"Scottish" Craig McEwan`s coach, Freddy Roach has expressed his frustation at the difficulties in finding quality opponents for his unbeaten fighter. In an interview with Shaun Brown of Boxing News, Roach says" Craig`s improved his ring generalship but the problem is he`s got a good, awkward southpaw style that puts people off fighting him." It has been widely reported that both Angulo and Lara have recently turned down offers, much to the frustration of the 18-0 Edinburgh boxer. But Freddy believes they have every reason to be wary. "I`d put him in with Foreman now. And I think he could beat Pavlik also". Clearly though, the Maestro knows the Quality won`t be able to run forever. "I`d like a World Title shot at the end of the year", he tells Brown.
He's off his ****ing nut. This would just be a blood-letting. I mean, you can get away with lacking some fundamentals against KP if you've got enough talent - we'll see how Martinez does. But, at this stage, McEwan makes SO many technical mistakes, Pavlik would murder him in the ring. The guy is just too green.
Freddie lost his credibility a few years back. Craig is far to green, and will probably never be good enough to beat a Kelly Pavlik level fighter.
If Roach wants McEwan to get a title shot, he better hope Foreman beats Cotto, because Martinez and/or Pavlik would open up a can of whoop ass the likes of which that kid never even had nightmares about!
I want some of what Roach is taking. McEwan hasn't beaten anyone of note, there are some really good fights that could be made in the UK/Ireland with Macklin, Barker, Lee etc - surely those guys should fight each other to determine which one is more likely to succeed rather than each fighting a selection of bus drivers waiting for Pavlik to move up to super middle and looking to grab a vacant strap?
Manny Steward said Andy Lee was ready for Kelly Pavlik too. What happened in his next fight? :think Freddy has seen Pavlik up close against Espino. He had a fighter on the under card and I saw him taking a ton of pictures on the floor between fights. Guy is good with the fans, I'll give him that. RJJ too. Bottom line, he can say that when he knows the fight will NEVER happen.
I'm from Scotland and Mcewans probally the best boxer i've ever watched, watched him so many times as an amatuer, I once saw him walk into a corner put one hand on a rope and let the guy punch away while beating him up with one hand lol I know that sounds crazy but thats just how good Craig is, if you think Freddie is bullshitting you obviously havent seen alot of Craig, something like 8 National titles the guy is a ****ing master
Craig's an honest guy and he knows himself he's not ready for that level yet. But if the opportunity came along he'd grab it with both hands and who could blame him? At the minute Craig's loving life out there and loving all the experience he's getting at the WildCard. He himself has said that he wants better opposition and that will come in time, it's not really his fault that fights with the likes of Forrest and Angulo fell through. I don't know when it'll happen but with Roach, GBP and other contacts I think a title shot will happen at some point. Good luck to him.
It'd be fantastic for boxing this to happen. But the reality is it wont. And it's arguable that McEwan and now Macklin will get a world title opportunity quicker than Barker.
What the hell happened to the British Champion fighting the world champion. Seems to me that used to be fairly normal. A sort of stepping stone just like the NABF and USBA titles were. Now days guys get a top ten ranking without ever fighting anyone in the top 25atsch
I agree. They are all probably walking knockouts for someone like Pavlik - while Pavlik works himself back into a bit of form and clears up his mandos there is ample time for a mini series of fights for the European to determine the #1 at the WBC. What Macklin is doing confuses me, he's working his way through every trainer and promoter - Hatton got him a shot at the European (that he hardly earned) in their first fight together, than with a series of pullouts he's left without a dance partner and is now rumoured to be looking to work with Brian Peters.... loyalty my arse it seems! Lee (and Duddy) have both been beating their fair share of American journeymen for a lot of £££ but ought to be looking to prove themselves and earn a shot, likewise with McEwan. Barker apparently was crap in his last fight but I'm not convinced Macklin wants anything to do with him - even though I think he wins it - so where he goes I've no idea.