Rank the Middleweights! Briefly synopsize why!

Paul Williams got outboxed by QUintana, and then KO'd him in one round. . . They happen, and IMO it's not the best way to judge a fighter. . .

I'll take his performance with Ouma as the best indication thus far of his potential. . . This was against an Ouma who had NO BUSINESS ever fighting at 160 (should prolly have stayed at 147; or been a small 154 pounder), and who fought like 7 times in the past 5 years, losing 5 of those fights. . .


I saw a Golovkin who relied too much on brute force, and power, rather than finesse, and boxing skills. . . He looked slow, unbalanced, and awkward.


I HAVE NOT written him off 100%, but BASED on what I've seen (@ the professional level), he doesn't deserve to be ranked higher than maybe 6-8th. . .


I respect ya'lls opinions about him being this good and whatnot, and I HOPE that he is - we need all the more depth at 160 to bring back the glory to one of boxing's perennial glory divisions. . . Some GREAT fights to be made there over the next few years. . . But as of now, my opinion differs on where he stands.

 

It did look like his timing was coming together at the end of the fight when he KO'd Ouma. . . And you're right, Ouma is a tough little ******* - got a cement block for a head. . . But it just seemed like Golovkin was relying too much on power, and his speed when put in perspective didn't look very good. . . One guy I know who has been a hardcore follower of Golovkin since the amateurs, says his trainer Abel Sanchez is taking a wrong approach with him, and he needs to either dump him, or make adjustments. If he could make 154, he'd be all the more effective, and deadly.

I agree with you about Martinez. . . And I actually think Golovkin might ahve the best chance to expose Sergio (and I think they know this) because of his style. . . If he can avoid geting hit on the way in, he would eat Sergio alive. . .

I also LIKE Golovkin, and his style. . . And I want to see him get a fight with one of the best MW's soon. . . I think HBO will be interested in televising him as well. He's very big amongst the hardcore fans.

 

I hope so. . . From what I heard, Pavlik didn't cut weight or anything, and just walked into the fight at 170 against Jaco. . . He can still make 160, and do it healthily now. . . If he can get back to the old Pavlik who throws 40+ jabs a round, and 70+ punches a round, then he's a danger to ANY MW. . . Including Sergio in a rematch. . He was outboxing him, timing him with his jab, AND was fresh outta rehab (LITERALLY!) Hands down Pavlik has the hardest jab, and straight right hand @ MW. . . Still weary about guys who utilize lots of lateral movement, and in-out movement, and are very fleet of hand and foot.

If Pavlik does decide to fight at 168, he'll be fine. . .

Same with Taylor. . . Unlike Pavlik, 168 is all wrong for him. . Too vulnerable to power punchers. Don't know about him stepping in the ring with a guy who has world class power like Pavlik. . . Especially in that right hand, which he is very susceptible too. . . Hopefully he has made some adjustments, though!


Both these guys still have sooooo much left!

 

I thought Murray could have got the decision. . . It was close, and if he got a draw in Germany, then that tells you all you need to know.

He does hit hard - you could tell the difference between the punches of a guy like Macklin, who has above average power, and then Sturm's punches. . . He's not world class in the power department, but he has very good power. . He has good timing, especially with his jab, and throws very straight, accurate punches as well. . . But his base hand, and foot speed is comparable to a guy like Cotto - better tahn average, but leaves a lot to be desired.

 

His longevity at hte weight places him around number 3 IMO. . . He's one of the more "underrated, overrated" fighters, if that makes sense. . . He is definitely a top 5 MW. Lol, but that's the fun of debating pugilism, everybody has different perspectives, and opinions because it's so subjective.

If he beats Zbik, he solidifies his place there. . . I think Zbik might outpoint him, though. . .

 

Looks like my ranking of Sturm @ 3 proves correct

Stopping Zbik?! Not too shabby!

 

I agree. . . That's why I have him at 8. . .

Lol, but I guess the same argument might apply to my having Pirog at 2. . . I just think that icing of such a young, fast, dangerous guy like Jacobs was impressive. . . I'm still probably making waaayy to much of a "jump" in assuming his abilities.