'I would have beaten prime Jones and Leonard'- Anthony Small

[sweetscience]

his confidence seems abit false too me....like he is trying to kid himself more than kd everyone else.

dont like nor dislike the kid... his last fight was pants...but the hall fight was entertaining

[dondada]

Small lost at British level, can't punch properly, and we are supposed to take his claims that he is world class seriously?

I don't think we are, are we? I even said it was funny. Just depends if you find it 'funny ha ha', 'funny peculiar' or 'funny shut up you annoying bast*rd' DD

I do find fighters who can have a bit of crack funny for the most part, though if they can't back it up that gets on my wick. I'm a big fan of Toney, Frochy, etc.

[iwz678]

Small lost at British level, can't punch properly, and we are supposed to take his claims that he is world class seriously?

I don't think we are, are we? I even said it was funny. Just depends if you find it 'funny ha ha', 'funny peculiar' or 'funny shut up you annoying bast*rd' DD

I do find fighters who can have a bit of crack funny for the most part, though if they can't back it up that gets on my wick. I'm a big fan of Toney, Frochy, etc.

Likewise, I'm a fan of big mouths who can back it up. Small is just annoying and it's also embarrassing because he's so poor that he's barely British level.

As said in the peice he only does it to sell tickets and I think it's a bit harsh he isnt British level. He's not a great fighter to watch but did a big job on Matthew Hall and there arent many better than him in Europe to be honest.

If Small is so shite, why did Ryan Rhodes pull out of fighting him and is still doing so? That fight could be made easily.

[mickey1975]

I don't think we are, are we? I even said it was funny. Just depends if you find it 'funny ha ha', 'funny peculiar' or 'funny shut up you annoying bast*rd' DD

I do find fighters who can have a bit of crack funny for the most part, though if they can't back it up that gets on my wick. I'm a big fan of Toney, Frochy, etc.

Likewise, I'm a fan of big mouths who can back it up. Small is just annoying and it's also embarrassing because he's so poor that he's barely British level.

As said in the peice he only does it to sell tickets and I think it's a bit harsh he isnt British level. He's not a great fighter to watch but did a big job on Matthew Hall and there arent many better than him in Europe to be honest.

If Small is so shite, why did Ryan Rhodes pull out of fighting him and is still doing so? That fight could be made easily.

Never sold a ticket in his life,mate.Hall was banged out by Conception in one,who has gone on to several defeats.Forget Rhodes.The guy has more respect in Bitain than Small will ever have

[DIRT SUGAR]

After beating Jamie Moore, a much more threatening proposition than Small I'd say, why should Rhodes fight him? Step backwards surely?

[1southpaw]

Small lost at British level, can't punch properly, and we are supposed to take his claims that he is world class seriously? He is a clown that nobody has respect for. Hamed, Eubank etc could all get away with being arrogant and cocky because they could back it up. small stinks out the joint and barely wins at British level (and lost to a perennial contender at that level) and still carries on like a class A t*t.

he can't be that good as he don't sell a ticket ???

[reggaereggae]

he is a very annoying knob who hasn't even got the fundamentals of punching down. he got beaten by bradley pryce for gods sakes.

Yeah, what a disgrace, losing to a seasoned, dangerous Commonwealth champion while still an up and comer.

Well it is an embarassment when you claim you could beat Jones and Leonard!

[lefthook82]

You really do have to have an 0 to make such an outlandish statement

Either way, lets hope he looks good on friday, He was godawful against Storm Boy. Complete lack of fundamentals thT FIGHT, throwing shots that would make a 4-19 fighter blush

[whicker]

...I did really enjoy his win over Matthew Hall- one of the VERY few fights recently where I have really wanted a boxer to win...

May I ask why you really wanted him to win that fight? Do you not like Matty Hall? If so, why?

Cool- happy to answer. :)

Nothing againt Hall specifically- I just happen to like Small. *Shurg* I just like his manner- I know a lot of people don't.

