BEWARE: SENSIBLE THREAD. 2010: A big disappointment OR a period of transition?

2010: A big disappointment OR a period of transition?

http://www.ringtv.com/blog/2107/is_2010_a_rebuilding_year_for_boxing/

TBH, I've lost a lot of interest in the sport in the last few months as this year has been pretty shite so far in terms of what has actually been dished-up by the powers that be and fighters themselves. It's mid-July and the two megafights in the sport that everyone wants to see still haven't been signed due to multiple clashes of egos and wrangling over bull**** like blood tests, percentage splits and who gets the greenest part of the limelight; well, **** Wlad, Vitali, Haye, PBF and Pacquiao as the rest of boxing now seems to be filling the void left by the big fights not happening.

I think it's fair to agree with The Ring's sentiments on this year being a 'rebuilding year' for the sport; plenty of fights now seem to have been suitably set-up and we now seem to be on the cusp of some really, really intriguing and competitive fights. A brief overview of the interesting divisions and what could now finally be on the horizon:

Heavyweight:

In 2010 we've seen Haye earn a victory over Ruiz and we've also seen Adamek establish himself at the weight whilst also watching the K Bros continue to rack-up wins. Haye V Adamek or against either Klit are the only fights that I, and many others for that matter, seem to interested in and there's not much happening in the division other than those possibilities. I fully expect Povetkin to eat jabs all night against Wlad in an extremely boring, but nonetheless ultra-efficient, robotic-esque Termination that we've come accustomed to seeing.

Cruiserweight:

At the start of the year this was a pretty uninteresting division, but now Sauerland have fingers in all of the tasty pies at cruiser and are talking up a tourney with the likes of Cunningham, Huck and Wlodarczyk taking part. That's a pie I'm pretty damn sure we'd all like to bury our sweet scientific teeth into. Bring that shizzle on pronto, Kalle:bbb.

Light Heavy:

One fight I can't wait for: Bad Chad V Pascal. IMO, it should be one-sided in favour of Chad, but Pascal will make the fight interesting. Cloud's got a fight coming up against the immovable, time-defeating phenom that is The Road Warrior. If Cloud wins then I'm sure the demand for a fight with the winner of Dawson-Pascal would be pretty high.

Super Middle:

Super Six is getting pretty damn interesting now that fighters have won, lost and been disqualified. The only Bute fight I'm interested in seeing any time soon is one with Dawson. Dawson has said he'd like the fight and I think HBO would push for it should both win their next fights.

Middleweight:

Loads of possibilities here. Martinez's win injected a much needed bit of excitement in the division once again and, IMO, a mooted fight with PBF is by far the most interesting fight currently on the horizon in boxing; one for the purists for sure, but PBF would deserve huge praise for taking a shot Martinez's prestigious lineal 160lb title. Will it happen? Probably not. Sturm has finally sorted out his management issues as well and there is plenty of emerging talent ready to infiltrate the scene. 160 is finally becoming an interesting division again.

Welterweight:

There's only one fight we all want to see at this weight, but **** even talking about that clash of egos any more as it's gone beyond boring. PW is moving back down to unleash a can o' whoop ass on the midgets and Cotto has also said that he might move back down. About time HBO pressured Berto into a fight with either of those guys, IMO. Happy days.

Light Welter:

Not really much to say here other than this is arguably the deepest division in boxing. Plenty of good fights on the horizon that, crucially, HBO wants to make.

Lightweight:

I hope JMM reconsiders a move to 140 should he beat Diaz again (as I am confident he will do) as I think a fight with the winner of Soto and Barrera could be huge. A Soto fight would be both massive in Mexico and interesting. On the other hand, if Barrera pulls off the impossible, I'm sure many out there would like to see JMM and Barrera go at it again (even if Barrera has slipped, it's still an interesting fight)! Exctiting Korean banger Ji Hoon Kim is fighting Miguel Vazquez for a vacant title and who can forget Katsidis as well? Loads of interesting fights in the division on the horizon. Let's hope the fights get made.

