Khaosai Galaxy

Sweet Pea,

Yuri to me is one of the best flyweights ever, definately top 5 in my book. However with that said he was susceptible to being outboxed by lesser fighters that posed a specific stylistic problem, such as mobile safety-first types.

He was ran close by such second-tier fighters like Zamudio, Nam-Hoon Cha and Oscar Arciniega, but the thing that always stands out for me with Yuri was his implacable calmness about the way he fought even under those circumstances.

He comes accross as one of those fighters who even when they are in with someone that is clearly troubling him stylistically, his mental toughness and decent versatiliy will see him do enough to win closely. That attribute alone would see him have close fights against almost any flyweight, and he would never be an easy nights work for anyone.

 

Agreed, I am very impressed by how calm he was on the inside. When facing big bangers in close range, he had the ability to slip big punches easily and land his own accurately in return. He could even take a punch well without getting flustered. Excellent fighter, one of my favorites to watch at the lower weights.

 

I basically agree with Raging Bull.

arbachakov was like a combination of Sal sanchez and Tszyu.Great offensive technical skills and top footwork.

His calmness would be a great asset against other greats but it usually meant he didn't dominate even the second-tier fighters and could slip into a laid-back groove that meant lots of very close rounds.

Raging, who did you think won the first Arbachakov Sasakul fight? That was a very close one as well and a helluva fight.

 

I had Yuri taking the first Sasakul fight by a point. Most rounds were easy to score but round 9 was a close one that I gave the benefit of the doubt to for Yuri. Had I scored that even, which one reasonably could imo, the fight ends in a draw for me. Agree it was a hell of a bout too.

Arbachakov was a very strong fighter, with solid skills and good composure as has been noted, and he'd give anyone that wanted to trade with him hell, but he's a bit too slow and ponderous for mine, and is liable to lose to any elite boxer with good movement and defense. A 'Too Sharp' Johnson for instance would do a number on him imo.

 

dunno about Johnson.i aways thought he was a wild fighter that relied more on overwhelming speed and power than skills.He did like to trade a lot as well.

Not saying he wouldn't beat Yuri but some of the fighters like Sasakul and yun-un Chin that Yuri fought were more cultured and technical than Johnson.

I couldn't see Johnson just outslicking him like Canto, Zapata and others might do.

 

He did like to scrap when he fancied his power over an opponent and he wasn't a big lateral mover like a Sasakul or anything, but he was definitely skilled and I think defensively adept enough to get the job done against Yuri.

 

Mantequilla,

I had Yuri the winner by three points, and I remember scoring the last frame even as I felt neither man deserved to lose that round. Speaking of Sasakul for a moment, he is another fighter that I enjoy watching a great deal, what a beautiful style he had. I remember in his fight against Pacquiao he was outboxing him with relative ease until getting careless in the 8th and taken out with that left against the ropes.

That is one of Pacquiao`s better wins IMO, moreso than either of his victorys of Morales for example who was a mere shell of his former self whereas Sasakul was in his prime. As for how a fight between Arbachakov and Too Sharp would unfold, I would favour Yuri`s steady unflappable style, straighter punching and jabbing edging out Mark`s unorthodox more reflexive style, speed and explosiveness in a close bout.

 

S_S,

About the e-mail you sent me concerning those fights, check your pms.

 

Do you mean his style, as in the sense that he let the fight come to him? Or that he himself was slow? When he unleased his hands he was vicious, good speed to me, slipped punches well(though he took them as well) and returned them accurately. I don't consider him slow at all.

 

Gotcha :good

 

I actually meant that he was slow and ponderous RELATIVE to some other guys that I was thinking of that could outbox him. If we are speaking flyweights in general no he is not slow and ponderous. He has very good speed and reflexes, just not as good as some other elite flyweights.

 

RB,

Yes, Yuri is one of boxing hidden gems. Most modern day historians hold him in high esteem, and that's saying a lot since they tend to favor old timers, not fighters active in the 1990's.

PS: Did you check your PM?

 

Thirded. Watanabe is terribly underrated these days, but a lanky, well-schooled boxer with solid power in either hand would likely have done quite a number on someone like Galaxy.

 

Galaxy was a very exciting fighter he was very physically strong and powerful and an excellent straight left. Didn't have the greatest boxing technique but his record shows he knew how to get the job done Kaokor Galaxy is bro was also a world champion making them the first twins to hold titles. I also enjoyed his fights and he is worshipped in Thailand all the young Muay Thai fighter look up to him Yodsanklai claims Galaxy is his idol.