Not at all, I seldom enjoy watching British fighters perform in the ring for a number of reasons. I'm most attracted to the fighters who have lovely punching form, and find it relatively easy to put together 3-4 punch combination's with fluidity. I think besides a few exceptions, British fighters today don't do that. I see you have become deeply offended. I prefer this segment to your last. I do think Boxing is struggling in this country for talent and popularity, and that would contribute to the lack of talent, or at least what I perceive to be a lack of talent. Awful. I always found it disgusting how a legitimate world champion like Carl Froch couldn't even find himself on Sky Sports. Even those world class talents you are talking about, they seem to lack certain attributes that the very best fighters in the world possess. I don't know whether it had to do with their upbringing not being as a tough, or perhaps the trainers in this country aren't as good as the ones in other parts of the world, but Froch doesn't have great technique, we all gasp every time a punch even remotely comes close to hitting Haye, and Khan was the same, but has seemingly been rejuvenated with a move to America. I I don't like how you're implying my actions have been calculated. I was feeling ambitious one evening and thought I'd spark up a debate, and we'd all be able to share out views and theories as to why Britain struggles to produce world caliber talent, or if indeed that's what the general feeling is amongst the British posters. I enjoy watching Carl Froch and David Haye, that's two fighters, and on the grand scale, that is very few British fighters I just named. "Seldom" was the word I used. I think if people weren't so sensitive about their country, a concept I never really understood and don't wish too, even that one line in the opening post would have sparked this kind of debate we're having now. A certain level of sensitivity has obscured that for most part, and that's a shame. I agree; Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Asia certainly do produce more quality combatants than we do. I haven't asked any questions, but why can't we seem to produce the fighters of the Jon Conteh variety anymore? Great boxing skills, world level punch resistance, decent power, and great ring IQ?
How you can't admire Frankie is beyond me mate, He has skills that go beyond measure, I'll go as far as saying he's the best technical fighter in GB right now!! He has it all, He only has 1 thing left to gain and that is experience.. He'll show everyone soon enough just how good he can be.. We also have 2 brilliant fighters who throw great combinations with good power in either hand in S.Smith and Quigg!! 2 Potential world champions in my eyes.. You also say if a british fighter can punch that there usually chinny?? I don't believe that for 1 min.. Froch and Afolabi ain't chinny mate?? I can also dig myself and believe me pal I ain't chinny..Im exciting and soon enough you'll see I also have the brains and skills to go with em..:good We should be backing are British fighters not tearing them apart piece by piece....
Most of his statement is provocative... I think his point is that a lot of British fighters are far too protected, and face very few punchers on their way up. It's something that needs to be rectified - plenty of British fighters come unstuck because they aren't prepared for what lies ahead..... look at Brook, he's had 20 fights, I bet his entire list of opponents have less than 20 KOs between them :-( We produce plenty of top line talent but they are not nurtured properly (in my opinion).
I respect everyone who steps into the ring, and I'm not tearing anyone to pieces, I'm just saying that when I watch out guys fight, it feels like I'm watching a lesser art.
I agree with you 100% here I really do.. I wish the matchmaking was much more 50/50 after 6 fights I really do...:good Or 60/40?? I just beg for competitive matches..
What about Gavin though Addie ? I find it hard to understand how you can dislike fighters based on their Nationality, as in how can you say straight away without knowing the nationality of a fighter that you know he is British ? I know you love Marco (props :good) but Tony has just come up with 3 lads there who must meet you criteria on some levels ? Gavin is a lovely lovely boxer, fleet footed throws brilliant combinations off both the front/back foot too. His chin seems solid enough (we won't know for certain yet) and there seems some 'pop' in his punches too. His defense and counter punching is second to none in this country (his favourite fighter is SweetPea too by the way). Even without mentioning anyone else (including the likes tony mentioned) there's a superb array of boxer/punchers coming through in this country at the moment, this is a development stage (IN MY OPINION) for what could possibly be one of the best era's in British Boxing
I think you can bring fighters along properly without taking too many risks. But they need to face southpaws, bangers, unortodox types - all with live records. A top amateur with a few weeks training should be able to beat a good journeyman - by good I mean capable of upsetting someone with a dodgy record or who hasn't prepared properly. To be honest I doubt either yourself/Gavin/Groves are getting competitive matches below Euro level.... it's alright ''proving yourself'' at home but sometimes it's just putting miles on the clock unneccesarily - look at Hatton wasting time with WBU fights atsch
You simply can't expect to watch Floyd Mayweather everytime you tune into a boxing match mate, If you watch friday night fights which is the US version of our friday night stuff you'll see that there best are no better than are best mate.. Ok every once in a while you'll get a special fighter who has all the things that your talking about but it's very rare... I understand your point to an extent cos I hate watching someone box with a rod up there arse like the old british fighters used to do BUT if you watch the british style has developed over the years and your seeing more skill in british fighters these days, Ie Haye,Froch,Gavin,DeGale,Groves,Smith,Quigg.. They all fight in there own styles BUT non posses the typical UK stand up straight with only straight shots style.. I feel them days are gone and we are now respected as a good boxing nation with various styles coming from it.. Very similar to the yanks imo..:good Excuse my spelling too as I do get punched in the head for a living..
I couldn't agree with you anymore than I do mate..I was supposed to get a test in my own fight with Velecky and I really enjoy boxing away from home as there ain't no pressure at all on me..I feel I personally have learnt from certain fights I've had as a pro while others I ain't learned a squat BUT I'll be honest are matchmaker Dean has had murder trying to match me for whatever reason?? Im crying out for a competitive match as is frankie and Stephen Smith.. Im sure this year we'll all get our wish..:good On a whole though I do get your point and it's a very very valid one at that..
I don't dislike fighters based on their Nationality, much like I don't like fighters based on their nationality, but I seem to come away underwhelmed more often than not when it's a British lad fighting. As I've said, there are exceptions to the rule, but don't you feel that our fighters are considerably more delicate than those coming from other parts of the world? That being said, I do have a free evening tonight prior to watching MMA, Margarito, and Williams fight so let's start from scratch. Recommend me three British fighters who are currently active and I'll sought out some footage and give some feedback. It could be that I've just not had the opportunity to see the most technical of our prospects.