The Contender - Australia

Hi guys, just want to talk a little bit about the Contender Australia and vent some of my frustrations with the show. I have been a regular reader of these forums for a long time, but have never felt the urge to actually post until now.

Firstly, I must say that I do enjoy the show and love to see a fighters psyche before a fight. I think the concept is great for Australian boxing and is really giving some of these guys great exposure.

Now to my frustrations... Like EVERYONE (besides the judges) I feel that Junior was absolutely robbed against Oganov and felt absolutely gutted for him as I feel he fought brave and aggressive and thoroughly deserved the win. Before I go on, I also feel that Nader was gifted a decision (the fight was a lot closer than juniors but still feel Les did enough). I also feel that Clenshaw was gifted the decision in his fight against Israel (although this fight could be argued for either fighter so can live with this)

I think that all of the 'CONTENDERS' ( I use this term loosely) are weak as **** for bringing back Israel Kani to fight against Garth Wood instead of either Les or Junior and feel that this is where the show had an opportunity to make up for **** decisions and get it right and THEY DIDNT. Israel shouldn't have been an option to be given another shot, this chance HAD to go to Les or Junior for the show to save face.

Now I dont get caught up in the bull**** theory that Mundine had something to do with it. I mean he's good and got some pull, but for ****s sake he aint running the contender, he's just the carrot at the end. Now of all of the 'CONTENDERS' I honestly don't think ANY of the fighters left have a chance against Mundine.

My reasons why: Oganov is WAYYYY toooo slllloooooowwww for Choc, this would be a very very wide UD possibly late stoppage win to Mundine.

Clenshaw (who I like a lot and respect his honesty- was the only guy to say to Vics face that he lost to Junior and was the only one who voted for Junior to come back.) But I don't see him having any of the necessary tools to beat Mundine, think he would take a lot of punishment before a mid to late round stoppage.

Nader - well we all know what happened last time and Nader has definately lost a couple of steps since then. (even though Mundine has too, I just dont think Nader can change enough to make any difference in a rematch)

Garth Wood - proved he has a bit of ticker against Kani and some decent power, but is way too green for Mundine. I think Choc would really batter and bash Wood before a mid round stoppage. He got caught by a lot of leather against Kani, just that Kani didnt have enough pop to do anything with it.

Jungle - Sloppy and doesnt seem to have much pop in his shots, throws wild and very wide shots and I really feel like Mundine would stop him late, after a lot of accumulation of punches.

MacKinnon - Seems like the boxer out of the bunch. But I watched what Geale did to him and just feel like Mundine would be too polished for him and could maybe stop him, if he didnt though he would win a wide UD. ( I have to say though that I think MacKinnon is being very careful in who he fights and I hope Clenshaw knocks him out)

Lastly Kariz - I honestly think out of everyone left, that Kariz has the best chance against Mundine. He is tall, strong and seems to be well grounded in his boxing skills. We all know Mundine struggles against Taller fighters who are stronger than him. I do think that Kariz leaves himself open to a good counter puncher and the jury (for me) is out on his chin, after being Koe'd in the 2nd round against Oganov last year. (Although I havent seen the fight or the punch, but we do know that Vic CAN BANG).

All in all, I just want to say that I love the show and think it's great for our fighters to get exposure, but feel like the BEST boxers on the show are no longer there. Thanks for reading if you took the time and please leave your comments and thoughts. Cheers

 

I like the idea of the bout being shown on the PPV card to promote the fight between Mundine and the Winner, but it sucks hard that we're going to have to fork out money to watch the conclusion of a show we've been watching for free. (well through foxtel). It's like us having to pay to watch the last episode of insert favourite tv show here...

 

Sorry I wasn't a 100% sure, had a feeling he got 2 votes but yeah, thanks for the correction.. I just hated the way the fighters who voted for Israel try and justify it, instead of saying "I'm not voting for Les or Junior because I'm **** scared and they have a chance of beating me". We all knew that Garth was voting for Israel, but I was shocked by a couple of the others. Whatever happened to trying to challenge yourself against the best? :huh

 

Mate, I ask myself a lot of questions about Mundine, but gave up trying to figure out the answers a long time ago. I 'was' one of Mundine's biggest supporters, but over the last couple of years he really lost me. Don't get me wrong, I still back him and want him to do well, but like everyone else get sick of his shoulda, coulda, gonna, neverdos... Just ****in fight someone with a pulse Choc, we all know you've got the skills and ability and it's probably what frustrates his supporters even more.

Please dont even get me started about the Mundine/Medley farce...

 

Do you REALLY think that Medley will stop Mundine, or are you just HOPING he does?

Because I honestly don't think that Medley has enough tools to beat Mundine. Mundine absolutely loves a straight, come forward boxer with not much pop. I HONESTLY think that Mundine will win a wide UD. But I don't think I will pay to watch it.. Another nothing fight for Mundine (and please please please no one say that it's not a nothing fight, it's for the IBO Junior Middleweight Title) IMO this is a nothing fight. :-(