Tom_Cruise

So I think many, myself included, have been disappointed with the division in recent years. Fury beating Wlad seemed like a new dawn for the division, you had a new and vulnerable looking champion, big punching contenders such as a resurgent Povetkin, Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz. You had Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker coming up the ranks quickly. Things were really looking up. Only really Anthony Joshua has delivered. Fury collapsed in a controversy of failed drug tests, homophobic rants and depression. Povetkin and Ortiz both got popped for PEDs while on the path to fight Wilder. Wilder, subsequently, has still not faced a top opponent since Stiverne. Parker has looked increasingly flawed even fighting at the top 10-15 range of HW's. Looking to the future however we have some very interesting prospects on the horizon in my opinion, 3 Olympians who have recently turned over and some young, big, skilled HW's from around the world. Filip Hrgovic (1-0, 1ko) Only 25 but has been on World amateur circuit forever. Big (well built 6'6"), fast and skilled he has arguably not gotten the rewards out of the Am scene that he maybe should have due to some controversial cards. Can be a little stiff with his head movement and open to incoming shots, but his punches are so spiteful that its hard not to get excited watching him. He turned pro this last weekend with a KO over journeyman Zumbano Love. Tony Yoka (1-0, 1ko) Olympic and World Championship Gold Medallist from the amateurs, though not without controversy, he was one of the top fighters from the last era of SHW's. At 6'7", 240lbs, 82" reach, he has the dimensions and he is also quick, skilled and extremely athletic. Trained by Virgil Hunter in the pros and I believe this will be a good fit. He made his pro debut earlier in the year and has his next bout in a few weeks. Joe Joyce The other Olympian and top amateur turning over this year. He is older than the others, but he proved in the Ams to be up there with the best. He won Silver in the Olympics losing out to Tony Yoka in the final. He is a natural SHW, deceptively athletic (looks a bit cumbersome but he can produce a backflip in the ring when he wins a fight). Extremely strong fit and relentless in his attack he never stops coming and never stops punching. A really nice jab adds some finesse to braun.

So it looks like the Cruiser are stepping up to the plate in a very real way with many of the top guys signed up or heavily rumoured to be announced soon. Confirmed line up: Mairis Breidis (WBC Champ) Murat Gassiev (IBF Champ) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk Yunier Dorticos (WBA interim) Heavily rumoured: Krzysztof Głowacki (according to fat Dan, to be announced soon) Oleksander Usyk (WBO Champ - Sources close to Loeffler say he is likely to enter) Youri Boy Kalenga (says he wants to enter) Illunga Makabu (has applied to enter) Dmitri Kudryashov (says he wants to enter edit: basically confirmed. Waiting for official announcement) Hinted Rumours: Mike Perez (Hearn says he has one cruiserweight potentially entering. Assuming it isnt Tony Bellew (who has a mega payday waiting for when Haye comes back), Perez is a likely option.) :headbang: Sources to be posted in comments... I never expected a tourney like this when the plan was announced. The SMWs are more like what i expected. A decent name or two followed by a bunch of nobodies looking for a cash grab. But this is basically all the best Cruisers in the world barring Lebedev, who is on the downside of his career now. Unreal. Cant wait for it to kick off

Or at least fringe world level. Im really high on this kid. Very smooth style and a natural puncher. I know he is young, but i think its time to step him up now and see if he can reproduce it against some better opponents. Maybe someone like a Porky Medina could work. Im more impressed with David early in his career than i was watching Jose Benavidez coming up

Three guys who some seem to think Gonzalez is ducking at the moment, but no one ever seems to want them to fight each other. How do we think these fights go? Cuadras/Estrada vs Inuoe are great fights. I need to see more of Estrada at 115 though. Cuadras vs Estrada is interesting as they both have similar styles as counter punchers with lots of lateral movement. Estrada i feel is more skilled than Cuadras, but Cuadras is the naturally larger man. How do you see any of these fights going? Is there any chatter about them being made? It would be a big statement if they could put these guys together, and would put a lot of pressure on RG to fight the winner.

