Killing a Prospect: The Tragedy of Mason "Rock Hard Mighty" Menard

I had really high hopes for this kid. Very handsome and good looking, well-mannered, and coming off of consecutive sick KOs (one of which is a contendor for KO of the Year). M2 was actually scheduled to take on a non-televised tune-up on December 15th before he got the call for Raymundo.

Taking on a RUGGED, DURABLE, and SEASONED dude like Beltran on short notice was crazy. Let's hope the KO doesn't ruin M2.

 

Still a good fighter, but Beltran was really on point that night. Like really on point.

Menard just got bulldozed. He could come back though, easily.

 

It's only the end of the line if Menard buys into the false notion you can't learn from your losses and get better.

Better to lose to a Beltran now than to get spoonfed enough of the right fights to get a title shot before he's actually ready for it.

 

It was a replay of Douglas (who I'm still a fan of) and Khurtsidze, only Khurtsidze was the replacement there. High risk, but I won't knock the fighters for showing hunger to get better.

 

Menard was rushed into that fight he clearly wasn't ready for a fighter of Beltram's caliber. Best to take a couple of days then go back to gym & try to figure out what you could improve on. I wish Mason the best of luck in his future career. He definitely still has one

 

Very handsome AND good looking?

Anyway it was his 34th fight, it was time to either sink or swim.

Being put in with a 35 year old, shop worn Ray Beltran isn't exactly being tossed to the wolves.

It was a step up and he couldn't make it.

Let's see where he goes from here

 

Rey Beltran sure didn't look shopworn to me lol

 

I felt for him to Beltran looked at least one weightclass bigger. The guy has talent he will be back.

 

Did Beltran look old, shopworn, or shot to you? No. In fact, he looked the best he's ever looked. Strong as an ox, punching hard, never looked tired, and never stopped pressuring.

 

Hes 35 so he is old for a lightweight
Hes been in numerous wars.

He looked good because Menard isn't anything special.
You put Beltran in against any top LW, and he gets comprehensively beaten.

 

I don't know. Lightweight is pretty thin on the ground right now. Beltran deserves to be rated near the top. I'd probably only pick Flanagan and Linares to beat Beltran with confidence.

 

I had high hopes for menard but kinda knew this was going to happen, experience wise he was way in over his head.

 

I like Menard, but 135 has been getting stronger under the radar. Easter is coming on, Mikey is back, and Loma will be there before too long. Contender level may just be his peak, but there's no shame in that.

 

Let's refocus and talk about Mason, thanks!