Just in case it has slipped under people's radars, Jamie Pittman (14-0 7KO ) takes on Tshepo Mashego(15-7 9 KO) at the Davistown RSL. It's for the WBA Pan African title, which if Mr Business wins, will further help his cause in the WBA rankings, along with his PABA strap. I think Mashego is a solid opponent. He's coming off a close decision to Vince Vuma who is no slouch, and has faced Felix Sturm in the past. A good hit out for Pittman.
2nd fight at middle for Pitty, not a bad opponant but a guy of his class should really be stepping up soon. If has Sturm in his sights he just has to be more ready. This topic has been touched on before but I would like to see and also I see the point of a Pittman vs Soliman matchup in early 08. Lets hope something like that is in the pipeline for either fighter.
No mate it won't be. Taylor v Jungle Boy is on. Different card. Don't see how you could call it that. The guy is an experience fighter. Each to their own.
Excellent. I really rate Pittman as a fighter. I think he will be very awkward and tough to beat, and he seems to be improving with every fight. This is a good match for him. His speed is world class, and thats what will make him so difficult, when combined with his southpaw stance. I think he would be a very live underdog vs Sturm. Sturm needs to really be in close to be effective, and lives off the jab. Against a quick southpaw, the jab will be mostly negated, and Pittman will not allow him to use his turtle shell defense in close quarters.
Sam Soliman would be a great opponent for Jamie Pittman come early next year. I think Pittman can go really far at Middleweight. His handlers have managed him quite well IMO. Giving him some hard Thai's early on & gradually stepping up the level of his opposition. Next year will be a make or break year for Pittman.
I think he has been managed well also. Fighting guys like Sherrington, and the fighter who beat him at the olympics have been good match ups. Probably not the best records, but tough fighters who show up to win, not just for a pay check.
The more I see of Pittman the more impressed I become. He seems to be adapting to the pro game very nicely now. IMO the best prospect that Australia has at the moment.
I have him at number 23 Pound4Pound out of all Aussie boxers. Expect him to get close to top 10-15 by next year IMO.
On resume YES. On talent or ability I would definitely have him higher. I would love to see some more of his fights to form a more accurate opinion. He will never be a KO artist, and to a degree he is one dimensional, but its a GREAT one dimension. He actually reminds me of Kessler the way he fights off the jab cross so much, and is so quick in and out.
Top 25 Aussie Pound4Pound 1. Anthony Mundine 2. Vic Darchinyan 3. Michael Katsidis 4. Paul Briggs 5. Danny Green 6. Lovemore N'dou 7. Gairy St Clair 8. Sam Soliman 9. Sakio Bika 10. Naoufel Ben Rabah 11. Jackson Asiku 12. Ranee Ganoy 13. Hussein Hussein 14. Kali Meehan 15. Daniel Dawson 16. Shannan Taylor 17. Nadel Hussein 18. Nader Hamdan 19. Victor Oganov 20. Billy Dib 21. Daniel Geale 22. Robert Medley 23. Jamie Pittman 24. Allan Luxford 25. Ben Crampton Just outside - John Cotterill Jnr, Les Sherrington, Chad Bennett, Fatai Onikeke, Dean Byrne
Good list. Kali Meehan is overated though IMO. Still, based on resume I can see why he is there. Taking Lamon Brewster the full 12 and almost winning is pretty impressive.