Delgado doesn't deserve the shot, has been inactive for half a year, and is coming off a controversial win over a fighter who shouldn't be ranked.
Being that said, Movladdin Biyarslanov also has a padded record and is coming off a win over a quite faded Lipinets.
Should be fun, a KO artist southpaw who is vunerable against a more experienced counter puncher with a more reknown trainer.
Foster isn't lying though lol. Ray Ford is good, but trying to fight like Shakur when you don't have that elite distance control is a death sentence. There’s levels to this defensive game, and copying Shakur’s style just makes you a bootleg version of him.
Foster by decision on Saturday. Ford is gonna get exposed if he tries to play cute.
Ford is quite skilled, but a prominent advantage why he excels is that quite physically big in the division, making him quite durable and have more range though he isn't feather fisted like Haney, take that way, and boxing won't be enough unless it is quite that elite.
If it didn't work in a less experienced in Kholmatov and Nova who had longer dimensions like Foster, it ain't going to work on Foster. Raymond been caught in momentary lapses and disrupted by being out jabbed.
Ford needs to apply pressure up close, which I think he can pull since he is well rounded and was forced to infight against shorter opponents who didn't allow him space displaying he can fight them at competitive level, though he isn't necessarily as great at it as shown in Ball and Vazquez fights though he had his moments, he needs to land a big shot and capitalize from it.
Foster would know how to recover if he did though. Guess we see what happens in Saturday.
Want to see both Chavez and Sanchez in the near future, hope Chavez bounced back. Sanchez doesn't have much milage yet I think he is ready to fight at the top of Super Bantamweight.
Think Ramon Cardenas should aim to fight Tito Sanchez, just because I think it is interesting narrative, as Joel Diaz talked down of his own former fighter to hype Up Murodjon Akhmadaliev while he was still training Ramon Cardenas. Didn't pan out, went to Manny Robles. Get it that Diaz didn't train him for more than a year but he got in the world rankings with him.
Lucero fought like Munguia, but doesn't have much of a punch and output. He was a industry plant that after bouncing back, will likely hit a wall so at least Light Middleweight got a new noteworthy fun contender even if he won't become a world champion. Who knows he might, just don't know much of Ismael Flores other than he swings for the fences, knows how to step in, has a tight guard and is explosive.
Fierro can't keep getting away with missing weight, just move up.
As a fan of Estrada, who by the way, even if not at his best, has better timing and firepower than Moloney and Takuma. Not sure it be a good idea for him to hold a championship belt, because he isn't as active as he should had been.
I see tenshin starting strong early, he always does, then eventually fades cruising.
I don't see Estrada currently beating fresher talent like Jesse Rodriguez and Tomoya Tsuboi (aware he is at 115) but unlike the rest of his generation, he doesn't have as much milage. If he wins decidedly, he should fair pretty well against any of the Bantamweights like Takuma, Salas, Takei, Ioka, Medina and Tsutsumi. Stacked division, with not outlining fighters. He could lose to any of them too though.
Not going to minimize Naseem Hamed's record because it tends to get underrated because of a single fight, when in fact he has been consistent featherweight champion, being 17-1 in championship fights, Steve Robinson, Tom Johnson, Cesar Soto, Manuel Medina, Kevin Kelley, and Wilfredo Vazquez among others.
But to say he had more impact than a three division champion that has been active for 22 years, who had more prominent fights in high caliber fighters like Hamed, Morales, Pacquiao and Marquez, win or lose he didn't retire after a single loss even if he wanted to.
Think Barrera is getting a disservice, fine if many think Hamed is the more talented and athletic with having better odds of beating elite competition. But the more dedicated fighter won, all Hamed could had done with better preparation is a more competitive performance with a possible knockdown in the scorecards. But overall that doesn't erase Naseem's stylistic weaknesses and Marco's ability to adjust.
https://x.com/i/status/1909261260111171952
Nice step up, adequate. A tested veteran who is in the downslide to get toward top 5 opponent later on.
Aware it ain't right to dismiss Kambosos, but he hasn't particularly looked that competitive in the world stage outside Teofimo Lopez, coming off stoppages against Lomachenko and Hitchens. George has milage, but he is in his early 30s and has been active, 1-1 last year.
I might be one the wrong thinking this, but I think Vargas has the adequate skills and youth, to beat Sandor Martin, might be rough like it was for Lopez and Puello, and perhaps Emiliano might lose. But I think he would make a statement if he beat him in a 10-12 round fight and get the experience needed.
I don't get all the hate against Fundora, he actually comes to fight, and isn't afraid to mix it up. I could understand if he stood back and jabbed all night.
He is pretty likeable, perhaps not a showman like Tszyu or Thurman but he is disciplined when it comes to professional boxing, plus so far he has delivered entertaining fights recently.
https://x.com/i/status/2038410363742417190
https://x.com/i/status/2037636221120180458
Not sure if it is just me, or if I just have a misconception.
