is Macklin just a Gatekeeper?

[ajwesty13]

Could you say that macklin is a gatekeeper and nothing more or could you argue the case for him being world class just unlucky not to get the nod against Sturm... falling just short v Martinez ... GGG (a class above everyone a more lethal version of Stevenson and Mathysse with more skills to match...just ask afolabi who says he punches as hard as a HW lol)

What now?? maybe if Barker manages the IBF belt maklin may fancy a domestic clash.. (id back Barker to ) or could we have a little domestic super 4 with lee, murray into the mix aswell...

Thoughts?

[Jack B]

I think he's better than a gatekeeper - it's just a case of falling a little short at world championship level. He's had 3 very tough assignments, let's not forget, and many would argue that he came through the first of those.

Have there been worse fighters who have won world titles? Most definitely. Can he win a world title? Possibly. He needs to get the right fight at the right time. The big plus for him is that HBO like him. He won't fight Quillin because of the politics, he's not going to get another shot at Martinez or Golovkin (and nor should he take one!), but a fight and a victory vs Geale/Barker is very viable.

[Horse]

He's good enough to beat Quillin or Geale.

I'd say he's better than a gatekeeper.

[ShadrachSimmo]

At the top level a gatekeeper no doubt. He can still compete around the fringes o world class.

[lefty]

Macklin isnt a gatekeeper in terms of ability but there is a possibility he could turn into one now for up and coming prospects. I still think he'd have a very good chance at beating Murray or Barker though. I think those three guys are around the same level in terms of ability. Id say he's inbetween european level and genuine world class. Not paper world champion class but legitimate world class.

[palooka]

It's only the morning after and Matthew didn't get a terrible beating, (a consolation of facing Golovkin who finishes clean and quick). Macklin ought to be among the top 10 middles though it is clear that he isn't destined to be top dog. He could still be domestic (UK) top dog and there is considerable earning power and kudos there. I'm sure that if Murray or Barker were to face Golovkin then the result would be the same; the difference really is that Macklin has the bollocks to have a go against the feared puncher. I imagine that any match up outside of Golovkin at middleweight for Matthew would be a good bout, he got outclassed last night by a man who will do the same to another 10 or more top men before he's done.

[lefty]

It's only the morning after and Matthew didn't get a terrible beating, (a consolation of facing Golovkin who finishes clean and quick). Macklin ought to be among the top 10 middles though it is clear that he isn't destined to be top dog. He could still be domestic (UK) top dog and there is considerable earning power and kudos there. I'm sure that if Murray or Barker were to face Golovkin then the result would be the same; the difference really is that Macklin has the bollocks to have a go against the feared puncher. I imagine that any match up outside of Golovkin at middleweight for Matthew would be a good bout, he got outclassed last night by a man who will do the same to another 10 or more top men before he's done.

X2

[ajwesty13]

It's only the morning after and Matthew didn't get a terrible beating, (a consolation of facing Golovkin who finishes clean and quick). Macklin ought to be among the top 10 middles though it is clear that he isn't destined to be top dog. He could still be domestic (UK) top dog and there is considerable earning power and kudos there. I'm sure that if Murray or Barker were to face Golovkin then the result would be the same; the difference really is that Macklin has the bollocks to have a go against the feared puncher. I imagine that any match up outside of Golovkin at middleweight for Matthew would be a good bout, he got outclassed last night by a man who will do the same to another 10 or more top men before he's done.

X2

x3...

[squared circle]

No he's not. Deserves more respect than that. He's firmly ensconsed within the division's top ten and has been for a while now.

I'd view a gatekeeper as someone with a good few losses and on verge of top ten (on the way out of it rather than on way in).

If matt loses to a Murray or a barker in the near future then I guess we revisit!!