Off Topic Boxing

I'm not sure AJ will still be around in 3 years time. He'll have made a ridiculous amount of money by then and will either have achieved everything he wants or been found out but likely retired either way

 

So who's telling fibs? Fast Eddie, still on the look out for an opponent for the desperate Dillian Whyte who's to fight on the Joshua under card, says he made a substantial offer to Dominic "Trouble" Breazeale. But Big Dom is having none of it. He reckons the money was far from substantial. Al Haymon has lined up Eric Molina to face Breazeale on November 4. The winner gets a walk up start against Wilder. Did Hearn really offer a decent pay, or is the Breazeale camp telling it true? Eddie could be full of crap and Dom's mob had no choice other than to tell Eddie where to stick his offer, or the Breazeale guys are full of it. Maybe Dom really did get a nice offer, but has taken less to fight a title eliminator. Either way, Eddie's still been left out in the cold.

I like the man, he's a lot of fun, but I can't help but wonder what will happen if Dillian Whyte has to fight a European truck driver. He'll bring excitement to the bout, but what if it turns out to be an even affair against a nobody? Where not long ago, Hearn was talking of top ranked fighter to face his man, he's now suggesting a top 15 bloke.

Eddie is a delight to watch in interviews, He's funny, knowledgeable and has a firm handle on the fight game, but the more I see of him, the less I trust what he offers. I'm not saying there's not a lot of truth in him, I'm just say that I personally find him a bit suss.

 

They breed 'em big in Kiwiland. If only they could find a place for them to fight. Conrad Lam, he man mountain known as "Friday the Thirteenth" packed 'em in at the Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, where he made his second defence of something called the Pacific Promotions Heavyweight Title. I think it's a belt foisted upon the public by a company of the same name. But I could be wrong. The champ entered to a thunderous reception as he followed a young woman who held his belt and looked as though she'd wanted no part of the proceedings, down a escalator to the ring. Fight expectations quickly reached fever pitch as the ring announcer went into over drive and assaulted the senses of those brave enough to pay good, hard cash to watch the clash of one and a half titans.

The champion entered the engagement at a massive 27 stone 10 pounds and the winner of his only 4 bouts. The challenger "King" Afa Tatupu, a gent once miserably smashed by a present World Champion, entered the ring at a rather pitiful 17 stone 4 pounds. His record of 10 wins 8 losses didn't inspire much confidence in those wanting to have a punt, but the paramedics were quietly confident that they'd be able to prop up the bar for at least a few rounds before being called into service.

The fight was one for the ages, and I'm sure those boxing fans who attended the fight last Friday, will go to their graves with memories of the savagery firmly etched in the minds. I wasn't there, but the replay has wounded me for life.

 

Kubrat Pulev has pulled out of the Anthony Joshua bout and is to be replaced by Carlos Takam. Takam, who was to fight in Monaco, is the next ranked fighter on the IBF list, so he was offered the fight. The bout will still be Joshua's mandatory defence. According to Pulev's promoter Kalle Sauerland, the fighter has torn a pectoral muscle. He will lose his mandatory status and will be re-ranked by the IBF. Eddie Hearn said he had contacted Takam's people a couple of months ago and asked them if they'd be willing to stand by in case Pulev didn't make it. Hearn has said that Joshua is pretty pissed off with the change of opponent. Can't blame him really as he's been working on having a much taller opponent for the last two months. It's all part of the game I suppose.

 

Was there some decent boxing last Saturday. I completely missed it if there was

 

Yep some good fights Ron. The wonderful Leo Santa Cruz did a number on Avalos. He easily defended his WBA Featherweight title. And Abner mares destroyed Gutierrez, setting up another clash between these two champions. Santa Cruz took a split decision when they last met. These two and Gary Russell are about the best going around at the moment.

And Groves had a win over Cox, setting up a clash with Chris Eubank Jr. That'll be something to see.

Three top Super Welterweights, Lara, Jermell Charlo and Trout all had stoppage wins.

