Zumbrun pulls out of Audley fight

[jamesmcdonnell]

He should fight Bowe.

Audley wont be fighting in Europe he's US based now.

So what if he is US based now? He can still take the plane and go fight Sam. Or he can demand Samil Sam comes to the states and fights him. Either location shouldnt matter if they want to fight.

Or Audley could fight Valuev. Bowe wouldnt be such a good fight, except for the money that comes from Bowes name recognition. But as it is Bowe did slip a lot and he may disapoint big time. Last time he was 280lb and he got a gift decision agaisnt Zumbrun. Audley should have Bowe out very fast and the fans would holler that it was too much of a mismatch.

Valuev's people wouldn't be interested in fighting Audley right now.

[jab]

Why not? Is it because you think Audley is too giid or because he is not good enough? Which one? OR is it a third option I missed?

To my thinking, Audley is a tougher opponent than Akinwande. Therefore a better test.
Perhaps after Akinwande? By then Audley should also be rust free.

[Chopping Right]

Unless Akinwande has recently aged badly I say he's still a tougher opponent than Audley even at nearly 40. He still managed to beat Timo Hoffman in Germany in 2003 and Hoffman went on to give EBU champion Krasniqi all the trouble he could handle. Akinwande could beat Valuev if they meet.

[jab]

Unless Akinwande has recently aged badly I say he's still a tougher opponent than Audley even at nearly 40. He still managed to beat Timo Hoffman in Germany in 2003 and Hoffman went on to give EBU champion Krasniqi all the trouble he could handle. Akinwande could beat Valuev if they meet.

Well, he is 39, alomost 40. He did beat Hoffman by SD, but that was 2 years ago. A long time when you are at this age. And he had only one other fight in these 2 years. Also I should point out that Hoffman is not as tough as Valuev is today. (he may have been 2 years ago, but not any more as Val has improved much since then with his new trainer and better stablemat of sparring partners).

I think Val should be the heavy favorite in this fight. Still, Akinwande is a good opponent, a good testing ground, as he is tall, long reached and has skills and experience. Akinwande does seem to be a bit chinny. I remember he was coasting to a wide points victory over McCall when he went down from a right hand hammer. Val has one too, plus has reach and height advantage over Akinwande. This may be the hardest fight for Akinwande since Lewis. (that was one horrible hugfest)

[jamesmcdonnell]

Why not? Is it because you think Audley is too giid or because he is not good enough? Which one? OR is it a third option I missed?

To my thinking, Audley is a tougher opponent than Akinwande. Therefore a better test.
Perhaps after Akinwande? By then Audley should also be rust free.

because Audley is a fellow prospect with good skills. They will give Valuev minor low risk tests, against fighters with lower levels of ambition, before putting him in with the big boys.

[jab]

Aha, ok. Right now maybe not but perhaps late this year or early next year it would be an awesome fight. Two big guys with skills and power ducking it out. The winner should get a title shot. Perhaps agaisnt Toney or the winner of Golota Brewster.
I think either of them could beat these champs in a years time. With more fights comes confidence and experience and the skills get sharpened, the defense gets tighter.
Toney will be too old by then to win. His small size doesnt help either.
We still have to see Toney against a big powerful heavy with a big punch. Not taking away anything from his victory agaisnt Ruiz, but Ruiz was never a big puncher. And without his constant hugging and wrestling he was ordinary. toney also didnt come close to koing him as he boasted and bet he will do. He did outbox him handily, but this taks will be that much harder one year older (38) and against much bigger and longer armed, stronger and younger guys. I think Toney will have a short reign.