Featherweight

The division I am most excited about. Juanma's Super Bantam 'reign' is something I was highly critical of, but in his two fights at Feather he has beaten two very good fighters in devastating fashion at a new weight and I think he's starting to deserve the accolades that were dished out too readily against pretty avergae opposition in a poor division during his days at Super Bantam. Gamboa is also continuing to rack up decent wins in exciting fashion and is fighting Rojas next up in what is bizzarely a unification fight (the prospect of two WBA 'Super' champs at the same weight really makes me chuckle, TBHatsch). To add to that, Rafa Marquez is fighting Juanma next (don't write off Rafa in this one, I see the fight as in his favour and I also don't think he's as 'shot' as some are making out) in what has the potential to be a FOTY. Chris John, Caballero, Salido, Cruz, et al are also eyeing up potential superfights with those previously mentioned. Fantastic possibilities in this division and a lot of exciting fighters to boot. Arum wants Gamboa-Juanma next year at Meadowlands should both keep winning. Yes please, Bob.

Bantamweight:

Montiel, Hasegawa, Donaire, Perez, Agbeko, Darchinyan, Moreno. Wouldn't that list make for an awesome tourney? Darchinyan wants a title fight at Bantam next and hopefully the Donaire rematch happens at this weight now that Donaire is moving up. Deep division indeed.

Best of the rest:

The exciting Segura is still chasing a megafight with Calderon.

All in all, it seems a lot of the shitty fights and dissapointments we've had earlier this year seem to be setting up some really good fights for later this year and early next year. Your thoughts on what is on the horizon and also the fights we've had so far in this pretty dry year? Which fights are you hoping happen next? Has 2010 been a big disappointment OR a period of transition in your eyes?

:think:good

 

Its frustrating that the two biggest matches, Haye-a Klit and PBF - Pac have not been signed.

I am liking the Super Six, but would like to see more unifications at light welter.

2010 has been ok, but could be better.

 

Period of Transition IMO Losfer.
Had to happen somewhere along the line. We are starting to see the back end of many of our last era's fighters careers as well as some going into retirement in last 2 years. Now we are seeing young fighters looking to break out and make a name for themselves. Patience is a virtue as they say and i'm willing to accept that fights like Juanma-Gamboa, Bradley-Alexander and many more like that have to be allowed to develop because as much as we like to see these young guards go to war all in the name of legacy.
Legacy doesn't always pay the bills and these guys don't have long careers.

These guys aren't like many of the last era who would sit back and allow there promoter to protect them and match them safely. These guys have grown up as fans and understand the fans count and also have a desire to join the illustrious list of names that has held in such high regard.

The big fights that haven't been made don't bother me anymore. If they don't wanna fight the best then i won't bother with them but the real guys who back there talk up get my attention. Them soap acting bitches don't deserve to have anymore threads made about them till they do whats there job and that's fight and fight the best.

We have to appreciate these young bucks and be patient. Next year could be the year that makes and breaks many a man but also sets the ball rolling for a great decade in boxing. Were seeing that HBO ain't taking no more ****. Were seeing that our views do count in some regard. It's promising and we have to keep the pressure on and respect that things aren't always as we see them. But this year has been ok..could be better and who knows, we could end the year with some great fights.

 

would be fine if they didn't say it every year.

 

Shocked this thread has had so little input. can see why Losfer has put beware . seems like Matt Hatton is the major talking point this week :verysad

 

the big fights just are not getting made. its just sad but to be honest its been this way for the past 20 years.

the only fight between the top 2 guys in a division in the rest of 2010 will be Dawson vs Pascal not there are not many that see it as a 50-50 fight.

At least domesticly it seems to be changing.

 

^^ i agree with you. i like what's happening over here domestically.

But no need to worry lads we have a mega fight looming. Pavlik vs JCC jnr...

 

Good thread Losfer!

When I get a bit of time, I'll draft a well thought out response, but in summary, I reckon 2010 has been good but no more. No where near 2009. But not as bad as some previous years.

Rob mentioned that things seem to be changing domestically. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

 

There is far too much of this ''let's wait until it's bigger'' crap.

Gotta change :deal

 

It is the domestic matchmaking that has disappointed me more - obviously this is skewed because that is what dominates our tv coverage and is a more realistic choice for attending shows.

