jamamb wrote: ↑06 Dec 2017, 18:40
if it were as simple as fouling theyred be a lot more guys on andres level.hes a boxing master who still wins rounds by hitting without getting hit. and he does that standing right with guys.hes mainly boring because hes been so much better than his opponents. for like a decade only kov (a very good fighter) has even been competitive to the point where the outcome looks in doubt.and those were good fights that ward both won.
if he had more guys around his level hed be funner to watch.hes not a big puncher so hed never really electrify like tyson or can crusher ggg does, but thered still be better fights. blame his opponents for not being good enough, even though hes still fought a hof wirthy list of names.
Wouldn’t call him a boxing master, I’d say he’s a very good boxer. Good judge of distance, timing, backpeddling defence, a very good classic boxer, someone with that ability alone would be top 5 in their respective division. But then the wildcard element comes into it. If he fights someone who has an equal or even better boxing ability, he adds non boxing and bending the rules into his game. So...he is definitely not one dimensional. A very good boxer who can then transform into a grinding wrestler who fouls, who has the strength and stamina and experience (experienced grappler) to stick with it the whole fight and will wear you down by being on you, smothering your punches, holding you, hitting on breaks, pushing you around, things traditional boxers haven’t trained for physically which are physically and mentally frustrating and exhausting. I would say his victory over Dawson was one where he ground him down physically and mentally. On the other hand against Alexander brand, he used his boxing skills alone not needing to grapple. Clever and a mentality that is focused on winning However a style that makes me cringe when it enters grapple bending rules. He’s been lucky with the referees as you could be almost certain things he’s done in there would not be tolerated.
How do you beat him? In my opinion you need to have good to great boxing skills, incredible stamina, incredible mental fortitude to deal with the frustration, a grappling game or you need to have great boxing skills and a good ref who is a boxing purist.