*** British Class of 2008 - Discussion Thread ***

Progress is made in the gym not in fights, fights are more or less tests where you might find out things about a fighter.

 

deal:deal

 

I dont think i explained my point very well. There just isnt the time anymore for a fighter to have 15-20 fights below title level. Not enough TV dates not enough money in it. It costs too much to bring over an Edison Miranda for a saturday fight night.

My point is that there needs to be continued progression with every fight that is taken. They learn as they go. To meet many of these styles now you have to get to ABC title level.

This level therefore shouldnt be seen as the ultimate (which sadly it is for most of our fighters) but as a continued learning progression. We spend to long languishing at Euro level where we can dominate one style.

There is often no point imo when somebody says he needs a few more Euro level fights. Well often it just means 3 more of the same fighter.

I still dont think I have articulated my point well :think

 

I disagree with that. The Anderson fight was the lesson - it was better to be in that position against a guy like Kenny than someone further up the line, like a Froch. He now knows his limits. Against DeGale he showed a lot of savvy, something he wouldn’t have had had he not struggled with Anderson.

 

No, I get what you mean. With a lack of TV dates, and higher purses for the A-side fighter, promoters can’t wait around to develop a prospect. They need to push them quickly to maintain their investment and keep the fighter earning.

Because of that, development and longevity take a back seat. It is undoubtedly the reason but it’s also why the best UK fighters are falling short at the highest level.

It’s also why Groves beat DeGale – he had the variety and experience that James did not, so he was able to beat a guy he is evenly matched with.

 

I think essentially what im advocating is going for the British title earlier after 10 rather than 15 fights having had decent domestic tests beforehand. Not languishing at Brit level too long unless there are solid challenges realistically Stuart Hall could have fought Mcdonnell after one defence against Davies Power and Donnelly didnt teach him anything. Then Euro title level again should be bypassed unless solid tests are there. Then go for eliminators because only then are you going to start learning different styles from different continents.

If you fail at any level wash rinse repeat

 

Yes its a middle ground between the two boxing isnt as popular so we can't build in the same way that we used to but prospects need to be advanced at a quick level but in a way that they will also learn as they go.

Most divisions at Brit level have 2 maybe 3 good fighters once you have fought the other one or other 2 assuming you have fought some domestic contenders out there you should move upwards and onwards because at Brit level once you have fought one you have nearly fought them all.

 

Euro title is a load of shite these days for the most part. As I tried telling our friend Slappy, but was he having it? No, it was bias on my part apparently.

The champions might be somewhat better in SOME divisions, but the joke fighters you can face are terrible. The Euro title is masquerading as something its not, which is the best in Europe fighting each other, whereas at least the British title does what he claims to do.