Australian Boxing/SM Memorial thread

All good points above and Teremoana v Leutele would be a great to see.

Regarding the blow-by-blow commentator, you mean ole mate from B4 the Fight, Rob S?
I heard that Matchroom didnt like him neither and got rid of him, hence why didn't do the last MR show in Brisbane, Wyllie v Dib.

 

Crazy how many casuals are on socials claiming that Fleming was robbed.

 

I don't actually know the guy's name b/c I haven't listened to him for long enough to hear it. It was the guy who was calling the action. I don't want to be mean spirited about it - the guy clearly loves his boxing & is a huge fan. I just don't think he's the right guy to be lead commentator on a big show like that if it's to be presented properly. He simply talks too much & isn't worth listening to. If you had him sitting in a club near you, you'd ask him to please shut up or move to where you can't hear him. You can't have a personality like that playing a major role in the coverage.

 

Big story in the national amateur ranks - respected head coach of the national amateur team, Santiago Neiva (or 'technical lead' as Boxing Australia refers to him) has resigned (as in quit) to take up a position with the Indian women's team. He has clearly done a very good job with the national amateur team having signed on in 2022 from being the Indian national team coach. The national amateur team won three medals at the IBA World Championships in 2023, two at the Olympics in 2024 (with a couple of hard luck stories) & another three at this year's World Boxing Championships, including a gold. That's a lot of medals for a program that has previously delivered sfa at international level. It would be interesting to know the reasons why he left b/c he seemed the right guy to take the program through until the Brisbane Olympics. Even non-medal winners have improved dramatically with him in charge. It may just be that India offered him more money to do the job with their women's team. Despite not winning a medal in Paris, the Indian women's team is actually capable of delivering plenty in LA. There may also be more to it. At the beginning of this year, Boxing Australia resumed control of the national amateur team. Boxing had for a while come under the auspices of Combat Australia who also looked after Taekwando & Judo. Combat Australia were the ones who originally signed Neiva. Ironically, they did a much better job with boxing than they did with the other sports. There was some minor drama when the switch back to Boxing Australia occurred at the end of last year. Some of the athletes in the program contacted ABC journo Tracey Holmes who alluded to underlying problems with Boxing Australia running the sport without getting into specifics. The Minister for Sport was also dragged into it with things appearing to settle down during the year as new talent emerged & good results were achieved. Losing the Head Coach (Technical Lead) of the program at this point though is a massive blow. He was in Teremoana's corner on Saturday night I noticed. I would have expected Boxing Australia to move heaven & earth to keep him in the role but that hasn't occurred. Or if they tried & he's elected to go anyway, that hasn't been explained.

 

Great night of fights. Jai and Cinkara both gave it to each other. Watching from ringside you could feel the ferocity of the punches. Cinkara went to hospital with a small brain bleed and fractured neck. Thankfully everything is ok and he should be out today (might already be out).

The numbers on Stan were very healthy and will only improve. Quite simply, they put their money where their mouth is and DAZN didn’t. Three sold out shows in a row… not bad when you consider Briedis v Opetaia I was probably fought in front of 1200-1500.

There’s a few things in the works for Jai and via that it’ll certainly help Australian boxing. As for Teremoana v Leutele… Neither of them are taking that step yet. Teremoana needs a few rounds, Leutele wants Huni and the rewards that come with it. How Teremoana is moved is up to Matchroom.

Max McIntyre is a young phenom. His kit of punches for a 21 year old kid is superb. Sparring so many rounds with Opetaia is definitely paying off for him. He’s got the charisma and backs it up with his performance. Jed Morris is one tough kid and the former national champion at 168. Maxi is one to watch.

FWIW, I watched about 4 or 5 rounds ringside for Wyllie v Fleming and literally thought to myself “fk I’d hate to be scoring this”. Wyllie had the work rate and Flem the cleaner shots. Many I spoke to ringside afterward thought Fleming won it.

 

Great news regarding cinkara mate , the very best , thanks for the update .

 

Good to see a free local boxing show on Stan this Sat 13 Dec 5.30 pm Nyika vs Nuerlang. I always thought though it was short lived The Ch 7 Premier Boxing Shows was a big plus for local fighter's and hoping Stan can follow this legacy moving forward.

 

And also Alex Leapai Jnr

 

Skye Nicholson 14-1 is fighting Mexican Yuliahn Luna Avila 28-4-1 this weekend in the US. The WBC interim title up for grabs.

 

Watched Tszyu interview . Tim said he will accept a world title bid if offered next if he wins against Velazquez . Hasn't he learned after the Spencer fight ? Let's hope common sense prevails. And his new team looks at the big picture and not just $.
Tim should obviously avoid Fundora / Murtazaliev / Oritz and push for the winner of Zayas vs Baraou after at least one more fight no how impressive if he wins next week.

 

I don't think money is Tszyu's major motivation. He wants titles and legacy and just isn't prepared to go the conservative route to getting them.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if King Timmy faces Erislandy Lara next if he gets past this bloke on Wednesday night. The fight on Wednesday is at Middleweight. Lara is 42 so someone needs to get to him before old age sets in. Beating up on over 40's is how top Australian professionals roll these days. Lara successfully defended the WBA Middleweight title last week & is a PBC fighter so he could be in the frame.

 

There's rumour doing the rounds that there will be a 5 vs 5 show between Eddies Hearn's Matchroom fighters and George Rose's 'No Limit' Aussie fighters. Tim Tszyu to feature in the main event.

 

Doesn't surprise me as both are now on DAZN/Fox Sports
From memory, I believe Tasman were pushing for something similar, a 5 x 5, with No Limit, but nothing ever eventuated.

 

Just going through Velazquez last three 0pponents, TERRY CHATWOOD boxrec rating 639.
YUSUPH METU rated 606.
BRIAN CHAVEZ rated 595. FFS where does no limit find these fighters. Looks like we have another joey spencer.
I can see it now after Timeh destroys Velazquez in less than 5 rounds, TIMMYS back. Honestly if this bout was held in my back garden i would pull the blinds on my windows so i would'nt have to watch it.