Hasegawa vs burgos

FOTY contender for sure.

Burgos was not what I expected to be. Whilst not being particularly fast, he was no predictable slugger, he had a decent dig, and set up his single hard shots well (that uppercut in particular, which Hasegawa shook off quickly)and tried to be consistent with his defence, held his hands high. Like Hasegawa once did, he has some balance issues, but if he irons out the creases he could end up a top ten guy. I was impressed, he wasn't afraid to go in the trenches but was simply outclassed whilst having his moments and being highly competitive throughout.

Despite being very hittable at times, it's down to Hasegawas blend of cagey backfoot counter-punching and a frenetic and accurate offensive engine that saw him fend off the challenge of a big, hungry 126lber. It only takes a few clean counters to convince him to launch an assault; even under fire and buzzed he can slip shots and show the desire to still fire back. Badly broken jaw aside, it's clear Hasegawa is durable and made of stern stuff indeed. His engine is as strong as ever, he looke undersized for 126 here but Burgos was probably a lightweight boiling down, whilst 126 is basically the weight Hozumi walks around at.

Would I prefer to see him cut a few lbs and fight Nishioka, Wilfredo Vasquez Jr and his fellow countryman who outscored Poonsewat whose name currently escapes me (I wanna say 'Willie Li' but I'm sure I've just made that up ) and Rigondeaux? Yes.

Do I think he has enough in his toolbox to compete with the best at 126? Definitely. He has the all-round game, and judging by how marked up Burgos was near the end, still has the pop to do damage.

However, throw the title out of the window. Burgos is a guy who, realistically is not a top ten fighter. He might go on to be, but this was a good fight to show his jaw was healed and that he could make the transition in weight a reality, the hard work is still to come.

JuanMa is so one-dimensional, I wouldn't be terrified for Hasegawa goin in with him, even if I didn't favour the smaller guy.

Gamboa is a no-no. I'd like to see him in with Daud Yordan next, and then into a top five fight.

 

7 Was my favorite as well action from start to finish.

Thought he was open to the right hand very earlier but it didn't come into play much after. I think the Gamboa fight would be a great watch, you think Gamboa walks it flea?

 

Gamboa would land the right hand with ease; whatever good work Hasegawa could do would be nullified by Gamboas handspeed, he'll manage to outpunching Hozumi in close as well as at mid-range, his often dazzling combinations>>>>Hasegawas sporadically astounding defence.

Gamboa would just overwhelm him, whether he takes him out early or takes a few rounds to break him down, Gamboa has too many advantages IMO, and Hasegawa isn't efficient enough just going back to outmanouvering Yuriorkis; as a said earlier, if he does land some crisp counters it will not be enough to stop Gamboa outspeeding him in return, landing shots with much more authority.

If he doesn't get bamboozled early, then Hasegawa can at least make a good account of himself IMO.

Against Chris John however, his engine could well see him home down the stretch. John does not have the firepower to keep Hasegawa from doing his thing for at least a few of the early rounds, as we go into the 8th, 9th and championship rounds I think Hasegawa could well cause John to wilt under his tenacious attacks, or at least make the scorecards swing in his favour over the final few stanzas.

Hasegawa has the tools to do very well IMO. Would prefer him at 122 though.