Alright Fellas. Thought this would make for decent topic. The U.S fight scene experts always talk of gutchecks, especially when it's a young up and comer and he's in a title bout or nearing one and he's in with someone who isn't going to lie down and accept defeat and tests the young mans metal. I'm looking for examples of famous gutchecks where the ''prospect'' was taken life and death or came out of what was felt was a ''gutcheck'' only to pass with flying colours. Did it change the fighters career, for the better or for the worse?? It can be a defeat or a win whatever you feel was a gutcheck. Here's two examples Andre Ward vs Edison Miranda Many felt that Ward was in for his hardest battle to date, in with a strong crude puncher who been at world level and was Wards toughest bout. Ward was dropped in his early career but never really had any issues but some feared that Miranda may give him more then he asked for. Ward passed with flying colours in a one sided affair in which Ward used a mature mind (clinching) and skills to find his way to victory. Miranda kept bringing it but couldn't find the answer to Ward. I think it gave Ward the belief to beat Kessler. Then we have this example and this truly is a ''Gutcheck'' sadly this young man failed when taken into deep waters and now has to bear the weight of this failure each time he steps into the ring. Victor Ortiz vs Marcos Maidana [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6AEjLPlTc0[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tw_sJ5frmU&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqOvxeg0dH4&feature=related[/ame]
Camachos "gutcheck" with Rosario was a funny one. After having a relatively easy time at 130lbs Camacho moved up to 135 and won the Lightweight title from Ramirez. He took on Rosario, in what was supposed to be a routine defence and got staggered badly 2 twice for the first time in his career en route to winning a points decision. Although he won the fight (on my card and the judges) the memory of getting hurt stuck with Camacho for quite some while and he changed his exciting style to a more safety first, jab and move style. Of course Camacho would prove later on in his career against Trinidad, Chavez and others that he was a brave fighter will to take his lumps but for a few years after the Rosario "gutcheck" he wasn't the same fighter as he had been.
Not 'famous' but 2 recent 'gutchecks' that spring to mind are Juanma against Mtagwa and Vanes vs Kassim Ouma. Both highly touted prospects who'd handled everything before them with ease then went life and death when they stepped up. Juanma showed massive heart and a great chin in a war with Mtagwa last year, had never done the full 12 before that. Weight may have been an issue but one more round that fight and the unbeaten record could have been wrestled away from him. Vanes went in with a veteran, former world champion who everyone said was shot, and struggled massively, dropped in the 9th and eventually winning a controversial decision. Thought at the time this fight could be the making of Vanes.
Tavoris Cloud v Glen Johnson The Road Warrior has made a career of being the 'gutchecker' and gave Cloud all he could handle a few months back in a very close fight.
I got this fight on my computer..never got round to watching it. I have to...it sounds a good fight. I did see the ref call them in and Cloud makes that annoying howling noise and Johnson looks to side and ..he's seen it all before.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg1VVbPPTYQ[/ame] Thought this was a good recent example, although Acosta was relatively untested but was much more dangerous than anyone Antillon had fought. Good KO as well.
Oscar De La Hoya-Rafael Ruelas Many people were saying that Oscar, despite being a 2-weight champion inside 17 fights, hadn't really been put in with someone who could beat him and Ruelas was seen by some as the man to send the Golden Boy's world crashing down around his ears. Also Oscar got his 1st taste of how quickly the Latin-American community could turn against him as fellow Latin-American Ruelas was seen as more macho and more of a man than De La Hoya. Oscar dispatched of him in fine style in 2 rounds.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ_Vt6h0z4w[/ame] Underrated performance by Cal and an underrated fight. With the lack of comp Joe had coming into this fight the old Eubank gave him a seriously tough, hard night. Lewis absolutely smashing Ruddock, looked something special that night. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxv4SUN5QEs[/ame]
Tremendous shout, remember that fight. Acosta completely took him apart. Dominated Paulus Moses too apparently, although I haven't seen that fight.
Yep good shout mate, Dropped Tony and marked him up, took him distance and frustrated him. Gave Tony problems and in time may be the fight that makes Tony a champion who knows. Wasn't a all out war but a reality check for Tony that's for sure.
Miguel Cotto-Ricardo Torres could you say? Cotto was already a champion and Torres was this unknown Colombian who had come in at short notice (?). Gave the fans a great fight and Cotto a real scare. Miguel came though it though.
Yeah i mean he did have a few scares up to that point but that was life and death, he still a young champion back then and was learning on the job as champion.