Brits will probably already know him, but i thought id introduce him to the Americans on here. Hes fighting on the Carl Frampton vs Leo Santa Cruz II undercard so i hope yanks are gonna tune in to watch. Top prospect from out of Scotland. Was a very good amateur and now as a pro has amassed a 7-0 (7ko) record in just under a year and a half. Trained by Shane Mcguigan (Framptons trainer) and promoted by Barry Mcguigan. Looks very powerful and stopped the tough Dave Ryan last time out. Vicious body puncher. Hes 26 so not much time for hanging about, but seems ready to step through the levels. Will post some fights when i get to my laptop. War Taylor :headbang:

Ok folks. I know we only finished this a few days ago but f*ck it. December 10th is a good day for boxing and I want to have another go. Basically the same rules as before. Only 50/50(ish) world level fights will be chosen. Make your pick for who wins, if you win you go through to the next round. If not you're done. Just a few small changes to the rule book for this time: 1. No pass card after 5 rnds. Just seemed a bit pointless. If we had made it to 5 rnds everyone would have just used it straight away due to how many were going out each round. 2. If everyone is picking the same fighter to win, the last person to put their vote in will have to pick the other fighter. Maybe a bit unfair, but there was a bit of a farce last time out as everyone picked Loma to beat Walters and Kiaba360 ended up having to change his pick to save the round. EDIT: 3. When we get to under 5 posters, we will switch to secret voting to ensure nobody is scamming on the others picks. This will be done via PM to me, unless I am one of the ones still in, in which case it will go to someone else whoe steps up to help out. Current Champ is the The Results Giver. Mr 'Can't be touched, cant be stopped, can't be moved, cant be rocked' himself, Roy Jones Jnr. Who thinks they can knock him off his perch? Rnd 4: James Degale vs Badou Jack List of posters still in: Boxingfan85 - D Kiaba360 - D Juicy J - D Dan_cov - D BodiesinFlight - D E10Rifle - J

He seems to wear a lot of red at his fights http://bigdonsboys.com/fighters/pages_10_12/images/06_09_david_price_017.jpg http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1378314.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/David%20Price%20celebrates%20victory%20over%20Audley%20Harrison Even his team look a bit shady... http://2l7kr2xl4t7418ewd3w7ur01d2m.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/david-price-wins2-300x160.jpg

Im talking about the Ali's, the Robinsons, the Harold Johnsons, the Holmes, the Leonards, the Peps of the world. Outboxing based on a smooth, rhythmic jab and dancing footwork just a few inches out of range You tend to see more of a herky jerky, low output style from outside boxers these days. Has to be one of my favourite styles but I cant think of anyone who really does it now.

Any of the US guys? Shakur Stevenson finalised his move yet? Baldares? Gary Russell? Hernandez? I know Buatsi is wanting to finish his degree before turning over. Bit annoying but respect the decision. Joe Joyce was supposed to be turning over too Also looking out for Columbian Martinez who would make a great pro. I thought promotional companies would have been all over them. Seems a bit quiet unless im just not in the loop

December 10th on Joshua bill. Just announced on Gavin vs Egg card. Good crossroads fight Yafai has been touted for big things for a while. Now 20-0 (14kos) and 27yrs old hes got his big step up Conception a lot of miles on the clock, but looked good winning title vs Kono earlier in year. Who you got?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/06/aiba-sideline-all-referee-and-judges-used-at-rio-olympics-pending-an-investigation-boxing The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) has sidelined all 36 referees and judges used at the Rio Olympics until an investigation has been concluded. The boxing tournament at the Games in August was embroiled in controversy over the new ‘10 point must’ scoring system, with allegations by some beaten boxers that they were ‘robbed’ of victory. That was exact phrase used by the father of Gary Antuanne Russell after the USA boxer lost his light-middleweight quarter-final to Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Gaibnazarov in a split-decision. The Irish boxer Michael Conlan accused the AIBA of corruption “from the core right to the top” after losing in the bantamweight quarter-finals to the Russian Vladimir Nikiti. “While the majority of the boxing competition in Rio 2016 was received very positively ... a small number of decisions under debate indicated that further reforms in the AIBA R&J procedures were necessary,” the AIBA said in a statement. “Initial decisions were made on-site during Rio 2016 to ensure the smooth running of the rest of the competition. The results of a specific R&J investigation, currently under way, will allow AIBA to fully assess what action needs to be taken. “In the meantime, it has been decided that all 36 R&Js that were used at the Olympic Games will not officiate at any AIBA event until the investigation reaches its conclusion, along with further immediate measures adopted by the commissions.” AIBA dropped a number of unidentified judges and referees during the competition, after finding that “less than a handful” of the decisions from 239 bouts reviewed were not at the level expected. It also reassigned its French executive director Karim Bouzidi to a new role.