Why whenever a boxer include Bob Santos into his team, he has short significant improvements, then eventually end worse off. They end up performing worse than when before they join him? Pero brothers, Barrios, Barthelemy, Amilcar Vidal, Erick Rosa, Jeison Rosario and Hector Garcia.
It's not like he gives bad advice in the corner during fights either. And when they do join him. He does give results. Just don't understand what happens, is there too many boxers to focus on with not enough assistance? They do lose focus during camp because of the set up? Maybe I don't particularly understand how it works. Just think there is a pattern.
Normally, I think if you are not a top level pressure fighter or a technician at a similar skill level with the similiar athletic ability to Andy, you are not beating Cruz, Bell likes to fight on the outside which favors Andy more.
But reviewing a bit on Bell's highlights, his record seems, deceptive. He doesn't have a lot of knock outs. Because he doesn't throw much, not because he is lacking in punching power as a threat. When he does, it is alway calculated and he knows how utilize his reach.
If you pressed he throw a short uppercut like Espinoza, and if you retreat he throws a looping punch to catch you to reset, he holds a significant reach which is problematic for Cruz.
Let's see if Andy Cruz high output pace and skill is too superior. He might be coming off a loss, but he has more experience against top 10 in the current lightweight division. Plus 12 round in a high pace tactical bout with Muratalla should help be better prepared for this bout.
need the feet to stop Fat Dave from getting set to spam fast flurries
Okay Soviet Rusty Gvozdyk had the education downstairs to do so
Fat Gilbert wins 6 rounds I say.
Buff Guy Yarde is British they struggle in close quarters where Fat Dave did the most damage
Fat Gilbert the amigo should be competitive inside
Benavidez had a torn tendon in his left arm and a metacarpal injury in his right when it came against his fight with Gvozdyk.
So not sure if the Ukranian had much of ability to utilize footwook or body work, when it was more of Benavidez inability to set up any loaded punches nor affective combinations without winding up gassing up. David just dig to the body, boxed and tried to set up single punches which didn't do much but won him rounds.
Do not think it will turn well for Ramirez down the stretch, with accumulation gradually piling up. If it ends in a TKO stoppage, just gives more merit to how fighter performs better based on the occasion with preparation and optimal conditions. If David gets injured during camp, he will pull out unlike before because there is more risk. Moving up and facing an active champion.
Think Zurdo wins at most 4-5 rounds at his best. Possibly 3-4 rounds if the weight jump is not enough of a factor.
Think Benavidez will beat Zurdo decidedly. Though I do think everyone is overlooking Zurdo because of what Bivol did to him. Benavidez isn't Bivol in even if David beats him in the future, styles makes fights. Plus Ramirez acclimated well at Cruiserweight, has had a very good run of Joe Smith Jr, Arsen Goulamirian, Chris Billiam Smith and Yuniel Dorticos. Displaying footwork, angles and high work rate.
Benavidez will struggle more so since he won't get in and out of range as affectively. But nonetheless he has underrated skills, handspeed and high rate accuracy where it likely be quite even at first, but David's body work will pay dividends with Zurdo being caught flush with punch combinations.
https://x.com/i/status/2026749532503957700
ALEEM HAS A SHOT HERE, IF Angelo LOST TO FULTON!
Ra'eese Aleem definitely does have a shot of winning, not having much milage despite his age and coming of a dominant win display against a KO artist Mikito Nakano. He uses pivots/angles and is well rounded.
https://x.com/i/status/1992913106993897836
But I think Angelo Leo deserves the benefit of the doubt considering it was against Stephen Fulton, five years ago in his optimal weight class. Leo is a body snatcher, has affective jab. Plus He also has had more success and experience in world level fights.
https://x.com/i/status/1954654447579390454
why is this guy so hyped? hes never beaten a top 10(ring or tbrb) fighter and he even got a gift against segawa. is this the good ol' beating weak fighters while talkign big routine again?
He has some pretty good qualities. But do think he has been well maneuvered. Long reach, and pretty good timing to counter. But is vulnerable to being outpaced and caught often by followed up punches in combinations, is just part of his style.
I did think Carrington would struggle with Castro then take over with a stoppage. But also think he is nearing his plateau.
He might prove doubters like me wrong by beating more remarkable fighters, but I don't rate Segawa nor Castro like Lopez, Ramirez and Ball in terms of difficulty. Yet somehow Bruce is regarded higher than Leo and Figueroa who have more championship level experience.
Think it was step backwards for Chop Chop to face Chambers, Carrington faced him 3 years, had largely losses before his recent streak of wins.
https://x.com/i/status/2035524302682853619
Think top rank should match him up with Lorenzo Parra or former opponent of Carrington like Mateus Heita.
Jesse moving up a division already nice
Fights twice a year, but at least confronts top 5 quality opposition. And still more than once a year or skipping it like Ryan, Gervonta, Teo and Devin.
