The WBO, Stephen Foster et al

[DavidPayne]

Got to love the good ole WBO, Foster has had one fight since losing to Arthur a year ago beating a fella with 7 wins and 76 defeats and now gets Cook.

Foster's best win? Simpson 3 years ago? Jim Betts?

I enjoyed his attempt against Arthur, and though its unsurprising this fight has been pu ttogether this is no more than an voluntary British title fight masquerading, I know I'm preaching to the converted but fkk me blue.

This is dog-shit dressed as a big-mac aint it?

Its ok though, Foster is adamant he's improved since Arthur....well they say its all learnt in the gym dont they.

[jomothepure]

A farce, although to be fair better than some other possibles, such as #14 (or #158 if you go by boxrec) Likar Ramos. http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hu ... &cat=boxer whom I fear will be dropped out of the rankings to accomodate Foster. Perhaps Ramos and James Nesbitt could fight for #15th?

[overhand_right]

The WBO has been doing this shit for 19 years now.

Why are you surprised?

The WBO is a meaningless belt. You can hold it a decade and only ever face 1 or 2 mandatories, and otherwise defend against boxers who are unranked anywhere else.

[Autobarn]

World British Organisation

[Wales]

What was the reason for his last pull out in the end? Did it get reported? Wasnt he considering retiring after that?

[Lenny]

Was it a fight with Femi that Foster dropped out of with no real excuse at the last minute a couple of months back?

[Autobarn]

Britain's only world champion!

[Wales]

Was it a fight with Femi that Foster dropped out of with no real excuse at the last minute a couple of months back?

it was with femi, but I think there was an excuse,... sorry, a reason. Just dont think it made the public domain, but im not sure.

[Lenny]

Would people rather Burns or Foster?

Looks like SN are gonna do their best to keep Britain's only world champion in house

[pm]

He also dropped out of a fight with Derry Matthews didn't he?

[bennie]

Dagenham dynamo Nicky Cook makes the first defence of his WBO super-featherweight title against Salford's Stephen Foster on the big Khan-Fagan bill in London on December 6.
The lean, stiff-hitting, neat-boxing Cook wrested the title with a shock but unanimous decision over Edinburgh stalwart Alex Arthur - who has beaten Foster - in September in Manchester. It was only Nicky's second fight at the weight, after nine worthy years at featherweight, and he proved a revelation as he outworked the flat-looking Arthur and finished much the stronger of the two. Some fighters really struggle when they move up in weight; others, make it look easy. Cook dominated the usually big-hitting Arthur, who struggled to make the weight and fought as if he had boiled down one time too many. "Amazing" Alex certainly struggled to outscore Foster over 12 thrilling rounds late last year - but the fact remains, Cook beat the man who beat Foster. On paper it gives the 29-year-old champion the edge.
The 28-year-old Foster can fight. A stocky, strong, deceptively quick fellow, he scored a nice 12-round decision over Greenock's John Simpson back in 2006 at York Hall, later to lift the British featherweight title, and sparked Colombia's Livinson Ruiz with a beautiful left hook in 10 rounds a year earlier for the lesser WBU featherweight belt. Weight problems and a one-sided defeat to Liverpool's then streaking Derry Matthews forced him up a weight and he took on Arthur in his own Edinburgh last December and climbed off the floor in the ninth round (body shot) to drop Arthur in return in the 11th with a big right hand. It went to the points, and Arthur nicked it.
Foster deserves this crack on his Arthur effort alone, which really paved the way for Nicky's shock win. Steve was given no chance beforehand, a 14-1 outsider.

[chinny]

Looks like SN are gonna do their best to keep Britain's only world champion in house

Not just world champion. Undisputed WBO world champion. Don't forget he beat the man who was scheduled to fight the man but didn't.

[oliverfennell]

Got to love the good ole WBO, Foster has had one fight since losing to Arthur a year ago beating a fella with 7 wins and 76 defeats and now gets Cook.

Foster's best win? Simpson 3 years ago? Jim Betts?

I enjoyed his attempt against Arthur, and though its unsurprising this fight has been pu ttogether this is no more than an voluntary British title fight masquerading, I know I'm preaching to the converted but fkk me blue.

This is dog-shit dressed as a big-mac aint it?

Its ok though, Foster is adamant he's improved since Arthur....well they say its all learnt in the gym dont they.

Remember Pat Clinton v Danny Porter?

[Shirow]

Don't forget he beat the man who was scheduled to fight the man but didn't.

Well that's what it takes to be The Man in this day and age. Assuming Nicky wins as long as he faces Mitchell next to clear up the division we shouldn't criticise.

