Delighted the right result tonight was called. Linares even approaching his later years still far too quick handed and skilful for Crolla who always looked a bit of a typical Hearn hype job to me. Not his fault he's a Manc I guess but his trainer Joe Gallagher is quite possibly the biggest cock in boxing (Mind you Hearn runs him very close, sitting next to Wayne Rooney FFS. I rest my case on him boys ) Pauli superb tonight again on Sky. Absolutely bang on with his line 'If the UK wants to be a world power in boxing home cooking cannot happen.' Thankfully tonight it didn't. Awesome stuff from Jorge 'million dollars' Linares!
Bit harsh calling him a hype job Beefy, I know you hate Eddie Hearn and anything to do with him and I'll admit that Crolla has definitely over achieved in his career but what he has achieved after coming back from the injuries that he had isn't hype, he actually did it. He's a really nice bloke and a decent fighter but Linares is best lightweight on the planet, Crolla was never going to win this one. I couldn't believe when I saw the odds when the fight was priced up that they had Crolla favourite. I had a few quid on Linares stoppage in rounds 10-12, knowing he'd never been distance before (typical it happens first time I have money on him). I read an interview with Crolla recently and he said he couldn't believe he'd been made favourite but reckoned it was because the bookies keep underestimating him and lost a bit of money on him last couple of fights. I wonder what next for Linares, he's been saying in the build up he wanted to win the lightweight title back then move up in weight but I wonder if Frank Warren will try make a deal to get him in the ring with Terry Flanagan for a unification fight. As for Crolla I can see him fighting the winner of Luke Campbell/Derry Matthews which takes place on 15th October in Liverpool. Matthews and Crolla have fought twice before Matthews winning one by ko and the second one a draw so they'll probably both be up for the trilogy. Campbell is still rebuilding after suffering his first defeat a couple of fights back and Matthews is arguably his biggest test to date.
With regards the fight itself last night, does annoy me a bit the way they always lean towards the home fighter therefore talking about fights being closer at times than they actually are. Linares was far more comfortable in there throughout the fight, the classier work was coming from him, more combos, more variety of punches, quicker, stronger. Crolla was jab, jab, hook, throw in for body shot. He had a game plan that wasn't really working but couldn't seem to do anything different. Crolla was hurt during the fight, Linares wasn't, I didn't like the constant moaning about low blows from Crolla, they weren't low but that's the sort of thing that can influence judges, referees and less importantly the crowd. I had Linares by 4 or 5 rounds even giving Crolla benefit of the doubt in some of the closer rounds.
Linares was much too good. I believe he won by a damn sight more than two of the judges thought. One had him by a point, another by 2. Going in, I thought Linares might prove too strong, but I was surprised at the effort Crolla put in. When he decided to let his hands go, he did pretty well, but he just wasn't busy enough. Linares was too crisp and had a better work rate, but at times I think Crolla's forcing of the fight frustrated him. Jorge is as you said Smoke, probably the best Lightweight around at the moment, but to me he seems a little jaded. He's now fighting in his fourth weight class, has 44 fights behind him and has been KO'd three times. I'd have a dollar on him to beat any other Lightweight around at the moment, but I'd be on the edge of my seat. It would be a huge thing to do, but I think if Crolla could put another 25% into his work rate, he'd give Linares a real fright. I suppose that's a bit off the wall, but I smell a bit of weakness about Linares. And I'm a big fan of the man.
Crolla was a total hype job, partly down to his burglars and his serious injury but the hype definitely surpassed his achievements. Another top class domestic fighter being sold to the masses as being worldclass yet totally found out as just below last night. Kevin Mitchell had Linares in far more bother than Crolla did last night. And hang on, didn't you describe Canelo last week as a 'hype job' yet you say Crolla's not?! Come on man! Totally agree with your fight analysis, I had Linares winning by 4.
I don't think there's much hype with Crolla that's why I don't think he's a hype job. It wasn't hype he had his ankle broken and skull fractured, it wasn't hype that he came back from that and won a world title, it wasn't hype that he defended it against the man who ended Mitchell's career, who no one gave him a chance against. The only hype, I'll condcede that's been about him was having him favourite for last nights fight. I diasagree he was been sold as a world class domestic fighter I think it's always been with Crolla about his likability and his so called 'fairytale' of near death to world champion. I think it's widely accepted that he's over achieved and not many expected to see him at that level
It took me less than 1 round to question why Crolla was fav. Crolla had the right plan but didn't have the power to trouble Linares. A harder puncher adopting the same game plan might well be able to ko Linares. He doesn't seem to like being made to fight every second of the fight.
The vultures are circling. As Tyson Fury lies prostrate in the desert, the birds of prey are making ready to pluck his still blinking eyes from his head. The WBO has sent Fury a missive saying. "We would appreciate that the physician specifically clarifies the nature and extent of your condition and your prognosis for return to training and your return to competition. If the Championship Committee does not receive the complete requested information, i.e. the Interim Certification, together with the Psychological and/or Mental Evaluation, within the allotted time frame of 10 days, the Committee will proceed with the necessary appropriate action without the benefit of an appeal." The WBA are also making noises about a possible stripping.
Can't see him fighting again. He's achieved his ambition and said long ago he isn't in the business to make other people rich. Probably retire a rich, undefeated ex World Champion
Will be a shame if he doesn't fight again. He might retire an undefeated world champion but many people will write the Klitschko victory off as an anomaly if he doesn't defend the victory. He might just be seen as another Buster Douglas or Hasim Rahman in the history books.
I think Buster Douglas was his own worst enemy, a lot of the just wouldn't in the hard yards in training. He prepared himself well Mike Tyson fight and caught Iron Mike off guard. Tyson hadn't really put in for the fight. Too much partying. After lifting the belt with that knockout, Douglas was supposed to fight Tyson in a rematch, but Douglas' first defence went to a purse bid which was won by Evander Holyfield's people. Holyfield was rated No1 by all sanctioning bodies. Buster put in a half arsed effort in training and went into the fight well overweight. "Roll him in and carry him out." Said Duva. We all know that He got smashed. But old Buster wasn't all that bad. He beat a few of guys (Page, McCall and Berbick) who were not exactly elite fighters, but all won World Titles. McCall beat both Larry Holmes and Lennox Lewis in title fights. McCall did lose a **** load of fights though. I don't think Hasim Rahman was all that much, but he too had a title fight win over Lennox Lewis. Buster Douglas' win over Tyson will live long in history, American culture will make sure of it. But I don't thing the magnitude of the Fury win over Klitschko will be appreciated in the States as much as the Douglas win over Tyson. And as much as we dislike it, sadly, it's the American culture that drives global fame. Hopefully the rest of us will see the Fury win for what it was ... a work of art. It was as ugly as it was brilliant. If the man never fights again, he's done all that he needed to do. Personally, I think he'd have done Vlad a second time.
I think he does, his uncle has said part of his mental health issues is that it bothers him that he's not getting the recognition and adulation from people for what he achieved
This video is quite interesting from Peter Fury. Explains the situation from their view. We shouldn't shrug off mental health issues, but also, the belts cant lay dormant for years if they are not defended for whatever reason. It is a short career in boxing.
