Jim Rock v Jonjo Finnagan

[slapbangwhallop]

Just heard that Rock is putting the pundits mic down in a bid to become a four weight Irish champion - surely no one has ever been a four weight Irish champion!!

If he pulls it off it will be some serious achievement.

Anyone seen Finnagan fight??

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Just heard that Rock is putting the pundits mic down in a bid to become a four weight Irish champion - surely no one has ever been a four weight Irish champion!!

If he pulls it off it will be some serious achievement.

Anyone seen Finnagan fight??

Yep, know Jonj well and seen most of his fights. He has a chance. Jonjo has been chasing this fight for the last year and is delighted to get his chance – especially after being told his career was over in November. I’ll be going over to Dublin to cheer him on.

[TerribleTerry]

Seen Jonjo a few times and while he has height, reach and probably a little speed on Jim Rock he isnt the 'next coming' by any means. He is a huge ticket seller up in Burton and a really nice fellar to boot, I believe.

Not too long ago he was involved in a serious car accident although I understand he is over it now.

Quite a protected fighter in some ways (carefully matched), he made it to the ABA quater finals in the vest.

Tom Podmore will give u a good assessment of Jonjo I am sure but Rock will be in with a decent chance if he can whip himself into shape after his lay off..

[steve689]

Not sure why Rock is coming back, apart from the Irish title thing. Is he going to make an assault on a major belt? I thought he was cushy up in that RTE studio with Mick and Darragh or whatever his name is.

[metropol]

Not sure why Rock is coming back, apart from the Irish title thing. Is he going to make an assault on a major belt? I thought he was cushy up in that RTE studio with Mick and Darragh or whatever his name is.

Agreed surley now that he has the job as a pundit he dosent need to fight, unless it was a big payday then i would have thought he would of stayed retired. Is he capable of going for a big title?

[slapbangwhallop]

I asure you its not for the money - Jim is a very successful businessman and well set up - and has been known to give his purse to charity.

Jims after the belt and the belt only - four weight Irish champion - I'd die a happy man!

[metropol]

I asure you its not for the money - Jim is a very successful businessman and well set up - and has been known to give his purse to charity.

Jims after the belt and the belt only - four weight Irish champion - I'd die a happy man!

Fair enough, do you think will try an assault on a bigger belt after that ? At this stage in his career it may be a stretch.

[slapbangwhallop]

Fair enough, do you think will try an assault on a bigger belt after that ? At this stage in his career it may be a stretch.

What more would a man want apart from an Irish title - but seriously no I dont think he will fancy anything above taking down this title and then maybe a fight against Lee/Duddy/Macklin.

[Maelstrom]

If he pulls it off it will be some serious achievement.

Really??

[slapbangwhallop]

If he pulls it off it will be some serious achievement.

Really??

really what?

[TerribleTerry]

If he pulls it off it will be some serious achievement.

Really??

really what?

He is suggesting that if he pulls off a win for yet another Irish title it wont really be such a big achievement and I am in agreement on that.

The talent pool is too shallow in Ireland (or at least has been during Jim's prime years) to make this achievement particularly remarkable. Furthermore the Irish title has rarely been contested consistently and competitively over the years.

Look at the level of opposition for previous vacant tilts:

Michael Alexander
Allan Gray
Kevin Phelan

No disrespect to any of the above named fighters but its hardly a gallery of killers is it?

[slapbangwhallop]

He is suggesting that if he pulls off a win for yet another Irish title it wont really be such a big achievement and I am in agreement on that.

The talent pool is too shallow in Ireland (or at least has been during Jim's prime years) to make this achievement particularly remarkable. Furthermore the Irish title has rarely been contested consistently and competitively over the years.

Look at the level of opposition for previous vacant tilts:

Michael Alexander
Allan Gray
Kevin Phelan

No disrespect to any of the above named fighters but its hardly a gallery of killers is it?

I hear what you are saying but I disargee - to win any title let alone a national title at four different weights is a cracking achievement. The Irish title has become more and more high profile over the past five years and sure you can pick out some of the weaker challengers but the same could be done for the British titles.

Chris Edwards
Sean Hughes
John Keaton
Marc Callaghan
Tony Moran
Andy Halder

No disrespect to them but they are not exactly killers themselves!

[chris s]

Fair play to Jim but Irish titles are the equivalent of area titles.

The British title men Sligho Boy has mentioned are a league above Michael Alexander and Kevin Phelan.

Alexander and Phelan were poor and not even area level. Allan Gray was an area champion, but lost to ben hudson

[slapbangwhallop]

Fair play to Jim but Irish titles are the equivalent of area titles.

The British title men Sligho Boy has mentioned are a league above Michael Alexander and Kevin Phelan.

Alexander and Phelan were poor and not even area level. Allan Gray was an area champion, but lost to ben hudson

I respectfully disagree, but then again boxing is all about opinions!

But serious have you seen the state of some of the recent challengers for area titles over the past few years?

[nicnut]

Jonjo stands very little chance, Rock has boxed at a higher level and although is not a big puncher will stop him.

[Wales]

Fair play to Jim but Irish titles are the equivalent of area titles.

The British title men Sligho Boy has mentioned are a league above Michael Alexander and Kevin Phelan.

Alexander and Phelan were poor and not even area level. Allan Gray was an area champion, but lost to ben hudson

Lost to ben hudson!?!?!! In the words of bart simpson "aye carumba"