FROM THE MAIN FORUM I like the idea, I want to test myself Lopez and Gamboa are very good boxers it will be a great tournament the fans will be very happy and I have to be at my best, I am confident I will win. -Chris John Here's what his trainer/manager had to say; We are willing to fight both of these guys; it will bring the best out of Chris. Many people will be surprised how good he really is, he only pushes himself just enough to win, he is a smart fighter. He studies videos of his opponents and trains hard enough to get over the line. Against these two boys he will be at his best and that will be great to watch. We have a date; April the 3rd in Bali and we can accommodate Gamboa or Lopez. Chris is the Champion, Bob Arum has challenged us so if they want it come and take it off him, we can fight on a Sunday at lunch time and send it back to America on pay per view, I think this is financially better for both boxers. Anyway to Bob Arum we accept your challenge, if you want to fight in Bali please call Sampson Picasso Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing LLC or if you want it in the America please call Golden Boy promotions" THOUGHTS ON THESE FIGHTS?
I think Chris beats Juan Ma. He's a much better boxer than Luevano and I think would be too clinical for Juan Ma and get the decision. Does he beat Gamboa - Nnnnooooo. Juarez had John in all sorts, Gamboa hit's bigger and quicker than him. Great fights and big prop's for Chris for wanting them! :good
I reckon Chris would take Gamboa easy. Gamboas speed may blind a lot of people but if you watch his last fight against Mtagwa he was wayyyy open during his combinations. A clever boxer would take advantage of that. And Chris is. JuanMa is a different kettle, he has a bit more more experience and I thought he performed better against Luevano who is a much better opponent than Mtagawa. He didn't get carried away trying to emulate Gamboas performance and patiently and methodically broke Luevano down. Too hard to pick
Just to expand, theres a lot to like about Gamboa but I reckon the razzle dazzle has blinded a few people. Hes already been dropped four times (yet recovered to win each time). I've got 15 or so of his fights and over half of those have ended in the first or second round. Impressive yes, you can only do what you can but the calibre of opponent hasn't been great. Yes, he looked great against Mtagwa after JuanMa struggled against him previously, but a big question was answered about JuanMa's heart as he hung on for the win despite having nothing left in the tank. The same question remains unanswered about Gamboa. Power? Check. Precision? Check. Speed? Check. Chin? Ummm... I'm still interested to see how Gamboa will do against class opposition. Mtagwa was but he was exactly the right style for him. Get Gamboa past the first few rounds and he can struggle for answers. Get him against a guy who will move and use angles he may, may come up short. It will be a fun journey regardless. A lot of people sell Chris John short after the two Juarez fights but lets remember a few things; First fight: Dominated the first six rounds before slacking off. Still, nearly everybody watching gave him the win. Except the three Texan judges in Texas scoring for a Texan fighter. This fight did make the Rings '20 worst decisions of the decade'. Second fight: Ok, so with a minute and a half to go, Chris decides to stand and trade and gets wobbled. Badly. He hangs tough and lasts to the bell and scores a deserved unaminous victory. But what of the eleven rounds before that? All Chris John. And then we can look at John vs Juan Manuel Marquez. I was led to believe that JMM was robbed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although close, JMM lost two points late for low blows but even without those John did enough. Watch the fight and see how John handles someone at the top of his game. Yes, I'm good friends with the guys at Harrys, but that has afforded me with the oppurtunity to see more of Chris than most would. And I reckon hes been severely underestimated. Write him off at your own risk.
I would back Juanma & Gamboa to both beat Chris John...possibly by even late KO's. If i were John's team i would not make the fight(Juanma or Gamboa) unless its right for them financially IMO. I dont know how John handles Gamboa's speed (prob not well) but can John hurt Gamboa for his defensive frailties....that is simply where his best chance lies. John must box extremely disciplined to get the victory. Gamboa the Cuban amateur star has worked on some of his defensive frailties but still has a little way to go which is why i would lean to Juanma a little at this stage. Juanma the southpaw will no doubt give different problems to John....his vicious uppercuts & short right hooks from his southpaw stance must be closely watched..IMO stylistically Juanma is all wrong for John...i have followed Juanma closely since he turned pro & began being promoted by Puerto Rico Best Boxing & Top Rank. He has come on leaps & bounds by the team at Top Rank & is rightfully coming into his own. Billy Dib gets KTFO inside 6 by either Juanma or Gamboa...with Dib probably getting deducted points in those 6 rounds too.
Spoke to both Chris and Craig at a boxing show in Bali on Wednesday. They would love to fight either. I like his chances. Chris is a giant featherweight. Billy The Kid is looking at super bantam. He will excell there.
Jfm. Glad you are interested in the 70's Flamingo. Im still living them. The bad news for this forum is i am a big Mundine fan. You probably noticed that in his fight with Rob Medley. So go easy on me.
Hard to say, John took more than a few shots from a slow Juarez, he'd be in trouble if he thinks he could fight the same way and survive against Gamboa especially. Like Kegsy said the power is the missing link, imo John would need to fight pretty defensively to survive the 12.
Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for a LEGEND :happy If you call me Flamingo again, I'll be onto ya in a flash!!! lol. As far as Mundine goes, umm.. Sir, praise who ever ya wish to. Medley fight.. yeah mate, you were backed into a corner.. Mundines as popular as Jeff kennett of Malcolm turnbull on this forum.. some people just won't get it... lol