The Official boxrec RBR thread - Arthur Abraham v Paul Smith

[Yes We Can]

Abraham looked to be swatting Smith at times when he did let his punches go, but all too often he'd go into his shell and try to coast through rounds.

I gave it 7-5 to Abraham, Smith did really well in the middle of the fight and was hurting Abraham who seemed to be struggling with the pace, the scorecards were truly shocking.

I can't understand how either man was struggling with the pace, it was hardly electric.

If either man had thrown 10% more volume irrespective of accuracy it would have helped the scorecards on here no end.

Smith didn't throw enough when coming in, i think after he hurt him to the body (relatively early?) he thoguht he would be able to do it whenever he wanted, and focused to much on loading up with the right to the head and body to much.

10% extra could have unofficially won him the fight in my eyes.

[JimJim2009]

Eddie's face when Joe said break the bank and bring Abraham over to Liverpool LOL

I hope this prompts a rival promoter into coming out with another patronising lecture about the importance of getting British fighters home advantage for their world title fights, instead of sending them abroad to get beaten up or ripped off. Frankly we need to keep hearing this message over and over again, the point doesn't get made often enough for my liking.

[TheCobra]

Abraham looked to be swatting Smith at times when he did let his punches go, but all too often he'd go into his shell and try to coast through rounds.

I gave it 7-5 to Abraham, Smith did really well in the middle of the fight and was hurting Abraham who seemed to be struggling with the pace, the scorecards were truly shocking.

I can't understand how either man was struggling with the pace, it was hardly electric.

If either man had thrown 10% more volume irrespective of accuracy it would have helped the scorecards on here no end.

Smith didn't throw enough when coming in, i think after he hurt him to the body (relatively early?) he thoguht he would be able to do it whenever he wanted, and focused to much on loading up with the right to the head and body to much.

10% extra could have unofficially won him the fight in my eyes.

Yeh I don't think the pace was anything special either, which shows what a poor engine Arthur has. He's a lazy fighter, that's why Froch just totally did a number on him for 12 rounds. If you can match him for strength and outwork him, then it's an easy night's work.

A shame for Smith and maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but he's still not really proved anything here in terms of being anything other than Euro level at best.

[Horse]

A shame for Smith and maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but he's still not really proved anything here in terms of being anything other than Euro level at best.

Smith has just got by far his best ever result.

He's proved he's above weak British champion/English title level, which was where he was yesterday.

[ScottDetonator]

Sky's commentary team really needs changing, yet again they spoil the fight.

Nick Hailing doesn't add anything and is just a yes man for Sky, same phrases and puns over and over, delivered in his dull mono-tone style that makes me want to scream. Would be better off on the bowls...

Jim's constant shouting last night really spoiled the fight with half of what he was saying being total rubbish and the other half sounding like Jimmy Kranky on laughing gas. Same puns for so many years, so dry and so uninspiring. Time for him to step back from the mic, would be much better just an outside ring guy with Johnny.

Sky need to shake it up and fast, get some fresh boxers on the commentary team, they had Cleverly there last night, why not stick him on the commentary team to add some modern day insight. They had Froch there last week, why not get him on the fight then?

Well done Smith, did himself proud but ultimately, the right man got the decision, even if the scores were verging on insanity.

[rhino222]

My thoughts......

It was a close fight, Abraham took the majority of the first 6 rounds, Smith took the majority of the last 6. a draw or a point or 2 either way would have been ok. the problem is the magnitude of the scorecards but not the results. the fact smith lost is not a massive robbery (remember reid/ottke?) but its the numbers on the cards that are crazy.

Abraham took smith lightly, he was not focused, in a rematch, in Liverpool, Germany or on the moon, smith gets beat. Im afraid his opportunity and moment have gone (froch/groves 1?).... but that's boxing,

the judging is all subjective and can differ from angles, home crowd influence judges...fact!

[rossij8]

My thoughts......

It was a close fight, Abraham took the majority of the first 6 rounds, Smith took the majority of the last 6. a draw or a point or 2 either way would have been ok. the problem is the magnitude of the scorecards but not the results. the fact smith lost is not a massive robbery (remember reid/ottke?) but its the numbers on the cards that are crazy.

Abraham took smith lightly, he was not focused, in a rematch, in Liverpool, Germany or on the moon, smith gets beat. Im afraid his opportunity and moment have gone (froch/groves 1?).... but that's boxing,

the judging is all subjective and can differ from angles, home crowd influence judges...fact!

This^

Great summary to finish

[bripez]

I didn't watch the fight, but it seems that they got the right winner and it is the margin of the victory that is causing the controversy.

It sounds as though looking at the bigger picture, it would have been a greater travesty of justice if Smith had won and was referred to as a former World champion for the rest of his life.