Taking fighters abroad as opposed to keeping them on home turf...ESB Discussion...

A fighter has to take the chance when the opportunity arises, or at least he should, whether its at home or away. If a man is good enough to win it shouldn't matter where he fights. Some promoters/fighters should check out Ken Buchanans record, he is precisely the type of fighter that Im talking about

 

I think anything has to be measured - for example, it would have been crazy to put Kell Brook in the ring with Timothy Bradley. Too early in his career. Getting exposure and taking measured risks for fighters abroad will only enhance them. It depends whether they want the fighter to just be an unbeaten world champion or an all time great.

As an example, should Froch defeat Kessler, at that point I would argue that Froch has a greater legacy than Calzaghe. His losses abroad haven't really hurt him in many regards, he's bounced back from them and learned lessons. And he's fought fighters all over the world. That's another discussion though, just an example.

Someone like Hatton, who took on the best, depsite failing, gained more notoriety, respect and a greater legacy for fighting abroad. As opposed to someone like Cleverly, who, despite being a World Champion, will end up with a relatively forgettable career if he continues his current path

 

Frank's method gets the best results albeit against lesser opposition normally. He sums up his mentality when he says ''if i fancy the job''. It's his prerogative and fair play to him it isn't the most entertaining or bravest but his way has worked over the years but in this modern day era with internet, youtube, boxrec and various outlets he's under more pressure with the fans to test his charges to the very limit.

With regards to Eddie it's risky, it's not the most calculated. But he's trying to play his cards right with everyone and go a different direction. People forget his stable mostly is full of real fighters who want to fight the best to be the best. Barker actually went out of his way for that fight and the thing is all of them guys performed well in one way or another (Not counting the Froch fight as it wasn't Eddie's choice).

It's commendable, It's not exactly the most long term thing but he's got young lions who want to fight on HBO and in U.S and realize dreams. He also feels with good displays they can get another chance. That's one of the positives the negatives are obviously a bad loss could end a mans career physically, mentally or even both.

I think Eddie's got to find the balance and get a world title chance at home sooner rather then later for one of his lads. Maybe Frampton?. Mix it up a little, But i like the attitude and it should be commended. I want to see our boys go abroad if needs be but i also want them to get there fair share of opportunities here. Sometimes you do need to save a fighter from himself but the lads he's sent on the road haven't disgraced themselves so the faith has been repaid somewhat.

Frank is a cerebral assassin, He likes to strike at right time if it's a ''big fight'' and pass it off as a massive win but he rarely risks his men if he can get away with it. He's into building stars and he's done a great job of that over the years but Frank knows himself. He's built many of late and many have walked away all wanting to have the big fights. Sometimes the 15 title defenses goes stale on fighters.

Hatton,Calzaghe, Khan all built up under Frank and walked away all chasing bigger fights and stardom.

 

If Brook was with him no chance he fights for a meaningful title against a worthy opponent. Rees done himself no harm. Brook wins it it's a life changing fight. Fair play to them for going after it. Moving the right way under Eddie. More of the UFC style format where the "0" is not the be all and end all. The best should fight the best. Most fighters will want to test themselves and do just that. It's the promoters job to make it happen. More of the whoever whenever wherever attitude of the likes of Froch please

 

Well looking at Ricky Burns decision i think the fighters have shown there feelings. Our British boys want the top fights :happy.

 

Unfortunately,as you no doubt know Icemax,no Buchanans around these days.Ten times the talent for a fraction of the money.This is not to blame todays boxers in any way.Regarding going away,I see Barker and Rees challenge as you said ones of taking the opportunity,and having a go rather than a firm belief that they were going to win,especially from the managers point of view.No blame here,either.
Hope Murray is in the right place at the right time.He too has got to take his chance.Unbeaten,for me still a bit of an unknown quantity,against a champion who is getting on and for me slightly overrated anyway.IMO rather him than Golovkin.

 

If you claim to be world champion you should fight the best in the world and if you lose you were not that good. If the fight is a bigger draw in the states that's we're it should be.

 

He had a unification lined up AND it was Morrison who turned down the Broner fight atsch

 

Its good for fighters to travel, we would have very few good match-ups if all promoters had the FWP way of thinking.

Its not like Hearn is feeding his fighters to the wolves and damaging their careers.

Froch Vs Ward was a good fight to be made, although Ward was the favourite they are both world class fighters and the fight needed to happen to see who was the best in the division.

Barker Vs Martinez - Barker had won British and European titles so a world title attempt was the next logical step in his career. The Barkers performance in the fight has gained him more exposure and respect among fight fans, although he lost it was still a good move career wise.

Rees Vs Broner - Broner was the clear favourite in this fight but Rees was the British and European champion and former world title holder, he had only lost once before and that was to a world champion in Andriy Kotelnyk. Nice payday for Rees and he got more exposure.

VVarren needs to stop protecting his fighters and let them take a chance to move forward with their careers, all three of the fighters listed above have more respect among fight fans than the likes of Nathan Cleverly.

 

because Burns wanted a 12 week camp.

 

I’m pretty sure if Eddie was in the position to adopt Frank’s philosophy, he’d do it :deal. He had no choice but to have Froch fight and lose in the States, because Froch was bound to the S6 tournament. And he had no choice but to take Barker and Rees over there, because really, what the hell else did they have going for them? I mean, Rees going over to get bust up by Broner was the equivalent of Frank sending Murray to get brutalised by Rios. Make no mistake about it, Eddie is very similar to Frank in this regard. He too, if given the option to, would have his guys fighting safely in the UK.

 

As Morrison said they wasn't even sure if April 20th was confirmed. The show in two weeks was a fiasco and let there man down. Vasquez never seemed truly on board for the fight even with a mere 4 weeks to go having interviews with Elie and stating he wasn't sure. Morrison must of accepted the Vasquez fight so he can be defended on that one.

Defending Frank is like playing a high line. Risky game, Always give away gimmes with hands in air and ball in back of the net. Burns is obviously fed up, out of pocket due to this utter shambles and wants the big fights to actually happen not have a man's loose stomach scupper it while he grafts up in Scotland.

Edit: Ben Jacobs claiming Journo's in Mexico said the fight was never really on anyways. So that unification fight could well of been a total load of bollocks..

 

Honesty I think all young fighters should have some fights abroad even if most are in the UK. So they can get used to it, and face different types of opponents and not just the usual prospect diet of professional losers, useless Eastern Europeans and "teak tough" African imports.

 

I would say the US is the pinnacle for any fighter. Its the big time, its where the money is, the movers and the shakers. It cant get no bigger. This is where the big fights are, and as a promoter, if you are turning golden opportunity's and acceptable paydays down for your fighter to fight in the big fights in the US, then you are failing your fighter.

I can maybe understand turning down fights if they are in Russia or some far away place for little money. But the US should be a golden ticket for any fighter, and there comes a time where a world level capable fighter must take the step from domestic level to world level.