Z-Man Zahir Raheem back on July 22nd

**spinksjinx** · 07-06-2005, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by riz

from *********
Top Rank's big July 22 card in Phoenix, Arizona, will now take place at the huge America West Arena. Headlining the card is popular former WBO welterweight champion Jose Luis "Maestrito" Lopez. Lopez (47-4-2, 37 KOs) will be facing an opponent to be named in a ten round middleweight bout. "Maestrito," still just 32 years old, is 3-0 since resuming his career following nearly a four year layoff. Also on the card is WBC #7 super featherweight Zahir Raheem (27-1, 16 KOs) who will be fighting TBA in an eight-rounder.

Sounds good but if he wants in the championship mix again he wont get it fighting 8 rounders, I am a bit surprised by that. The caliber of fighter Zahir is you would think he would shoot for 10 since he has had such a long layoff.

**oldgringo** · 07-06-2005, 10:57 AM

The thing I don't liek about Raheem is that he seems to be a bit soft. I thought it was evident in the Juarez fight and I think it's evident by him fighting 8-rounders after a layoff.

Even though I thought he was cheated out of a fair fight against RJ, he still needs to toughen up to be championship caliber.

**scap** · 07-06-2005, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by spinksjinx

Sounds good but if he wants in the championship mix again he wont get it fighting 8 rounders, I am a bit surprised by that. The caliber of fighter Zahir is you would think he would shoot for 10 since he has had such a long layoff.

Ditto that, Im pretty surprised by the 8 rounder myslef...Im still upset how Raheem was treated in Texas against Juarez...Im not a huge fan of Zahir and like Rocky more but I thought he won that fight and was handicapped to lose that fight from the start.

**TyrantT316** · 07-06-2005, 11:18 AM

the thing that has bothered me about him is that he doesn't seem very confident...like he just doesn't seem to have the fighter's mentality to match his talents...I hope he really does and there is more to see...

**spinksjinx** · 07-06-2005, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by scap

Ditto that, Im pretty surprised by the 8 rounder myslef...Im still upset how Raheem was treated in Texas against Juarez...Im not a huge fan of Zahir and like Rocky more but I thought he won that fight and was handicapped to lose that fight from the start.

By fighting 8 rounders shows the caliber of fighter he is currently at I believe.

**riz** · 07-06-2005, 11:28 AM

i think hes just tryna get back in his career. i mean if u fight a 12 rounder, n KO the guy in 2, instead of fighting a 8 rounder n Koing the gy in 2, doesn't make a huge difference
hes doing what rahmans doing, building his career back, n then take on a legit contendor, and beat him, to get back to stardom

**scap** · 07-06-2005, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by spinksjinx

By fighting 8 rounders shows the caliber of fighter he is currently at I believe.

Even though I thought he got jobbed in texas he was certainly lacking something. I dont want to call him a puss but at times he fouhlt like one...wierd that I thoguht he deserved the victory too.

The way Rocky fought was very odd as as well, I cant wait for his fight with Super Chi!

**spinksjinx** · 07-06-2005, 11:46 AM

Chi will wipe the floor with Rocky, I would lay my life on the line for that one. It will be a good scrap but I dont believe Rocky will be leaving IL with his title.

Riz-I understand your point but Rahman took the route of only fighting 1 8 round fight as should Raheem. I know his last fight was an 8 rounder as well but I would think if he wants to be in the title mix shoot for 10 that way you dont get in the comfort zone of fighting 8 and 10-12 rounds is a struggle for you.

**riz** · 07-06-2005, 11:48 AM

RJ gona get ****ED that night. chi going to hammer him. watch that 0 go slowly to a 1, painfully!! LOL

Z-Man Zahir Raheem back on July 22nd