MastaBlasta

These are my wishlist matchups, per the WBC Top Ten as of January 2012 (Fury and AJ are ommitted as they are "working" on a matchup). 1-Wilder vs 10-Martin 2-Usyk vs 3-Luis Ortiz (due to 8-Michael Hunter already scheduled to fight 9-Hrgovic). 4-Ruiz vs 5-Joyce (necessary as 7-Parker is scheduled to fight Fa, and 6-Whyte is scheduled to fight Interim Champ Povetkin). Adding the announced fights: Champ-Fury vs Unified Champ-Joshua Interim Champ-Povetkin vs 6-Whyte 7-Parker vs 30-Junior Fa 8-Hunter vs 9-Hrgovic Adding the 2nd Ten (11 - 20): 11-Ajagba vs 20-Bakole 12-Kabayel vs 19-Helenius 13-Yoka vs 18-Dubois 14-Frank Sanchez vs 17-Takam 15-Chisora vs 16-Pulev This would complete a great first seven months of 2021 if we could get it to happen. :boxing:

Feb. 13, 2012 at the MGM Grand. This is an early career marquee matchup for both of these guys. It may also be a fight that is rematched for HW glory in the future. I've got Jared Anderson winning this in a tough, dangerous fight for both guys. :boxing:

So the format is #1 fights #10, #2 fights #9, .... #6 fights #5. Using the forbes.com 10 Best HW's as of late March 2020 https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshkatzowitz/2020/03/09/the-10-best-heavyweights-in-boxing-march-2020/#55f7ac586a80, the rankings are: 1 - Fury 2 - AJ 3 - Wilder 4 - Ruiz 5 - Whyte 6 - Parker 7 - Ortiz 8 - Pulev 9 - Usyk 10 - Helenius So, Fury would fight Helenius, AJ vs Usyk, Wilder vs Pulev, etc. Who wins the first round of the playoffs? Of course the winners rankings would dictate the entire second round fight schedule. I think this would be great. And the #11 - #20 guys could do the same thing, setting up next years Top 10. By this, Whyte would rematch Parker and Ruiz would fight Ortiz. Who ya got?

I'm aware of the Eddie Mustafa vs Michael Spinks situation ... that kinda caused the "day before fight" weigh-ins ... which in turn gave us all of the catchweight nonsense and "weight bullies" fighting in lower divisions. How to restore same day weigh-ins? I propose, in ALL major fights, where a cancellation took place due to MISSED WEIGHT, carried on any network/PPV/Streamed/Live-only venues (MAJOR being where the fight purse is $5 million and up for either fighter: 1) Fighters must sign a guarantee to make weight. Failure would forfeit 90% of earnings for their next four fights. Forfeited monies to be shared by promoters/networks/providers affected by the cancellation, up to amount of declared loss. 2) Also a lein on said fighters career earnings (if they do not complete four additional fights) in the amount of $100 million or 80% of declared loss on the fight, whichever is more. And ... 3) Fighters required to be bonded specifically for making weight, equal to their purse for the fight, for sanctioning by the boxing orgs involved. To be required of the promoter to carry out, enforced by boxing orgs, with bond monies to be paid 100% to the network/provider carrying the fight. And ... 4) Any champion missing weight is automatically stripped and banned from holding the title for 2 years. And ... 5) Fighters to be weighed at 11am on the day of the fight (sooner where needed for early start times). Certainly there are lots of details to be clarified, but you get the idea. I think this would let all concerned know how serious the sport of Boxing is about making weight properly, and insuring that fighters are fighting in the proper divisions for major contests. Day of fight weigh-ins could return! Thoughts?

What do you think? Better or worse for Wilder? Personally I like it, if Wilder would allow someone to impose their priorities on his training regimen. I think his boxing technique would gain a lot. Kinda late in his career, but new focus after a loss is usually refreshing. Did Porter have him as an Olympian? Also, I like Ken Porter training Ruiz. Again, if Ruiz submits to the discipline that would be insisted on by Porter, this would be a great benefit In Ruiz's consistency and career. Your thoughts? PS - If either happens I'm gonna want a fee from K. Porter, LoL. :soapbox:

