Get real, guys.
It isn't 'sudden' at all. Last night was the best shape Paulie had been in a while, but that's because Paulie had gradually fallen so far down through a combination of poor trainer matchup and hand issues -- and let's not discount the physical repercussions of a damaging fight with Miguel Cotto possibly catching up to him on top of all that -- the only way really was up, and any gradual, incremental improvements made with Sherif through 2009, the Diaz fights and up to last night would seem significant.
Again, Paulie was coming off a win against a smaller, war-torn guy who was kinda blown-up at lightweight as it was, in what was to all intents and purposes a jr. welter fight.
He's badly faded from the fighter he was 3, 4 years ago, and I expressed these reservations before the fight, even as a fan, because I've been watching Paulie for years, and I know when he's at his best. His heart was as strong as ever last night, but he was missing small nuances and increments that were once there and which make a HUGE difference in his performance.
It isn't 'sudden' at all. Last night was the best shape Paulie had been in a while, but that's because Paulie had gradually fallen so far down through a combination of poor trainer matchup and hand issues -- and let's not discount the physical repercussions of a damaging fight with Miguel Cotto possibly catching up to him on top of all that -- the only way really was up, and any gradual, incremental improvements made with Sherif through 2009, the Diaz fights and up to last night would seem significant.
Again, Paulie was coming off a win against a smaller, war-torn guy who was kinda blown-up at lightweight as it was, in what was to all intents and purposes a jr. welter fight.
He's badly faded from the fighter he was 3, 4 years ago, and I expressed these reservations before the fight, even as a fan, because I've been watching Paulie for years, and I know when he's at his best. His heart was as strong as ever last night, but he was missing small nuances and increments that were once there and which make a HUGE difference in his performance.
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