Lewis Pettitt v Ian Bailey. Southern Area Feather Title

[Des1]

No disrespect to Bailey (or Pettitt) but how is this fight worthy of being contested for the Southern Area Title? I thought the Board would only allow thoughs to contest for an Area or British Title if they had at least won their last fight. Bailey has lost his last 4. I also thought that to contest a Title you have to of taken part in an 8 round fight, neither Pettitt or Bailey have contested in a fight scheduled for more than 6 rounds. Does this cheapen the Southern Area Title? Again, no disrespect to either fighter, am not saying they're not good enough but I've known of alot more worthy fighters who have never got a chance let alone with as least fights as these to have.

[stevegoodwin]

With regards to the second point you have to have completed 6 rounds to compete for 10 round title fight and 8 rounds for 12 rounds so this fight meets that criteria.

With regards to your first point it is at the area councils discretion. They are trying to make the area belts more active and for that I applaud them but I do agree with the principal of what you are saying

[mickey1975]

Bailey's record is deceptive. He is not bad.

[Des1]

With regards to the second point you have to have completed 6 rounds to compete for 10 round title fight and 8 rounds for 12 rounds so this fight meets that criteria.

With regards to your first point it is at the area councils discretion. They are trying to make the area belts more active and for that I applaud them but I do agree with the principal of what you are saying

Thanks for explaining that regarding the criteria

[Des1]

Bailey's record is deceptive. He is not bad.

I totally agree, infact he is actually good. A lot better than what his record shows, have seen fights of his I believed him to win and it going the other way. The point I'm getting at is normally the board wouldn't let you contest a title if you lost your last fight yet Bailey has lost his last 4 (even if just on paper). And is Pettitt worthy to fight for a Southern Area title this soon? Not knocking both fighters and not saying their not good enough, but in more time. Just feel the fight being billed as for the Southern Area Championship now cheapens its value.

[Londonirish]

No disrespect to any boxer but you don't have to be at a high Level to fight for an Area Title...

I think this is a Great fight for this Title Both boxers are good... You have a light heavyweight Central Area Title coming up with Carl Wild vs John Anthony, John Anthony did win his last but before that win you'd have to go back to 2010 and before that 2007 losing 18 fights in between.. I think its good that the Title are been kept Active..

[fizzjambo]

I'd agree with the general sentiment that it's good to see the titles active, as they should be, but it would be nice to see them contested for at a slightly better level (no disrespect intended to anyone).

To me this is one of boxings single biggest problems, and something that the board could take a hand in sorting tomorrow. I'd like to see a ban on all the Masters title's and filth like any WBF (I know they do this already), IBO, etc stuff. I'd also like to see all the four major world organisations 'fringe' titles binned out of this country as well. I understand (though don't see the need for) guys like Kell Brook using such titles to secure high rankings in organisations but some of the fights for youth titles, etc are pointless in the extreme.

Bin all of the above and you'd empower the Area, English, etc belts, get better quality bouts for them, ensure more deserving champions and maybe even see a defence or two made of them.

Area - National - Lonsdale - European - World(one only please) is the purists dream. I look at someone like Chris Goodwin, a useful enough wee fighter, but one whose really only been in one competitive (CJ) and one semi competitive (Munika) fight and has already won 3 titles? WTF!!!!!!!!!!!

[spudder56]

I'd agree with the general sentiment that it's good to see the titles active, as they should be, but it would be nice to see them contested for at a slightly better level (no disrespect intended to anyone).

To me this is one of boxings single biggest problems, and something that the board could take a hand in sorting tomorrow. I'd like to see a ban on all the Masters title's and filth like any WBF (I know they do this already), IBO, etc stuff. I'd also like to see all the four major world organisations 'fringe' titles binned out of this country as well. I understand (though don't see the need for) guys like Kell Brook using such titles to secure high rankings in organisations but some of the fights for youth titles, etc are pointless in the extreme.

Bin all of the above and you'd empower the Area, English, etc belts, get better quality bouts for them, ensure more deserving champions and maybe even see a defence or two made of them.

Area - National - Lonsdale - European - World(one only please) is the purists dream. I look at someone like Chris Goodwin, a useful enough wee fighter, but one whose really only been in one competitive (CJ) and one semi competitive (Munika) fight and has already won 3 titles? WTF!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with you and as regards the masters I think you will find that the board dont class these as titles and are just 10 round contests and nothing else

[Bronxbull666]

I agree with a lot of the criticisms about some of the titles that branded about willy nilly. I think there should be the four major world titles, just for the fact that it minimises corruption, and also gives fighters worldwide, different routes to take once they've reached World level, without the monopoly of a single organisation that favours fighters in its HQ region.

As for our very own area titles, I don't think they are as prestigious as say an American State title. But, for me, the reason for this is more to do with ranking systems. I think that we should be using a more pyramid style system. To become an area champion you must beat the top ranked boxer. You should only get a shot at the National titles if you beat another area champion, National champion must defend before fighting for the Lonsdale etc.... Pretty simple way to bring prestige back to title fights, and with four home nations there will be plenty of competition.

I just think that fighting for a ranking is the way forward. We wouldn't have the need to use some Mickey Mouse title to get bums on seats. What on Earth is a masters title?

Area>National>Lonsdale/Celtic>Commonwealth>EBU>World

I believe the Commonwealth title should be more valuable and more hotly contested.

[magnus]

100% agree on the Commonwealth title.

Boxrec schedule has Lee McAlllister defending against Eddie Doyle. Fine as a Scottish area fight perhaps, but Doyle must be a fair way from even being top 10 in Britain at the moment.

[DavidPayne]

Bailey's record is deceptive. He is not bad.

Agree with this statement. He's a busy little fella with a big heart.

[Darcy Delaney]

Peter McDonagh vs bradley skeete is coming up for the southern area title would you say this was a good match up for the title seeing as skeete has only had 8 fights ?

[Bronxbull666]

Peter McDonagh vs bradley skeete is coming up for the southern area title would you say this was a good match up for the title seeing as skeete has only had 8 fights ?

IMO McDonagh should earn his shot. George Carman is more like a title match up for Skeete. McDonagh is devaluing the title, he's lost more than he's won, which is fine, of course. But, he should be in a position to challenge for the title.

[Darcy Delaney]

Peter McDonagh vs bradley skeete is coming up for the southern area title would you say this was a good match up for the title seeing as skeete has only had 8 fights ?

IMO McDonagh should earn his shot. George Carman is more like a title match up for Skeete. McDonagh is devaluing the title, he's lost more than he's won, which is fine, of course. But, he should be in a position to challenge for the title.

how can you say peter might be devaluing the title, he has held the area title more than once has boxed for the eu title, he's also been irish champion, if anyone is devaluing the title out of these two fighters it has to be skeete as he's only had 8 fights and only beat someone that has had 3 fights last time out where peter has been operating at a higher level for a long time, i think this will be a good fight though