Your unpopular boxing opinions

Guys who get credit for being great for one night, a few fights, or whatever....It’s almost totally bull****.

 

I don't know if these opinions are unpopular but certainly controversial.

1. Jermain Taylor deserved to lose fights to Hopkins twice and Winky Wright
2. Jermain Taylor deserved a draw/close win over Pavlik in the rematch
3. Jermain Taylor actually IMPROVED marginally as a fighter after the Pavlik KO loss
3. James Toney was screwed against Montell Griffin Twice
4. James Toney vs David Tiberi was a close fight (with the wrong man winning)
5. Michael Nunn lost to John Scully

 

I think Tokyo Douglas was basically the same guy who beat Berbick and McCall.

I think Montreal Duran benefited greatly from Leonard being green and trying to be the aggressor, and would’ve lost to several of upper tier welterweight champions with solid lateral movement.

 

Call them The Axis (Germany and Japan).

Could Ali and Tyson beat The Axis?

 

My unpopular private boxing opinions I wouldnt share in public due to the heat and bans Id get...which reluctantly Ill share here with impunity due to this amnesty


Larry Holmes is so "underrated" by everyone who talks about him he's become very overrated.

Teddy Atlas is a disingenious petty conman who questions the character and bravery of fighters because deep down he knows he quit doing boxing for other than the back injury he claims.

The tv presentation of modern boxing is dire and will kill the sport for hard-core fans...why are there not more small shows on sky for example showcasing young fighters and building a,domestic scene...with 15 odd 24 hour sky sports channels why not...cedric kushners HW explosion or espn fightnight 15 years,ago were excellent small shows as were eurosport shows

I beleive the fact james toney,marlon starling,Michael nunn...are unlikely to get into training means old skool skills,will go with them

 

Not unpopular with me mate. All points are spot on in my view (though I think Holmes was still great despite being a bit overrated on occasion).

 

I agree. So they were touched by an angel for one particular ritualistic evening?

 

Watch the fight again and you might have a slightly different assessment. Leonard started out trying to box Duran but Duran was able to close the distance and counter very effectively. Leonard started to win rounds WHEN HE STARTED BRAWLING WITH DURAN in the middle rounds. Too many people on this forum keep repeating this myth about Leonard losing because he fought aggressively. Leonard fought aggressively because that was the only way he was winning rounds! Duran did struggle with lateral movement historically but Duran's quick feet and explosive counter punching was troubling Leonard early on especially.

Note: This is another unpopular opinion just for the sake of this thread.

 

Whatever dude. Maybe the stated gameplan was fabricated and Duran defecated in his trunks during the rematch.

Maybe DeJesus, Bentiez, and the no names caught him exclusively on off nights.

 

Duran relied on ambushing opponents with feints and quick feet. Duran clearly had slower feet in the rematch PLUS Leonard utilized feints with his boxing which would put Duran out of position. Those factors made it a whole different fight. It was a much worse Duran vs a much better Leonard. You take Leonard from the Rematch and Duran from the first fight, you still get a very close fight but in Leonard's favor. Notice how I credit Leonard for being better in the Rematch. Also, let's stop with the hyperbole, it comes across as childish.

 

My opinion is unchanged.

 

I don't remember that talk in any way shape or form.

Cuevas was just 22yo when Hearns knocked him out. He didn't have a great deal of fights and hadn't been boxing all that long in the big scheme of things. He was hittable but used to finish most fights quickly, often very quickly.

I wonder if was a kneejerk reaction by a few to someone finally taking him the long route. I can't find anything tho. He beat Espada (and Volbrecht) for the third time between the Shields and Hearns fights and Espada actually said Cuevas had improved from their previous outings.

 

Were you around back then? Are you an old ozzy?

 

I was just getting into boxing at the tail end of this era and was very very young at the time. I was nabbing mags left, right and center at 10 or 11 LOL. I watched Ali - Holmes live (tv) beside dad at 10. Didn't "see" Hearns - Cuevas at the time but read all the aftermath and about Pipino's comeback trail and assessments. I remember the shock when he lost to Stafford, 81's upset of the year.

I started young but didn't have the plethora of material at my fingertips like you young fellas today. I would have killed for that. You guys can come so far so fast now as obviously seen in guys like yourself. It's great.

 

Great stories man, but you didn't answer the question. Are you an old ozzy? Coz if you are, I'll be 100% honest. You'll become my favourite poster. I always see people from down under as either daft as **** or funny as ****. Or both.

Btw, I think the more personal touch that you guys had is awesome.