Ive been seeing a lot of prediction threads around and thought we could make a game out of it. Ok so heres the premise. Only closely matched world level fights will be used. No mismatches. You keep predicting the results until you lose, and then you are out. No need for method of victory, but feel free to have a go for pride. After 5 correct predictions you can have a 'Pass' card to use for a fight of your choosing. Just some fun. Im sure we can organise a points prize (I'm happy to donate but dont have much compared to some you hoarding mothaf*ckers) or a karma whip round from everyone competing to the winner. Rnd 5: December 3rd - Denis Lebedev vs Murat Gassiev List of Users still in after rnd4 Roy Jones Jnr - G KingHippo - L Sugar Adam Ali - L Hugh Jass - L I will try to do this myself, but if everyone can help quoting peoples predictions so we know there is no editing of posts going on. Feel free to change your picks, just make sure someone quotes you once you have changed it.

Considering he is a 3 weight champ his resume is pretty thin. He looks good offensively but his defence is shocking and his durability even worse. Im not sure what he has done to be considered no.1 or 2 at 135, but maybe thats just the symptom of a weak division School me on him. Which names on his resume should impress me? I think Crolla will beat him this Saturday. Maybe even stop him late

Cant find Reeds old official one anywhere but if its about can someone bump it and ill post in there. Anyways. Ive spent some time out of the game after a poor run. The Makabu vs Bellew fight was the last straw. Still cant believe i lost that especially after the KD in rnd 1. Back now though for the new season Looking at Canelo by Dec over Smith at 3-1. I think Smith will prove himself to be tough enough and also Canelo seems to be moving more towards being a boxer more than a puncher. Could easily see a stoppage though especially to the body or just thorough outclassing that the referee stops. Debated an Golovkin ko in rnds 1-3 but not sure. Brook probably gonna move a lot Casimero over Edwards at 8/11 is good value. Defo tsking that. Edwards looks talented but this is just a monster step up vs a prime world champion. Cant see Edwards taking this

Tommy Langford :boxing: in defense of his British title Signed and sealed according to Sky Sports News. http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/10550871/chris-eubank-jr-to-defend-british-title-against-tommy-langford I know we were all excited to see him vs GGG, but this is surely a more than worthy replacement. Jnr continues to work himself down from contender (after beating Chudinov), to Euro/Brit level (after beating Blackwell), to British level in this fight. Probably go for the English title next, then Southern Area title before looking at career in the Amateurs to complete his Benjemin Button boxing career. For real though. Poor fight considering the amount of barking him and his dad do.

2012 Olympic Flyweight gold medallist at just 18 years old http://static5.uk.businessinsider.com/image/56cc15776e97c61d008b8ebd-480/cubas-robeisy-ramirez-carrazana-lays-on-the-canvas-after-he-was-declared-the-winner-over-mongolias-tugstsogt-nyambayar-following-their-mens-fly-52kg-gold-medal-boxing-match-at-the-london-olympics-august-12-2012.jpg 2016 2x Olympic Bantamweight Gold medallist at 22 years old http://s2.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20160820&t=2&i=1150437694&w=780&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&sq=&r=LYNXNPEC7J0KH Stunning :hail::hail: If I had to pick one thing I hated the Cuban govt for, it would be that they wont let this kid go pro.

So these are the obvious fights to make outside of an LSC rematch for Frampton. Both very makeable with all fighters in the Al Haymon stable. Who do you think comes out on top in each?

