People seem surprisingly interested ion giving this guy a pass for his shody competition. I'm a big fan, but this will be his second opponent in a row fighting his debut 12 rounder versus Hozumi. I think a new rule is needed, frankly, so guys can't step up from novice 10/8 round type distances directly to title fights. Really, how often do you hear of a fighter WORTH beating getting trouned by a boxer stepping up rom those sort of distances? I'll tune in because he's so exciting and because I want to see if he can extend the KO1 streak, but this is true: difficult weight-making against sub-par opposition who you beat easily is a really, really good way to make a fighter stale. Especially one who has corrected balance issues and become power-hungry. He needs to be moved on after this contest.
It seems unlikely but I'd like to see him locate his passport. Not just for better competition but also to show the rest of the world his talents. If not they need to get their finger out and get the best possible opponents over to Japan at any cost. Hasegawa is in his absolute prime.
See, I don't think they need his passports or even the absolutley best competition to avoid the worst - a fighter going stale and losing to someone silly - but that would be ideal, yeah. You don't think there may be better to come, possibly, up a weight division?
Kameda's debut performance over the title distance against Kaovichit was pretty impressive, to be fair, he deserves his rematch.
I have no problem with Hase's title defenses competition, some of these guys were expected to beat him and he walked all over them. If Pong can get a free pass for defending his title when he had it against such garbage competition, Hasegawa deserves atleast some leniency.
Valdez and Malinga were not suspect at all IMO..both proven contenders and at the time two of the more promising up and comers around at the weight. His last opponent was a little suspect but at least Id seen a little of Nestor and he wasnt a total spastic..The one he is facing now I have no idea about. He has taken bit of step back but when you have been champ for 4 yours and are up to your 10th defense..a little bit average opposition here and there is to be expected.
I agree with that. I didn't mean all his title competion, i'm talking about the rather disturbing fashion for matching dominant champions with guys who haven't even boxed 12 rounds yet; in relative terms, novices. Rocha and now Perez are being given world title chances without having actually finished their apprenticeships; something is wrong.
I don't know much about Perez, but, Hasegawa is the shite. They got to get him a fight outside of Japan against a legit opponent. The U.S. has to see this guy.
My employer may frown upon saving GreenCorset.jpg to the desktop. :verysad Perez is not bonerworthy (not like GreenCorset.jpg) but there are titlists with paltrier contenders in single file. I know, "could be worse" isn't an encouraging refrain for a top-shelf guy who you'd love to see matched tough, but it's true. If he doesn't step in with someone in the top ten (a legitimate top ten, not an org's) sometime in '10, I'll insert my key and we can push the red button together.
You did the right thing IB, **** your employer. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZJHdpsTLZc[/ame]
There's some interesting fights to be made between him and Yohny Perez and Fernando Montiel. The thing is though, with Japan not recognizing the WBO or IBF, they would need to drop their titles to fight him.