 

Thanks Cyc. Haven't heard anything about Josh Kelly lately, since I mentioned him as a promising newcomer to the scene. Welterweight with just 3 fights to his name as a pro. I watched his début and was quite impressed; haven't seen him since

 

According to Boxrec, he’s scheduled to fight against an unnamed opponent this coming Saturday

 

Thanks smokey. Could be worth a watch if you get a chance

 

Ron, the Matchroom site has Kelly fighting a Welterweight bout against a Mexican bloke called Jose Luis Zuniga over 8 rounds. According to Boxrec, Zuniga is a Super Welterweight, so if it's him, he's dropping down a division. He's has 13 wins, 2 losses and a draw. He's won 7 inside the distance. Knowing Hearn, Zuniga is probably going to be cannon fodder.

 

Definitely Ron, I like him. Good amateur and solid start to his pro career. He’ll be brought along steadily enough and I don’t think it’ll be too long before he’s fighting for a domestic title

 

Cheers Cyc. Kelly is a bit flashy so it will be interesting to see what happens if he's caught with a good one

 

Kelly has only had the 3 fights. This was his latest, an effort in June against Tom Whitfield.

 

With him being an ‘Olympian’ they tend to be brought on a bit quicker and afforded more opportunities than most probably due to them already been known to the public (easier to promote I would imagine). So even though he’s only 3 fights in there’ll be talk of a domestic title before he gets to double figures

 

Didn't look so good in his semi final. I wonder what the gold medallist is like

 

The Olympic Gold Medal Fight. Kelly lost early on to the guy in blue.

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Not impressive at all. Hopefully Kelly isn't just looking good against poor quality.

 

Interesting fight taking place in London tomorrow. Olympic Silver medalist Joe Joyce makes his debut as a pro against Ian Lewison over 10 rounds. Lewison is having his first start since his tenth round stoppage at the hands of Dillian White. That fight was for the vacant BBBofC Heavyweight Title. Talk about a fast start to a career. Joyce doesn't have much choice I suppose, he's 32. A late start. He's on record saying that he used Bermane Stiverne as a punching bag when they sparred. Stiverne takes in Wilder soon, so I guess that makes Joyce a good thing against Lewison. Either that or he's full of ****.

 

Few decent fights last night. Ryan Burnett took another world title in an engrossing dust up in Belfast, a fight in complete contrast to his previous bout with Lee Haskins where he was able to show off his boxing skills, last night he had to show toughness and guts to continually fend of the pressure fighter Zhakiyanov. At times the fight was almost a wrestling fight, so much did Ricky Hattons man stay up close and personal with the Belfast man but it lead to an intriguing bout and one which was a good bit closer than the judges had it but no doubt the home boy was a worthy winner on the night. Burnett had to go toe to toe and fight plenty in the inside which was him out of his comfort zone against a very physical, stronger fighter and it was only really when he had space and could get his combinations out did he look the superior boxer. A good fight, I always enjoy the ‘matador v the bull’ type fights and this was that type of fight.

Elsewhere Josh Warrington won to set up a fight with Lee Selby. Easy night for Selby that will be in my opinion. Last week George Groves won a belting but short fight against Jamie Cox who come out of it with credit to my eye and likely punched himself out after the first few rounds where he give Groves some trouble on the ropes. Eubank Jr lies in wait and I’d say he’s licking his lips at the chance of getting to Groves seeing how Cox penetrated the Groves defence so effectively. Looks an epic fight this one.

 

Friday night Joe Joyce made his debut and a very taking debut it was against a journeyman in Ian Lewison, but for a debut that was as good an opponent as you’ll see someone pitched in against. Controlled the fight from the start, Joyce was in no hurry to get take his man out early and fought very patiently, it was almost like he was training and trying to build experience in the ring rather than sparring. I guess when your pro career starts at 32 you have little option but to learn on the job and learn very fast! In comparison terms, from memory, he beat Lewison about as easily as Dillian Whyte did, and he’s one whose arguably bordering on being good enough to at least challenge for a world title, maybe not win one, but he’s on the fringes and a solid benchmark. There’s not a huge amount of brilliant heavys out there now as we know. So for a debut fight you’d have to say that was very good, and chat of his second fight being for a national title certainly don’t seem far fetched. His problem is his age, AJ already has 4/5 years on him, and the guy I’m excited about the most Daniel Dubois isn’t even 20 yet, so Joyce will need to be fast tracking to get up the ladder before he’s too old.