Denis Boytsov steps up today

[Parody]

Stepping up by fighting a experienced journeyman?

[Guest]

Now be fair, jreckoning!

When you consider older heavyweight "prospects" like Faruq Salem age 34, Albert Sosnowski age 29, Malik Scott age 27, and Donnell Holmes age 35 have been fighting poorer opponents, Hawkins is a very good test for the 22 year old Denis Boytsov!

I just enjoy ragging on Universum boxers. They are protected a lot on the whole.

I still wouldn't dream of calling Hawkins top 50. He's lost to too many people.

I hope Boystov is the real deal. So many hyped Universum fighters turn out to be duds so I am not holding my breath.
In fairness though, Chagaev, Sturm and Sidorenko are pretty talented.

[PBDS]

...He's a young talented guy to be sure. He leaves himself open a bit to much for my liking though. Still, he seems to have a chin so far and he punches a ton.

[The Hammer]

Stepping up by fighting a experienced journeyman?

Hawkins is a step up for Boytsov. His last opponent on the video I posted (Connelly) is a "clubfighter" - Hawkins is a tough, durable, fringe contender/journeyman. I believe you can understand the difference?

Hawkins is the ideal opponent for Boytsov right now because of his experience and durability. He's fought top 100 heavyweights for years, and defeated the mediocre ones like Dominic Guinn and Terry Smith while losing decisions to better fighters like Sam Peter and David Tua.

[Steak]

meh, this isnt going to be a 'good win', cause everyone has beaten Hawkins.

this kind of fight is important because it shows Boytsov's development as a fighter, and against a guy who has at least been in the ring with some top level guys, even if he has had little to no success there. I think Hawkins is getting older, so I wouldnt be surprised if he got stopped.

Boytsov seems pretty small. I wish he would go to Cruiserweight, but will he? nope. maybe he will gain a little (healthy) weight as he gets older though.

[The Hammer]

meh, this isn't going to be a 'good win'

Boytsov is fighting a better opponent in Hawkins at age 22, than that guy in your avatar did at age 32. It took Tony Thompson a long time to step up to fight even a decent fringe contender/journeyman, even after his late start.

[Steak]

Boytsov is fighting a better opponent in Hawkins at age 22, than that guy in your avatar did at age 32. It took Tony Thompson a long time to step up, even after his late start.

lol, I dont think Tony was even boxing until he was like 24. actually, I take it back, I checked and he didnt start boxing pro until he was 28, ahahaha

I have no problem with Boytsov fighting Hawkins at all. hes young, he should take his sweet time and get experience. in fact, I would be dissapointed if he stepped up and got beaten up because he stepped up too early. it would be a waste, really.
but he should be staying active and fighting guys he can learn from, not that he can just blow out. thats why this fight should be beneficial for him.

[BattlingNelson]

I'm looking forward to see it on german TV tonight. First time I'll see Boytsov.

[The Hammer]

but he should be staying active and fighting guys he can learn from, not that he can just blow out. thats why this fight should be beneficial for him.

Yes. Hawkins is a good opponent because of his durability and experience. He's only been stopped once in this decade, despite fighting some of the best heavyweights. Like I said in the initial post, if Boytsov wins a decision, it won't mean much (other than he's better than Guinn and Smith, but let's hope so!). But if he KOs the durable Hawkins when Tua and Peter failed to do so, he'll make a statement!

Hawkins took a lot of other fights such as the Guinn fight on short notice, but he's had months to prepare for this one.

[Ray*]

This isnt a bad fight for Boytsov but they need to put him in with better opponents than that by the end of this year.