For some reason he didn't want to follow through with an IBF mandatory fight With unbeaten Ocampo.. is it because he doesn't want to be forced into a fight with Spence or What? Could be.
Is spence fighting peterson officially? Or are they still in talks? Im salivating over the inevitable collision course that is spence v thurman
Well, in POnomarev's defense, I do think since he's basically still a kid, and didn't have a long ass amateur career, he does need some time and featherfisted, he needs to face a few legit step ups first, to show he can hang with the big boys at WW, before being thrown immediately in the lions. Spence fought Van Heerden, Bundu, Algieri, Lo Greco before getting in with Brook, well shouldn't Ponomarev be afforded that luxury before facing Spence? If Spence pushes for the fight, shouldn't he be considered a bully that's cherry picking? Ponomarev has faced Claggett, Solomon and Zewski, and while they're all good wins, they're not quite on Bundu and Algieri's level. Ponomarev should duck this fight, he's not ready, he knows he's not ready, Arum knows he's not ready, and Spence and all of his fans should know he's not ready.
Well like Chuck said. He us with Top Rank and probably will try to go the WBO route where hed either face horn or Crawford, so he isn' ready for those fights neither? He's got over 30 pro fights and should be fighting the best guys in the division now, otherwise he could be a wasted talent down the line.
He's 25, if managed correctly, he could still have a good 5 or maybe 10 years left in him. He needs to step up definitely but he needs baby steps, he's close to ready for Spence, Crawford or Horn, but a match with Ugas, Dulorme, Dan, James or Skeete and Eggington first. Not sure he beats all of them either to be honest.
Actually I think Ponomarev was not thinking that far ahead, he was simply worried about fighting Ocampo in Mexico. Ponomarev was far from certain to even get through that eliminator IMHO.
The fact that his team dialed him back to 8 rounders after the Solomon fight tells me they don't think he's ready for the big time yet. I don't rate that as a duck. If he were holding a world title hostage or something, it'd be a different story.
Is he even remotely ready for the elite? Welterweight is stacked, so Pono needs to be guided along with caution. No need to throw him in there with the wolves yet. TR has some good inhouse fights for Pono, from which he can learn a grow. Id like to see Jessie Vargas get back in the ring.
I don't even think that is ducking; ducking means they are making excuses. They are just flat out AVOIDING, they are not even coming up with a reason. This is the second time. IT's funny, I like Ponamarev and I think a fight with Spence is 50/50. I think he's that talented. Solomon and Zewski are good.
