The Middleweight Division

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  • cobracore
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    • Jun 2005
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    #1

    The Middleweight Division

    The smoke has cleared.

    As much as many of us don't like it, Bhop, at least officially, has lost to Jermain Taylor twice. As big as a Hopkins fan as i am, it has to be accepted that his reign over the division has ended.

    The division is now open for grabs. Jermain Taylor, who looked so strong, now has so many *****s in his armour it can hardly be described as such. Bhop has laid out the path - take advantage of the bow and arrow, and you'll smack him flush on the chin. Someone with more power, like Abraham, could do exactly that.

    Taylor is vulnerable - there are many contenders, and with the experienced Winky Wright itching for a fight, Taylors back in against the wall.

    Right now, we have several serious contenders.

    Winky Wright, who defeated Sam Soliman not many hours ago, stands out as the first in line. He has the experience and the defensive wizadry to hold Taylor back, and his jab is equal to, if not better than Taylor's.

    Arthur Abraham, who earlier defeated Kingsley Ikeke via KO, shows promise. his 17 KOs of 19 fights shows that he packs some power, and he is now the IBF champion, making him the man to fight for unification. He has some technical flaws - he throws wild looping punches that open him up to countering, and he also seems to lack stamina - but it's not as though the other champion is technically perfect.

    Kingsley Ikeke lost earlier tonight, and will need a few fights to get back into the picture, but his huge height advantage definitely gives him a chance against any middleweight. His jab needs to be thrown more often, and needs to be followed up - but Ikeke shows promise to be a top quality contender, if not champion.

    Sam Soliman - Even though he lost to Wright, it's not as though that's something to be embarassed about. Wright is one of the best in the business, and not many other people would have given Wright as much trouble as he did. His style makes him TV-perfect, and if he was to work on his defense a little, his sheer punch output could overwhelm many of the top middleweights. He has in all probability gained a huge fanbase, even in a losing attempt, but merely because of his never-tire attitude. If he should capitalize on that, it wouldn't be surprising for him to earn a shot at one of the ABC belts in near future.

    Sergio Mora, the 'contender' champion, is rumoured to be a possible opponent for Jermain Taylor in his next fight. If this proves to be true, i think we'll see something of a farce. In fact, i only added his name to amuse myself.

    Who do you guys think will emerge as the unified middleweight champion?
  • Grimgash
    Undisputed Champion
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    • Apr 2005
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    #2
    I really hope Taylor doesn't fight Mora although it would be sort of entertaining watching a one sided slaughter. Anyhow I think Jermain will hold onto the titles if he watches his tapes. Winky seems to be suscebtable to hooks if you sneak them in there with other punches. Sam very interesting guy indeed but Taylors jab will keep him off balance and away. Winky has a crisp jab but Taylors has power behind it, more so then Wright. Taylor in my opinion (don't know how fair but) should fight Soliman (it just makes for a good match) or Abraham. I dont know much about Abraham and am interested to see him fight. If Taylor wins the fight against one of those two, and wright wins against his next opponent they should face off. Only reason it might not happen is, noone will want to watch Wright vs Taylor minus serious fans, and HBO cringes at the thought...anyhow Taylor keeps the belts but hopefully puts on a good show against Abraham or Soliman then makes a bout with Wright entertaining.

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    • Kimmy
      Umpalumpa Police
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      • Mar 2004
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      #3
      Ronald Wright i think would outpoint Taylor but the Taylor fight might not be the best of ideas for Winky. I'd hate for Wright to outpoint Taylor only for the verdict to go to Taylor because HBO prefer it that way. Man, the only reason Tito didn't beat Wright is because he failed to land a punch!

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      • dino
        BOXINGSCENE king
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        • Dec 2004
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        #4
        dont be fooled by the conteder show...none of those guys will ever be champ

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        • Rapid_Speed
          Interim Champion
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          • Dec 2003
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          #5
          You forgot Felix Sturm. Young guy who should still be undefeated, very good fighter.

          If I had to put money on someone it'd Sturm.

          I've never seen Abraham but the results show and by all reports the guy is the real deal and a power house.

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          • MickyHatton
            PaThFiNdEr
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            • Nov 2005
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            #6
            Sergio Mora isn't in the same league as Taylor, he's quick and has some skill but has no where near enough power for that level.

            Also coming off the back of the contender and the rematch (where Manfredo should have had the decision)he may believe the hype not to mention the Million dollars he won which must have had an effect on his desire!

            Winky Wright for me is the only one around at the moment who could beat him.

            Arthur Abraham looks like future champion but will he fight outside of Germany? He hasn't so far!

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            • AIR_KENG
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              • May 2004
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              #7
              Originally posted by MickyHatton
              Sergio Mora isn't in the same league as Taylor, he's quick and has some skill but has no where near enough power for that level.

              Also coming off the back of the contender and the rematch (where Manfredo should have had the decision)he may believe the hype not to mention the Million dollars he won which must have had an effect on his desire!

              Winky Wright for me is the only one around at the moment who could beat him.

              Arthur Abraham looks like future champion but will he fight outside of Germany? He hasn't so far!
              i will have to agree with you on this... winky is the draw right now... jermaine proved he could beat hopkins, the number 1 guy before... now let him face winky... someone who willl actually box with him and not couter for the duration of the fight... winky-jermaine... should be next...

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              • cobracore
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                #8
                I forgot Sturm - of course.

                Sturm - Having just come off a win (comon, he didn't lose =_=) over DLH, Sturm is another strong contender to beat Taylor in the future. I haven't seen him fight, but the word is he's as good as any in the division. Seen by many as underrated, the world is waiting to see when Sturm will have an opportunity to step into the limelight.

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                • Grimgash
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                  #9
                  Originally posted by cobracore
                  I forgot Sturm - of course.

                  Sturm - Having just come off a win (comon, he didn't lose =_=) over DLH, Sturm is another strong contender to beat Taylor in the future. I haven't seen him fight, but the word is he's as good as any in the division. Seen by many as underrated, the world is waiting to see when Sturm will have an opportunity to step into the limelight.
                  Sturms injured no? Thought he was out for 6 months or something...

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                  • gattifan24
                    King of Thunder
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                    • Oct 2005
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                    #10
                    Can we put away the Sam Soliman as a legit contender talk though? It was fun for a night but he's not a real threat. His punching power is less that Manny Pac-man's. He just doesn't use his weight to get anything behind his punches at all

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