Is a little bit of history being made this weekend?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 15 Jun 2005, 14:23

Is the combined age of 74 for Steffano Zoff vs Levander Johnson the oldest age to contest for a geniune vacant world title.

The Brit boys have got to try and get into the IBF rankings, two highly beatable fighters. Zoff might start the favourite vs the Brit boys in Italy but surely he is going to go sooner rather than later.

Its a huge opportunity, I would give most in the top 15 (including Dean) a chance against either of these.

dwo 27 · Post by **dwo 27** » 15 Jun 2005, 14:32

I haven't seen much of Johnson so I can't really comment on him but Zoff is a shocking fighter all he does is hold and foul his opponent (does anyone remember his hugfest with Jason Cook?) and I agree that most British Lightweights would beat him, I'd favour Cook, Bennett, Earl, Gomez, Thaxton, Murray, Rees and Hunt to beat him.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 15 Jun 2005, 14:38

dwo 27 wrote:I haven't seen much of Johnson so I can't really comment on him but Zoff is a shocking fighter all he does is hold and foul his opponent (does anyone remember his hugfest with Jason Cook?) and I agree that most British Lightweights would beat him, I'd favour Cook, Bennett, Earl, Gomez, Thaxton, Murray, Rees and Hunt to beat him.

Zoff is going to win, Johnson was once a good fighter but hasn't fought in over a year and it 3-2-1 in his last 6 fights. How is he fighting for this title is beyond me. I can see a bit of sense in Zoff given that he is European champion with some decent wins recently.

I do remember his fights with Cook and Burke, I thought he won them both but I think both the Brit boys should have won out of sight if they only fought a bit. He is kind of like Sven Ottke, but older and not as good.

Dynamite Dean Phillips · Post by **Dynamite Dean Phillips** » 15 Jun 2005, 16:08

I've never been impressed by Zoff, especially his fight against Burke and his most recent, which was quite recently televised on Eurosport. He's a spoiler in every sense of the word. I haven't seen the other guy in action, but if offered a shot at the IBF, naturally I would jump at it.

I read your other post Stu about not being certain that one comeback fight was ideal prep for a title fight, but seriously, I was not myself in the Bennett fight - I was genuinely hampered with my shoulder. I know a lot of people will doubt that, and that's only natural - but I know in myself what happened that night, and that's all that matters. That said, I feel that fight will serve as good prep - don't forget the way in which I came back after 5 and a half years out, I did not show any kind of ringrust and shot right up the rankings. It's just that Bennett fight which has halted my progress, along with inactivity this year - but it's been that way for many fighters. i've been fit and ready to fight twice already this year, this is the 3rd time.

Looking forward to fighting the winner of Earl-Bennett, a fight in which I think will be good but which I feel that Bennett will prevail, as he is the smarter fighter. Also it's his time now and Earl has had his day and is quite obviously on a downward spiral. If he comes back and puts in as good a performance as he did against Murray, then I will eat my words. But whatever happens, I will naturally be keeping a close eye on that fight, and looking forward to fighting the winner.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 15 Jun 2005, 17:12

I just remember you saying that you didn't fancy an immediate rematch with Bennett (a while ago now) especially on his home patch. I know its not an immediate rematch and it might not be on his patch (if he wins beats Earl) but there is a bit of a jump from Honney to Earl/Bennett.

Good luck with the Honney fight.

Dynamite Dean Phillips · Post by **Dynamite Dean Phillips** » 15 Jun 2005, 17:24

stujones wrote:I just remember you saying that you didn't fancy an immediate rematch with Bennett (a while ago now) especially on his home patch. I know its not an immediate rematch and it might not be on his patch (if he wins beats Earl) but there is a bit of a jump from Honney to Earl/Bennett.

Good luck with the Honney fight.

You're right, it is a bit of a jump, but I will be taking whatever opportunity comes. I'm not playing the waiting game any longer. I'm ready now, i've been sparring in championship class consistently for over 2 years. One domestic champ (I am going to leave you speculate on that one) refuses to spar with me, that's how much of a threat I am to the division.

I've done enough of waiting. When I was 19, I beat the British champ in a non-title fight. Had I been 21, I would have been British champ then, but because I was not old enough according to the Board, I had to settle for a non-title win and wait, wait and wait. Now I am waiting again, but I really believe my time is coming, and I strive for that.

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 18 Jun 2005, 07:00

johnson stoppped zoff in round 7. He is defo the weakest lightweight title holder out there - cant see him holding onto the title very long - i think julio diaz might soon get his old crown back.