Listening to the Costello-Bunce podcast earlier and they were talking about how well Warrington's team/promoters have matched him since winning the British title. I couldn't help agree. Both matchroom and Queensbury have given him the right fights, at the right time of his career. Brunker-Amagusa-Hyland-Martinez-Ceylon-Selby and soon Frampton. Stepping through the levels and learning his craft. Tough, awkward fights and putting him now in good stead to possibly beat Frampton. No-one would've predicted that 3 years ago. Who would people rank as those who have been given the best/worst matchmaking, currently active in Britain? Best: Joshua Warrington Frampton J.Taylor Worst: Yarde Brook Flanagan Dave Allen
Flanagan and Brook stand out for me. Flanagan is a guy from a big city, who was a world champion, and nobody knew who the hell he was. Could have walked down the street completely anonymously in an era when boxing was genuinely big business in this country. Why? A big part of that had to be his matchmaking. Just endless dull fights. Warren went on time and again about him having the beating of Crolla, but whilst Crolla was winning world titles of his own, doing good numbers at the MEN and facing very solid opposition, poor old Terry was fighting in front of nobody and remaining invisible. Keep matching against bang average opponents and you'll come crashing down. I actually thought this happened with Enzo Maccarinelli to an extent. Warren seemed to have him cast forevermore as the Calzaghe bridesmaid and some of his opponents on those cards were pathetic. Gunn and Azzaoui in world title fights were garbage and that did absolutely no good to Enzo who was annihilated when he faced someone decent. Brook is right up there though before I get accused again of being some Matchroom fanatic. A seemingly endless, Hatton/Calzaghe-esque wait for the breakout fight, it finally happens, and we get; Dan, Gavin, someone else, sorry, I've nodded off. I get the Golovkin fight unlike some. Make some money, the Khan fight can stay on the back burner. So I'm not too critical of that. But it's more that it had to happen at an era when surely Kell should have been taking on serious opposition every fight.
good post -- agree with all the above. Josh Taylor has had great matching and clycone are doing well so far with Lee Mcgregor too. B But Flanagan got to a world title, lost it then WBSS so not too much wrong with him, just didnt have the right opponents there for him. More bad promotion than matching TBH
I like how John Ryder has been matched, as while he has lost a few he's been in competitive and exciting fights. We need more fighters and matchmaking like this to make undercards worthwhile.
With Flanagan I’m not sure if it’s promotion rather than matchmaking as well. After winning Prize Fighter and fighting on various small Hall VIP Promotion events early in his career there is actually a good run of what you would say is decent match making. Gethin for British - Jul 2014 Ormond for WBO Euro - Feb 2015 Zepeda for WBO World - Jul 2015 Magdaleno for WBO World - Oct 2015 Matthews for WBO World - Mar 2016 IMO it’s only when you get into the last couple of years with the overmatched Fana, Cruz fights then the step up to Super Lightweight where it’s starts to lose its way.
BJS was matched well also. He went through area, Commonwealth, British, European and then world level. Had competitive fights on the way up.
itsw been easy to match up BJS..... Basically it goes like this, "who will we fight?", "anyone except GGG and Canelo", "sorted!"
I've no problem with guys taking their time going up the levels. Especially young guys with little amateur experience. Although two things are essential: A.) The end goal is to take on the best in the division. B.) They're not waiting around for a guy to look past his best.
What if they're aware of their limitations and know they cannot compete at the highest level? I've no issue whatsoever with a guy who knows his levels and sets a target of, say, being British champion. No idea why anyone would. The big problem are those who talk the talk and fight endless overmatched opponents. Yarde has genuinely become a joke in this regard.