I've been in the same gym and personally know both Matvey and his dad for over two years now. His dad trains several fighters and amateurs including myself. I love the guy and am hoping his showing against Charlo on short notice will get him another opportunity for a decent money bout. As you know...he was supposed to fight the undercard that night and that fight was scheduled for only 8 rounds! That's what he trained for. So to cut weight, go 12 on short notice was impressive. I know I'm biased but if they stopped the fight at 8 rounds...I had Matvey ahead in a close one at that point.
Thrilled to see Matvey Korobov get this opportunity. I’m pulling for him. My only concern is that it’s been some time between fights for him and whether ring rust will play a role. I know he trains relentlessly and will be in great shape no doubt. He deserves this and I know he’ll give it his all.
I feel terrible for Korobov...he’s really had some unfortunate breaks in his career. Eubanks was about to be schooled in this fight. He’s a really tough kid Korobov and for him not to be able to continue you know he was in serious pain. Knowing Matvey and seeing him train first hand...I worry that this injury might have been caused by years of an overly incredible work ethic on his body. I mean, at 36 going on 37...no matter how good your tires are...there’s only so many threads in them and eventually you can wear that body down. I hope he rebounds and gets another chance at Eubanks. Honestly, even if Eubanks prepares for the obvious...Korobov is so technical, so experienced he would find multiple ways of taking this kid out. He’s not his father...in fact, his dad during pre-fight...certainly didn’t express the type of confidence in Jr. as one would have expected. At 30...Eubanks has a long way to go to reach the heights he thinks he can reach. Korobov is one dangerous fighter...I wish him the best, hope he heals quick and that he gets another shot at someone. He deserves it.
The only credit I’ll give to WBC Champion David Benavidez is that he says he wants to fight the best in his 168 pound division. If he gets by Anthony Dirrell...and that’s a big if...before he takes off to England and runs away...he should be true to his word and fight Matt Korobov who he signed on to fight before the WBC forced him to take on AD. Korobov, 28-1 14 KO’s a former WBO middleweight champion and 2 time World Amateur Champion would give Benavidez the type of fight that he needs to show the world if he’s got the balls to take on one tough Russian. Benavidez is a pretty boy...just not sure how tough...he needs to beat someone like Korobov to answer that.
I had a dream over the weekend after the Korobov/Aleem fight...that the judges were all in agreement that the “Russian” Korobov was a spy for Putin blaming him for the election results and so they changed their scores! LOL...damn nightmare! Hahaha.
Korobov Robbed!
This is exactly the kind of fight that poor judging makes fans of boxing sick to their stomachs. The fight wasn't even close! Korobov was pitching a shutout through seven rounds and landing more accurate punches. He should have been awarded the knockdown in the 6th...and even if Aleem...out of desperation won the last three rounds...so what...he lost seven of the ten and landed less than 25 percent of his punches! Korobov finished poorly, but he still did more than enough to win that fight. It breaks my heart because I love boxing...yet I can't help but think that behind closed doors deals are made and judges are just plain corrupt. I shouldn't feel this way...but I do. And unfortunately, the only mistake Korobov made was not finishing strong and leaving it to the judges.
Sad message
Kind of makes me sick the message kids get from boxing when a champion uses an “ILLEGAL” life destroying substance like cocaine...and they say...”well, it’s a recreational drug so he won’t get suspended or punished for it.” So kids, it’s okay...train hard...snort coke and be a champion! What a joke...and then a clean fighter like Matt Korobov has to sit in the wings and see his signed contract to fight this kid get pushed aside while Dirrell and others get theirs first.