Keith Long: Underachiever or overachiever

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 07 Jan 2008, 13:43

Do you think Keith Long did as much as he could with his career, or not enough, or do you think he did more than expected?

Overachieved? He was an effective but basic brawler of whom little was expected, so to see him get two title shots was a surprise.

Underachieved? If he was "looked after" better, he might have had more fights and therefore a nicer-looking record, which perhaps would have prepared him more for the title shots when they came. Look at his record - hardly an easy one on there.

I tend to think he overachieved, as he traded on little more than hard work and not much skill. But given that he achieved what he did in so few fights, I think he would have been better if he'd been more active.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 07 Jan 2008, 13:46

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 07 Jan 2008, 13:53

I think he under achived, up untill he got tired he was very competitive with Danny Williams until he ran out of gas (this was a younger fitter williams) had he been full time and been protected a bit then he'd probably have got as far as being british champion.

Podmore_Birmingham · Post by **Podmore_Birmingham** » 07 Jan 2008, 13:53

Over, certainly.

Keith was just a tough kid with a big heart and a decent chin. He wasn’t powerful and his skills were average. That said, he didn’t have much (if any) of an amateur career and did well to get where he did, beat who he beat, with his talents. He'd probably say the same.

Always wanted to see him fight Pele Reid – to see if he could absorb P’s punches.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 07 Jan 2008, 13:55

Podmore_Birmingham wrote:Always wanted to see him fight Pele Reid – to see if he could absorb P’s punches.

And vice versa!

Podmore_Birmingham · Post by **Podmore_Birmingham** » 07 Jan 2008, 14:00

oliverfennell wrote:
Podmore_Birmingham wrote:Always wanted to see him fight Pele Reid – to see if he could absorb P’s punches.
And vice versa!

Certainly.

Although Pele is perceived as chinny – and i've no doubt he doesn’t own an iron-chin (a Eubank chin) – he did say the loss to Julius Francis was down to the fact the Ingles insist on body sparring.

He said the first time he'd took a real clump on the chin in boxing was against Francis. He didn’t know what to do.

Pele was rocked in one of his comeback fights, by the way, against Roman Suchoterin. Reid's legs were all over the shop in that fourth session.

I ‘d forgot about Keith’s performance against Danny Williams. He certainly showed mettle and a decent amount of ability in that.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 07 Jan 2008, 14:13

Podmore_Birmingham wrote:Pele was rocked in one of his comeback fights, by the way, against Roman Suchoterin.

I heard Pele was rocked on a family picnic last summer when a butterfly flew past and brushed its wing against his jaw.

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 07 Jan 2008, 14:20

i think keith under achieved, when you think the likes of mike holden won the british title and mickey steeds fought for it !!

keith would beat the 2 of them and john macdermott on most days of the week.

he was a nice brawler, perhaps he could have made the cruiser limit now its 200 as he was never a big heavyweight.

but how on earth did he get beat on points against mccafferty and how did he lose on points to colin kenna FFS.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 07 Jan 2008, 14:29

rhino222 wrote:i think keith under achieved, when you think the likes of mike holden won the british title and mickey steeds fought for it !!

keith would beat the 2 of them and john macdermott on most days of the week.

he was a nice brawler, perhaps he could have made the cruiser limit now its 200 as he was never a big heavyweight.

but how on earth did he get beat on points against mccafferty and how did he lose on points to colin kenna FFS.

McCafferty was, believe it or not, a very good amateur, and there was reasonable expectation surrounding him when he turned pro. Holden beating him was considered an upset at the time. He actually had ambition when he fought Long.

As for Kenna, I think Keith has come to the end of the road, and as usual was coming in off a long layoff.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 07 Jan 2008, 15:37

oliverfennell wrote:
rhino222 wrote:i think keith under achieved, when you think the likes of mike holden won the british title and mickey steeds fought for it !!

keith would beat the 2 of them and john macdermott on most days of the week.

he was a nice brawler, perhaps he could have made the cruiser limit now its 200 as he was never a big heavyweight.

but how on earth did he get beat on points against mccafferty and how did he lose on points to colin kenna FFS.
McCafferty was, believe it or not, a very good amateur, and there was reasonable expectation surrounding him when he turned pro. Holden beating him was considered an upset at the time. He actually had ambition when he fought Long.

