Well, guys and gals, who are you going for? 15 rounds, neutral ground. Apologies if done before. The background: Hope had just won the WBC title, Kalule was just about to win the WBA...2 southpaws, Hope was strong, decent hitter, sound fundamentals, Kalule, as I remember, was quicker, more fluid and better combinations I would say. Both experienced, both good if not spectaular champions. Both lost their titles to outstanding champions. The question for me is, does the power and strenghth of Hope overcome Kalule's slippery, silkier abilities? I go for Kalule on a close points decision...what do you say?
Hope was at his best against aggressive types, pressure fighters and swarmers he could impale on the end of his excellent jab and solid aggressive left hand leads or straight counters then tie up, throw a few inside uppercuts and get back to edging onto the backfoot.Not too dissimilar to a Winky Wright\Quartey-esque approach, just less solid and more improvised technically. His footwork was poor for a world class boxer-puncher, but was oddly effective on backfoot and slow retreat.Coming forward though he was a straight line fighter that dragged his back leg like a zombie and needed to plant to be effective. Would be a good jabbing fight with nice exchanges, though with both at their best i'd expect Hope to get soundly outmaneauvered\methodically out-finessed over 15, Kalule is more aggressive counterpuncher than mover, but his brand of technically sound always giving angles distance control- when he had his legs under him- would give a shuffler like Hope fits .Probably rocks kalule an obligatory couple of times and has his moments offensively though. Hope would do better against fighters like Little, Moore, Vargas and obviously Vito etc where he isn't trying to counter cutie footwork\distance control and outfighting.
I know Little came up the hard way and eventually four his feet at 154, but I know little of him bar the brutal K.O over some Jap'. Any more footage out there Lora?
