Ok fair enough. Look it did cross my mind, but I've enjoyed watching Paul fight and spar over at Rod's old house so many times that betting against him wouldn't even have felt right. Probably the same reason I didn't comment on the fight at all before hand. It's been the worst kept secret in Aussie boxing though. It's been absolutely everywhere that he was looking ordinary in training, even popping up here on the forum and the ABF forum.
You have to consider that people have different priorities at different times in their lives. When Briggs fought Adamek he was at the peak of his career and looking to become world champion and get fights with fighters like RJJ and Tarver. That's a different mindset to when you're 3 years retired, fat, possibly struggling for cash(who knows what else is going on in his life?), punch-drunk and have nothing to lose. You dont have to be very imaginative to see that someone in Briggs situation now might find taking a dive for 200k an attractive option.
I got on the KO, it was such an easy bet, and i stated all along that briggs would be beaten easy, but i never thought it would be in the 1st round. I hate to say this, but i think if Briggs doesnt have a lot of good people around him for the rest of his life, he may not live to be an old man. Or even a middle aged man. Sorry to say it.
It's just not in him... Seriously... IF you were going to take a dive, don't you think a bloke that has fought since he could walk would know how to make it look legit? **** he'd only have to walk into one single decent right hand an most wouldn't blink an eye. While most of the mug punters at the pub were howling their derision at a fight they didn't pay for, my concern was for the man on the canvas. I've seen a couple of ring deaths and if I don't see another, it'll be too soon.
Maybe he was just being smart? If he really does have some severe neurological problems, risking a legit blow is prob not worth it. Maybe he's mentally unstable and not thinking right. I dunno. All I know is that punch didnt send him down.
Dunno ippy, if i was going to dive id probably do it just like briggs did. Dive ASAP.....get outta the ring and cash my cheque, catch a plane. :hi:
And be hounded for it for the rest of your life? Mate nobody would have blinked an eyelid if he got starched by a right hand to the chin. In fact, sure as **** there'd be threads in here 10 minutes later stating Paul would've belted Danny if they'd have met in 2005.
But its hard for a fighter to allow yourself to be hit. And then jump to the ground. Its so far from instinct that you have learned over the years its always bound to look bad.
I'm with Geary and Ippy on this one. I think he legitimately couldn't fight on and shouldn't have been there at all. I don't think Briggs is afraid to take a genuine hit in order to stage a real 'dive' and his eyes, legs and body language suggested it was legit as well (to me). Nobody said anything before the fight because nobody was sure. Nobody behind the scenes was gonna go public about it were they? Not from either camp. And the NSW Combat Sports ppl weren't just being overly cautious either. Fenech said something publicly, but noone takes him seriously anymore. I think everyone involved needs to take a good hard look at the state of their game and make sure **** like this doesn't happen again.
Briggs has a speed fried brain and is punch-drunk / emotionally damaged on top. I dunno why you would expect logic from him. Why would Jeff Fenech steal watches from a Gold Coast jewelers? Must there be more to it? :nut
I think what looked more staged was Danny's outburst after the fight. To me that just sounded scripted, and I was not convinced for one second that he was actually "angry" about what had just happened. Either way it was a bad, bad night for boxing. Not since the Billy Dib farce on the ONE HD free to air boxing debut, has there been a bigger black eye for the sport.
Anyone else notice Briggs stumble when he was getting in the ring? The look on his face was pure anxiety. I really don't know what happened, I hope Briggsy gives some insight sometime soon. Green didn't land anything close to a decent shot, has anybody ever seen a knockout like that before in boxing?
Just seen a video from today's Fox Long Lunch. It shows a similar KO by Tyson early in career. Pretty good analisis of the fight from Paul Upman IMO. Worth a look!!! http://www.foxsports.com.au/othersports/video/0,,Other Sports_40005,00.html