Boxino What a tourney so far.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Especially looking forward to this Friday's middleweight finale. Willie Monroe Jr looks real good. But I became an instant fan the moment I caught sight of that Cuban flag on his trunks.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I have to put my cards on the table here and state that I am a friend of Monroe's. We trained together at the same gym as amateurs, so I don't know how relevant my undeniably biased prediction is.

That said, I was able to visit Willie on his last day of camp in Tampa, and I can report that he is very sharp, in good condition, and at weight (162 on Tuesday). Being as objective as I can be, I think he'll be a tough matchup for Adams, who looked a little unsure about how to deal with Gattica's southpaw jab in the opening few rounds. Monroe is longer than Gattica (side note: Willie's reach is closer to 76" and 74", which is what ESPN listed) and has a much better and quicker jab. Adams has had two guys who were right there for him to time with his counter. Monroe will give him angles and attempt to turn Adams, use lateral movement, etc. Adams will also be at a decided speed deficit for the first time in this tournament. It's going to take some effort for Adams to close the distance, and when he does, to get a beat on Monroe's timing.

My prediction is that Monroe will get off to an early lead and hold off a late rally from Adams to pull out a decision in the 6-4 or 7-3 range.

Here are a couple pictures from Willie's last day in Tampa. From left to right: Sherman Henson (head trainer at Legend's Gym), Jeff Lacy, Willie Monroe, Danny Akers (Monroe's trainer and my former amateur trainer).

Thanks for the report, and for sharing the pics! Seems like everyone from that gym is pretty polished. Willie came across really well on camera the last time I saw him. And that gym looks **** and span. If I showed you a pic of the gym I used to frequent, you'd hold your nose just looking at it. lol (BTW, who's the guy in your avi? He looks familiar, but I can't think of the name. I tried names like Darwin and Carnegie, to no avail.)

[aaron.king]

Thanks for the report, and for sharing the pics! Seems like everyone in that gym is pretty polished. Willie came across really well on camera the last time I saw him. And that gym looks **** and span. If I showed you a pic of the gym I used to frequent, you'd hold your nose just looking at it. lol (BTW, who's the guy in your avi? He looks familiar, but I can't think of the name. I tried names like Darwin and Carnegie, to no avail.)

Yeah, it's a solid gym. Mostly pros and advanced amateurs. There's a lot of good talent flowing through there. And it's definitely a lot cleaner than about 95% of gyms I've ever been to.

As for my avi, it's Gottlob Frege, the German logician who is essentially the founder of modern logic (and thus analytical philosophy in the first half of the 20th century).

[CubanGuyNYC]

Yeah, it's a solid gym. Mostly pros and advanced amateurs. There's a lot of good talent flowing through there. And it's definitely a lot cleaner than about 95% of gyms I've ever been to.

As for my avi, it's Gottlob Frege, the German logician who is essentially the founder of modern logic (and thus analytical philosophy in the first half of the 20th century).

No doubt, bro. That place looks more like a fitness center than a boxing gym (I mean that in a good way).

Thanks for the info on Frege. I'm gonna look him up later. The moment I saw his picture, I started racking my brains for mental images of scientists, composers and philanthropists of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. All those guys seem to look alike in my head. Then I compare shots and realize they look nothing alike. lol

[KingTito]

Very excited. War Willie!

[MartinC]

I am excited about the finals.