Andrew Golota: A Tribute To The Powerful Pole-The Dirty Meat Tenderizer Of Warszawa.

For what it's worth (coming from a long time Golota fan), I had Golota beating Byrd 116-112, and had him beating Ruiz 114-111. I actually thought in terms of rounds that Golota did better against Byrd. I believe Fightnews.com also had the bout 116-112. But that was one where there were some nightmare rounds to score in the late middle rounds.

Golota-Byrd was actually a fun watch. I think it was the 2nd best HW title fight in the 2000s behind Brewster-Liakhovich (yes, I thought it was more entertaining than Lewis-Vitali which would be #3 on my list).

I wish Golota-Byrd had an immediate rematch. It was a fight that warranted one, and I think it would have been a much better fight than either Golota-Ruiz or Byrd-McCline (although Byrd-McCline was a fun fight, too, and Golota-Ruiz was about as entertaining as any Ruiz fight I ever recall seeing, Stone's theatrics and all).

:smoke

 

First off, I said commend his fans, not condemn them. They are a loyal bunch, and in my experience in boxing forums dating back to late 90s, they are some of the classiest boxing fans I've ever come to know.

As for Golota, he was a flawed character for sure. And while he mentally succumbed to pressure in his physical prime, he did manage to redeem himself following the Tyson fiasco with 2 solid efforts against Byrd and Ruiz when he was already long past his best, and fighting with an injury that had incapacitated his best weapon 5 years prior.

Not every boxer can succeed at the top level. But Golota was a charismatic fighter who gave it his best, and he was a popular attraction throughout his career having appeared in many memorable contests, including those which may not be memorable for all the best reasons.

And I'm not sure how long you've been following the sport, but intentional fouling is something that was happening in prize fighting long before the Foul Pole hit the scene.

:smoke

 

:rofl:good

 

I started a trend thread on this awhile back. 2012 Povetkin vs 1996 Golota.

I'm not sure how it goes, and Povetkin could very well win. But I see Golota as stronger, more skilled, and having the much better jab. Povetkin's biggest edge over Golota is in mental toughness.

Whatever the outcome, I think it's one of those fights where Golota does a number on Povetkin - at least for a stretch. Meaning if 96 Golota were to lose, I think it would be along the lines of something like the Grant fight where he was winning before Povetkin's persistence paid big dividends.

I've never been big on Povetkin, I've never gotten the stench of his performance against Huck out of my mind, and as you know I'm a long time Golota fan.

But all that said, I honestly still can't see Povetkin having great success against 96 Andrew - even if Golota wound up blowing it in the end.

Even the 1999 version of Golota, whose athleticism declined a peg or 2 by that time, I think is a better boxer than Povetkin.