Fury, with the top preparation, game plan, and mindset in Wilder-Fury II goes into the trilogy fight with all of the momentum and advantages ... he scored a clear victory in II. What can Wilder do in III? First Wilder neess to come in (as he did) at 232 lbs or better, but it needs to be trained, cadio-ed, lean muscle and strength ... not just added weight. His upper body needs to be stronger. His defense must be better. Boxing is hit without being hit. Kownacki/Helenius showed that even with a blistering attack you can be caught and stopped. A great attack alone only works if you are prepared to run when needed, wrestle when needed, have outstanding defense, or have such an overwhelming attack that your opponent can't work. Not only does Wilder need strength overall, he needs much better balance. These are things a good, focused camp can improve. Fury is a large, mobile guy. If he remains the new attacking, added weight and power Fury ... Wilder has to be prepared for a long dangerous fight. Strength and balance, coupled with better defensive plans are a must. Much better stamina. Fury's stamina never was tested in II. Wilder's was abysmal. In III Wilder needs to be prepared to go long and hard in battle ... moving, defending successfully, attacking successfully (not just searching for a KO). Wilder is blessed that he can hurt you any time with a punch or combination, but he has to have a multi-round fight PLAN as to how he will dismantle Fury. Thinking on your feet is always good, but it doesn't replace a properly thought out plan over 12 rounds. There are other changes that would be good. I wasn't sure there would be enough time between fights, but corona-virus may add the needed time. What do you guys/gals think? PS - I would agree that Wilder could change/strengthen many things and still lose. This version of Fury is a huge challenge. If he continues to progress under Kronk in his strength, training, and game-planning, it will be very tough.

If anyone is listening, the situation is now perfect. After a fight for the ages with Spence (and yet a close, controversial loss), Shawn Porter is a perfect opponent for Terrence Crawford. Crawford still needs a top-level, credible opponent (and a victory) in his welter-weight excursion. Porter has just shown he is a monumental test for any WW ... this after razor-close losses to Thurman and Kell Brook when Brook was elite (he may still be at SWW). The fight with Thurman could have gone either way. Porter has fought all of the top fighters at PBC except Pacquiao (that won't and shouldn't happen) in close exciting fights. If Porter overcomes Crawford, he gets a fresh belt, and the unification rematch with Spence (after a lights out first fight), which would be monumental. If Terrence Crawford is able to win against Porter, he immediately gets the unquestionable stature and legitimacy to fight Spence, and the fight gets as large as is possible for a network-sharing megafight. Also, the intrigue of how Crawford overcame Porter vs how Spence overcame Porter, would add so much fire to the Crawford/Spence matchup. No one loses in this scenario. PBC wins, Top Rank wins, Crawford wins (unless Porter defeats him), and Porter wins (because he gets the high profile championship fight he deserves after a tremendous showing against Spence). The involved networks win, fight fans win, and we get a Unified WW Champion at the end of it. This would probably be the best financial scenario for all involved. Could anyone remotely attracted to boxing pass on this? What say ye Boxing fans? :boxing:

Should ATG fighters (and even respected older fighters) be fighting upcoming young lions 8 - 14 years younger? My thoughts are, except for the rare fighters whose hands and bodies aren't broken down significantly , no they shouldn't. They can be gate-keepers, and good competition for prospects, but mostly they shouldn't be fighting the obvious standouts in the next generations. Boxing over years takes a tremendous toll on the hands, arms, heads, and bodies of fighters. The wear and tear, after years in the amateurs and pro ranks can be devastating. Many refuse to acknowledge the difference in Floyd Mayweather in his laters years vs his younger years (before multiple hand and wrist injuries and re-injuries). Some boxers are amazing by the amount of wear and tear they can take, and still be very healthy and competitive. Hopkins, Foreman, Ali, Tyson, Leonard, Duran, come to mind. Pac-man and Floyd are right there with them ... able to fight the top competitors fight after fight for 10, 12 years or more ... But most fighters, later in their careers, are not still able to perform at the same level. When do we stop expecting the Floyds and Pacs to take on the Thurmans, Spences, etc. who are two or more generations down the line from them? When is it no longer a "duck" when an older fighter stops trying to fight the next couple of generations best, fight after fight? After how many fights should we be giving these guys a pass on fighting "the best"? Personally, after an amateur career, anything over 30 fights is a trememdous statement to a fighters abilities, dedication, and natural strength. People who go through wars and can still perform at the top (Ali, Hopkins, Duran, Foreman, Leonard, Floyd, Pac) are completely amazing ... and definitely ATG's. :friday: :boxing: :friday:

So many current boxing 'fans" are disrespectful of the boxers themselves on this site. Worse than the NBA fans that call players 'bums', yet couldn't make the high school basketball team themselves. These 'fans' are so quick to call every other boxer a bum, yet wouldn't last two rounds with an amateur. it's disrespectful to their own soft a$$e$. How can you be a fan and think so lowly of the sport participants? That implies that you can walk in, kick a$$, and expose all these boxers as bums and novices ... yet the loudmouths never go near a ring ... and run call mama or the police if they ever get in a fight. It's pitiful! :boxing: :boxing: Respect to the boxers! If you can't show respect, man up and get your a$$ in there then! :beerchug: