Joyce was certainly up there. It's not to say he's bad: he could steamroll some decent fighters, especially if they were much smaller and not especially evasive or fit. There's a tendency to want to get behind anyone who is seen as a potential threat to Fury, no matter how desperate. So one poll had 40% backing Joyce against Fury, 60-70% backing him against Wilder etc. Zhang is the current flavour of the month and thus overrated to a degree but he's clearly considerably more dangerous than Joyce (beat up Hrgovic, schooled and smashed Joyce x2).
He was overrated but many did have reservations about his abilities due to his extensive injuries and long inactivity. Personally I always thought he was too small and limited technically to make a mark at HW.
I think Gassiev's been ducked; why else would his team pick a bad stylistic matchup who doesn't bring in substantial money in Wallin? A guy who himself desperately needed another breakout fight and was willing to take a risk. A smaller man who punches very hard is scary for many heavyweights. But Gassiev needs to pack on 10-15 lbs and fight aggressive heavyweights who are more open defensively. He'd do well against someone like Arreola, as he did in sparring. But next to no chance he reaches the summit.
Exactly. Plus everyone peaks at different points in their careers. Much like Mike Tyson… Gassiev peaked in his early 20’s and had a trainer (Sanchez) that he worked extremely well with. Plus let’s be honest… Wallin is just better than many thought. I think Wallin would be tough for Gassiev at any point in his career. But I do believe we’ve seen the best version of Gassiev six or so years ago. Hopefully he can bounce back. Good fighter and seems like a good dude.
Wallin seems to be a guy who looks quite ordinary against journeyman but can raise his level when less fancied.
He definitely raises his level against more dangerous opponents. I wonder if it's a preparation thing, or perhaps psychological when he gets in the ring. It's not good regardless, as he'll get upset by an underdog before long.
I think he just does better on the back foot. When expected to press a lesser guy he doesn't look as good.
I will do you one better- I always knew Wallin was excellent. On all the threads I said I was slightly pulling for Gassiev, but neither result would surprise me. Minus power, Wallin is one of the most complete fighters in the division.
No, he just needs to get in betters shape, and hope that his arms continue to rehabilitate. Because of the injuries and dodgy conditioning at heavy, he is the kind of fighter that could fall into beiing a journeyman and then suddenly take out a young hot prospect. His career could go either way form here. I hope he can build in the loss.
There are always unquantifiable excuses, I don't think injuries had anything to do with him losing to clear B-side Wallin. Hopefully he won't go down the same road as Granat and Breazeale, they gave up on the sport after Wallin beat them.
You've made some good points in this thread but this is definitely over the top: the last 5 years have been mostly injuries and inactivity rather than gaining any meaningful experience. Gassiev's best performance is the Dorticos fight in my opinion.