On Joan Guzman

[Mr. Ryan]

Guzman is clearly the best pure boxer at 130. He's flashy, highly skilled, and has a fighter's mentality. The problem is that, while he wins against good opposition, his wins don't build up to anything.

Case and point, the Humberto Soto fight. That's a fight where he took Soto's will to win by the first third of the fight. Instead of pushing the envelope, he was content to continue a boxing clinic. Particularly in the last two rounds when he went on his bicycle, he didn't leave the boxing fan clamoring for more.

Guzman comes from the school of "I do my talking in the ring." The way that boxing works, unless you are Miguel Cotto and are knocking people out, you can't get away with doing your talking in the ring. You need to create buzz. Knockouts create buzz, but so does press in the absence of power. See Malignaggi.

His next fight is against Alex Arthur in Scotland. Outside of a good paycheck for a sure win, what does that accomplish? It's not in the US, so most fans won't see it. There are no Scottish lightweights he can lure into the ring for a big payday or a reason to gain a Scottish following.

If Guzman wants to get the big fights, he needs to do something to force the other names around him to fight him. Every fight is an opportunity to gather steam in securing big name fights. Guzman should go the JMM route and get the big fights by selling tickets. How do you move tickets? By putting on exciting fights. Money talks in boxing and Guzman. While Guzman is an exceptional fighter, he is high risk/low reward.

[AntonTheMeh]

he should go after nate campbell.

[Point Blank]

since guzman is a skilled counter puncher why not fight marquez who is also a skilled counter puncher? why dont we do that? but i think it will be a borefest

[m00ks]

Guzman is clearly the best pure boxer at 130. He's flashy, highly skilled, and has a fighter's mentality. The problem is that, while he wins against good opposition, his wins don't build up to anything.

Case and point, the Humberto Soto fight. That's a fight where he took Soto's will to win by the first third of the fight. Instead of pushing the envelope, he was content to continue a boxing clinic. Particularly in the last two rounds when he went on his bicycle, he didn't leave the boxing fan clamoring for more.

Guzman comes from the school of "I do my talking in the ring." The way that boxing works, unless you are Miguel Cotto and are knocking people out, you can't get away with doing your talking in the ring. You need to create buzz. Knockouts create buzz, but so does press in the absence of power. See Malignaggi.

His next fight is against Alex Arthur in Scotland. Outside of a good paycheck for a sure win, what does that accomplish? It's not in the US, so most fans won't see it. There are no Scottish lightweights he can lure into the ring for a big payday or a reason to gain a Scottish following.

If Guzman wants to get the big fights, he needs to do something to force the other names around him to fight him. Every fight is an opportunity to gather steam in securing big name fights. Guzman should go the JMM route and get the big fights by selling tickets. How do you move tickets? By putting on exciting fights. Money talks in boxing and Guzman. While Guzman is an exceptional fighter, he is high risk/low reward.

To be honest, I'm really confused with this guy. He was labeled "little Tyson" yet he is what he is, a pure boxer. His glare is murderous, his punches at times have criminal intent yet he'll go in the ring and put on a boxing clinic. It's bordering false advertising.

Can't blame him for the Soto fight. Yes he took his will by moving around but as soon as he gives Soto an opening, the latter would savor the opportunity and desperately try to cash in. Smart decision by a smart boxer. That fight could have ended in a war but that wouldn't have helped his cause. He'd most likely be avoided even more. Though an argument could be made that his vulnerability would be perceived as a weakness and that just might help him lure the big names.

This Arthur fight also confuses me (mandatory?) although the blame should be directed at his handlers rather than him. I think it's safe to say that Guzman is the highest risk opposition available at 130 and he'd likely have to take a pay cut to get a breakthrough.

Joan Guzman has the skillset to beat ANYBODY at that division. This is why Arum would never let Guzman get anywhere near Pacquiao as long as he's promoting the Filipino. Sadly, I see the same thing with Golden Boy and Marquez specially if a Pacquiao trilogy is in the horizon for the Mexican.

[JOM'S]

best scenario ... winner of valero vs guzman to challenge, winner of pac vs juan manuel 3 , we will have an undisputed SFW Champ

[T-97]

best scenario ... winner of valero vs guzman to challenge, winner of pac vs juan manuel 3 , we will have an undisputed SFW Champ

The main problem with that plan is that neither of those fights are going to happen. ac going to fight Diaz at LW in june and no way Juan fights Valero, the guy can;t even fight in America or anywhere half decent like that. So where is that gunna happen? so that will not come off. But yes, i lik eGuzman a lot but the Little Tyson tag applies as much to him as the tag White Tyson does to Chagaev. I think he has the ability to be the top dawg in that division if he could get the fights.

[Sinisterevo]

it is very disappointing when the top fighters avoid other fighters because of high risk/low reward. There needs to be a system where the #1 mandatory is always the next fight for the champ, and the top 10 fighters continuously fight each other to achieve the #1 mandatory status for a fight against the champ.

[sparked_85]

He'll look Good knocking out Arthur though. Who comes to fight nd his question marks over his punch resistance.

I'm sure the money is worth the trip.


That said Steve Bunce (boxing journalist) raised an interesting point. How well will Guzman travel?

You'll have a lot of loud Scottish men, willing him to be knocked out.

Guzman has to show up against Arthur.

[T-97]

He'll look Good knocking out Arthur though. Who comes to fight nd his question marks over his punch resistance.

I'm sure the money is worth the trip.


That said Steve Bunce (boxing journalist) raised an interesting point. How well will Guzman travel?

You'll have a lot of loud Scottish men, willing him to be knocked out.

Guzman has to show up against Arthur.

I don;t see Guzman losing this fight even though i do like Alex Arthur, i find him pretty exciting to watch. That being said you did make a good point about the crowd cause if they get Juan out of his game then it could become a very hard fight.

[Pinoy_Texan]

Easily one of the best active Super Featherweights. Will give Pac and Juan a run for their money. The only disappointing thing is that Guzman didn't bring his power from 122 lbs.