Australian Boxing/SM Memorial thread

It's been a rough voyage. I'll be pulling into Queensland shores in the next day or two on my private yacht. Just in time to see the big event unfold with open workouts, press conference and weigh ins. Sir Jackson England's second last test before he gets knighted. Zaurbek will be like a deer in the head lights as the Penrith Product unleashes his wrath on the kamikaze Kazakh.

From Limousine driver to world champion.

 

I have always given Kostya a pass because of his "Thunder" title, lame I know, but he was the last Aussie boxer who got me sitting on the chair edge keen on the sport before Opetaia came along brutalising his way to the top.

 

He was my fav but without the Soviet indoctrination to the sport, he wouldn't be Kostya Tszyu. Don't get me wrong, he represented Australia well and he is an Aussie but Jai seems more home grown. I don't think Jai is in prime Kostyas class though to be honest. Still a terrific fighter though.

 

I think Jai has yet to show us just where his ceiling is because he has been heavily ducked, but a Benavidez fight should indicate whether he's good or one of the greats.

 

I don't think Benavidez has fought anybody with as much 'dog' in him as Jai. He might meet his match.

 

Hoping so, he has got Benavidez underestimating him already. He needs to look at Jai's older fights to see what is coming.

 

Agreed, Benavidez has never really been in with someone who will make it a dog fight if they have to and more importantly he has never copped New South in the mouth so lets see how he reacts to that.

 

I know there are a lot of complaints but I am actually looking forward to seeing Gallen return against Big Nelson LOL.

 

Has Gal signed?

 

Not sure if he has yet but I am hearing he is being offered 800K I doubt Gal will turn that down for 6x3 rounds

 

Are they doing the open workouts?
I really havent heard much about it in terms of media events during fight week.

 

Fight week for Sam Goodman.

 

Apparently the Gal v Big Nasty fight is getting NSW state government funding. Fair dinkum. Not sure that sort of event is what taxpayer money should be spent on. There would want to be a decent undercard.

Hearing the Jackson England fight has only sold one ticket. To some bloke on a yacht. The guy makes plenty of noise though so should be a good atmosphere.

Hopefully Sam Goodman gets a win & we add another world title belt (albeit an interim one) to the Australian boxing bling box. Hoping Fox Sports is televising.

A long way out, but I'm really looking forward to Timmy v Erislandy Lara & Jai v David Benavidez. Timmy going two times will be a great career achievement while Jai gets the chance to prove he's one of our best ever. Will be in the conversation for the best ever if he wins.

An interesting question will be does Jai take another fight before May next year? If he doesn't & Benavidez fights in December, he's giving away a big advantage.

Also I wonder how Foxtel will be feeling about not carrying one of the most significant fights in Australian boxing history? At least they've got Gal v Big Nasty, I guess.

 

It will be good to see Tim grab a middleweight belt. He hasn't received anywhere near the credit he deserves, coming back from those devastating losses especially the Bakhram fiasco.