*** The Official Boxing Thread ***Do Not Discuss Illegal Streams
- Thread starter currantloaf
- Start date
This and also the Zhang v Parker fight on the undercard of the joke main event.
I forgot about that one, both did well in their last fight so should be a good match I hope
Yeah but I just feel so bad for Jack. He was robbed of the opportunity that night and even if he wins, it's not the same.
And that's if he wins. I'm favouring him but he seems to be a bit too emotional this time around but he's looked better in recent fights
Got to agree about the robbery and have him to win 'again' as Taylor seems to lost his way as of late so who ever turns up that night will persevere..
more looking forward to Zhang vs parker
I can't decide what I think about Joshua Ngannou. Part of me respects Joshua for keeping active and taking on what could be a no win situation. The other part resents the fact that Ngannou can queue jump over a lot of fighters to get a crack at the best in the division. Logically AJ should know too much but he really needs a KO to put him in line for another title short. Of course there is always jeopardy with the heavyweights but I'll stick my neck out and say Joshua stops him late on.
Parker Zhang is a good fight. Interestingly Betfair has Zhang as favourite but I think Parker is the most improved fighter in the division. I suppose Zhang beating Joyce who ko'd Parker is the reason but I think this is a close fight. Will be interested to see if Zhang can outlast Parker's engine as he doesn't really do 12 rounds too often.
I see it the same as you @Calpol I expect Joshua to get a TKO around 7-10. I wouldn't be shocked if it's a KO but people rave on about how hard Francis is so I'm leaning towards a referee stoppage. It's heavyweight boxing so of course anything can happen and these two are genuinely two massive lumps so anything can happen. I'm just backing the boxer with pedigree over a highly skilled, but essentially still a 0-1 novice. AJ Is faster, underrrated with counter punches and has enough power to let Francis know he isn't just going to walk him down.
But it's why we love heavyweight boxing. Anything can happen and it can all change with one punch!
If Parker beats Zhang it will be the epitome of the boxing triangle between himself, Joyce and Zhang. For me it comes down to how Zhang can handle the pace. If Parker makes it a young man fight and ups the tempo then questions will be asked about Zhang's stamina (as much as they try and downplay the Forest performance) but Zhang is a big hard hitting southpaw and from memory I can't think of the last time Parker has fought someone like him. If Zhang finds a home with his jab it could be a long night for Parker. Hopefully Parker employs some common sense unlike Joyce and actually circles to the left rather than walking into power shots all night.
But it's why we love heavyweight boxing. Anything can happen and it can all change with one punch!
If Parker beats Zhang it will be the epitome of the boxing triangle between himself, Joyce and Zhang. For me it comes down to how Zhang can handle the pace. If Parker makes it a young man fight and ups the tempo then questions will be asked about Zhang's stamina (as much as they try and downplay the Forest performance) but Zhang is a big hard hitting southpaw and from memory I can't think of the last time Parker has fought someone like him. If Zhang finds a home with his jab it could be a long night for Parker. Hopefully Parker employs some common sense unlike Joyce and actually circles to the left rather than walking into power shots all night.
I do often wonder why people love it. Its slow, dull and really unskilled compared to the lighterweight devisions. You watch the lighter boxers and its a completely different sport. Speed, movement, combinations, flair. All of it is levels above the heavyweights.
I sometimes think its just historic bias and marketing. They are constantly ducking the big fights. Padding out their resumes with second tier fighters and far too often losing or really struggling against them. Not even due to "a punchers chance" either. Joshua has been outboxed in too many fights.
The silly thing is just the sheer amount of money the heavyweights earn vs the other classes.
Because it's exciting as one punch can change anything. It's also a spectacle seeing two large lumps throw hands with bad intentions. At least the ones who take their craft seriously and not turn up looking like sapient lard.
While it's true that the lower weight fighters are more skilled, I find it hard to get excited about the lower weights. Of course there are fighters that buck this trend like Inoue but I find it hard to get excited for the fighters bellow 130. Unless they are remarkable, at least. 135 and up is where my interest usually starts. Probably Middle-light heavyweight is where I think you get the best mix of skills and excitement of power.
I don't think "always ducking the big fights" is a completely fair criticism to throw at the entire heavyweight division. There's certainly fighters in there guilty of doing that but I don't think it's all of them. Though there is an element of them thinking they're worth more than they should be. Like Ruiz. You'd have thought he would've his win against Joshua to spring board into some big fights and activity. Instead he started thinking he was owed tens of millions to get in the ring and stagnated.
As much as boxing is a sport, lets not get it twisted that it still satisfies blood lust. People like seeing vicious knock outs and even more so when it's between people who are unfathomably big.
I'm really looking forward to the next few weeks of heavyweight fights. Really excited for tomorrows card, then we have Wardley vs Clarke and the undisputed coming up as well.
I agree that there is a point where its too tiny guys absolutely hammering each other to no avail and there is no danger to it which ruins the spectacle somewhat.
I could have worded that better. The top top guys are always ducking fights. The guys on the next rung down don't because they are trying to reach the top. Why haven't we had Joshua/Fury?
Perhaps. Honestly though, its a little like rugby where the scale isn't that apparent. If you stuck some sacrificial "normies" in there for a few rounds you might but everyone at that level is big so its just two big boys fighting it out. If you want to see vicious knockouts you would be much much better served watching MMA as well. I don't know, I just can't get too excited for boxing when they are constantly making fights that ignore the ones people really want to see. The fact Joshua is one of this generations big names tells you everything about the quality as well.
It's the same reason I can't get into womens fighting. Though I do believe a change to 3 minute rounds would make it more exciting. 2 minute rounds just isn't long enough for any action. Though I guess you can argue because the rounds are shorter they have to press the action more.
The same reason we didn't get Fury vs Price, Why Fury pulled out of the Ustinov fight, why we didn't get the Klitschko rematch, why he spent 2 years in the wild due to a depression/being popped dirty, why we didn't get the AJ vs Fury fight in 2021, why he set a arbitrary deadline on AJ singing the fight (after coming off back-to-back losses) despite his team telling him not to be stupid only for him to have the highly sought after Chisora trilogy and why we still haven't had the undisputed fight.
Fury is the one messing around. Look at the records of most of the top 10 and look at the resume and track record of Fury. He is the problem.
It's no secret I have no love for the man but he makes it easy to dislike him.
Not a fan of MMA at all, so it does not benefit me to line Dana White pockets. Boxing is in a great place
To be fair, we're getting Bivol vs Beterbiev this year. Everything else is gravy. I'd like to see Canelo vs Benavidez as well but that's unlikely. Plenty of good fights at all levels.
The disrespect AJ gets is bonkers. Decent amateur career winning several golds and a unified world champion. He's not going to be a hall of famer or ATG but he doesn't duck a challenge.
Is.... is this a joke? lol.
Last edited:
