Arslanbek Ruslanovich Makhmudov vs. Armand Carlos Netsing Takam & Steven Butler vs. Mark DeLuca RBR.

I dont think Makhmudov would be bothered facing Takam again, but it was a clear win with the KDS, which should of been 3kds.

 

Takam is past prime but still solid. Joyce took a few from him but put him away without much trouble. Fair assumption that Joyce would have Makhmudov in real trouble should that ever happen.

 

I don't know why he doesn't use it more. Could have been the style/Takams awkwardness, but he used his jab to good effect against Jonathon Rice who is a pretty solid gatekeeper himself. Was definitely headhunting way too much tonight, but on the bright side he still showed solid defense and awareness to avoid much of Takams assault.

 

I'd like to see Mak vs Ajagba next. Two limited fighters who rely on their physical advantages to overwhelm lesser opponents.

 

The fight didn't even last 6 rounds and yet Joyce still dropped 3-4 rounds himself. The difference being he wasn't only headhunting like Makh was tonight. Don't be sure about that, Joyce gets tagged hard in every fight and Makh is still a savage puncher. Would love to see that one down the line.

 

Joyce is definitely more proven and is probably top 5 HW right now, but he also got tagged alot but takam and stiverne, Joyce relies on chin and strength, very hittable. the fact is the overhand right can be an issue for taller fighters. Only superior defensive tall men Like Wladimir Klitchko in his smarter years avoid it, same with Lennox Lewis, and Fury when he decides to box, the first 2 got hit before steward got to them. Makhmudov looks better when hes throwing punches so he isnt a defensive artist, but he should have used that left more and thrown first. Takam is still an awkward fight for most but he did miss alot himself and got ragged.

 

Mak won with the KDs. He otherwise did not impress at all. Has good pop in his hands but very basic array of punches.

 

Ajagba looked so bad against Sanchez. I think your idea is pretty good. It would give us, and them, a chance to find out if either of them are the real deal.

 

I was more surprised with Takams gas tank considering he came in at 261lbs i thought he would be dead by round 5.

 

He was able to dictate the pace because Mak was hardly pressing the action.

 

What round was the third one?

 

im gonna see if they put it up tomorrow, i think it was 3 or 4 could of been 5

 

I'm not even sure Makhmudov won a majority of the rounds. I didn't give him the 2nd KD round. If I cared enough about either fighter I'd ask people claiming 96-92 was fair (there's a ton of them on twitter) which other 4 rounds outside of the 2 KD rounds they gave him. He got thoroughly outworked IMO. Anyone have the punch stats?

 

He's still relatively young for HW at 33. Definitely can't rule him out completely just off of this. in a few years Usyk and Fury will both likely be out the sport and the division will be wide open.