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All boxers, in their own minds, are champions, from the actual titlists to the losers who nonetheless proclaim themselves “people’s champs,” as well as the prospects and contenders who insist they will inevitably rule their divisions.
Calvin Brock confidently places himself in the latter group, predicting his ascendance as the future heavyweight king. In the nationalistic eyes of some, he is seen as the savior who can recapture boxing’s marquee division for America.
Brock, of course, won’t argue otherwise.
After Brock’s boring unanimous decision over Timur Ibragimov this weekend, perhaps that position needs to be reevaluated.
In the Ibragimov fight, Brock was pensive with an inconsistent jab, and his occasional offense was often inaccurate, sometimes amateurish. While Ibragimov was an awkward opponent who was unwilling to make a fight, Brock looked little like a boxer who needed to make a statement, instead content to go the distance and receive the victory.
Brock confirmed as much in the post-fight interview, calling Ibragimov “a safety-first boxer,” insisting that the booing audience didn’t matter as long as he avoided the loss and moved on to the next bout and the next opportunity to rise through the ranks.
The problem, though, is that despite maintaining an undefeated record, Brock’s career and momentum have stalled. [details]
Calvin Brock confidently places himself in the latter group, predicting his ascendance as the future heavyweight king. In the nationalistic eyes of some, he is seen as the savior who can recapture boxing’s marquee division for America.
Brock, of course, won’t argue otherwise.
After Brock’s boring unanimous decision over Timur Ibragimov this weekend, perhaps that position needs to be reevaluated.
In the Ibragimov fight, Brock was pensive with an inconsistent jab, and his occasional offense was often inaccurate, sometimes amateurish. While Ibragimov was an awkward opponent who was unwilling to make a fight, Brock looked little like a boxer who needed to make a statement, instead content to go the distance and receive the victory.
Brock confirmed as much in the post-fight interview, calling Ibragimov “a safety-first boxer,” insisting that the booing audience didn’t matter as long as he avoided the loss and moved on to the next bout and the next opportunity to rise through the ranks.
The problem, though, is that despite maintaining an undefeated record, Brock’s career and momentum have stalled. [details]
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