CARL FRAMPTON has got Leo Santa Cruz's number and that is why the Belfast boy will defend his WBA featherweight title in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Rematches don't always live up to the first fight, as one of Muhammad Ali's clashes with Joe Frazier proved. Click Here To Read More]
I was inferring that the MW division is not in a great state right now, although that can change rapidly - just look at how 122 was loaded before and then they all jumped to 126. Same thing happened with 112 and 115. If Charlo and Lara move up the MW div would be given a shot of life.
Initially I was disagreeing that Frampton or DeGale or AJ can be considered elite now. Not until they fight more names - but in this lacklustre boxing era that is not easy due to how infrequently boxers fight and also how often the best fights don't get made.
I was one of those who doubted that Ward would fight Kovalev. To his credit he did and he has done more than most do. Only Gonzalez, Loma and Frampton have moved up to fight a top contender in the next weight division in recent times and won. I would rule out Crawford as he seemed to be boiled down at 135. Khan and Brook's moves were purely money motivated.
Loma has looked the most impressive of all as he took out Martinez and then dealt with bogeyman Walters emphatically.
yea, I really like Loma..... have had him in my P4P list for more than a year..... he will be recognized as the best fighter in the world before too long, he could be the best now
but, middleweight is not a good division
my point is definitely correct
he probably is, I think so anyway
also.....
losing to someone like Ward may not necessarily change that
I was inferring that the MW division is not in a great state right now, although that can change rapidly - just look at how 122 was loaded before and then they all jumped to 126. Same thing happened with 112 and 115. If Charlo and Lara move up the MW div would be given a shot of life.
Initially I was disagreeing that Frampton or DeGale or AJ can be considered elite now. Not until they fight more names - but in this lacklustre boxing era that is not easy due to how infrequently boxers fight and also how often the best fights don't get made.
I was one of those who doubted that Ward would fight Kovalev. To his credit he did and he has done more than most do. Only Gonzalez, Loma and Frampton have moved up to fight a top contender in the next weight division in recent times and won. I would rule out Crawford as he seemed to be boiled down at 135. Khan and Brook's moves were purely money motivated.
Loma has looked the most impressive of all as he took out Martinez and then dealt with bogeyman Walters emphatically.
no, if you consistently beat world-class fighters you are elite
If its a good division there should be world class fighters in it. But your point is right too.
But this is the trouble with modern boxing. If you hold up past fighters as being elite it's very difficult for most modern fighters to become elite because there are just not enough good match-ups made - its less of a sport and more business.
Froch has a very solid resume, one of the best of recent years but still not the same as many fighters from the 80s and 90s.
Frampton has quite a bit more to do to prove he is elite. But he says he will be disappointed if still fighting at 33 years of age.
but, middleweight is not a good division
my point is definitely correct
Golovkin looks elite for many. Others say he doesn't. Either way he has seemingly run out of time to prove he is elite.
he probably is, I think so anyway
also.....
losing to someone like Ward may not necessarily change that
no, if you consistently beat world-class fighters you are elite
big diff there
If its a good division there should be world class fighters in it. But your point is right too.
But this is the trouble with modern boxing. If you hold up past fighters as being elite it's very difficult for most modern fighters to become elite because there are just not enough good match-ups made - its less of a sport and more business.
Froch has a very solid resume, one of the best of recent years but still not the same as many fighters from the 80s and 90s.
Frampton has quite a bit more to do to prove he is elite. But he says he will be disappointed if still fighting at 33 years of age.
Golovkin looks elite for many. Others say he doesn't. Either way he has seemingly run out of time to prove he is elite.
When you look at resume none of these fighters are elite. Beating Martinez, Quigg and LSC once or even twice doesn't make you elite. If you dominate a good division you are elite. If Frampton can beat LSC and then Russel and Valdez he would be close to elite imo. I don't think he can do that - he already looks like he has too much wear and tear on him. I have to say Carl looks the part though.
DeGale hasn't even looked the part and unless Jack moves up and suprises us at LHW then we can say DG was taken to hell by Jack a consummate technician but not an elite fighter.
AJ looks the part against lesser competition. Wlad would be a good scalp but you can't claim to be elite by beating a 40 years + champ. If he could get and beat 2 out of Parker, Wilder and Fury then we can start to call him elite.
Resume. Always resume.
no, if you consistently beat world-class fighters you are elite
big diff there
Frampton is #1 until AJ puts Wlad to sleep.
Think they're the only two who can be talked about as 'elite' level (and yes, I'm aware that AJ still has something to prove). DeGale is a class operator, as is Brook @147, but I don't think you can call them anything other than world level. Kal Yafai is a talent and wants a shot at Chocalito, so I guess that we'll find out his level soon enough.
Of course, if the Giant Gyppo hadn't've lost his ****, it wouldn't even be a contest.
I agree 100% with all these points.
Frampton and roided up Joshua (if he wins) are the cream of the crop of the UK at the moment.
Degale is in with a shout but I thought Badou Jack beat him.
When you look at resume none of these fighters are elite. Beating Martinez, Quigg and LSC once or even twice doesn't make you elite. If you dominate a good division you are elite. If Frampton can beat LSC and then Russel and Valdez he would be close to elite imo. I don't think he can do that - he already looks like he has too much wear and tear on him. I have to say Carl looks the part though.
DeGale hasn't even looked the part and unless Jack moves up and suprises us at LHW then we can say DG was taken to hell by Jack a consummate technician but not an elite fighter.
AJ looks the part against lesser competition. Wlad would be a good scalp but you can't claim to be elite by beating a 40 years + champ. If he could get and beat 2 out of Parker, Wilder and Fury then we can start to call him elite.
Resume. Always resume.
Frampton is #1 until AJ puts Wlad to sleep.
Think they're the only two who can be talked about as 'elite' level (and yes, I'm aware that AJ still has something to prove). DeGale is a class operator, as is Brook @147, but I don't think you can call them anything other than world level. Kal Yafai is a talent and wants a shot at Chocalito, so I guess that we'll find out his level soon enough.
Of course, if the Giant Gyppo hadn't've lost his ****, it wouldn't even be a contest.
I think Framptons win over Santa Cruz trumps Degales questionable draw with Jack. And I think Carl's win over Quigg beats out James nearly losing to Medina. Plus he ain't got any loses lurking on his record.