Small wasn't given as much credit as he deserves for taking that fight- really going into a lion's den against a tough puncher.

...I did really enjoy his win over Matthew Hall- one of the VERY few fights recently where I have really wanted a boxer to win...

May I ask why you really wanted him to win that fight? Do you not like Matty Hall? If so, why?

Probably because Hall's fans caused a lot of bother that night and put Whicker off going to the boxing again

True, but that was after the bout- I was cheering for Small during the fight, as were a lot of people in the venue (certainly at the victory.)

I do think he has a "love him or hate him" feel about him.

[JamesH]

I do think he has a "love him or hate him" feel about him.

Absolutely. The thing is, I dont think Small said anything in the build up as controversial as Halls 'I'll bite his nose off'. I like Hall and his aggression in fights, but Small would have took more stick for saying that. Personally, I think Smalls antics are generally good fun that helps build interest in the fight - even if that interest is almost exclusively amongst the purists.

[JamesH]

Well it is an embarassment when you claim you could beat Jones and Leonard!

I see your point but having reread the article I think its just a case of him not wanting to admit that anyone could beat him. The mistake was naming those two, but would we still be debating it if he had said they were both legends who would beat most people? It might not have even made the article.

If Small fought Pryce now, I'd make the Londoner a handy favourite.

[Matt W]

Small lost at British level, can't punch properly, and we are supposed to take his claims that he is world class seriously?

I don't think we are, are we? I even said it was funny. Just depends if you find it 'funny ha ha', 'funny peculiar' or 'funny shut up you annoying bast*rd' DD

I do find fighters who can have a bit of crack funny for the most part, though if they can't back it up that gets on my wick. I'm a big fan of Toney, Frochy, etc.

I agree entirely Ian. I was a huge fan of Hamed's. It took me a long while to warm to Froch but I'm a big fan now. The key for me is that they're prepared and able to back it up. What I get really annoyed with is world championship level talk at sub-British level i.e. Tyson Fury. Also when a fighter celebrates beating a non-entity as if he's just beaten Floyd Mayweather - step forward James Degale.

[jonny]

Richard Edward

[oliverfennell]

Well it is an embarassment when you claim you could beat Jones and Leonard!

I see your point but having reread the article I think its just a case of him not wanting to admit that anyone could beat him. The mistake was naming those two, but would we still be debating it if he had said they were both legends who would beat most people? It might not have even made the article.

Precisely. a) he didn't say he WOULD beat them, he's saying that he'd SAY he could beat them if asked. He's admitting his own bombast. b) Naming those names was obviously strategic to draw attention to himself - and it worked!

[iwz678]

Well it is an embarassment when you claim you could beat Jones and Leonard!

I see your point but having reread the article I think its just a case of him not wanting to admit that anyone could beat him. The mistake was naming those two, but would we still be debating it if he had said they were both legends who would beat most people? It might not have even made the article.

Precisely. a) he didn't say he WOULD beat them, he's saying that he'd SAY he could beat them if asked. He's admitting his own bombast. b) Naming those names was obviously strategic to draw attention to himself - and it worked!

I was going to make those points as well, he said becuase if he was involved in those fights he would have to have confidence in himself to win. We all know he wouldnt beat those two fighters in their prime but Small is a confident guy and if it works for him then fair enough.

People say they hate him but he gets a huge amount of coverage in the run up to one of his fights and the 'haters' fall way too easy into the trap, if you really dont like the guy why talk about him?

[mickey1975]

He only gets "huge coverage" on here amongst us hardcore fans.I bet he can walk anywhere in London without anyone having a clue,or caring,who he is.Compare that to Froch in Nottingham or Hatton in Manchester,etc.I shouldnt really bring them names up because everyone will say,correctly,its a ridiculous comparison,but look at the title of the thread...
The guy must know when he looks in the mirror,he is a decent domestic operator and will never be anything else.If he doesnt,he is simply deluded.The way he goes on,i think its like he's just desperate for attention or something,maybe he should try reality t.v,because there is absolutely NO chance of him ever becoming well known in his own city,let alone anywhere else

[hollins]

Exactly, the guy would have my backing if he was actually a good fighter who could throw punches correctly. Instead he's been beaten and stopped at British level and still shows no humility at all. It's just embarrassing and I think he knows he will never go beyond British level.

