The only good thing I can say about Gerald Washington in this fight is... ...he's probably not going to last long enough to get really gassed. So I'm going with Kownacki within 5 rounds to stop him. In truth, I really don't see Washington as a step up from Kiladze (who can at least boast of having some actual punching power). And I don't see Washington at the level of Martin for that matter, either. Washington just kind of bounds around the ring thrusting with his jab. There's some sting to his jab but the way he throws it probably contributes to him gassing early. He's a rigidly-stand-up type of fighter with no head movement. He gets backed up pretty easily by a pressure-type fighter. He's not a guy who can get another fighter turned around - and he's not a very accurate puncher. We saw him fight a "stand 'n slug" style against Wes NoFire - and he's not particularly good at that, either. Sure he got the better of it (not least because NoFire gasses even more readily than he does) - but it was plainly obvious that NoFire hits harder than he does. And at no point - until the 10th round when NoFire just about bloody fell over due to exhaustion - did Washington really look like stopping him. More observations based on his relatively-recent fights: Judging by his fight against Miller and the 2nd half of his earlier fight against Mansour - a decent pressure fighter will take him off his game. And Kownacki is more than a "decent" pressure fighter. Even when he is allowed to execute his game - his game ain't great. The Wilder fight is a good example. Yeah, I know he should have been up at least 3-1 on Wilder in the first 4 rounds - but he did nothing to hurt Wilder.
I dont know I think Kownacki could stand to lose some weight, didnt see what he weighed here. Kownacki can throw a lot but isnt a remarkable puncher and his gas tank has limitations for his style especially carrying his baby weight Washington is the typical football player boxer. Strong and athletic but seems uncomfortable in the ring when real resistance comes. He burns out from nervous energy kind of like Berto because he isnt naturally a boxer but a guy who took it on later. I think he is tough though I lean toward Kownacki but Washington winning on points would not surprise me in the slightest
Agreed that Kownacki doesn't have *huge* power - but he throws some solid clubbing shots and his gas tank seems awfully-good despite that extra 20 or so lbs he's carrying. Washington's own power isn't mighty - he teed off on Miller at the start of the 6th round in their fight and although he had Miller covering up - he didn't really hurt him. Washington has a history of gassing - his output and his accuracy (and the latter isn't great to start with) really drop off after 4-5 rounds. You could see that even in the Eddie Chambers fight (which "mysteriously" was shortened to 8 rounds on fight night - rather than the planned 10 rounds). If Washington had a good gas tank, or if he was an accurate counterpuncher, or could get Adam turned around - then maybe, yes, he could outpoint him. But none of those apply to him. Another thing that bothers me about Washington that I didn't mention in my original post was that Washington is determined to hold his hands low like Roy freakin' Jones - despite not having great hand speed. That's a tactic that didn't work for Szpilka against Kownacki and I'm pretty sure it's not going to serve Washington well in this fight, either.
Washington's a good fighter but basic, he waits to unload a big shot while throwing non commited punches. His jab is very good but I really don't think he has a killer in him to go get it. I see it going the distance in all likelihood or a late Kownacki stoppage. Washington just may have enough movement to last. Kownacki is much more prepared then Washington, from recent opponent who was 6'5 , to activity. Washington will be with a new trainer , that doesn't always go so good in a first fight your expected to lose.
Washington has all the tools but none of the brains, and despite knowing basic movement seems to do so with two left feet.
Washington is a bigger version of Bryant Jennings. Technically solid but limited. Good jab. No movement and afraid of letting his hands go.
Kownacki is the white version of Miller imo,please don’t accuse me of anything as I hate em both equally. Maybe they both prove to be very good but way I see it they win against similar opposition and use their superior weight or fat as it were. Washington looked half decent against Wilder but so does everyone who fights WIlder till they get knocked out,expecting Kownacki to walk through Washington
kownacki and miller should take on the wilder and fury clans in a handicap match. they'd easily defeat them, in spite of being badly outnumbered.
How is washington so big and not able to put guys to sleep? I confused. He practises boxing everyday and he cant ko someone? At 6 ft 6 and muscle and lean
Miller relies on girth, Kownacki actually uses skill first. kownacki looks small next to Miller and less muscular at the same time. Who's more effective ? Miller. At least right now. Kownacki had an advantage going in that miller didn't having Miller as a main sparring partner to get all the details how to go about Washington . Anytime a fighters sparring partner has fought your opponent and recently its always an advantage.
I’m sure some of it come’s down to genetics and natural attributes(bone and muscle density) but he also never positions his feet at angles where can generate real leverage, he’s always got both right in front of his opponent.
I wouldn't be suprised if that's the last we see of Washington. He didn't look like he wanted to be there. Maybe the motivation is gone not that he was ever going to be world champion or anything but yeah, he looked done.