***Lebedev-Jones / Groves-DeGale / Pascal-Hopkins RBR Extravaganza***

I think the thing you need to take from tonight is that one fight does not make a fighter either way and its still hard to tell progression-wise where fighters are up to and how they are coming along.

We bemoan the fact that Warren moves people along too slowly but I think the way that some of his guys fought tonight you can see why especially if you have big money invested in them.

One fight they look like world beaters the next.....not so much. All the prospects (Clev included) still have a long way to go imo

 

Goodbye :hi:

 

I dunno what happened to Frankie Gavin tonight. It was a quite bizarre performance from him. Completely at odds to his performance against Lomax. You really can't say Mutley was doing anything to offset Gavin either, he literally did nothing.

He started off fairly nicely, then after 3 rounds, he basically spent 9 rounds pawing with a right jab to the chest. 27 minutes of throwing feints and right jabs to a guys chest. Someone somewhere had money on that decision I swear. Where was the bodywork that has been the hallmark of Gavin's pro career so far? Where was like...any combination? ANY?

 

Before the fight was to take place, I thought Clev would easily beat Braehmer. After seeing him tonight, showing no improvement defensively, I think Braehmer would have stopped him.

 

Dont get me wrong Im not saying that the three are better than JC but was replying to someone who said that neither impressed.

To put in perspective Calzaghe fought for vacant WBO title in 22nd fight (same as Clev) and in 23rd beat Eubank. Clev is a world champ in as many fights (with a maths degree :nut). I wouldnt say that at identical stages he is miles behind JC.

Additionally, JC was nowhere near either commonwealth or British titles after 12 fights

 

It's been emotional:hi:

 

Didnt see this post, but agree with almost all. Take Ward (who most label as special) out of SMW and in 2/3 years (Froch wont be the same) these guys will be very close to the top of the tree IMHO. Both so young but already on fighting regularly on PPV, in big arenas and now against tough opposition early - gotta be good. I may well be wrong but are there better SMW prospects out there internationally?

Clev - ok he seems to be in love with his chin but he is also very young and maybe can change up. I do agree if he fights as he has done in his last twot/three - Pascal or Dawson will spark him

 

Cleverly needs to realise it's not cool to be clocked ...otherwiSe he'll learn the hardway against a better opponent in the division.

Froch until recently thought he was a hardman by proving he could take a shot or two. Taylor put him down and always boasting about hIs graniiite chin, but only in his last fight did he show his boxing skills. And he got the accolades for it. Now in pre-fight hype we hear froch talking sensibly about boxing and not hoping to get hit. He knows he can take it to the trenches if he wants to, but being smart not only makes the fIght easIer, It could prolong your career and save you from serious injury.

Cleverly needs to learn quickly, that hit me in the face **** won't cut it at world level

 

cleverly is shocking

 

I just think Clev's got that Calzaghe in him. He's his hero, and he's trying to replicate him. It's immediately obvious. He throws with so much volume with no thought of defence, no thought of ever taking a backwards step. When he gets hit he clowns, when he gets hit the red mist comes down. All traits Calzaghe had.

I think he's always gonna be like that, thats who he is and who he wants to be. He'll be in good fights thats for certain, its going to be very very tough for him and he's going to have to dig deep at the top level. His already done very well to get where he is, people forget he's probably the most improved fighter in British boxing. When he was a novice there were no high hopes for him, he was just some kid in the gym with Pryce, Rees lol Calzaghe and Enzo. Getting hurt by Vegas and not really impressing that much.

 

deal I remember him on a U.S Undercard and he was **** and i thought this kid won't even win a domestic title he's ****ing awful.

He's done brilliant to get to where he is.

 

At SMW you got the super 6 lot, pavlik moving up and Bute. Then there's the fringe guys like Andrade. Most of the super 6 failures would give groves/degale serious problems, including Durrell who sparred groves and mentioned he's still very green but also very good.

Kessler is also in the reckoning, but in 5-6 fights groves should be challenging one of these guys if he's ready by then. Froch is hoping to land one of these guys in the next couple of years.

 

speaking of Joe calz, he looked quite uncomfy there? His sad sack face wanted to be at ringside.

 

Rees Reminds me of the time he came on here (or was it Pryce?) around the time that video of them was put on BBC Sport saying how they'd cleaned up their act and no more booze etc. Pair of them looked ****ing wrecked.

 

Yep, Clev's done well so far. He has one of the best records currently for a British fighter and apart from the Vegas, Oakey and Mohammedi fights, has dominated everyone he has faced.