In a few post back, Smoke referred to Lara in relation to a match against GGG. Well that man, Erislandy Lara steps into the ring tonight in defence of his WBA & IBO Super Welterweight titles against the Super Welterweight IBF champion Jarrett Hurd. According to press reports, Lara is the longest reigning Super Welterweight in the history, having won the first of his titles in 2014. Lara is the classic boxer who'll have to concede considerable height and reach advantages to Hurd the fighter. This bout has every chance of not being a fan friendly affair. The Cuban born Lara is an exceptional boxer who'll do most of the fight on the back foot, while Hurd will be forever trying to press the fight. Boxer v fighter. Lara will have to give away a massive 4 inches in height, and 2 and a half inches in reach. Hurd is 7 years younger. Betting is almost the flip of the coin. Difference in size. please log in to view this image
Well it's now official, the big man's back, Tyson Fury has signed with Frank Warren and makes his first appearance on June 9 at the Manchester Arena. No opponent has yet been named. His dad John gives an insight on Tyson and his issues over the last couple of years.
On 27 September, 1980, WBA & WBC Middleweight Champion Alan Minter stepped into the ring to defend his titles against Marvin Hagler. The lead up to the bout had been soured by racism and probably helped fuel an outrage on fight night. The champion suffered a terrible beat down, and boxing took a major hit as well. Hagler was reputed to have said that he'd never shake a white man's hand. He defended the claim by saying he never shook the hand of an opponent before a fight. Minter was stated as saying that he did not intend losing his titles to a black man. He later claimed that he'd said "that black man." The exact context of what was said is still shrouded in mystery, but the statements would cause a **** storm come fight night. The brutality inside the ring would last just seven minutes and forty five seconds.
A nice fight tonight in Belfast between two weight champion Carl Frampton and four weight champion Nonito Donaire. A lot is on the line for these warriors, especially the 35 year old Donaire. Both are the same height, but the Philippine boxer has a handy 6 inch reach advantage. Some are suggesting that Frampton hasn't looked all that flash of late, but he has a nice age advantage over Donaire who has only had two fights in the last two years. The betting heavily favours the Irishman, but there will be a lot of sentimental support for the future hall of fame boxer Nonito Donaire.
Nothing whatsoever against Frampton but I'll be firmly in the Donaire camp tonight. One of my favourite boxers of recent times and would have loved to have been able to go over for it and seen him fight in person. Great fighter. Well past his prime now mind and been in decline the last few years so you would expect if Frampton is to be a serious contender in the game the he should be (unfortunately) winning tonight.
Extremely classy showing from Frampton last night against as has already been said, a superstar boxer on the wane, so the win was completely expected, but the manner of it certainly served notice that tales of Framptons demise now look extremely foolish. The atmosphere was electric and the respect between the two fighters after the fight was nice to see. It was the first time since the Santa Cruz win Frampton actually engaged his brain and didn’t fight gung ho. Seems the transition from Shane McGuigan to Jamie Moore has went pretty smoothly so onwards and upwards for the Northern Irish man. Selby fight must be very close, as he’ll go through Warrington with ease for my money. Some statement from Khan as well. Took care of your man a lot quicker than some other decent benchmarks in the division.
One of the more interesting fights of the weekend featured the return of Gervonta Davis, the man who lost his IBF Featherweight Title on the scales when facing Francisco Fonseca last August. He won the fight though when he stopped Fonseca in the eighth. Last night he won the WBA Super Featherweight Title when he pounded Jesus Cuellar into submission in less than three rounds. He looked impressive. All of a sudden people are calling for a Lomachenko - Davis clash. I'm not sure he's ready for that though.
Very proficient job by Frampton last night was good to see him using his head again and boxing. Donaire did look a shadow of his former self though and although he wasn't exactly embarrassed last night id like to see him hang his gloves up and walk away before he becomes just a stepping stone for up and coming fighters. Selby Frampton would be a decent fight. I agree with Beefy, Selby walks straight through Warrington. I still like to see Frampton/Santa Cruz 3 but that appears further away than ever. As for Amir Khan, not much to go on. He did a job but against someone who wasnt really supposed to be a risk on his first fight of a three fight deal with Matchroom. Khan will do his usual. Look good against average opposition and then come unstuck and unconscious against any real quality.
Agree about Donaire, the decline happens exceptionally quickly with boxers sadly. He certainly wasn't disgraced last night and I think the respect shown to him (in and out of the ring) by Frampton was the main factor in Frampton looking impressive again. Frampton knew Donaire still carried a threat. It's hard to argue with your comment re Khan, the thing is it's probably even more applicable to his nemesis Mr Brook and that's why I hope and think we'll see a huge, huge domestic fight between them in 12 months time.
Yeah Brook also short of world class. I'd favour him against Khan though as I think he has power which Khan doesnt really have and he has a bit of a chin whereas Khan definitely doesn't. If I could be confident that Khan would stick to a game plan and box and use his speed to get in and out of range then id have Khan winning as he's the superior boxer but you can guarantee that Khan won't stick to a plan and will rush in and want to fight and get involved. And as in the past that will be his undoing and he'll end up asleep.
Yup will outbox him for the first 4 or 5 rounds then walk onto a counter and thats all she wrote. Rinse and repeat. Thought Tank looked superb last night. Picks his punches so well.
Who was Khan fighting last night? Poor bloke didn't get a chance to throw a punch. Was that a total mismatch or is Khan better than I thought?
Mismatch Ron but you can only beat who is served in front of you. He is exciting to watch and never in a bad fight I will give him that bt as soon as he eats at the top table again its Goodnight Vienna. Hasn't got the Ring IQ to fight smart, rushes in, catches a counter and then its Goodnight Vienna
Not a mismatch as such just a no risk fight for Khan. Lo Greco has been in with Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jnr so on the face of it he's had decent opposition but he's not a very good fighter. I don't think anyone expected him to be blown away like he was though. He was put in there to be a bit more durable and the expectation was to give Khan some rounds whilst making him look good after two years out.
Ron, you are not alone in thinking Khan is over rated, but please don't think too lightly of the man's talents. They are many. He can be absolutely brilliant when at his best, but there is something wrong with his chin-brain connect. When he gets stung, the result can be horrible. The clip below shows the man at his best and worst. Danny Garcia went on to be a two weight champion who's only loss was a split points loss to Keith Thurman, a bloke thought to be the number one welterweight over the last few years.
