David Coldwell talks about Ryan Rhodes and possible future fights

HMSTempleGarden · Jan 25, 2010

THE next 12 months are going to be very interesting for my European light-middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes.
2008 was his comeback year and he became British and WBC International champion. 2009 was the year he proved to everyone that he’s back as a legitimate world title contender as he surpassed anything he had achieved in his younger days by becoming European Champion and gaining widespread respect for the manner of his victory over Jamie Moore. 2010 could and should see Rhodes fight for a legitimate world championship and for the first time, at his natural, preferred weight.
There are three fights out there that could come our way in the cnext 12 monts that I would love for Ryan, but there are also three fights that I wouldn’t jump up and down about.

Sergio Martinez – WBC champion, 44-2-2 (24)
Ryan is currently No. 3 in the WBC rankings so he is very very close to a shot at Martinez for the title. For that reason alone, you would want the fight!
But Martinez is a handful, and although a few months ago many felt this was the easiest route for Ryan to travel, after Martinez’s recent showing against the fantastic Paul Williams I know this would be a very tricky assignment. He’s very clever, has an awkward style and can dig a little bit too.
In this fight, fight Ryan would have to remain very disciplined and keep his concentration all the way through in order to prevail, traits that he has shown frequently since moving into his 30s!
This is a tough fight, but one I would jump at.

Sergei Dzinziruk – WBO champion, 36-0 (22)
This fella is in the ‘who needs him club’. The fact that he’s six foot and a southpaw are enough to make this fight difficult. The fact that he can bang makes it dangerous. He is also very accurate with his textbook punching.
To be fair however, almost all his knockout victories have come at the ‘padding’ stage of his career and he’s been inactive.
To be honest, the WBO route is not the one we are looking at taking as Ryan has fantastic rankings in two of the more prestigious organisations and the risk v reward ratio in this fight isn’t favourable enough for me.

Cory Spinks – IBF champion, 37-5 (11)
I would like this fight for Ryan. He’s No. 4 with the IBF so the fight could materialise this year.
Spinks is super-talented, fast of hand and foot, but for me, his best days are behind him. He has been so inactive over the last few years.
He also seems to sometimes have a problem with concentration in fights, not being able to stick to his plan.
This is a fight I feel Ryan can win in a couple of different ways. Ryan has the power to hurt Spinks. He can out-strength him also.
Zab Judah beat Spinks and he got by Deandre Latimore on a split decision last time out, so maybe he struggles with southpaws?
Whatever, I’d feel pretty confident of a famous victory if we landed Spinks.

Yuri Foreman – WBA champion, 28-0 (Eight)

In my opinion, the easiest world title opportunity would be against the new WBA champ.
I’d heard a lot about him previously but when I first watched him I was very disappointed. I got the feeling that he was hyped only because of his background.
However, fighters improve and so he went on to fight for the World Title against Daniel Santos. So I watched him again.
This man is made for Ryan Rhodes. I really do think Ryan beats him in every department. I believe my man is faster, will take advantage of the mistakes Foreman makes and punches hard enough to hurt Foreman enough to become WBA World Champion.
I would LOVE for this fight to happen!

James Kirkland – contender, 25-0 (22)
James Kirkland is one of the most dangerous boxers in the division. That he is currently serving time for possession of a firearm has nothing to do with it!
Kirkland will be out in a couple of months. He was on the verge of a title shot until he was locked up and with Golden Boy as his promoters, I don’t think it will take more than a fight or two for him to get an opportunity.
Kirkland can punch. BIG TIME. 22 out of 25 wins have been by KO including his last fight against Joel Julio, who had never previously been stopped in 38 fights, of which he has won 35.
He has weaknesses of course. But unless it’s for an actual title shot, this is a fight I wouldn’t ideally want to come along.

Kermit Cintron – contender, 30-2-1 (Twenty-eight)
This fight is a real possibility. Cintron is ranked No. 2 and Ryan No. 3 by the WBC.
If Martinez stays at 160lbs and WBC 11st No. 1 Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr also moves Cintron and Ryan would fight for the vacant title.
There are two sides to Cintron. One is the murderous puncher, full of confidence and swagger, who uses his range in the classic Kronk style. The way he knocked out Walter Matthysse a couple years back was frightening.
The other side to Cintron, well, that could be quite a different opponent. Cintron has always struck me as an ‘on top’ fighter. He all but gave up in both fights with Antonio Margarito after his bombs failed to dent the teak-tough Mexican.
He definitely struggles in the mind if he doesn’t land his bombs and add to that, his best wins have been in the welterweight division, so maybe Ryan can ride the early storm and then take the heart away from Kermit.
Again, it’s not one of my favourite fights for Ryan, it’s one of the most dangerous. If it has to happen, I would hope it’s for the vacant WBC Championship.

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Coldwell's Corner 15

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/detail.asp?id=1440

Mazallan · Jan 25, 2010

Nice read. Seems everybody is lining up for Foreman. Pretty sure his promoters will keep him out of the reach anyone dangerous like Rhodes until after he has fought for big money against a top name.

I think a Cintron fight would be great and possibly the most likely of the guys mentioned but still dangerous. The fight us fans love to watch.

Spinks would be nice to catch and I think he would like a fight with Rhodes due to Rhodes being considered a soft touch due to age and record.

NO MAS · Jan 25, 2010

Great read...:good

:happy...Bring it home Ryan...:happy

ollyc · Jan 25, 2010

As ever, honest assessments from Coldwell.
A thread on the main forum suggested that Spinks is currently walking around at over 200lbs; if this is true at his advanced age surely his days as a champ are numbered. That's the fight which makes most sense at the moment.
What with Warren currently being without a headline act, it might make sense for him to invest in Ryan even at this late stage of his career.
Get Spinks over for Ryan, and put Kell Brook on as the main support.
Should Ryan win, those two could be a double act in Sheffield for some time yet.

antcull · Jan 25, 2010

Can't see Rhodes succeeding on the world level I'm afraid, although he deserves his chance after the performance he put in. Spinks is the only one on the list I would pick him in. Maybe Martinez will vacate to fight at middleweight.

ollyc · Jan 25, 2010

antcull said: ↑

Can't see Rhodes succeeding on the world level I'm afraid, although he deserves his chance after the performance he put in. Spinks is the only one on the list I would pick him in. Maybe Martinez will vacate to fight at middleweight.
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I know it's academic seeing as Cotto's probably going to relieve Foreman of his title, but you don't thinK Rhodes could beat Foreman? Seriously?

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David Coldwell talks about Ryan Rhodes and possible future fights

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David Coldwell talks about Ryan Rhodes and possible future fights

HMSTempleGarden Boxing Junkie Full Member

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