The whole fight is a perfect example of what Floyd and many others are talking about. Even as Steward tried to give the kid credit (that he deserved) Larry just couldn't allow it, had to **** on the guy over and over.
I don't care for Larry, but he was balancing Steward giving to much credit to Barker being outworked. Steward was arguing the premise of "Barker fighting the perfect fight except not hitting Martinez"...Steward was calling this fight as Andy Lee's trainer NOT as an HBO expert commentator.
Barker WAS fighting the perfect fight, about as good a fight as he could, until he started breaking down in the second half. I like that two of the judges weren't fooled into giving Sergio rounds on ineffective activity.
I honestly can't stand the guy. I used to love Larry but honestly I agree with Floyd he ACTUALLY doesn't now **** about BOXING. I mean he probably understands it but if two guys aren't standing in the middle of a ring bashing eachother's brains out he turns into a whinny negative **** sucker. Boxing is a sport, its an art, its brutal and its beautiful. If you can't appreciate it for the sport then at least STFU.
****...Barker was fighting a good fight, he busted Martinez up thru the mid rounds? I've heard people on here a million times over (ok maybe not millions) talking about how work rate doesn't matter and hitting a guys gloves don't mean **** etc, there's no doubt Barker at least thru 7 or so rounds and at the times of the comments was landing the cleaner better shots. It's not like he pulled a Clottey...yet Merchant refused to give him credit. **at errsta
They have a cool setup. Steward usually gives too much credit, merchant gives too little. Lampley causes them to come to a compromise, and then sucks Sergio's dick a lot. Seriously I couldn't believe how much they were riding Sergio today. I understand the guy is super sexy and a good fighter and all but seriously, sometimes you need to report the action as it happens, not just how you thought it would.