Kirks Championships : Boxing Prediction League : 2018

Yeah these fights are a killer in a tight race. a lot of the time you ignore your gut and play it safe out of fear that the guys breathing on your neck will gain ground, but then it backfires all the same because the guys behind them gain ground on you if you're to get it wrong.

 

I told you to pick Ngumbu!
I watched four or five fights of Kongolo and he looked awful. He is a former kickboxing guy and started to box as a pro couple of years ago.
Ngumbu has fought a solid opposition like Mikhalkin, Salamov, Fonfara, Mohammedi, Glaszewski or Chilemba and a lot of those defeats were really close.
Experience and skills clearly on his side + HOME TOWN factor. Built up for a pick on him imo.

I hope we get to see the fight soon.

 

I wish I listened to my gut and went with him. It's just hard when you've been playing like **** lately and are struggling to keep first place. Losing the spot over a fight like that would have been unbearable for me. Oh well! Interested in seeing the cards and the fight. I wonder how competitive it was. For the record I don't think there was actually that much of a skill advantage if at all. Mostly just size, experience and hometown advantage. Kongolo can jab alright, does some good body work etc. Ngumbu is more awkward than anything else, he's actually extremely sloppy but in a herky jerky and surprisingly effective way.

 

On Instagram they are writing something like "Great fight from Ngumbu, well deserved win"...i think it was an UD.
But i don't find the detailed score.


"Félicitations Doudou superbe combat une victoire bien méritée, bravo champion "

 

I think Kongolos biggest weakness is his defense. He is too easy to hit although he wasn't punished at all for that in his recent fights.

 

I know you like to pick late and assess the situation. I was surprise you went with Kongolo, as most middle rank posters has switched to the other side.

Regardless of how many fights each week, there are usually only one or two that really make a difference. This week is this one and maybe a little of the nurse-brubaker.
I feel for you for these 2. But hey, it's just getting so much interesting

 

I only watched his fight with Salambek Baysangurov(actually a very good amateur who's been sidelined for whatever reason) skimmed at some others. His defense at times left something to be desired but he also punched himself out in that fight and was only ever really in trouble after gassing horribly. But yeah I had zero confidence in the pick and largely went for tactical/safety pin reasons. Everything favored Ngumbu and I ****ing knew it but chose to play it safe. ****.

 

Yeah, I fell for that last year. It's hard being the frontrunner, I listened to my gut on the wrong ones and played it safe on the wrong ones as well lol

 

I was hoping the lads behind me would change and I would have jumped ship asap. Just couldn't bear losing first over such an unknown fight. I had mentally prepared for that possibility with Jack/Stevenson, but it would have been unbearable here. True. a closer top 10 puts more pressure on everyone and creates an exciting league. I'm all for it, as agonizing as it may be at times.

 

i listened to you

 

The league is really super close and exciting this year, in theory it only takes 3 or 4 league splitters for someone as far down as #12 to catch up. Last year that would've been good enough for #2 or #3 at this point.

 

Struggling to find the right balance between risks and playing it safe is the hardest(are the more demoralizing parts of this league) but also the key to success. Despite winning in 2016 and maintaining a slight league this year I don't think I've ever been that balance and it's a constant rat race for me, although maybe that's the way it's meant to be? The best risk takers in the league have to be The Anatolian and MexicanInsanity for my money.

 

Good start to the weekend, two wins and both underdog picks.

 

That would be Brubaker and Ngumbo.