As for Kenna, I think Keith has come to the end of the road, and as usual was coming in off a long layoff.

The Long fight was one of Colin's better fights by the sounds of things, he just caught him on a good day.

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 07 Jan 2008, 16:21

I think he may have under acheived, who can forget when he had Williams hanging on for dear life in one of the middle rounds when he landed that monstorous uppercut.

But on the whole boxing was never his number 1 priority in life, doesn't he run a very successfull stone mason/building company?

The Kenna fight was supposed to be truly awful with lots of holding, mauling etc. Don't know why Keith took that fight, maybe he saw it as his last one and thought he would win, who knows.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 08 Jan 2008, 03:58

I was ringside for the Williams v Long fight, I had Williams a very clear winner but Long was competitive in EVERY single round and I warmed to him and Dany that night.

It was after Danny had signed for Lion Promotions I think, I think that was who I applied for press creds to, from hazy memory.

Cracking fight. I dont think Sprotty would have beaten Long that night.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 08 Jan 2008, 05:43

Keith Long drinks in my local. He tried to cherps my missus a few weeks ago.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 08 Jan 2008, 08:57

Whats your local James?

Hope you battered Keith Long for the insult.

I wish he had been more active, he'd of done better. Hard man.

Anyone got his fight with Mike Holden?

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 08 Jan 2008, 09:02

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Keith Long drinks in my local. He tried to cherps my missus a few weeks ago.

What does "cherps" mean?

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 08 Jan 2008, 09:04

Reminds me of the old Parkinson tale, when reporting to his Dad that Muhammad Ali had given him some stick and become angry for the Barnsley chop's use of the Koran's text to try and prove a point.

Irritated by the guests' lack of respect, Parkinson Snr said

"I hope you stuck one on him!?"

Or words to that effect.

Aye lad.

harrygreb · Post by **harrygreb** » 08 Jan 2008, 09:39

chat shows should be allowed to turn into brawls in my opinion.
in fact hosts should be chosen for their pugilistic abilities and quick annoyance level rather than any poncey small talk skill. we viewers deserve nothing less from television companies.

bridportboxer · Post by **bridportboxer** » 08 Jan 2008, 10:06

harrygreb wrote:chat shows should be allowed to turn into brawls in my opinion.
in fact hosts should be chosen for their pugilistic abilities and quick annoyance level rather than any poncey small talk skill. we viewers deserve nothing less from television companies.

My dream show, Jeremy Kyle shouts in Nigel Benns face for his infidelities, Benn chases Kyle who hides behind his bouncers - course Benn hammers them cos he could have four or five blokes even when he was a kid, Benn gets hold of Kyle and breaks his scrawny little neck.
I have too much time on my hands today.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 08 Jan 2008, 12:34

Probably was achieved his potential. He wasn't as talented as say Julius Francis - but he could handle himself and while was only going to be a short term champion at best... he did warrant the two shots.

Mind you, I think he was always better than Michael Holden who did win the title.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 08 Jan 2008, 12:41

He probably got it about right. He was very basic but the division domestically is poor. He was a rung or two below Williams, Sprott etc....even Gammer.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 08 Jan 2008, 13:13

Captain Hook wrote:He probably got it about right. He was very basic but the division domestically is poor. He was a rung or two below Williams, Sprott etc....even Gammer.

"Even" Gammer? Woulda thought he was your favourite heavyweight ever, and would have no ill spoken of him.

Or would that be Neville Meade?

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 08 Jan 2008, 13:23

It would have been interesting if Long could have fought under the Cruiser limit. It was always going to be difficult for him to make an impact at HW given his relatively small size especially as he was a late starter and worked (plasterer??) pretty much throughout his career as I recall.

I'd say he overachieved considering the above

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 08 Jan 2008, 15:19

oliverfennell wrote:
Captain Hook wrote:He probably got it about right. He was very basic but the division domestically is poor. He was a rung or two below Williams, Sprott etc....even Gammer.
"Even" Gammer? Woulda thought he was your favourite heavyweight ever, and would have no ill spoken of him.

Or would that be Neville Meade?

You were my fave until you retired.....beaten by Wayne Wheeler's fat cousin