Don't really see his named mentioned very much, but I've been quite a fan of this guy ever since the Contender. He hasn't been too active since the finale, but he's got an upcoming fight at the Quebec Casino headlined by himself and a couple other impressive Canadian locals. Just decided to warm the name a little bit, he's not really discussed to much on the ESB but he's as impressive as any of the contenders in the division and at 34 the window could be closing for a title shot. Drop your thoughts, what would be his best moves to advance to a title shot??
hey, just for trivia sake- he played John Henry Lewis in "Cinderella Man", and he played the younger Samuel L. Jackson in "Ressurecting the Champ"....
Starting knocking out people left right and center! This guy isnt busy enough. Its dissapointing really. Anybody.
He looked great on the show... But it's hard to say how he stacks up vs the likes of Adamek, Cunningham etc. I hope he stays busy and gets a little recognition... because winning that show dos'nt seem to have done much for him. (Like you say, you never hear his name) He's a southpaw, good all-around skills, good power, always in great shape. I'd say he's a worthy condender. *Not sure how his chin will hold up vs the top dogs at cruiserweight... (I still remmber the sight of him getting KTFO with headgear on at the Olympics. Ouch!) But that was then, this is now. I think he's capable of getting a shot and maybe picking up a belt if things go his way in his next couple fights.
I think he also played Floyd Patterson in Phantom Punch. Dude should get off the sets and into the ring; he was damn good in The Contender, and should be way more high profile than he is at the moment.
I think his acting is impinging on his activity. He's setting himself up well for life after boxing (has a clothing business he runs as well), but he seems to have sacrificed the momentum Contender may have given him. When the Ademak/Gunn fight happened, my first thought was "why not Ross"? I have no idea if he was approached (maybe "lefty with power" makes him an unpopular voluntary), but I certainly thought him more deserving.
Ah, the Contender curse. Other than Mora, not a single tournament winner has had a significant fight, let alone a title shot (and Mora's a lesser p4p fighter than both Bika and Ross IMO). TOC are terrible promoters. :deal
Alfonso Gomez fought Miguel Cotto. Steve Forbes fought DLH. Peter Manfredo fought Joe Calzaghe. Ishe Smith fought Danny Jacobs. I'd say all those are pretty significant, and two were title shots. EDIT: You DID say tournament winner, so in that case you're right... but I'm pretty sure TOC was promoting some of these other guys as well. But overall, yes, they are pretty terrible promoters. I remember Gomez in particular being very glad to get out from under them a few months back.
