opinion in order to engage debate, not just wade in with nonsense. Your ascertions to know anything about boxing are weak at best, you've just decided to stink up another thread with your bullsh1t.

That would be the Heavyweight division you claim to know so much about (tho only from the black and white era).

Yes Numbers, you are being a bore, and it is you who trolls - not me. I asked a trivia question related to rugby-playing boxers, which seemed to disturb you greatly, for some weirdo reason, and then when asked to give my view on the other weight divisions I pointed out that my main field of interest was the heavyweight division, then commented that a 'free weight' championship open to all divisions might be an interesting concept. This also seemed to disturb you immensely, for some weirdo reason. So what I can gather from this is you regard it as your personal responsibility to tell people what they can and can't discuss, and to decide what is nonsense while at the same time contributing this juvenile nonsense yourself. So it is you who has stunk the thread up with bullshit with your hideous arrogance. & I wouldn't be surprised if the very reason you have done so was to cover up some shortcomings regarding your own knowledge of the sport's history. You certainly couldn't answer the trivia question

For you to call someone a bore is damning indeed...

I am not going to continue with this as you are an obvious muppet and my day does not revolve around scoring points on a dead rugby forum.

[rowan]

my day does not revolve around scoring points on a dead rugby forum

Self-contradictory comment, if ever there was one

Meanwhile, I watched a few rounds from different heavyweight fights on Youtube last night and was really struck by just how ponderous some of those bigger fighters were - Joshua included. Foreman wasn't quite as big as those guys, granted, but in his prime he was certainly quicker on his feet, more co-ordinated and probably packed a bigger punch than any of them as well. Back in the day most of today's heavyweight giants would have been super heavies and steered well clear of the likes of Ali, Foreman, Holmes and Tyson. That's just my view of it, anyway.

[Numbers]

Terence Crawford is also fighting on Saturday night, available on boxnation from 2a.m. Crawford shouldn't have any difficulty in that one.

[Big D]

Who would you say is this best P4P fighter out there at the moment?

That is probably is as open a question as it has been for a while.

I think there is a top 5, in no order.

GGG - Been great for a while.
Canelo - Beats everyone he faces bar Mayweather.
Ward - Undisputed best SMW now undisputed LHW champion.
Kovalev - Was undisputed LWH champion and lost a close decision to Ward. Some believe he won that fight.
Gonzalez - lost a complete BS decision last time out. Fights at too low a weight class to be a superstar though.

Struggle to place Lomachenko - he is class but after only 9 fights I find it hard to know where to place him.

I think Linares could end up being top 10 P4P depending on who he fights. And of course it's a matter of time before our boy Callum Smith rules the world............

Callum fights next weekend against Dirrell, I fancy him to win but it's a definite step up for him. It's a shame the fight is on in Michigan as that'll mean an approximate 3-4a.m. start, however it would be very good for Callum's profile if can put in a dominant display over there.

Smith v dirrell in September.

[Big D]

Well Dirrells uncle is a scumbag.

[Numbers]

Terence Crawford is also fighting on Saturday night, available on boxnation from 2a.m. Crawford shouldn't have any difficulty in that one.

Crawford with a very easy win, outclassed Diaz from start to finish with Diaz's corner rightly retiring him just after the half way point.

The Gervonta Davis v Liam Walsh bout was pretty much as expected with a 3rd round knockout win for Davis, highlights here:

[Numbers]

Well Dirrells uncle is a scumbag.

I've just seen the footage of this, hopefully he will be banned from attending future bouts and prosecuted.

Footage available here: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/ ... ncle-brawl

[Numbers]

So Errol Spence v Kell Brook on Saturday with Groves on the undercard.

Spence is the odds on favourite to win and has a record which suggests he has heavy hands, however Brook has an excellent chin and is a class act, difficult to call.

Groves also has his work cut out against Chudinov for the WBA SMW strap, again could be a very close fight.

Both of these are to be shown on Sky, for some free boxing on Friday night there is a card from the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff which features Andrew Selby in a title eliminator against a big hitting Nicaraguan so should be good to watch.