I must admit I underestimated this fellow coming into the Lynes fight, mainly because I'd seen virtually nothing. I assumed there would be a bit more talk if he was anything great. However, he clearly put on a very impressive performance at short notice. Even though Lynes possibly won the first round I thought he might be in trouble looking at the style. 1-2-3 ABC against a very unorthodox slick southpaw...and it went down the toilet for the jab merchant Lynes. Although Lynes bitchiness was disapointing. I've been doing a bit more research and I've been quite impressed, except for the Wright fight where the eye injury probably hindered him. Good points: - Excellent defence and reflexes. Nice natural use of the shoulder roll...white guys can use it effectively after all - Speed - Variety. Throws every punch. Nice jab, uppercuts, hooks, body work, crazy lead left hands - Very good inside fighter - Excellent stamina from what I've seen Bad points: - Can not punch ****. Okay, so looking towards European level he would surely be a firm favorite over Branco considering the Italian's performance/robbery against Lynes. He's come from vitually nowhere to European level. Can he go one further? What do you think about him? Especially the Irish lads that have probably seen more than a few highlights on YouTube.
McCloskey is the best prospect coming out Ireland/Northern Ireland at the moment. He is a sharp punching stylist; forget Dunne, Andy Lee, John Duddy etc. McCloskey is the boy reaching out for the big title tilts. He sometimes leaves his chin out to dry, and he does over-extend on his punches somewhat; but, apart from that, he is working from a very solid base. He has the makings of a top-level counter-punching sort; the way he suckered Lynes into the jab, pivoted and let it sail past him, then countered with the hook was sublime. He didn't look that great against Wright (for reasons you have explained already), but he previously wiped the floor with former top operator Cesar Bazan, and subsequently took out Lynes in excellent fashion. I wish him all the best and hope that he makes a decent throw of things at a higher level. I would like to see him in with Branco next.
Yeah he's leaving his chin out but not actually getting hit very much at all from what I'm looking at. It's the old Whitaker clowning. It's risky of course, but if you have the reflexes to pull it off its entertaining. When he gets in the pocket he's very impressive.
I think with his style he needs slightly improved reflexes and obviously lacks punching power, that said....nobody had done that to Lynes recently who was in the form of his life, even in the defeat to Branco which I scored for him, unusual style for an Irish fighter and leaves his chin out there to be clipped by faster, classier guys
I thought about him against better competition and how he might get hit badly when he drops his hands and leaves his chin out. But I'm not too worried. To me it does not look like an ingrained part of his style that he can not overcome if it gives him problems in a fight. It's not like Gamboa or Hamed where that is his entire style. He can keep it tight and present a very small target using his shoulder when he wants to. I think he's got the flexibility to eliminate the clowning.
mccloskey might well b the best prospect coming out of Ireland[Ireland includes the whole of the country north and south]...he has all the moves and ability....brian peters will b running a show in the north of Ireland 2 showcase pauls skills early 2009:good So good luck 2 him
Yeah i was impressed with him against Lynes but lets be realistic here, hes gonna struggle against anyone thats able to land there shots on him (unlike Lynes) he's asking to be knocked out he wobbled like a duck in round 2 of there fight, i want him to do just aswell as the next guy but i just dont think hes upto it.. also i see hes cousins with eoghan(owen) that was on the x-factor which is quite an interesting fact.
Seen Him in the gym sparring good Middles and standing them on there Heads. Stronger than you think great prospect.
solid all round fighter finally an irish kid who isnt a brawler like most of us hav become known as these days eg collins, Mccolough, duddy and so on he is 28 although is extremly fresh so probably hasnt hit his prime yet. has a bright future no doubt but id hav to disagree with d-mac he is not the best irish prospect at the moment that houner goes to a kid i grew up with in tallaght paulie hyland. now been trained by tracy patterson he will be fighting napa soon for the euro bantemweight title expect him to outbox the master boxer
We got any news when he'll be fighting next...an if so who against..? Seems as though he's got some decent wins on his record after lynes (ie tontchev an cesar bazan). Just want to know if we will get to see him on ITV or Setanta as it sounds as though he is turning a few heads..
I am surprised I didn't pick up on McCloskey before Lynes. Like you say, pretty good wins for the early stages of a fighters career. I think the Irish are sleeping on him. Realistically he's a far better bet than Duddy, and maybe Lee.
Who is his promoter? Next question...... Who would you stick him in with next - someone like Rees/Daws, or Branco/Witter? Big undercard Stateside?
he looked good actually. the only bad thing about him is his cousins with that little yogan guy from x factor.
Branco is a logical step, isn't he? As long as they can get it in the UK. He's well past his best. From what I heard he struggled like hell with the Fin, Tolppola, and luckily got a hometown decision. Even Lynes outclassed Tolppola easily.
I had Lynes beating Branco handily, so with the knockdown made it a very clear win for him. Wasn't Tolpolla stopped because of a swelling on his head...... the US posters (Rico and Zakman especially) were all over it like a cheap suit, despite probably not seeing the fight..... McCloskey vs Branco....hmmm.... could they get it here? He has hardly shown a willingness to travel, other than for a world title.