Franco Wanyama vs. Jimmy Thunder

[Cutman Scabbers]

Such an interesting matchup!

Cruiserweight Wanyama scheduled to fight Tommy Hearns, Hearns pulls out,
Heavyweight Thunder fills in last minute:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj2INhs63F4

[Cutman Scabbers]

Fight Day Weights:

Wanyama 195
Thunder 230

[Cutman Scabbers]

Shows how a technically good, fast smaller man can beat
a stronger, bigger, more powerful puncher.

[Ambling Alp II]

I think Thunder is the only guy I remember being knocked down by Chris Byrd.

[Kalan]

Shows how a technically good, fast smaller man can beat
a stronger, bigger, more powerful puncher.

Wanyama wasn't technically good. He was a mess. He beat the inept Thunder by SD but lost his next 4 fights, 3 by KO -- to guys you never heard of.

A Jimmy Thunder fight I like was vs Crawford Grimsley. Grimsley went the distance with George Foreman in his previously fight but Thunder crushed him in 13 seconds...including the count. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGMvgSZeoB4 Fight starts at 5:09 of vid ends 5:11

[BoxBuzz]

So do you consider Wanyama technically good, when compared to the skillset of Thunder?

I think what was said was meant to taken #1 in relative terms.



And do you consider Wanyama sadly lacking in skills? What were his most obvious specific weaknesses?

[littlepug]

So do you consider Wanyama technically good, when compared to the skillset of Thunder?

I think what was said was meant to taken #1 in relative terms.



And do you consider Wanyama sadly lacking in skills? What were his most obvious specific weaknesses?

Your inviting all kinds of madness there Buzz !

[Kalan]

So do you consider Wanyama technically good, when compared to the skillset of Thunder?

I think what was said was meant to taken #1 in relative terms.



And do you consider Wanyama sadly lacking in skills? What were his most obvious specific weaknesses?

Relative terms won't help you.. This was a SD win and Thunder was actually more successful in his career.. It was Wanayma's high water mark.. You're going to win some fights. Even if you're a lousy team you're still going to win some games. You're probably a better boxer than that old lady walking down the street, but that's speaking in relative terms so it won't help you a lot. Wayama couldn't jab, punch, or defend himself very well. Plus, he was a very small Heavyweight and needed much more physical strength and punching power -- as well as coaches who could refine his skills to a much higher degree -- which all takes a tremendous efforts, so not that many guys with his talent level are going to make it.

[Cutman Scabbers]

I appreciate and admire Wanyama's skill as a boxer.
The little parries, feints and counters he practices at the beginning
of the video while warming up -- brilliant. Was cool too how the
commentators praised his blocking abilities, side to side movement,
timing and eyes -- how he could see what Thunder was trying to do,
defuse it, act and react accordingly. You can hear a some of the confidence
in his ability and strategy from his chief second in the corner too.

Most of all you can read Wanyama's skill in Thunder's face
and body language. Love the knockdown in the third round
from the little sideways counter right uppercut. You don't
see that punch very often. Thunder's facial expression when
the decision is announced is priceless! He's in total disbelief
that he won.

[Cutman Scabbers]

I think Thunder is the only guy I remember being knocked down by Chris Byrd.

Here it is at 8:50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AGeY0rh-VE