Who needs P4P?

[Guest]

Was last night's fight fantastic or what? Does it really matter that Gatti was at the end of his career, or that neither boxer was anything above C level? It seems we all (myself included) debate continually about who are the best fighters in the sport, whereas many of them throw their careers away on substandard competition and listless performances.

It doesn't really matter whether Baldomir is just waiting to be taken out, or that his footwork is bad - last night he and Gatti really entertained me a great deal. I put it in my three fights of the year so far, only one of which features a boxer that's in The Ring's P4P:

Lamon Brewster vs. Surging Lyncanthropy
Joe Blow vs. Jeff Lacy
Gatti vs. Baldomir


Regardless of what he has or may achieve, Baldomir has consolidated his reputation for me as a fighter I'd pay to see. There's nothing special or pretty about him (though he's got a great chin, and you'd better pray you don't run out of steam against him) but anyone who gave us the Judah spaghetti leg dance in January has to be worthy of our respect.

Great show.

[Guest]

One thing that did surprise me was Gatti adopting a southpaw stance... Baldy's just come off a win against the best southpaw in the division, so why would it trouble him?

I must admit, I was convinced by Gatti's body language that he was taking control of the fight towards the later stages... not as we found out later, that he was running out of steam and was using kidology. I had it even after eight rounds.

[Kball15]

i had it 6-2 baldy

[AllEyesOpen]

i had it 6-2 baldy

Same here, Gatti & Vargas needs to hang'em up for good, even though I wouldn't be suprised if they decide not to, let's just hope they don't look too bad next time around.

[Guest]

I thought they were close rounds, ISTR having Gatti edge the first, then Baldy took 2-5 on my card.

[mECHsLAVE]

Last night was the last of Gatti, sadly. Last week was the last of Vargas, but that was a happy occasion for me, as I've always hated Vargas and his attitude and mouth that he could never back up. Gatti was a true warrior, who won a couple of world titles and made an assload of money. Most online were saying it was the end of Gatti after the DLH loss, if anyone remembers that. But from his body language and his interview last night, I think that really was the end. And it's sad. Because he's given more great fights and exciting moments in his career than the last 5 P4P champs' careers COMBINED.

P4P is not what inspires fans of the sport. As a matter of fact, fighters like Hopkins, Jones and Mayweather often frustrate fans with their reluctantness to take on the toughest challenges and the finicky way they tap dance through their careers, leaving questions unanswered and fights that should have happened open to endless debate. With Gatti, there is no debate, and there are no unanswered questions. He gave it all and you got to see it all. If there were more fighters with the guts of Gatti, then boxing would be a larger than life sport again.

As for Baldomir, he has come out of nowhere to equal the wins of what many consider the P4P champ. Mayweather and Baldomir both decisioned Judah and stopped Gatti in the past year, yet one is viewed as the P4P King and the other is viewed as a C-level fighter. And it's the "C-level" fighter who holds a true world championship and the "P4P King" who hasn't held one in many years.

"Who needs P4P?" Indeed.

[Shanus]

I was scoring it even for Gatti, Gatti won 1,2,7,8 for me.

But it was a slug fest towards the end, great to watch, Gatti was in over his head, Baldomir was too accurate, and his supposed 'non existant' power was putting gatti on wobbly feet, he was throwing his shots with confidence, like a Miguel Cotto.

[Kball15]

Last night was the last of Gatti, sadly. Last week was the last of Vargas, but that was a happy occasion for me, as I've always hated Vargas and his attitude and mouth that he could never back up. Gatti was a true warrior, who won a couple of world titles and made an assload of money. Most online were saying it was the end of Gatti after the DLH loss, if anyone remembers that. But from his body language and his interview last night, I think that really was the end. And it's sad. Because he's given more great fights and exciting moments in his career than the last 5 P4P champs' careers COMBINED.

P4P is not what inspires fans of the sport. As a matter of fact, fighters like Hopkins, Jones and Mayweather often frustrate fans with their reluctantness to take on the toughest challenges and the finicky way they tap dance through their careers, leaving questions unanswered and fights that should have happened open to endless debate. With Gatti, there is no debate, and there are no unanswered questions. He gave it all and you got to see it all. If there were more fighters with the guts of Gatti, then boxing would be a larger than life sport again.

As for Baldomir, he has come out of nowhere to equal the wins of what many consider the P4P champ. Mayweather and Baldomir both decisioned Judah and stopped Gatti in the past year, yet one is viewed as the P4P King and the other is viewed as a C-level fighter. And it's the "C-level" fighter who holds a true world championship and the "P4P King" who hasn't held one in many years.

"Who needs P4P?" Indeed.

great post. i especially liked ur points in the last paragraph

[THE REAL NINJA]

2 Me Gatti looked the same that he always has . I don't think it's a matter of him being done but that he is fighting over his limits . Gatti for all that he is has no P4P power and if he keeps trying welters he will be hurt for sure . Even with all that I do think this is a good time to step away because the only fights left are fights he can't win .

[Guest]

Last night was the last of Gatti, sadly. Last week was the last of Vargas, but that was a happy occasion for me, as I've always hated Vargas and his attitude and mouth that he could never back up. Gatti was a true warrior, who won a couple of world titles and made an assload of money. Most online were saying it was the end of Gatti after the DLH loss, if anyone remembers that. But from his body language and his interview last night, I think that really was the end. And it's sad. Because he's given more great fights and exciting moments in his career than the last 5 P4P champs' careers COMBINED.

P4P is not what inspires fans of the sport. As a matter of fact, fighters like Hopkins, Jones and Mayweather often frustrate fans with their reluctantness to take on the toughest challenges and the finicky way they tap dance through their careers, leaving questions unanswered and fights that should have happened open to endless debate. With Gatti, there is no debate, and there are no unanswered questions. He gave it all and you got to see it all. If there were more fighters with the guts of Gatti, then boxing would be a larger than life sport again.

As for Baldomir, he has come out of nowhere to equal the wins of what many consider the P4P champ. Mayweather and Baldomir both decisioned Judah and stopped Gatti in the past year, yet one is viewed as the P4P King and the other is viewed as a C-level fighter. And it's the "C-level" fighter who holds a true world championship and the "P4P King" who hasn't held one in many years.

"Who needs P4P?" Indeed.

Great post mate.