Light Middles.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 17 Jul 2004, 09:37

Well I know this topic has been discussed extensively, but I am adding a little spin on it which I think might cause a discussion.

We all know that a few years ago, the Light Middles where hyped up as being our best devision with about 5 of 6 fighters apparently on the fringes of world class and with the potential of Neil Sinclair possibly adding to that list. We all know that Roberts, Williams, Takaloo, Farnell, Lockett, Alexander, and Jones were all looked as potential world contendors and the likes of Dixon, Moore, McDonagh, Samuels, Logan and Macklin considered very strong domestic level fighters.

All that has changed of course, but looking at the recent performances of these Light Middles I am now thinking is light middleweight one of our WORST devision in terms of talent. Like our heavyweight there it can still be a potentially exciting devision because the fighters are still close to each other - but I think there many devision in which the top fighters have more of a chance of making the grade at a higher level.

Takaloo has been exposed by a solid but limited fighter, Williams might not ever return after getting a pasting by Martinez, Alexander exposed, Moore got humilated by again another limited fighter, Jones beaten by Moore.

We are on about them fighting each other and indeed it is now the only way forward - I can't see any of them reaching European level, let alone any further. It is quite possible now that the best of the bunch is McDonagh, which is saying something for the talent of the rest of them.

There are not many other devisions (infact only Heavyweight) in which there are a no fighters capable of reaching European title level. Infact, given the global lack of depth in the Heavyweight devision, I would say there is more of a chance of Skelton, Sprott, Williams, and Harrison reaching a higher level than the light middleweight boys.

So whilst there is no doubt there is a good depth of similar level fighters, I believe Light Middleweight is our worst devision in terms of talent - anyone prepared to discuss.

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 17 Jul 2004, 11:34

Don't know about it being one of the worst divs but it certainly looked better than it actually was/is for a while, but of course that's because they weren't fighting eachother

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 17 Jul 2004, 12:18

Yes, you must really question the level of opposition when they were considered potential world level fighters. Without meaning to disrespect the likes of Monterio, Melis, Duran and Facey (the guys who upset the applecart) these are hardly world class fighters. This just shows to me that there isn't a European title class of fighter in the devision - its the only devision in the UK where this is the case and therefore my reasoning for it being the worst devision.

Williams losing to Martinez isn't too bad, because Martinez looks like an excellent fighter - but what is Williams' future? At 32 it looks unlikely he is going to get much futher. Perhaps I'm doing him a disservice by saying he's not to European title level, because I believe Martinez is a class above that - but the rest.

People have been saying the Middleweight devision is poor and outside of Eastman I agree, but Eastman is still flying the flag at a European level - there is nobody at Light Middle.

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 17 Jul 2004, 12:27

I don't think welterweight is much better.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 17 Jul 2004, 12:32

Looking at the Light-middles in Britain exposes really how much SKY overrates it's fighters and how most of FW's fighters are brought along on a diet on journeymen... usually from lower divisions too.
How many of these talented Light-Middles have been exposed by natural Welterweights?.... quite a few.
We have the likes of Farnell and TAkaloo going around calling themselves ex-world champions when in all honesty with all respect to both, neither is above domestic level.
What should have happened was that these guys should have fought eachother, then one of them may well have developed into a fullblown world class boxer... as it is they have all fallen down one by one through a mixture of a lack of talent but also a lack of decent challenging competition.... boxers brought up on a diet of easy pickings invariably fail when faced with a fighter who has simular talent and more experience in the trenches.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 17 Jul 2004, 14:55

Silkov, clearly FW wasn't the only promoter of these fighters - I think that is a point the should be clarified. Steve Roberts, Richard Williams and a few others were not Sports Network fighters.

As for the Welters it did cross my mind, as did Bantamweight (sorry Dale - for now) and Heavyweight. However, I think that despite his critics, some of Jawid Khaliqs wins have shown he could certainly compete at European title level and I'm sure James Hare too can come again. Also, with Eamomn Magee possibly returning (although a long way off) well, he most certainly is European title class for the weight.

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 17 Jul 2004, 16:38

stujones wrote:Silkov, clearly FW wasn't the only promoter of these fighters - I think that is a point the should be clarified. Steve Roberts, Richard Williams and a few others were not Sports Network fighters.

As for the Welters it did cross my mind, as did Bantamweight (sorry Dale - for now) and Heavyweight. However, I think that despite his critics, some of Jawid Khaliqs wins have shown he could certainly compete at European title level and I'm sure James Hare too can come again. Also, with Eamomn Magee possibly returning (although a long way off) well, he most certainly is European title class for the weight.

Put it like that and I agree. My perspective was that although welterweights include Khaliq and Hare (and hopefully Magee again) the depth was not as strong as the number of good domestic level fighters at light-middle although on second glance I'm probably wrong.