Craig McEwan-Unbeaten but still a loser?

I`ve just watched Darnell Boone v Craig McEwan for the second time on Sky and I can`t believe the commentary from Watt and Darke. McEwan was fighting a tough,awkward American who had caused top boxers problems. While the decision was split it was agreed even by Darke and Watt that McEwan won comfortably and that he was ahead from the first bell. So did we hear some good old British support for one of our chaps successfully mixing it in the home of pro boxing? DWF!!!!
Instead we got Watt complaining about an "amateurish" style though he is too inarticulate to explain to us exactly what that means. He tried to suggest that McEwan`s switch hitting would displease Freddy Roach but this was shot down in flames when the corner mics picked up Roach encouraging McEwan to keep leading with his right as this was confusing Boone. Meanwhile , the smug Darke was suggesting that Craig should come back to Britain, implying that this is a true home for second rate fighters.
How this half wit duo are allowed to spout their cynical bile on a serious boxing programme is beyond me. Instead of suggesting that McEwan comes home to fight the likes of Barker and Macklin they should be encouraging these lads to fight the likes of Brian Vera and Darnell Boone. That would be a true test of their qualities.
Last Saturday, McEwan went into the ring in the Staples Center and comfortably disposed of Darnell Boone. That is his 16th unbeaten pro fight. He has NEVER been troubled in the ring as a pro. We all know that styles make fights and that no boxer goes through his carreer without tough matches which "should" have been easier. If Barker or Macklin had gone to the States and dominated fighters like Vera and Boone, would they have been ripped apart by the commentary team like McEwan was? No chance!
So why were Darke, Watt and the studio team so keen to give Craig a kicking? My son, a shrewd boxing observer, hit the nail on the head today. They hate Craig because they don`t understand what he does. They only see the lack of a knockout punch or a solid right jab. When they see a boxer drop his hands,move in close, feint,land three to the head, and then as the opponents hands go up, land two to the body and step out, it is so beyond the comprehension of their dull imaginations that they can only smirk and insult. "I can`t see any of the top guys losing much sleep worrying about this pair" scoffed Darke. But do we want all our middleweight boxers to be musclebound automatons like Pavlik and Abrahams?
I`m sad that Jim Watt especially, can`t bring himself to offer Craig some encouragement. Yes , there is room for improvement, but Craig is one of the few British boxers around that delivers genuine flair and skill and is doing it in the world`s top arenas.We need more of our boxers moving up the ranks in America, not fewer. And if he doesn`t make it to the top , I know he would rather be carried out on his shield in Vegas against Pavlik than strutting around the ring at York Hall with a crappy belt around his waist.

 

On the contrary chaps, though there are a lot of meaningless belts to be won over here, and a lot of credit given, especially by TV pundits, for winning them. I`m saying that to suggest that McEwan is second rate and that he should, therefore, come back to Britain and fight for a title, as Darke did, demeans British boxing as a whole. I don`t think Britain should be a boxing ghetto but we must be prepared to move our bigger fish earlier to bigger pools. It also means bringing good young quality foreign boxers to Britain and letting our youngsters benefit from going up against them.Its interesting though, lads,that you make no response to my main points but find offense and comment only on the last sentence. Craig enters the ring in the States as "Scottish" Craig McEwan so there is no dispute as to where his heart lies

 

Read what I wrote, Kosaros. Darke suggested he was second rate and should, therefore, come home to fight for a British title. And what preferential treatment is Craig asking for? He`s in America. He`s won all his fights.Many of our top home based lads don`t move through the British title route.

 

Sorry Icemax, I must have missed the "performance" you saw. It seemed to me Craig won quite easily. Again.

 

The last round was not great, I admit, but the fight was already won(weird judging aside). There are a number of areas where Craig needs to improve but I would argue that most other British boxers would receive more constructive criticism after a comfortable win than Craig did. Remember, Boone has drawn with Lajuan Simons and floored Andre Ward. He is no slouch.

 

Ah yes, G, WBU! Boxing`s equivalent of the World Series! A copy would be much appreciated too.
And before any of you sensitve souls jump in, Greg and I mean no disrespect to any holders, past and present of WBU titles. If its there, go for it!

 

Cheers G, can I get a copy of that too? Preferably without the commentary!!!!!!!!!!