Re-watching Loma-Linares

I think the combination of Linares' crazy speed and his major size advantage posed big problems for Lomachenko. In my opinion that's just about the limit of how much weight Loma can give away and still make up for it with his exceptional talent and training.

 

And let's not forget, Loma has the kind of skill-set which actually lends itself perfectly to back foot pot-shotting: incredible movement, fast feet and hands, and great timing. That step to the side pivot he has perfected is usually used by fighters trying to make the aggressor miss, not set up different angles from which to attack. The fact that Loma chooses to use his talents on the front foot and in punching range should be commended - he could make his fights much easier for him but far harder to watch for us - and the fact he takes a few more punches than he might otherwise is testament to his attacking style.

 

I also scored for John in that fight, but I don't consider him a great fighter despite him legitimately defeating a great fighter. Same with Norwood.

 

18 title defenses 48-0-3 before his first and only loss, with a win over a top ten guy of that decade. That's a remarkable record. Better than Ivan Calderon. Better than Rafael Marquez. Maybe, better than Cotto. I think he might just squeeze into a top ten list of the best fighters of the 2000s.

Norwood on the other hand, Marquez beat 8-4, and should have won that fight. I scored that not long ago too. Norwood did not impress me.

18 defenses and a win over a p4per, isn't that about what GGG has got? I was just watching Eusebio Pedroza vs Pat Ford yesterday. Pedroza has 19 defenses and John looked better with the eye test.

 

Linares kinda sucks. Overachiever.

 

Mikey ducked Linares.

 

And his thin skin

 

Dude is amazing

 

The crazy side pivot always reminds me of a younger PAC

 

Linares has always been great, just his chin and his lapses in defense let him down.

 

Two robberies right there

 

Loma stole that from Pac.

 

Good stuff :good:

 

Just one. Marquez beat Norwood but lost to John fair and square.

Marquez vs Norwood

R1 10-9 Norwood Feel em out round. Lotsa circling. JMM better footwork and defense, but not letting his hands go. Norwood pressing the action, missing more than he lands, but ultimately landing slightly better than Marquez.

R2 10-8 Norwood Norwood lands a left hand and knocks Marquez down. Marquez up at the count of two. Marquez trying to fight more but Norwood keeps finding a home for his left. Marquez jabs Norwood in the stomach. Norwood complains of a lowblow. (The knockdown was set up by a stunning blow as Marquez came in followed with a push from the forearm.)

R3 10-9 Marquez Marquez chasing being the aggressor. Norwood moving side to side, retreating. Marquez unwilling to commit unless Norwood fires back. Wants to pressure Norwood so he can counterpunch without initiating exchanges.

R4 10-9 Norwood Accidental headbutt opens a cut on Norwood. Norwood lands a few sloppy power punches while Marquez doesn't land much of anything.

R5 10-9 Marquez Marquez the aggressor going forward. Not a lot landing. Norwood moving backwards making Marquez miss a lot. Marquez needs guys to come straight toward him to be effective.

R6 10-9 Norwood So little landed or even attempted. I'm giving the round to Norwood for effective defense since his defense was better than Marquez' offense.

R7 10-9 Norwood Fighters stinking out the joint. Norwood wins the round by landing three good wallups. Marquez punching air.

R8 10-9 Marquez Marquez open to left crosses like he has been all night. Marquez stuns Norwood. Norwood catches himself with a glove without going all the way down to the canvas. Joe Cortez, the stupidest ref in the world, rules it no knockdown.

R9 10-8 Marquez Norwood showing good headmovement avoiding so many of Marquez punches just by bending at the waist. Too bad Pacquiao didn't do that. Norwood is a southpaw like Pac. Norwood ducking under Marquez' punches goes too low, falls over, grabbing Marquez legs. Joe Cortez rules it a slip. Then Marquez lands a two punch combination that puts Norwood down for real at the end of the round.

R10 10-9 Marquez Marquez opening up a little more and finding the target a little more. Norwood jumping back.

R11 10-9 Marquez Norwood slips then Marquez chases him around then Marquez slips.

R12 10-9 Marquez Norwood being negative falling down twice.

7-5 Juan Manuel Marquez

 

This. Loma waits till the late rounds to sit down on his punches. Sometimes his opponents quit before he has a chance to ko them.