Just watched Kevin Johnson vs Vargas - i was relatively impressed

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by ChrisPontius, May 17, 2009.


  1. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    He's not the next Ali but looks like a solid contender for sure. His defence is quite good, though he does get tagged every now and then. A bit like Toney. However, most of the time, he rolls with the punches or blocks them partially. His power seems to be not that bad, just that his lack of aggression and workrate probably put his KO% back a lot.


    I'd like to see him mix it up with other contenders. Although it probably won't happen, a fight between him and Arreola would be interesting.



    A few more notes:

    -I think his weakest point is stamina. When he's active, he is effective. But he throws very few punches and seems to fight in bursts. If he didn't, he would've stopped Vargas in the 4th.

    -He seems too bulky for a boxer. The man is probably very strong (and certainly looked the part against Vargas), but trading some of that strength for a higher workrate, at for instance 220-230lbs would greatly improve his overal ability. It is interesting that while Arreola looks much more flappy at the same weight, Arreola still had a pretty high workrate in his last bout with McCline despite looking (and to a degree, being) grossly out of shape.
     
    ChrisPontius, May 17, 2009
    ChrisPontius, May 17, 2009
    #1
  2. AbbeyFN

    AbbeyFN Active Member Full Member

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    IMO he is going to be another mod-class fighter that people have to get through to make it to the top.

    He does have power and a good chin but he lacks skills and stamina.

    An interesting match-up would be with Arreola.
     
    AbbeyFN, May 17, 2009
    AbbeyFN, May 17, 2009
    #2
  3. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

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    Right on the money. :good
     
    IntentionalButt, May 17, 2009
    IntentionalButt, May 17, 2009
    #3
  4. Arriba

    Arriba Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think his future is similar to Jason Estrada or at the best, Tony Tubbs of the olden days (God the late 80s-early 90s are the olden days now?)

    He's got the skill to potentially be a bad night for anyone but he doesn't have everything to put it together to get to the pay windah if ya know what I mean.
     
    Arriba, May 17, 2009
    Arriba, May 17, 2009
    #4
  5. emanuel_augustus

    emanuel_augustus Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I want to see what he does in with someone that can hurt him. The other times I've seen Johnson he's been very reluctant to mix it up, just jabbing non-stop. He was more aggressive against the harmless Vargas, but can Johnson do that against a top 15 heavyweight? I doubt he has the skills to break into the top echelon, but let's give him a chance to prove it.
     
    emanuel_augustus, May 17, 2009
    emanuel_augustus, May 17, 2009
    #5
  6. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    I think if anything, his skills are not the problem. They're fine, and on par with most of the current top10 heavies if you ask me.. his motivation and focus look good after last fight. But it's that workrate and bulk that annoys me.
     
    ChrisPontius, May 17, 2009
    ChrisPontius, May 17, 2009
    #6
  7. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    I was impressed with Johnson's power against Vargas, but not by his putting his punches together. His left hook really was the key in this fight. When Johnson hit Vargas with the left clean there was always a response.
     
    MAG1965, May 17, 2009
    MAG1965, May 17, 2009
    #7
  8. Rock0052

    Rock0052 Loyal Member Full Member

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    It was a good performance vs Vargas, but Vargas can't crack a quail egg with his punch; Johnson doesn't exactly pack the kind of punch he'll need to compete with the top contenders, either. I wouldn't have any qualms about putting him in the top 25, though.
     
    Rock0052, May 17, 2009
    Rock0052, May 17, 2009
    #8
  9. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

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    Tubbs is a good comparison.
     
    IntentionalButt, May 17, 2009
    IntentionalButt, May 17, 2009
    #9
  10. boxingwizard

    boxingwizard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I was glad to see Johnson finally get a KO over a decent prospect but still I wonder what he can do against better fighters.
     
    boxingwizard, May 17, 2009
    boxingwizard, May 17, 2009
    #10
  11. RonnieHornschuh

    RonnieHornschuh ESB indie police Full Member

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    I thought just about the same. He is a 2000's version of Tubbs.
     
    RonnieHornschuh, May 19, 2009
    RonnieHornschuh, May 19, 2009
    #11