Callum Smith is NOT the top dog at 168. That honor belongs to Benavidez for now. Clenelo definitely will not go there.
I didn't say that. And no, but it's a good fight. Ryder just beat (don't bring up the actual scores it was a joke) the guy who was beat Groves, who was the clear #1, especially after Ramirez and Jack moved up and DeGale lost. Smith replaced the #1, then Ryder (should've) done the same.
I'm speaking strictly from Ring rankings. They currently list Smith as champ, Benavidez as #1 contender, #2 Ramirez, #3 Plant, #4 Dirrell, #5 Canelo, #6 Saunders. Canelo said in a recent interview that he was looking into Smith, Saunders, Bivol and two others maybe Andrade, and Derevyanchenko for his next opponent. Since Canelo usually fights the top ranked guy (according to Ring) in his division, whom he hasn't fought yet, that probably means Smith, especially after the way Ryder gave Smith a hyding without getting the decision. That makes Smith low risk high reward. He hasn't lost his top shelf rating and he's ripe for the picking. He takes on the acknowledged (by Ring) champ at super middle and that only adds to his legitimacy as a p4p and multi-weight champ. It looks great on paper, which is Canelo's bread and butter. Also, up to about a month ago, he was the one everybody wanted Canelo to face.
I applaud Ryder for a very professional Dave Tiberi like effort against Smith. However, I did not see anything to indicate that he would make a good fight against Benavidez. In fact, I think Benavidez vs Ryder ends as quickly and badly as Benavidez vs J’Leon Love. Bandana Roja is a bad man. As long as he stays disciplined (not a given), the sky’s the limit for him.
He faced an Upper Elite fighter Mayweather & got schooled He faced a declining Elite fighter GGG & was able to win Current Kovalev is a bit past it At Lightweight his height, reach & toughness would have allowed him to be on the same level as Julio Cesar Chavez, giving up reach means matchmaking becomes the basis of the career.
Any objective, long time, boxing fan knows Canelo will not face Bivol anytime soon. At least not until he loses or displays a serious “chink in his armor.” Notice that Canelo says nothing about Bandana Roja...Benavidez is the real deal. Fishnets is just engaging in typical promoter hyperbole...”call out a fight against Tarzan, but actually fight Jane.”
Is that your only answer ? Rofl Mark my words he'll be remembered as a Ped's abuser & a coward that relied on corruption for his success when maybe he really could have been one of the ATG's. Totally his own fault
Bull Feces !! Rocky Fielding, JCC Jr a drained Kovalev Oh yeah sure he has. Whens the Ginger Nutt going to defend his bogus 160 title ???
