Boxing

[Shaggy]

"sports psychology and all that"

[Zapater]

Not seen that one - it was this on the BBC. They discuss the fight together.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b2s8d5

Just watched this now, enjoyed it. Wlad really comes across as a great guy. A lot of people disliked him, I've never had a huge problem with him, I used to find some of his soundbites hysterical. My favourite was when he was banging on about giving David Haye 'reality rehabilitation' by comprehensively knocking him out which would result in Haye becoming a better person overall. Although, I'll never forget how the late Corrie Sanders took him out in the lions den and Vitali basically threatened Sanders in the ring, I never cared for those bullying tactics.

The Netflix one is also good, shows how professional both of them are behind the scenes and also how much Joshua was forced to grow in minimal time.

Stevenson and Matthysse would be my picks


At 40 you have to be thinking that time will catch up with Stevenson soon, but he is a very wily fighter when he has to be and the guy can hit hard and fast.


What is in Jack's favour, other than the obvious age gap, is the fact that Jack has been in with a better calibre of fighters on a regular basis over the past three or four years (albeit at super middleweight) than Stevenson has during the same period and as such should be the one more used to having hard fights in the run up to this fight.

Jack on form is a bit of a machine, but Stevenson is clever, has fast hands, is defensively good when he needs to be and he can hurt almost anyone left in the division.

Think it is telling though that Stevenson had no real problem taking this fight, especially given his reluctance to go anywhere near Andre Ward before Ward retired and he was equally reserved when it came to talking about fighting Kovalev.

I can see your reasoning 100% - just depends how father time effects Stevenson and how Jack is able to absorb heavy shots at this weight. Reason I think Jack is going to break him down is as I mentioned above, his relentless nature in combination with Stevenson not really stretching himself in recent years. The pace of the fight may not be a good thing for Adonis with ring rust and age.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Just watched this now, enjoyed it. Wlad really comes across as a great guy. A lot of people disliked him, I've never had a huge problem with him, I used to find some of his soundbites hysterical. My favourite was when he was banging on about giving David Haye 'reality rehabilitation' by comprehensively knocking him out which would result in Haye becoming a better person overall. Although, I'll never forget how the late Corrie Sanders took him out in the lions den and Vitali basically threatened Sanders in the ring, I never cared for those bullying tactics.

The Netflix one is also good, shows how professional both of them are behind the scenes and also how much Joshua was forced to grow in minimal time.



I can see your reasoning 100% - just depends how father time effects Stevenson and how Jack is able to absorb heavy shots at this weight. Reason I think Jack is going to break him down is as I mentioned above, his relentless nature in combination with Stevenson not really stretching himself in recent years. The pace of the fight may not be a good thing for Adonis with ring rust and age.

Oh Jack is the favourite to win the fight. Younger, more active at a higher level in recent years, on form is able to put fierce pressure on his opponents, good allrounder, and nearly always in great condition going into fights.


I could make as long a list of negatives about Stevenson as I can makes positives about Jack. Logic says the younger man wins, logic says the younger man forces a stoppage.


Just something about how easily Stevenson took the fight that has struck me. Here is the guy that wanted nothing to do with getting in the ring with Ward, wanted nothing to do with Kovalev, here is the guy with no problem ducking a serious threat having no problem, at 40 years of age, getting in with Jack.

To me that says he is confident that he has the tools to take Jack out and that he has spotted somethingn Jack's game that he can exploit or he thinks that Jack is not a natural at light heavyweight. Basically when a ducker is keen to fight someone, that makes me wonder about the guy he is up against.


Personally I think Jack has the frame to be a natural fit at light heavy, and I think Jack's game is pretty solid, but Stevenson can hit and he can break fighters, even mobile very fit ones, down.


Not sure if I am trying to convince myself of Stevenson's chances because of a hunch or if I genuinely think he can stop Jack, but whatever it is I cannot shake off the feeling that he may buck the odds and get a win.


And the funny thing is that I am no big fan of Stevenson, I actually prefer watching Jack fight and normally lean towards him in any of his fights.

[rodo]

selby v warrington is a decent scrap

[RichC]

Good fight. Horrible, horrible commentary

[Zapater]

Serious scrap. Stevenson looked a million dollars, age hasn't changed him at all. Jack loves a draw, has to be a rematch. Jack was perhaps too cagey at the start, gave him too much respect, however his heavy left hands are dangerous, particularly early.

I'm not sure who I thought had it, draw is probably right on reflection, Stevenson had the first half and Jack the second. It's important to remember that boxing is 12 three minute fights, not 1 36min fight. Some close rounds though and I may have had Jack 1 up. I was surprised how many times he hurt Stevenson with the right hand. Rnd 10 was epic though, they were both ****ed Adonis to the head and Jack to the body.

Look forward to seeing it again. I would fancy Kovalev to beat both of them, but all are close fights as is at this stage. Also surprised that Stevenson didn't wear the Kronk style trunks.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Serious scrap. Stevenson looked a million dollars, age hasn't changed him at all. Jack loves a draw, has to be a rematch. Jack was perhaps too cagey at the start, gave him too much respect, however his heavy left hands are dangerous, particularly early.

I'm not sure who I thought had it, draw is probably right on reflection, Stevenson had the first half and Jack the second. It's important to remember that boxing is 12 three minute fights, not 1 36min fight. Some close rounds though and I may have had Jack 1 up. I was surprised how many times he hurt Stevenson with the right hand. Rnd 10 was epic though, they were both ****ed Adonis to the head and Jack to the body.

Look forward to seeing it again. I would fancy Kovalev to beat both of them, but all are close fights as is at this stage. Also surprised that Stevenson didn't wear the Kronk style trunks.

Was a really good watch. Scoring could have gone either way. Stevenson showed I think why he was happy to take the fight. He had no fear of Jack and he fought like a man ten years younger than his 40 years.


Totally agree with your take that Kovalev would beat either but cannot see Stevenson wanting or taking that fight. Jack I think would fight Kovalev though as he strikes me as a the type to take a risk.

[marcus50bucks]

Brendan Ingle has passed away. RIP

[fidget]

Dean Francis too.
RIP
A sad day for boxing

[Tee]

RIP, sad news

[Shaggy]

Be a decent scrap this imo

[ame]https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1004638734955040768[/ame]

[Shaggy]

Box office though

[Gray]

Box office though, really!

[spud_gun]

****ing hell

[Doc_Piptorious]

Golovkin has been stripped of his IBF belt for not having the paperwork for his mandatory in on time.