Barrie Jones: prospect?

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 22 Jan 2005, 10:20

http://207.44.250.6/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=254902

Don't know about anyone else but I thought this guy looked quite good last night. He moved his hands really well and showed good focus - despite having (what sounded like) a big crowd following in only his third fight. He looked really comfortable fighting - and a class above - against a guy who would have taken him out given the chance. And, ironically, perhaps that was the biggest fault of Jones' performance: he didn't take out Handley when he had the chance (in the 2nd round). Instead the fight dragged on and Jones began to look a bit tired toward the end. Naturally, the chance for the knockout was greatly diminished because of this.

The power might be an issue, but I think it would be an overreaction to label him 'feather-fisted' right now, especially when his previous opponents have included two masters of going the distance, and a young guy that he erred (see above) against. One thing he could take away was that he was hurting Handley with single shots early in the fight. Granted, Handley was more open than John McDermott's mouth when a pie approaches, however, he would have had a contender's mindset, and the only way to rattle or KO someone like that is to really break/hurt them, which Jones almost did.

Glenn McCrory was exactly right when he said he needs to work on getting into a rhythm when he's fighting. Hopefully his trainer will help him get that sorted, as his fighting skills were quite good; the sparring in London looks to have done him extremely well so far. He was also very upright, which could give him a chin problem, but improving the lateral movement and getting into a rhythm of bobbing and weaving could make his southpaw-self tricky to hit. Plus points also on the jab.

Hope Sky follows his progress, because should he keep winning and actually improve, wildly presumptious as it sounds, I think he could be fighting for British title honours around mid-2006.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 22 Jan 2005, 13:08

Seemed okay, although looked a little one dimensional in that I'm not sure if there is a plan B. Its just "be first" and beat the guy up. What will happen when he gets pushed back, I fear it might not be good.

There is a lot of plus, punch variety and speed looked good but there was a lot to work on. Whilst a little more experienced I thought Matthew Hall looked the best prospect on the bill (apart from Doherty, who is class).

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 22 Jan 2005, 14:20

stujones wrote:looked a little one dimensional in that I'm not sure if there is a plan B. Its just "be first" and beat the guy up. What will happen when he gets pushed back, I fear it might not be good.

Good point and I agree that is a huge question mark. Saying that, perhaps learning to use that double jab on the backfoot would help him to survive such a situation.

Hope I didn't sound like I was hyping him too much. The whole reason I put a question mark in the topic heading is because I think he still has to graduate to 'prospect' status. There's so much to work on and clean up, but I think there is a 'core' there and if he becomes the finished article, he could be something very good, in my view.

Doherty's 'progression' from the usual suspects to foreign opposition was good to watch. To be honest, last night was the first pro fight of his where I've thought he looked to really 'come on'. Obviously there are still things to build on, like when he let Fleury get back into the fight, and failed to set a higher tempo to force the stoppage. Okay, the Frenchman had slow hands and was quite open, but Doherty in his post fight interview said he saw this as a step-up, so looking back at it like that he must have been a touch nervy. The good thing (in retrosect) is that he looked cool as ice, and picked his punches superbly. I'm not so sure about Nicky Piper's assumption that he has a solid chin yet. Let's wait and see with that area.

How did you see Ali - Arthur, Stu? I was shocked at the way Ali was keeping that right hand up and picking his shots. When I've saw him before he's been really scrappy, but he looked like he trained specifically for that fight last night and was 100% focussed. He rises in my estimation after last night's performance, but I still don't think he'll go anywhere near where he was first touted. The rematch would be a good fight as it was turning into a really good even matchup (don't you love 50-50 matchups?), however I noticed concern on the face of Johnny Eaves when Ali was agreeing to the rematch. Maybe he just had an itchy nose or something, though.

Arthur must do something to try and stop the cuts. Unfortunately I'm not sure it's possible because 1) he has pale, sallow skin 2) he has a very bony face 3) he already has nasty scar tissue over the eyelid. Personally, I think diet is an area too often overlooked with regard cut prevention, but with Arthur I think he may need to take a leaf out of Hatton and Vitali Klitschko's book, and see a plastic surgeon.

Darren Morgan's pro debut was enjoyable. I don't think you can read a lot into these, so when it came on I just sat back and had a laugh at all the nervous energy come out. As for Matthew Thirwall, I didn't catch that fight as the David Haye fight came on right when that one started.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 22 Jan 2005, 14:40

Manos de Oro wrote: Doherty's 'progression' from the usual suspects to foreign opposition was good to watch. To be honest, last night was the first pro fight of his where I've thought he looked to really 'come on'. Obviously there are still things to build on, like when he let Fleury get back into the fight, and failed to set a higher tempo to force the stoppage. Okay, the Frenchman had slow hands and was quite open, but Doherty in his post fight interview said he saw this as a step-up, so looking back at it like that he must have been a touch nervy. The good thing (in retrosect) is that he looked cool as ice, and picked his punches superbly. I'm not so sure about Nicky Piper's assumption that he has a solid chin yet. Let's wait and see with that area.

As for Matthew Thirwall, I didn't catch that fight as the David Haye fight came on right when that one started.

Firstly Brian Hughes was telling Doherty to calm down all of the fight every time he went to go for the kill, a shout of slow down would bellow out as if they try to get him a few rounds.

And it was Matthew Hall not Thirlwall, Hall looked good but Wicks looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights on a few occasions, Wicks called it a day after the fight with an 86 fight career and at 39, he just looked too old in there for Hall.

Arthur cut his eye in exactly the same place as last time out, I was informed of this by the doctor who actually put the stitches in. I still don't think Haider will go that far with that peek a boo style!

A great nights boxing with a very vocal crowd, Morgan looks like he could do with losing a stone or two, Kerry Hope looked good against spoiler Coleman, Jones throw some 1-2's against Handley. I'll have a full report up on the undercard up on BBN soon, but I didn't get into until just after 3am so I'm slacking today!

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 22 Jan 2005, 14:42

Two weird things I've seen so far in Handley's career he went down at Bethnal Green told the ref he was okay but didn't get up before he was counted out and then was unhappy about it, and last night he just wandered to the wrong corner at the end of one round!

Kev

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 22 Jan 2005, 15:40

I actually had the feeling that Ali was going to beat Arthur. Arthur is a nice guy (well a friend of a friend who says he's a good bloke) and I know he's already got plans for after his career. I just don't think he has the tools unfortunately to make it to British title winning level in the pro's. Often relied of fitness and toughness in the Amateurs and that is not enough for the pro's. He doesn't hit hard enough and gets caught a little too much.

I hope that Ali might continue his development and buck up his ideas now that he has this win. Although, like Arthur I fear he is more suited to the amateur ranks and will be at the same level as Arthur. However, I hope I'm wrong in both cases and might well be with Ali because this win could really see him develop into something else.

Look forward to the rematch, close fight to call - slightly favour Ali though, I think he was looking the more likely winner.