Sklar wrote:He's really skilfull and tough but he's not a compelling watch for laymen. He's also not at all good on the mic. When he first appeared on the scene I saw the potential and thought he'd do great but I suppose I'd got it into my head that he'd be similar to Tyson in personality.
I just can't see people lining up to buy tickets or watch his fights.
I'll watch him but I'm a traditionalist and think his skills are top drawer. I'd like to see him be a little bit more aggressive but with not much charisma and limited power I think he'll always be 'one for the purists'.
Bugger off. You come on here with your common-sense and intelligent comment - diabolical liberty I call it.
Seriously it wasn't much of a spectacle for sure, but there are a lot of positives. Hughie has only just turned 23 and he strikes me as a rather callow 23 at that. He has been in the shadow of his loud abrasive alpha-male cousin whose antics he was trying pathetically to mimic, giving it the big one to Parker. So out of character, Hughie is the polar opposite of Tyson in terms of personality. He lacks self-confidence, mental and physical maturity and he's struggled with a debilitating illness. On top of that he has been inactive, untested and he lacks experience.
Despite all this he proved a match for Joseph Parker, a holder of a WBO belt, way more mature than a 2-3 age difference would suggest, and who is regarded as somewhere between 3rd and 6th best heavyweight in the world. Hughie frustrated him and outboxed him. If you take the purist's position that boxing is not a trial of strength, but the art of hitting without being hit, then he won going away (both literally and figuratively). He probably thought he had the win in the bag, and had no need to alter what was working perfectly for him. Now he knows better and will have learnt that neither fans nor judges appreciate that style, and will score for the guy who's been trying to make the fight, however ineffectively.
I agree with the result but he has proved he can compete at top level. He will have gained some experience and hopefully some confidence.
Heavyweights mature later so it's said. Hughie does not yet have his "man-strength". This will come and so will self-confidence as he matures. He has already demonstrated decent technique, superb movement and elusiveness, excellent stamina, good concentration, and a decent chin. As he gains strength, power and self-confidence, I would expect him to set himself more and add some much needed oomph to his counter-punching.
Granted he's never going to morph into a George Foreman, but I'd wager he becomes a much easier fighter to watch in future. As an Englishman, I take satisfaction in the addition of another compatriot to the world heavyweight top 10 to 15, and I really don't understand all this hostility / negativity. Actually I do understand it but I don't share it.