Viable European level crossroads match between middleweights on the rebound. Don't think I've ever seen it mentioned anywhere. Strange, as they spent several years working toward a MW world title shot in parallel and both finally received one within a month of each other...both failing against unbeaten opponents. Their styles IMO would make for a wonderful battle aesthetically. Lee of course has the legendary Emanuel Steward in his corner, as he has for years. He has shown off and on improvement and regression by turns under Steward, very frustrating for his fans. Bursak also has a longtime relationship with the same trainer, Sergey Gordiyenko, who as far as I can tell is extremely selective and only has one other boxer in his stable. (Ukrainian light middleweight Dmitro Nikulin) Lee undoubtedly has more hand speed and one-punch KO power but Bursak has heavier hands than you'd think from looking at his record and is tough and aggressive with solid fundamentals and considerably better stamina. Bursak has never faced a southpaw, and likely has never had occasion to get a look at one in sparring in the Ukraine. Common opponents: Brian Vera - defeated by Bursak via UD, scores of 119-110, 117-111 and 118-111. - handed Lee first loss via TKO7. - defeated by Lee in rematch via UD, scores of 99-90, 99-90, 98-91. Alexander Sipos - defeated by Lee via UD, scored 99-91 in Ireland by a single referee instead of judges. Controversially wide. - defeated by Bursak via TKO4, due to a left foot sprain. Bursak had won every round with a relentless head and body attack.
I was interested until I saw that I misread and it wasn't Maximum Berserk. Never heard of Maxim but the thread is worthy of a so I possibly learn more about him.
This is a serviceable match-up. It would be crowd pleasing, and would be risky but worth it for both fighters. Much shittier threads than this get more than a couple of replies in a day. What gives? Everybody just unfamiliar with Bursak? :think
Probably that last part, I'm only nominally familiar with the guy myself. I'll take Lee though, but I've always been high on Lee.
I don't know much about Bursak, but I'd like to learn more, from what you're saying it sounds like a decent matchup. Do you think they would risk it after both coming off losses? Or do you think they will each take a confidence builder or two first?
Would be interesting to see how Lee would fare against another heavy handed come forward fighter, coming off a loss to Chavez Jr. Haven't seen Bursak fight, though, so I can't comment on an outcome at this time.
I'll put up their last couple of performances for recent form contrast: Bursak vs. Laatekwei "Shocker" Hammond: [yt]w-NkMBewegY[/yt] Bursak vs. Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam: [yt]HvU8Iun4CNw[/yt] Lee vs. Saul "Baby" Duran: [yt]pOQuc4m6bKM[/yt] Lee vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: [yt]cHwQl_FRZ6Q[/yt] [yt]JmegK-O_Qq8[/yt] [yt]QCV6AcrQSqc[/yt]
:think Based on the above fights, Bursak is a bit slow and methodical, but does have a pretty timing, and is fairly relentless in the manner in which he applies pressure. And yeah, he does appear to have heavier hands than his record indicates. Lee's got better physical tools in terms of speed and power, but he does have that tendency to either fade a bit in the face of a single-minded pressure based attack. I think it comes down to whether he can find a way to make enough contact early to ensure that a later rounds surge would prove to be effective. If he can, he might score a later rounds stoppage. If he can't, Lee probably ekes out a decision.
