What are peoples views on how Theophane got on last night? I thought he looked OK and it actually turned into a far more interesting and exciting fight than I thought it would be. Theophane started very slowly but from around the half way mark he figured Daws out and had no trouble slipping the majority of Daws punches while landing his own sharp counters and shots. You get the feeling that Theophane does have a lot more to offer, almost like Afolabi in the sense that he spends far too much time in 'sparring mode'. Hopefully he gets some decent recognition now, as Daws was a solid British Champion and it was a pretty clear win in the end with the big 10-7 round for Theophane. Not sure if Gavin v Theophane is possible to happen, but it'd be a great step up for Frankie and a good indicator to how far away he is from fighting for World honours.
I give a lot of props to Don Charles. Not only ****ing hilarious but very astute. I think Accumulation got to Lenny who recently started to show signs of his punch resistance getting worse. He is does some nice things and shows little things that show he's been in U.S but he gets caught by straight punches because of his hand placements in stance. He's not consistently good enough to go higher in terms of fighting a good fight for 12 rounds at world class. I don't think he's smart enough to excel at world level either. Gavin would beat him but it would be a brilliant fight to make because Theopane would bring him into later rounds and work with him and give Gavin much needed rounds and education. European level is maximum for the lad. I think he should enjoy the success and cash in on big fights now if he gets them.
The combo that dropped Daws was a beaut, regardless of Lennys signs of wear and tear I think that would have dropped Lenny at any stage of his career. He'd give Frankie a very tough nights work, and take him the full 12 rounds as well. It'd be an excellent fight to make though and go some way to getting Frankie on the same level DeGale is currently at. Hopefully Theophane will not vacate, who would fight for the vacant title if he did? Frankie v Nigel Wright? Not much depth in the domestic 140 division. How would people compare Theophane and McCloskey? Similar levels? I don't see much between them 2.
Not debating that but Lenny was showing signs of his resistance waining in past. I don't see Theopane as high as that tbh mate. He done well but McCloskey would beat him IMO in a pretty scrappy affair. Lenny hasn't been same fighter for a long long while and i watched the guy since am's. I don't see anything really good about him he's average in most area's and i think against better opposition he'd get beat. He knows how to hang with decent fighters...doesn't mean he's good enough to beat them really. I think he does a pretty decent job for lack of ability. He's done well for himself and shown U.S training can really help. (Sparring etc) European level maximum. Lauri is knocking about...that's a fight he could win.
He was impressive in the second half of the fight when he stepped it up. I would like to see him and Gavin I think it would be a great match up
I agree with all that. I'd give Frankie another few fights though before putting him with Ashley though. He is tough to look good against and as it would be Theopanes biggest fight, he might even box like his career depends on it for a change! Very dangerous.
Shame he doesnt have any power otherwise he would have stopped Daws and it would certainly make him a more formidable opponent. Nice footwork and movement around the ring he will frustrate opponents and then pick them off with nice counters and once he gets into a rhythm he gets better and better. Will always win some lose some but could be in some decent fights with the top 10 at light welter.
Ashley Theophane is one of the most improved fighters around. The 1st time I saw him fight was in his early days as a pro when he lost to Judex Memea. This guy's desire to improve by getting top quality sparring with the likes of Ajose Olusegun and top world class boxers in the US has paid dividends. Daws is not a bad fighter by British standards but last night he was in with an unheralded but true operator with skill and guile frankly things he had never witnesed before fighting the likes of Lynes and Nigel Wright. The difference between world class and domestic class. Don Charles is one of the best trainers around that much is clear. Daws did well to last the distance. The bookies are not usually wrong but last night they had not done their homework properly.
He is very strangly managed, he takes some very random fights and if BoxRec is right it has to be asked why on earth is he going to Germany to fight for a bs title in an unnatural weight division that will do nothing to push him closer to a World Title shot. Why not take on Frankie Gavin, guaranteed career high payday and if he did win (big ask) it would surely get him much closer to a title shot.
I think he is self managed and when he takes some of these fights in Germany and America he is chasing the dollar the other important thing to note is by taking these random IBO type fights he doesnt expose himself to options like he most likely would if he fought somebody like Gavin for Warren I think he enjoys the freedom and the freelance fighter role
