Different kinds of hype trains: Joshua v Ruiz an obvious choice. That train was full of casuals when it rode off the cliff. Joyce v Zhang. Small train compartment with a few aficionados who thought Joyce could even be #1. Tragic case in its own right. Whyte v Povetkin. A train with a single very enthusiastic passenger.
The Dave Allen hype train going into that Price fight had built up a lot of speed despite having to have extra carriages added for all the believers. Allen was saying he could beat Joshua, talking about World Title fights, saying he was going to knock Price out, I'll never tire of talking about that fight and the build up because it all ended so beautifully.
Kahn Prescott Fury Wilder 1, yes 1. He lost. Joshua Ruiz Cardle Barrett Ritson 1st loss Davies Taylor Eubank Groves. Eubank Smith. Rematch him you shithouse, took you 10 rounds to stop him on his feet when he was fat and multiple injuries. Groves Degale. Fancy pants suddenly on channel 5 hahaha. Price Thompson, despite the long count in the rematch. Hopkins Pavlik Calzaghe Lacy I hate hype jobs. There’s load, will post more if I can think.
Did Khan’s career really come to a shuddering halt? He went on to win and defend unified light welterweight world championships between 2009 and 2012 and made absolute millions. I reckon he can sleep well at night.
Froch v Bute for me, Bute was rated above Ward despite not taking part in the 'super six'. Was viewed as a stone cold killer, leaving Froch as a massive underdog despite being at home. He got absolutely banjo'd and was never the same again.
I don't think McMillan was hyped, he was just a promising fighter until he had problems with his collarbone. Robinson was the very opposite to hype - nobody gave him a chance against John Davidson, he was always tipped to lose when he defended yet he kept the title for a couple of years, it took Naz at his best to beat him and even afterwards he went on to become European champion.
How could I forget, Rylan Charlton, a full time chef, smashing that Geordie idiot, Joe Laws, all over the place, beautiful stuff. Laws was calling out Haney.
Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy Obviously, in hindsight, it was always an easy win for Calzaghe but at the time, Lacy was unbeaten and was being promoted in the USA as the next big thing.
Memorable perhaps for the wrong reasons but Benn v McClellan. Benn's own hype train stopped by Michael Watson's jab
Hopkins Pavlik was excellent, I remember reading the issue of the Ring before this match where Pavlik was flavour of the month and the way they were gushing about him was horrific. Old B-Hop won me a few quid that night