Anyone watching tonight? Undercard supposed to be streaming now on skysports.com but seems to have been f*cked up somewhere. Televised card includes: Tyrone Nurse vs Tommy Coyle (good domestic fight, bit of a crossroads) Luke Campbell vs Argenis Mendez (tough comeback for Campbell who lost for the first time last fight) Dillian Whyte vs Dave Allen (one sided on paper, bit of a grudge match) Josh Warrington vs Patrick Hyland (for the WBC International title)

Somehow missed that this fight was being made for Barthelemys IBF LW belt. Great matchup between two explosive, skilled and undefeated guys who are taking their first steps into world level. Who do we have winning this? Any news on dates? Edit: Commey is 24-0, 22kos.

Starting number based on the amount that Haymon supposedly secured from Waddell and Reed to start his very own version of UFC in boxing. Would you have done things differently? Gone for a completely different angle, or tried basically to have done what Haymon did/is doing? I think i would have gone down the santioning org route. Using the money to get into one of the orgs, and help them to dominate the field. Create a situation where you are they only relevant title. From there... $$Profit$$ Easy right?

Assuming Whyte comes through a tune up or two with no further injuries. Chisora coming off a tough loss to Pulev, though he didnt disgrace himself. He is on the downside of a solid career now, but normally puts on his best performances when he is in big fights. Whyte is unproven, other than the fact he showed heart vs Joshua, and a good chin too. Stamina not great, though he was taking a lot of shots from a big guy which is tiring for anyone. He looks ok in his career so far, not the best technique, but a loose style and a willingness to throw hard shots when in danger. Theyve recently had some minor clashes, and lets face it the build up to this would be pure chaos. Would love to see this later in the year

According to Joe Ghallagher this is the fight they are chasing, though we should take it with a pinch of salt as its most likely a negotiating tactic for potential Flanagan fight. Nevertheless its an intruiging fight between two of the top 135lbers in the world. Linares is very skilled, but vulnerable, whereas Crolla is solid but maybe remains untested at the very top level. I think this would be a great fight. Potential for Linares to trap Crolla in that high guard for long periods, but also for Crolla to catch Linares at points during the fight. Crolla (31(13kos)-4(1ko)-3 ): http://static.boxrec.com/thumb/c/c6/Anthony_Crolla.jpg/200px-Anthony_Crolla.jpg 29 years old 5'8" height 67" reach Linares (40(27kos)-3(3kos)-0) http://static.boxrec.com/thumb/0/02/Linares.Jorge.jpg/200px-Linares.Jorge.jpg 30 years old 5'8" height 69" reach Who ya got? :boxing:

In general the standard is diabolical, im watching Pulev vs Chisora right now and its quite comical really when they get up close But who is the best? Fury can work a bit but i havent seen him do it at top level. AJ shows flashes against limited opp, Povetkin can work at mid range but if it gets too close he completely stops Slim pickings

Havent seen any news on the guy since he beat that bloke with huge dreadlocks. Does he have a fight lined up? Injured? Thanks

I follow the PBC youtube channel and everyday I get a bunch of fights/highlights posted with fighters who I havent heard of before. Any of these guys worth following? I havent got time to trawl through them all I watched a few random ones, Gervonta Davies impressed me A few others looked decent.

Before I start this isnt a GGG hate thread. He's a very good MW, easily the best MW on the planet etc etc. So no getting defensive or accusing me of being a 'hater' or whatever That said, anyone else think his stamina looks extremely suspect? Even by the middle rounds, in fights he isnt being pushed that hard in, he looks like he is starting to struggle. Sloppier defence, hands start dropping, and looks like he is breathing very heavily taking in big gulps of air (more so than other fighters). Vs Murray and even the short fight vs Monroe he looked like he was struggling (not as much as his opponents though) and there were a few times I thought "if his opponent was better GGG would be in trouble here." Obviously this would be difficult to achieve due to his power and ring generalmanship, but how do you think he would do if he was forced to fight at a higher pace, to work harder in the first half of the fight? Either having to work harder chasing a guy down or being forced to throw more punches by an inside fighter? Im not sure how he would cope tbh Not saying there is definitely a problem here, his stamina hasnt failed him yet in the limited tests that he has had. More a question if he comes up against elite fighters in the future

Love watching fights where the commentary has been cut somehow. You get a much better feel for the fight and you arent constantly being distracted by the random sh*t they are coming out with. It should be an option for all PPV events imo. Or at least should be officially uploaded after the fight