Erislandy Lara stops Grady Brewer in 10!

I don't rate Pavlik's win over Brewer as they both were novices. You were the one who mentioned it as relevant, and IMO Lara's is even less meaningful.

What do you think of Lara's footwork and punching technique? I like that he's young and obviously he can improve, but I also see some physical limitations.

But this isn't as much of a disagreement as you think. I remember watching Pavlik on ShoBox and thinking he would be a threat to anyone who stood in front of him, but thought he'd have trouble with movers. So, while I still think that's correct, he has gone on to become the MW champion.

I just don't view Kelly as a true PfP fighter, so that's the perspective I'm taking. Gamboa, meanwhile, could be the truth.

 

This was in response to downgrading Brewer as an opponent. For a guy under 10 fights, it's a big deal to beat a solid fighter like Brewer.

I think he's a little stiff with his footwork but it's not something he can't overcome. His technique is inconsistent (not poor...inconsistent) and that could use some work..but I still think his accuracy and underrated hand speed will be able to cover some of his defencies. I've watched Lara since the beginning of his pro career and the guy is an outstanding technician for a young kid.

Sides he's not a finished product. That's the thing. He's doing all this and he still has room to grow as a fighter.

I'd need an explanation on this one but I think I pretty much figureed out where you're going with this whole thing.

Basically you're not rating them as fighters as much as you're rating them as athletes I guess. Gamboa is noway near as sound as Lara is but he's a much more explosive athlete with superb speed. I think I can get what you're going for.

 

Yudel Jhonson ( that's the way his last name is really spelled ) I don't think is with Arena. He is Olympic silver medalist and has awesome technique. He is taller than Lara standing at 5'10 I believe, has way better technique, footwork, is a southpaw and has decent power ( but Lara has more ). I am more impressed with his boxing skills than Lara. Lara has impressed me when he is taking guys out by KO but when he can't KO them he has'nt showed me much harcore skills, yes he is good but Jhonson is way better and more fluid! And I agree, very soon we will have a solid Cuban contender ( and World Champion ) in every single weight class...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xp0s3WGXxQ&feature=related[/ame]

Here you can see Yudel in his 3rd fight I believe! Just watch how fluid and technical he is!!! Better than Lara in my opinion...

 

I'm really not impressed with Yudel. Remember doing a R-b-R for that fight and not being impressed with him.

That said I wasn't impressed with Lara in his first few fights either so I guess Yudel has a chance. I never liked Yan Bartholemy either to be honest.

The two guys who impressed me off the bat were Yuriorkis and Rigo. Those guys are future P4P stars.

 

I think it's questionable how much Brewer is worth these days. But OK.

He's not "stiff" with his footwork -- he's ponderous and flat-footed. He can improve but only so much. Pavlik will never be fleet of foot no matter what he does.

And I'm absolutely rating them as fighters. What do you see as Lara's potential? It's possible we don't disagree. I think you may be a little too emotionally invested in Lara to spot his obvious deficiencies.

Even if he irons out his punching technique and ultimately wins some belts (I can see this), he doesn't have that one outstanding quality that would propel him to stardom.

I thought Gamboa was riddled with problems at the opening of his pro career, but obviously he was a great talent.

 

How am I emotionally invested? I'm not even Cuban! I just think it's funny how this thread was started under the pretenses of "Yeah, If he beats Brewer he's legit" and turned into "Well he beat Brewer...but I still want to see more."

If you can't see the stupidity in that then I don't know what to tell ya.

I just think in two years, he'll be a threat to anyone from 154 to 168. I don't think that's irrational but ultimately we'll see.

 

I liked Arriba's pre-fight break down of all those zeros in Grady's trophy case. Basically, the undefeated prospects Grady beat flamed out soon afterward. The undefeated prospects who beat Brewer went on to do big things.

And by the way, Brewer's age had nothing to do with this fight. Grady looked better than ever the last few fights. His fight with K-9 was ugly, but he did beat the man. Furthermore, Brewer never looked old last night until the last round. Nine rounds of getting thumped on will do that to you.

 

Lara KO. Probably my favorite prospect in the sport right now.

Accidentally voted for Brewer

 

Excuse me -- but the fight was last night:nono

 

He's clearly discussing the rematch....

Ya know what would be a good fight for Lara?

The Latin Snake.

I think that's the next step up for Lara.

 

Mora says he'll never fight at 154 again. That actually makes sense. He only had two fights there.

A slick and quick opponent would be good for Lara's development, but a fight with Mora is very unlikely.

 

You mentioned you'd followed him from the very beginning, but I'll concede that point.

But I never said **** about Brewer being a nice win. Brewer was an OK gatekeeper who is pushing 40-years old. He's better than his age, but I don't view an uneven victory over him as a definitive statement of any sort.

It would greatly surprise me if he's able to do anything at 168. At 154 or even 160 once Pavlik moves on, though, who knows. I'll definitely look forward to watching him again in the future.

 

I disagree. He conserved energy early in the fight when he had a chance to make an impact, a sign of aging legs.

To reiterate, I do like Lara, though.

 

Really? I actually think Mora looked better at 154 than 160. Remember he did beat THE MAN (at the time) at 154.

Rergardless I think they might have to bait one of the bigger guys from 160 down to a fight at 154. Maybe Eromesle Albert or Ossie Duran.

 

These Cubans might carry boxing in the upcoming years.