If he had fought better opposition and not always at home his record would of course looked a fair bit different. Really sad with Watson. I think he really could have made an impact. Extremely strong and fit and also very skilled. Frightening what one punch can do.
True. I understand what you meant, PP.:good Just wanted to know how do you and Lora see Watson-Ward playing out.
I'm not sure, it's a hard call, Ward has a good skillset, is pretty quick and unusually boxes well from either stance. He's turned his style into a mauling one now and he doesn't give opponents. Watson can fight at a high pace too There's some things I don't like about Ward, his punches are a bit sloppy and I think there are question marks over his chin. The nearest to Watson that Ward has fought is probably Kessler, who I don't think is as good, but he did perform very well. I'm not sure who's stronger I'd probably go with Ward, more proven and a tad quicker. Interesting to see how he goes against Dawson, if Dawson let's him get inside and he apply's the normal high pressure he'll win, if Dawson can make it an outside boxing contest, I'd go with Dawson What are your thoughts on these match ups buddy?
Actually I wouldn't say Ward is more proven. Ward has a better resume but we've seen Watson's skills tested (win or lose) against better fighters. Watson looks stronger/sturdier to me, punches hard and Ward's chin indeed does look suspicious. Ward faded against slow/primitive Froch in the latter rounds even though he dominated the fight. Ward is kinda like a younger version of old Hopkins. Less physical but faster on his feet and with his hands. Ward is an excellent infighter and has better defense. Although Watson is a good underrated infighter too - his short punches against Eubank in the rematch looked very good. Tough fight to call. I'd say Ward looks a bit better in the early rounds but Watson makes it much more competitive starting from rounds 5-6, maybe even hurts Ward somewhere in the championship rounds. Ward lands a bit more more punches, Warson lands the harder shots. The winner depends on the location of the fight. 　 As far as Dawson is concerned. Dawson potentially has the tools to give Ward trouble. If Dawson shows up in his best form he'll be the best technical fighter Ward has faced thus far in his career. But Dawson's mental focus and intensity are questionable. Ward is the safer pick but maybe Dawson will surprise everybody?
From what I've seen of Ward he's more skilled than Watson. He's also smart and disciplined. Would be very, very tough for anyone except perhaps Jones. But he was as close to superhuman in terms of speed and timing as you're likely to get. Beating a tough, technical and pretty hard hitting fighter like Kessler as he did is hugely impressive, And while Froch may be slow and clumsy he's clearly a very hard customer to meet. Wily, strong, powerful and surprisingly precise. I think this would pan out pretty close to the Kessler fight, but Watson going the distance.
It appeared that way, certainly, yes, but drugs weren't big in British sport at the time. By his own admission (and we know Eubank is a man of proven honesty) Eubank won the first fight by seven rounds in the worst shape of his career and Eubank was losing the second fight by seven rounds in the best shape of his career - it doesn't add up, does it. Watson was walking through Eubank's pulverising punches without blinking....
"The winner will box Cordoba in December as a warm-up to Nunn in America next year, while Nigel has his own ideas about winning titles at different weights." - Barry Hearn, Aug '91 Watson would've beaten Cordoba but struggled with Nunn. Same with Eubank. Benn was planning to fight Dennis Andries and Darrin Van Horn.