[hollins]

Also when a fighter celebrates beating a non-entity as if he's just beaten Floyd Mayweather.

Bellew does this. A few of my mates watching him do this when he beat a non entity thought he was a right plum and a complete idiot. It just makes him look like a total idiot and really turns people off, I agree.

[JamesH]

He only gets "huge coverage" on here amongst us hardcore fans.I bet he can walk anywhere in London without anyone having a clue,or caring,who he is.Compare that to Froch in Nottingham or Hatton in Manchester,etc.I shouldnt really bring them names up because everyone will say,correctly,its a ridiculous comparison,but look at the title of the thread...
The guy must know when he looks in the mirror,he is a decent domestic operator and will never be anything else.If he doesnt,he is simply deluded.The way he goes on,i think its like he's just desperate for attention or something,maybe he should try reality t.v,because there is absolutely NO chance of him ever becoming well known in his own city,let alone anywhere else

Until 12 months or so ago Haye could also walk around London without being stopped by anyone but the hardcore boxing fan. None of my non-boxing mates have heard of Darren Barker, Derek Chisora, and most of them know of Danny Williams because he used to commentate on Audley's fights - who they know about from the olympics and bbc.

I thinks its the same for a lot of decent London fighters to be honest.

[Autobarn]

to be honest i don't think his fights even merit being top of the bill even on, say, FFN. they're usually awful and his fights are about as appetising as those of rob norton. none of the trash talking does anything to enhance small, IMO. obviously he's a talented fighter, but some ppl can apply their talents better than others. i don't think the gobbing he does passes much for charisma or personality, but that's just my view.

[Jab and Move]

I like guys that talk shit like this. Its more exiting than the usual Khan jabber, ''I respect all my oponents'', ''I've trained so hard for this'', ''This is a great fight for me''. Yatter yatter yatter, change the record. Small brings some shine to the sport. 8)

[1southpaw]

to be honest i don't think his fights even merit being top of the bill even on, say, FFN. they're usually awful and his fights are about as appetising as those of rob norton. none of the trash talking does anything to enhance small, IMO. obviously he's a talented fighter, but some ppl can apply their talents better than others. i don't think the gobbing he does passes much for charisma or personality, but that's just my view.

the only reason that small is topping the bill is hatton needs top of the bill fighters for tv and he don't have any thats why he has got the european title for his brother if matthew wins that fight small will be dropped ??

[iwz678]

to be honest i don't think his fights even merit being top of the bill even on, say, FFN. they're usually awful and his fights are about as appetising as those of rob norton. none of the trash talking does anything to enhance small, IMO. obviously he's a talented fighter, but some ppl can apply their talents better than others. i don't think the gobbing he does passes much for charisma or personality, but that's just my view.

the only reason that small is topping the bill is hatton needs top of the bill fighters for tv and he don't have any thats why he has got the european title for his brother if matthew wins that fight small will be dropped ??

why would he drop Small? He will beat Webb no problem and for Ricky to have a British champion with a good ranking in the division would help his company.

Some guy said he wouldnt get big covearge where he lives well about 90% of British fighters wouldnt. Guys like Froch, Hatton, Khan, Haye, Calzaghe etc would get a look in but you look at the British champions and they dont get a lot of coverage, so that point was harsh on Small.

[n1ebf]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4yP_EldmJE


i thought I would just put this up as I am about to get round to Youtubing Small versus Hall and I came across this......it's the press conference.

Small is one funny man enjoy this treat

[DIRT SUGAR]

Revised.... world title prospects don't lose to fighters the calibre of Sam Webb. i thangyou:-)

(Although I hear it was a debatable decision, think we can say Small's level is now a known factor and at 28 he's not going to learn too many new tricks).