Cuauhtemoc1520's take on this weekend 6/21/2014

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

What a great weekend of fights, to be honest when I saw the lineups, I didn't think they would be as good as they were but they were great.

Alexander vs Karrass

You know, Karrass has been written off time and time again, then he pulls out a performance that forces you to respect him. Against Alexander he looked to be just severely outmatched in the first 3 rounds, but came on after that.

Even though he lost, and was outboxed by Alexander, he really brings it every time he fights. We know he takes a great punch, and eventually walks his opponent down. He was landing some great shots in the middle of the fight, then Alexander started taking over late. I wasn't impressed with Alexander to be honest, he did decide to brawl at times but I think his power will limit him against the bigger names in the division.

Lomanchenko vs Russell Jr.

This was the fight I was most looking forward to simply because of the speed and skill level involved. This fight you could really see how good Loma is. When you are a 3 time gold medalist, and have so much experience the way he does it's fun to watch.

He really has an educated lead hand, and sets his cross up very well and fires it with accuracy at short distances. He also moves in and out well, and takes subtle angles that leave his opponent open for a split second, and with his speed he takes advantage of that.

Russell is a great athlete, but you can see he isn't on the same level fundamentally as Loma. He was getting countered over his jab, and when he finished his combo's he was dropping his left hand leaving him open. His speed is his asset and I think did well when he moved forward.

If I had one criticism of Loma, is that you can see he doesn't handle pressure as well as you would think with someone of his experience. We saw that in Salido. He is young though, and I'm sure will improve that. Loma is the truth.

Guerrero vs Kamegai

This fight was FOT candidate right from the start. What is it with Japanese and Mexican fighters when they meet in the ring? It just makes for fireworks every time.

Guerrero looked really good early on, and I think stood in front of Kamegai because he was hitting him so easily but that was a tactical mistake. Kamegai's chin is just amazing and started to really land some brutal shots in the middle rounds. Guerrero was lured into a slug fest and it made for an exciting fight for the fans, but not so good for him tactically. Ruben Guerrero is a good trainer, but I was surprised he was egging him on to fight a brawl, instead of telling him to get distance and box the Japanese fighter.

When Guerrero was at distance, he was dominating the fight. Why he didn't do it? I don't know, maybe his Mexican heart, machismo, pride but I'm glad he did from a fans point of view, not so much from a trainers point of view.

I really like Guerrero, he's rough and rugged, has great heart and can box. I would love to see him vs Thurman or Porter. The one thing about Guerrero's style is that he is hard to fight for anyone. He pressures well, and is a really good inside fighter, better than people think. He has a great uppercut, and his chin is really good too. Great jab, and can box from the outside. I don't think he carries great power at 147, but there's some exciting fights to be made with him at that weight.

Broner, Porter, Thurman, Garcia...all those IMO would make for a really entertaining fight with Guerrero.

[Rico1965]

Good write up***128077;

[Beercules]

Lomas lateral movement is impressive, and I'm not sure why Guerrero gets so much hate on here.

I like the dude, he looked a bit faster than he did against Floyd, or maybe Floyd made him look slow?

If I'm being honest Guerrero gives Thurman 'helluva' fight. Wouldn't be surprised if Ghost won but I think Thurman would keep his composure and box a bit instead of a phone booth brawl.

[jas]

good write - up

but whats up with da predictions doe, thats 0/3 - you picked groves, sergio and russell , but still got crawford and canelo to go so maybe you get them right......

[Beercules]

good write - up

but whats up with da predictions doe, thats 0/3 - you picked groves, sergio and russell , but still got crawford and canelo to go so maybe you get them right......

Nah bruh. Lara and Crawford gonna win doe, one via CJ Ross type robbery

[jas]

Nah bruh. Lara and Crawford gonna win doe, one via CJ Ross type robbery

i aint picked for those yet brah,

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

good write - up

but whats up with da predictions doe, thats 0/3 - you picked groves, sergio and russell , but still got crawford and canelo to go so maybe you get them right......

I'm definitely a better trainer than prognosticator...lol

I wanted Russell to win, and I thought his corner would pressure more, but that didn't happen until later.

AS far as Sergio and Groves, I think it was fair most picked them to win. I didn't know which version I would see vs Cotto, and like I said, even though Sergio wasn't himself, it still was an impressive performance by Cotto.

Crawford I'm picking because of inactivity on the part of Gamboa, I think that will hurt him. Canelo could lose, but I do think his power will be the difference even though if Lara wins I see a UD going that way.

Style wise I do think Lara has the advantage though.

I did call the Algerie fight though....

[jas]

I'm definitely a better trainer than prognosticator...lol

I wanted Russell to win, and I thought his corner would pressure more, but that didn't happen until later.

AS far as Sergio and Groves, I think it was fair most picked them to win. I didn't know which version I would see vs Cotto, and like I said, even though Sergio wasn't himself, it still was an impressive performance by Cotto.

Crawford I'm picking because of inactivity on the part of Gamboa, I think that will hurt him. Canelo could lose, but I do think his power will be the difference even though if Lara wins I see a UD going that way.

Style wise I do think Lara has the advantage though.

I did call the Algerie fight though....

Yea I fked up the Algeri fight, that's what i get for not fully analysing .You picking Lara? You said Canelo by ko before .

Anyways, do you think Canelo cuts the ring well enough? Are his feet fast enough?

It's a tough fight to predict.

[Aztekkas]

These weekly takes are becoming a staple around here, I always look forward to reading them. I think Soto-Karass is an interesting character. He reminds me of Wile E Coyote lol. Rugged, lanky and never gives up even if he is outclassed from the get go.

I was also counting on Gary Russel Jr to win but I knew Loma had the goods. The better fighter won and I think Loma has a wider array of weapons to chose from while GR Jr relies so much on just one, speed.

Guerrero chose the wrong fight strategically but the perfect won for entertainment value. I was going for Kamegai but I'm glad The Ghost one and I think Kamegai has a lot of fights to come where he can display his heart even further. For one I think Soto-Karass vs Kamegai would be a barn burner and Alexander vs Guerrero would be just as entertaining if they both choose to brawl it out***8230;. since you know, their power is limited so they won't mind throwing as much leather as they can if a war breaks out. I think it would be like Figueroa vs Arakawa, where both fighters hit each other with everything but didn't seem to posses enough power to knock each other out.

[ShoulderRoll]

Always enjoy hearing your take.

However, you said that Soto-Karass impressed you but Alexander didn't??? Come on man, that was one of Devon's better performances. He even made it exciting and wasn't boring at all.