The man considered the best Minimumweight fighter on the planet, Hekkie Budler of South Africa, last night out pointed compatriot Simphiwe Khonco in what is being touted as possibly the fight of the year in that country. The Executioner was badly cut in the second round by Khonco, but despite a bloodied face for the duration of the bout, Budler retained his WBA and IBO titles with a unanimous points win. 117-111, 116-12 and 115-113. WBA number 4 ranked Simphiwe Khonco came into the bout as an outsider. But he put up one hell of a showing, leading many to already call for a rematch. Budler took his record to 29-1. Having at one time held the IBO Flyweight title, he made the shrewd move of dropping down two divisions, which gave him some serious advantages of the everyone else in the class. He must give his body one hell of a pounding to stay at 105, so I guess it's fair to ask how long he can continue at Strawweight.
https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&sour...0XOQr6&usg=AFQjCNFnrCodzQPltv-mu7ho09Y5RsYyKw Tyson Fury and his recent press conference ahead of his bout with Klitschko. I think Klitschko isn't far off, Fury does need therapy. Hope that loaded ok.
If you can view the whole conference it's quite entertaining. Not sure anyone knew what to make of it really. Fury can't beat Klitschko, if he does I will be shocked.
He'll be eating that big jab for 12 pounds no doubt. Would like him to at least shake up Klitschko as it seems all the recent hyped up fights are borathons...zzzz
If he gets as far as shaking him up he might even win as I can't see him letting up if he has him on the go. I'm not a Fury fan but does anyone know if Klitschko has fought anyone as big as Fury, and as fast, and a longer reach, and won?
Ron, when a champion lasts as long as Vlad, they get to fight all sorts of weights and sizes. Some smaller and with less reach, others heavier and just as long in reach, some times longer. His last opponent although a lot lighter, had longer reach. Is Vlad fast? Dunno really. He certainly has fastish hands, but he not an Ali on his feet. I think Fury will be more fleet footed and may even have the edge in hand speed, but not the power. Something to think about, 3 of Vlad's last 6 fights have gone the distance, so is he as powerful as he once was? And he's pushing 40. These are a lot of negatives to take into a title fight, but he is a champion, and a champion in the real sense. A lot of people don't like the man, history though will how him to be one of the Heavyweight greats. Men of his calibre just seem to get the job done, and as much as I'd like to see Fury win the belt, I think he'll be up against it. As usual, Klitschko will probably find a way to get things done. I'm hoping like crazy that Fury can turn the fight into one hell of a contest and win, lose or draw, leave the ring having done himself proud.
After soaking up the actions of Batman the other day, we now get to see some real action this weekend as the other heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, steps into the ring against the little known Frenchman Johann Duhaupas. Before Wilder has to take on his mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin, he's been allowed a defence against a top 15 ranked fighter. Duhaupas, known as the Reptile will go in as a bolter against the champ at 1-20. He's a big man who's stepped up in his last two fights and acquitted himself quite well. He's not expected to bother Wilder too much. The real interest is in just how well the champ goes. The Americans seem to believe that he's the real deal, but until he gets into the ring with Povetkin, I guess it's all conjecture. I'll put it out there now, I don't think he's as bad as many in Europe believe, and to those few who think Joseph is ready to take him on right now, I say keep your punting hands in your pockets. Maybe in a year or two, but when you think about it, there is every chance that Wilder will be a lot better by then too.
Wlad should be beating Fury and 4-5 years ago he would do so no problem, however at 40 he could be there for the taking, that is all stating the obvious but it is the way most see it.
I think you might be right there Ron, Wilder's massive height and reach advantages might prove too much for Povetkin. But the man can certainly bang with the best of them. There are people (heaps of them) with more insight than me who rate Povetkin as the second best going around.
Wow, after they signed for the fight, Fury on film, said the fight was no certainty. He predicted Klitschko would pull the pin out of fear. Maybe that was bullshit, but there can be no doubt that Fury has reservations about Klitschko showing up on fight night.
Shame that isn't it. Sounds like a reschedule though and if he is genuinely injured then there's not much that can be done.
I am starting to wonder if Tyson Fury may actually be a little better than we imagine. He has now had David Haye and twice and now Klitschko pull out of fighting him after getting up close. It may be complete coincidence and all those injuries may be real but it's getting too often now to not raise questions. Does he intimidate and give them second thoughts? His boxing style could be called lumbering but his sheer size is intimidating. My thoughts have always been that he would get pushed into the shadows once Anthony Joshua came of age but perhaps Fury has something and these champions are spotting it.
Last night WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder handed a massive flogging to the challenger to his title Johann Duhaupas, stopping the Frenchman in the eleventh round. It was a very one sided affair with Wilder landing more punches as his opponent threw. The brave European refused to go down and suffered for it. It wasn't until the ref stepped in to halt the proceedings towards the end of the fight, that Duhaupas found relief from the incessant bombardment. Wilder was left with a huge mouse under his left eye, but Duhaupas was left a blood smeared mess. He was badly out gunner but as brave as hell.
