Comments Thread For: “Fighting Words” — David Lemieux and Goliath Golovkin

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by David P. Greisman - The fight this Saturday between Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux doesn’t need to be Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns. It likely won’t be. It likely can’t be. It shouldn’t even draw the comparison, which is both forced and hopeful.

Golovkin-Lemieux draws the comparison because they are two middleweights we want to see hit each other very hard and very often. It draws the comparison because they are two powerful punchers and we don’t believe the fight will last very long, though the fight will be fun for as long as it lasts.

But really, it draws the comparison because that’s what people in boxing do. For whatever reason, everything seems to need historical context.

That’s not just limited to speaking statistically. Sure, it’s dubious to relate Wladimir Klitschko’s 18 heavyweight title defenses to the 25 made by Joe Louis when it’s not an apples to apples comparison, given that every Louis defense was of the lineal heavyweight championship while 11 of Klitschko’s have been so. That’s still better than forcing every fighter to be reminiscent of someone in the past, and portraying so many fights as being akin to another one from years ago. [Click Here To Read More]

[Hougigo]

I hate that they keep bringing up Hagler/Hearns....IMO, will be nothing like it...or remotely close to it

[sugarsmosley]

ggg is no hagler and its a slap in the face to compare lemeiux to hearns

[////]

This will be a much more crisp disciplined fight than that retro slop fest was. These guys will take aimed shots.

[Progrssive_Jedi]

In all fairness, the great fights are often the ones that were not

Thought to be great.

This fight could very well be a great fight, or it could be business as usual.

As for wheth Cotto/Canelo take their mandate, I doubt it.

They know better.

I hate that they keep bringing up Hagler/Hearns....IMO, will be nothing like it...or remotely close to it

Very little fights are.

[wlliam]

What the fans want is for the fighters to exchange blows, blow for blow, become a battle of attrition, exchange knock-downs with momentum shifts for as long as it lasts.

Thosw fights are rare to come by this day n age as well as on this level...so they are only setn themswlves up for disappointment with those kinda expectations. The fighters at this level are conditioned very well and are polished by time they reach the upper levels so we should expect nothing but the best displays of skill/technique when we watch guys of this caliber...and a KO is always imminent also with guys of this caliber.

[Progrssive_Jedi]

This is kind of long, but I thought I'd weigh in (pun intended)

What the fans want is for the fighters to exchange blows, blow for blow, become a battle of attrition, exchange knock-downs with momentum shifts for as long as it lasts.

Thosw fights are rare to come by this day n age as well as on this level...so they are only setn themswlves up for disappointment with those kinda expectations. The fighters at this level are conditioned very well and are polished by time they reach the upper levels so we should expect nothing but the best displays of skill/technique when we watch guys of this caliber...and a KO is always imminent also with guys of this caliber.

I agree, fans seem to have unrealistic expectations. Usually for fighters they don't like. Boxing is one of the few sports where the best don't have to face each other, and the sport doesn't adapt to give fans what they crave.

Yet fans make the sport.

It's clear the vast majority of fans dislike hug fest, excessive clinching, holding the other guys arms.

When other sports have aspects that turn fans off, they adapt. Boxing hasn't. In fact, it allowed it to become more fan unfriendly.

People will always say well clinching is part of the sweet science. And to an extent that's always been true. But excessive clinching and running used to be frowned upon.

Now, many consider it to be a act of greatness.

Excessive and prolonged Clinching and hugging are tech both against the rules, as is pushing. Yet these are tentative rules and are enforced according to the ref, and situation. Which is why it's done often now.

No one, no committee can really enforce the rule change.

Since no one can force contenders to face each other, although they can strip a belt, we have a sport where much of what happens is subjective.

[BlackSoul]

whoever wrote the article deserves praise. STOP PRAISING THESE OVERRRATED FIGHTERS.
Bernard The EXECUTIONER Hopkins wasn't a regular "champion", or "lineal" champ he was UNDISPUTED and NONE of these fighters are ANYWHERE NEAR THAT.
golovkin is where he should be when he was like 25 years old or late 20's.
this is why im SOO critical of ggg and other "champions"

[fredhopple]

little g and Lemieux is a great fight for boxing & Society

Little g and Lemieux is a great fight for all of boxing and what the sport needs a title fight between two good guys who act respectfully and behave well. No Broner crap and little Floyd crap just two clean cut white guys that represent boxing and society in a great way. Not covered in tattoos and padded down with gold bling and gold teeth with entourages flashing money and ***elry and combing their hair. A good fight between two good men. That my friends is Boxing. Bearcat out.

[steeve steel]

It won't be Hagler vs Hearns... it will be Canelo vs Kirkland! It will be historical... but short history.