 

Quality thread.

I think Marquez vs Katsidis/Soto/Barrera is far more intriguing/worthwhile than him being fed to Khan.

Calderon is fighting someone as dangerous as Segura IMO, as he actually appears capable of fighting after the first four rounds.

I think British Boxing could be on the up, no doubt; the recent developments with Sky, Warren and Maloney are VERY promising IMO. Hopefully 'waiting until the fight is right' will stop. If one guys good enough to be an Elite level fighter, he will be, if both of them are, the loser will come again. One guy holding the interim WBO and the other being the WBA 'regular' champ when they finally fight may dupe some casuals into buying into it, but those in the know will be pissed off at waiting so long (i.e Cleverly vs Bellew)

But I agree with the general tone of the thread Losfer: I've been losing interest this year, Lesnar vs Carwin got me more excited than anything and I'm no massive UFC nut (I enjoy it as a different style of combat, but Boxing has always been the sport to give me that 'big fight feeling' in my stomach)

Fingers crossed, Haye vs Wlad and Floyd vs Pacman not happening will push me further away from the modern game. Lucky there's so many past greats for me to watch or I'd throw the towel in to be honest.

 

Boxing is one big ****ing joke as long as Haye and the Klits don't settle their business. Boxing is an even bigger joke if Floyd and Pac don't settle their difference.

We don't know who the best boxer in the world is, nor do we know who the best P4P boxer in the world is. What the **** is the point of this sport. If I wanted to see fights I'd pay some homeless guys to beat each other up. I want to see the best fight the best.

These bitches need to get it done.

 

Pac. If they were both to retire tomorrow without fighting each other, Pac clearly had the superior ring record.

 

I think that this year is actually quite refreshing. I'm sick to the back teeth of people like Hopkins, Jones Jnr, Calzaghe, Hatton etc dominating the headlines for unjustifiable reasons. Boxing in general seems to be putting more of a focus on actual talented fighters approaching world level.

The Super Six has obviously got some good attention and to see the emergence of 5 genuine talents who might otherwise be plodding along in relative obscurity in the Calzaghe's faux shadow. Not least because it breathes fire into one of the best weight divisions - I personally think that 12 to 12-and-a-half stone is ideal because boxers have to be in shape but can still bang a bit. Not without controversy either since you have Bute on the sidelines claiming to be the best in the division. Very healthy future and some great fights here by the end of the year.

At LHW, Dawson-Pascal is a great fight to be made but beyond that, I'm only interested in Cleverly. Division seems weak with the likes of Hopkins, Johnson & Erdei still getting attention for essentially clogging things up. As a Brit though, it makes me think that Cleverly can do very well here and become a player in time.

Cruiserweight doesn't interest me but it's never been the best weight class for obvious reasons. Although there are some potential domestic classics here with Hide, Macca & Ola.

HW seems to be standing still waiting for Haye to make his move. I'm pleased HBO seem to be throwing the weight around here and I'm still hopeful that unification bouts can be arranged with Haye and the Klits - I can't see how Haye cannot fight one of them after all the **** he's given out. I'm prepared to wait this one out.

Welterweight is insanely deep. We've seen some great fights here already and long may it continue. With Alexander, Khan & Bradley below that - there are lots of "newer" fighters to look at.

All in all, I'm enjoying these younger guys coming through and they all seem to want to fight each other. They seem less inflluenced by the money and are jumping at the Super Six opportunities for example. I think that yes, it is a transitional year but one that leaves me more hopeful for the future of good fights than I have been for a long time - both on the domestic and international fronts.

 

Good post..... I agree that it's better seeing some of the younger faces coming through and making names for themselves.

Light heavy is a division that needs sorting out though - hopefully Cloud beats Johnson and Pascal beats Dawson.... a fight between those two would be quality, with Cleverly and Bellew hot on their heels.

On the heavies, it's good that HBO are putting the foot down, but Sky ought to follow suit. Basically say to Haye - sign to fight a Klitschko/Adamek by (insert date) or you are blackballed permanently :yep