I can't believe they might do Callum Smith vs GGG at 168. Thats THE BEST fight!
That's like the most amazing matchup of the year if it happens. Everyone in America knows about GGG now because of the two Canelo fights and all the ESPN exposure GGG got on First Take... he doesn't need that exposure anymore he already has it, what more is there to build towards at age 37? It's time to cash in all the legacy chips and all the money chips either in the next year, or not at all... and many people are talking about Callum Smith all over Europe now because of the success that the WBSS was in Europe, and how European boxing fans care a lot more, and are a lot more impressed by, boxers fighting the top guys in their division, regardless of style or the odds against them, to see who the best is, than most American fans seems to care, to, in my opinion, the HUGE detriment of American boxing. But that's why Smith is talked about around all of Europe now, because that's what he did.
So the two of them make for a popular fight not just in America and the UK, but all of Europe, much of Asia, and all of the world.
As for GGG, even though he is a small middleweight, the body performs worse and worse as you reach your early to mid thirties, and now latter thirties in his case, the longer you keep it at the same weight as you age. Even if GGG really is only losing 10 pounds to get down to 160, maybe his body simply cannot even take that anymore and still perform at its best. Whatever they say, he LOOKED more drained than I have ever seen him before the second Canelo fight, and he started gassing 2 minutes into the 3rd round of the fight. Not heavy breathing BETWEEN rounds, this was during the round, and THAT'S the real reason he started backing up. He wouldn't start the rounds doing that, he would just gas halfway through most the rounds, his punches would lose steam, Canelo would feel it and start walking through them, and so GGG had to take some steps backwards. His stamina was the worst we've seen yet, and maybe that's due to the weight cut.
More likely, the real reason for GGG's loss of stamina, speed, and even power now is the outdated high altitude training Abel employs at Big Bear, but since GGG refuses to change trainers or even training locations (which Abel would do if GGG asked and Abel cares about GGG), a move to 168 could be the best remaining option for him to reverse the trajectory of the current rapid decline we've seen from his speed and stamina the last five years training at Big Bear.
Add a little muscle, but still make weight a lot easier, and suddenly you've say a 179 pound GGG in the ring against Callum Smith with more muscle behind his heavy hands, and way more energy from not having to make 160 anymore, and maybe even a little more punch resistance both upstairs and to the body. It could be a good move for GGG to go up to 168, and who better to do it against than the #1 guy who has good handspeed for 168, but not as good as Canelo or Jacobs, who has a good long jab which will trouble GGG, who has excellent power at 168, and who has a more european style than Jacobs or Canelo that GGG is used to, which make for a better performance from him as well, and GGG's power and stamina and even his jab should all be better at 168 as well.
So there are advantages on both sides, it's the best move for GGG's health and his ability to still perform at the top level at this stage, it's a huge money fight for GGG, Callum Smith, and the UK, it's a legacy fight for both GGG and Callum Smith, it makes future Canelo fights bigger for BOTH fighters win or lose, it would sell out Anfield and be a massive global event with an amazing atmosphere, it's a home stadium dream event for Callum Smith, it's a massive global programming centerpiece for DAZN's key 2019 schedule, the year that will set the tone for who the leading boxing streaming company is... EVERYTHING is aligned to make this the perfect fight for both GGG and Callum, the sport of boxing, Eddie Hearn, DAZN, Canelo and future Canelo fights, and everyone involved. Can't wait for this one!
Lastly, all I mean by the title "the best" fight, well that's all that would fit in the title, but all I meant was, style wise it should be a really good fight, and everything else lines up perfectly as well. CAN NOT WAIT!!!!