Rather see him confront Kazuto Ioka vs Takuma Inoue winner rather than aim for undisputed at Super Flyweight that got complicated due to the Moloneys.
Guess we see how it pans out if Bam wins this bout.
I don't know who has the best one right now but I know who has the best long range one: Enmanuel Navarrete.
Don't know many current fighters that use uppercuts as consistently as Vaquero does, perhaps Junto Nakatani?
https://x.com/i/status/2028217293461959035
If the quality of cards are the same, above standard and consistent. Think it be quite appreciated.
They have a good thing going over with PI facilities for the fighters to prepare, and set up with Meta Apex though it needs to be renovated.
they could use the bigger venues like MGM Grand Garden Arena or Madison Square Garden for bigger events with built up fighters. Not sure many outside Australia knew Jai Opetaia (well plenty of hardcores and around countries in Asia or Europe which is a lot), and even Brandon Glanton in the states due to the state of Cruiserweight and his history.
I ain't saying Chavez doesn't have his own personal controversies. Familial issues, alcoholism and cocaine addiction, cartel association, the backing Don King which gives him a edge like the rest of King's fighter who he had leeched on.
But a picker ain't one of em.
Julio is a crafty infighter, who gave his utmost in top level fights.
Canelo is a generalist who has above average attributes and skill wise, can press and counter who do a tad of either, quite solid but isn't the best at any area nor shouldn't had been winning on the scorecards so dominantly excepting some fights.
Alvarez Waits for the appropiate conditions, whether it's a aged fighter or a fight brought up a division.
Then waits for a opportunity to turn the tides to have the sucess to win on the scoreboards. Whether it's Plant or Saunders, Cotto or Mosley, and Khan or Charlo.
Can't say I ever seen him do such memorable fights to what Chavez at his prime displayed performances when it came to top level competition when he did win.
Personally opinion is that ability and skill wise in respective division. Alvarez isn't as good, just had major backing and quite well skilled enough to pull off wins with more opponents with certain conditions or circumstances though they are exceptions.
If you enjoy his fights that's good for you, though even if I wasn't around to see Chavez, Finito Lopez and Sanchez time from 80-90s, their fights are quite entertaining like Barrera, Morales ans Marquez. Can't say the same for Canelo though he had entertaining displays of head movements and finishes.
Not sure if delaying further a semi retired fighter, while getting him any further credit, unlike Thurman who if wins, will. Fundora ain't Barrios though
Navarrete is like a gunslinger who shoots his shots before, in between an exchange and after. Throwing looping punches that are heavy and well timed, difficult to land back considering the reach. He does it consistently high pace in each round, forcing exchanges where his opponents lets him take the lead receiving punches or attack where he lands by his opponent coming in range.
In his top of his game he dominated Dogboe, Pitufo Diaz, Joet Gonzalez, Oscar Valdez and Eduardo Nunez.
And if not at his best, he had hurt or dropped them like Robson Coincecao, Liam Wilson and Charly Suarez. Who are long varying in styles. Think Coincecao received a lot of damage in contrast and not sure if he should had gotten the draw.
Man hope Edward Vazquez gets fair treatment, had debatable losses to Cordina and Ford. Then took a risk against Espinoza and didn't pan out.
I might say Zuffa would treat him right, but he have a limited run a featherweight, suited for 126-130. While lightweight might be too big for him.
Think Nunez who faced Pitufo Diaz losses to Navarrete at his best. But to be fair, Nunez didn't fight the way he normally does, which is constant pressuring first, boxing second in the backfoot. He boxed in the backfoot picking his shots and underestimating a relentless Diaz who has better timing and surprisingly absorbs shots well.
It was a quick turn about fight, after recovering two months later after May in his fight with Rikiishi. The bout took place in September 6 after it was announced in August 1. He had 5 week preparation.
Likely had nerves of fighting at his home territory after attaining a title and Eduardo had wedding preparations with his wife, Ereyda Anaya, which took place in early November 10 in Los Mochis and a short honeymoon in Xcaret right after.
Which in the previous bout he tried to fight in the backfoot in a inconvenient setup of a wet slippery canvas for both fighters.
Think Nunez would still struggle with Diaz though he win more decisively possibly with a finish, and in this bout he have quiet the challenge, because Navarrete is used to fighting shorter boxers like Dogboe and Valdez. Using his reach really well and unorthodox style.
Struggling with rangy fighters like Suarez, Coincecao, and Liam Wilson. However, unlike Valdez and Santisima. Nunez has more affective punch placement and output. Navarrete tires out and gets a second wind, which they were unable to capitalize because they don't have the defensive skill or punch resistance to keep going when Navarrete decides to box with the risk of uppercuts coming in. That is where I think Nunez can turn the tides to his side as long as he is competitive at the start and controls the pace. Nunez has better experience with long fighters who use constant movement, than most of Vaquero's opponent, barely above Valdez, in his fights with Rhakimov and Rikiishi.