This was truly inevitable so how disappointed can we be?

[Dioufy]

Fecking Joke. Foster didn't deserve a shot against Arthur so what's he doing with a shot against Cook?

Like people say - the WBO is a glorified British title. Fecking shambles me thinks.

[REAL_DEAL]

The promoter is just keeping the title in his camp win win for him.

[overhand_right]

The British title has more historical worth and credibility than the WBO belt.

This is the organisation who when Tyson was undisputed said 'No! Francesco Damiani is the heavyweight champion!' (you can also swap those name with Lewis and Herbie Hide in 99 and get the same ridiculous scenario)

This is a body that sat back and allowed Calzaghe to whack any number of bums during his lengthy 'reign'.

To have the likes of Nicky Cook, Alex Arthur and Stephen Foster battling it out for their belt says it all.

[Captain Hook]

Got to love the good ole WBO, Foster has had one fight since losing to Arthur a year ago beating a fella with 7 wins and 76 defeats and now gets Cook.

Foster's best win? Simpson 3 years ago? Jim Betts?

I enjoyed his attempt against Arthur, and though its unsurprising this fight has been pu ttogether this is no more than an voluntary British title fight masquerading, I know I'm preaching to the converted but fkk me blue.

This is dog-shit dressed as a big-mac aint it?

Its ok though, Foster is adamant he's improved since Arthur....well they say its all learnt in the gym dont they.

It's an absolute disgrace. Where's that guy who was going on about Cook being our only champ? Brian Moore? Would love his views on this.

[Abbo]

Why dont you all button it until the betting markets come out. Seriously, there's money to be made!!

[WildWaylon]

I think most of you would far prefer Kevin Mitchell, I know I would, Rather than Foster jnr. That would be a cracking fight and I think Mitchell has done far more to deserve the shot. Yeah the WBO doesnt appear to be a truly international title but its a lot better than the WBU, that really is a British title. Win the area title then you get a crack at the WBU, that really is stupid and scandalous. I just dont like how the WBO selects or sanctions challengers, most of the time they dont deserve a shot.

[Captain Hook]

I think most of you would far prefer Kevin Mitchell, I know I would, Rather than Foster jnr. That would be a cracking fight and I think Mitchell has done far more to deserve the shot. Yeah the WBO doesnt appear to be a truly international title but its a lot better than the WBU, that really is a British title. Win the area title then you get a crack at the WBU, that really is stupid and scandalous. I just dont like how the WBO selects or sanctions challengers, most of the time they dont deserve a shot.

Totally agree, Foster has done absolutely nothing to warrant this, other than a decent showing against an overrated AA. It's a joke.

[Datsue]

I agree it's only a British title fight with fancy wrapping, but it's not the worst 130lbs world title fight scheduled; apparently Golden Boy's Venezuelan star Jorge Linares is moving up to the same weight.

His opponent, to decide the vacant (there's that word again!) WBArseholes bauble?

Whyber Garcia.

THIS Whyber Garcia:

http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hu ... &cat=boxer

Since lasting less than three minutes with Valero, Garcia has beaten two tomato cans & been done in two by the mighty Roinet Caballero (19-7-1), at featherweight. I would back Cook any day of the week against Garcia, & (admittedly with some trepidation) also Foster.

Which kinda leaves you thinking: was Manuel Medina in cryogenic suspension, or something?

It doesn't just go on over here, is all I'm saying. I liked Linares' win over Larios, but he fights nothing but shit-cans. Awful matchup.

[Autobarn]

I think Mitchell's career has progressed in a more honest and satisfying manner. Picking up the CW belt, fighting that war with Johanesson to get the British title. I think Mitchell's a big young for this WBO title mix, because what happens when a good international foe gets put forward? When you take flush shots like Mitchell does, etc.

I think Mitchell isn't too far off beating Cook & Foster. Good domestic fights. Not good world title fights. If you don't like it, you're a purist, and we need less of them, and you know nothing about boxing!

[The_Don1]

Its quite a good thing that Nicky Cook is WBO champ, that means Mitchell won't fight him, which means in turn allegedly will have to get one of a fighters a shot at a world title which isn't a WBO version for the first time in years.

I know Calzaghe and Macca have fought for other versions of the belt, but they were unification fights. It'll be the first non-unification non-WBO title fight Wazza will have to promote for ages!

[Autobarn]

Does Mitchell have any problems making super feather? Seems big at the weight, and went through flat stages after firing impressive combos, v Johanesson.

Would rather see Mitchell and Arthur move up and get into the domestic & Euro scene at lightweight. These would be some of the best domestic fights out there (and not pretending to be something else).