Agreed. Smith is a poor mans Loma. Put him in there with a man who has something to offer him back and he freezes and takes less risks. Put him in there with an overmatched opponent who has nothing to offer then hes a whirlwind. It's a risk averse mentality. Yarde was like **** it, I'm gonna go for it.
I disagree, facing Canelo neutralizes the dog in most fighters. But when he can land on opponents who do go for it, they usually get the dog, and they usually don't like how mean of a bite he packs. And let's be honest, the second fight, might be similar to a potential Beterbiev-Smith clash.
I can't think of a boxer least like Smith than Loma - and that's without considering skill set. Smith has a CW frame which he boils down to take on much smaller, lighter men (on fight night) whereas Loma - a natural 130llber - steps up in weight classes to fight bigger, heavier men. Even if you think Loma shells up against tougher opponents (I don't) it's not comparable. Smith does this despite being taller and heavier, even at LHW...
Yeah well shelling up...I hope a guy that doesn't move that well protects the back of his head, because AB will be bludgeoning that back of the ear region! Smith up in the corner covering up to AB will look disturbing
I was speaking to the in ring risk averse mentality when confronted with a man who is there to do more than get his ass kicked. Loma IMO is the archetypal frontrunner. Put him in there with a man who can punch hard and give him something in return and he completely tucks tail.
I'm not sure Smith loves boxing like brother Liam (which is why I tipped him to beat CEJ, obviously ), he just happens to be very good at it. When facing sub-par or even decent opponents that's enough. But at the top level boxers typically need more than the sum of their parts and a fully-fit Groves would have beaten him, imho. Yarde is a great example of what Smith lacks; he's incredibly flawed but equally single-minded. I can see the logic of what you say and it makes sense. I just think Smith would let you down...
Oh really? So is that why he was pushing back and beating up Salido, Lopez and Ortiz in the second half of their matches? Loma isn't archetypal anything, he's a ****ing prototype, and your illogical deranged hatred of him is getting to the point where its making you look like an idiot..
Being the smaller man is a massive factor, though. You side line that to maintain a narrative which is not supported by all the evidence available...
I cannot imagine Beterbiev tucking tail like Loma has done twice. If he loses he goes out on the shield. He will lose like a fighter is supposed to lose.
Possibly.... not saying it's a sure thing. Merely that the only times he seems to freeze up is when he has a fast superior boxer in front of him who he can't land on adequately. However, he's more than capable of emulating Yarde's performance today.
He didn't tuck tail you moron, what the **** are you actually watching? I think it's high time you go back and rewatch both of his losses.
Do you think Beterbiev would alter his fight style up at HW (ie: up two weight classes), weighing 210llbs up against a heavier, taller man? What do you think would happen to him if he tried to walk down Wilder weighing about 15llbs more?
Yarde of all people was making him tuck his tail yesterday, forget HW, Briedis and Gassiev woud have him pissing himself.
