For the really hard core amongst us: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p3qQOpOFLI&feature=related[/ame]
Fuji was strong and aggressive but his lack of boxing skill was badly exposed by Locche. He should have been atleast somewhat competitive with the physical advantages he had, but was reduced to swinging for the fences in hopes of a knockout punch. That was all he knew how to do. He was an exciting fighter for a time though, brutalizing Quatuor and Lopopolo in some of the more savage exhibitions of boxing since the bareknuckle days. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPPujvw2sdk[/ame]
These are great finds, and help put in perspective just who it was that Locche stopped to become a world champion. Fuji actually did land his Sunday punch on Nicolino, but Locche, like Jimmy Young, could take a shot as well as avoid it. He had a much better chin than these two vanquished opponents. (Come to think of it, Locche's huge cranium is not unlike those of LaMotta and Chuvalo.)
I certainly don't recall that, and I've seen the fight numerous times. He rarely landed any manner of clean punch at all, really. Carlos Hernandez did, however, which wobbled Locche badly and before the follow up put him on his ass.
Fuji came close to landing some punches, but viewing the fight in good quality one can see that Locche was prepared for them and rolled with the punches, even if he was not able to avoid them entirely. But mostly Fuji was just missing badly and was in truth clowned in a fight that would be fitting for the challengers who shut out champions thread if not for Fuji quitting.
Which champions could Paul Fuji potentially upset with his brute aggression? I imagine he would have a decent shot against anyone who is there to be hit, or can't take it. Tippy Larkin maybe? :good
Paul Fuji vs Saensak Muangsurin would have been the ugliest fight in 140 lb championship history technically. Muangsurin's thai style against Fuji's no style.
El Buija, there has been worse. But from a technical stand point Fuji is atrocious, he made up for it with crushing power.
Burns has more technical skills than Fuji could dream of, he is also much more dynamic and creative. Don't hate on fighters so much Addie. Burns is a solid fighter, he didnt deserve his chance but he took it with both hands. Much like Fuji IMO.
Fuji lands a big right hand 30 seconds into round seven (00:37 on the youtube timer), then again at 1:35 of round eight (04:53 on the youtube timer). Both times, the crowd reacts and Fuji tries to follow up on his momentary advantage. The first punch in particular causes Locche to dance an instant jig before regaining his balance. The second one is a well measured shot, delivered while his target's back is braced against the ropes, unlike when the first big right in the previous round. http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=0bKD7vHdvBA These two rare shots are so noteworthy that they jumped out at me when I scrutinized the footage. Nicolino does ride them out a bit, but they still connect solidly, good, hard right hands.
The first was the best of the fight for Fuji, but even then Locche was rolling his head at the last second. The "jig" was more down to a momentary loss of balance full stop than him being hurt. A small lapse in timing is all that was. The second one was a pretty clean shot, although its effect blunted by Locche's backward momentum against the ropes. One of the very few. Fair enough, then. Two good punches in 27 minutes of action.
Comb your beard. I purposefully mentioned a Scottish fighter to get a rise out of you, and it worked. ...Burn is ****, though.