THEBUTCH wrote:McDermott's got an eliminator in February and I fully expect him to be breathing down the necks of Britains best soon (as long as he's not taken WBU route )
You don't have to worry about Macca taking that route, for several reasons:
1. He is promoted by Errol Johnson and PJ Rowson, not Dean Powell or allegedly. Powell is purely the manager; anything he does has to go through Errol or PJ first.
2. Macca really, really wants the British title - he is not interested in the WBU or anything else.
Darren has been a bit of a secret - but that's about to end. His next fight is to be shown delayed on Channel Five. He can't wait for the general public to see his talent.
Thanks for that information Podmore_Birmingham and if you're right, it makes exciting reading. Unfortuantely, I'll only believe it when I see it and that's not a reflection on your views or Errol Johnson excellent promotional values, but with Dean Powell involved it would be very easy to move across to Sportsnetwork and start mucking-up McDermott's career . Like you, I sincerely hope that doesn't happen.
Getting back to the Channel 5 exposure, which is no less than Darren deserves, the thought of an even more motivated McDermott will really make it hard for the lesser middleweights to beat him. His workrate and desire is hot enough as it is!
THEBUTCH wrote:Thanks for that information Podmore_Birmingham and if you're right, it makes exciting reading. Unfortuantely, I'll only believe it when I see it and that's not a reflection on your views or Errol Johnson excellent promotional values, but with Dean Powell involved it would be very easy to move across to Sportsnetwork and start mucking-up McDermott's career . Like you, I sincerely hope that doesn't happen.
Getting back to the Channel 5 exposure, which is no less than Darren deserves, the thought of an even more motivated McDermott will really make it hard for the lesser middleweights to beat him. His workrate and desire is hot enough as it is!
I still think he needs to show more - but he will be good in 18-24 months...
The eliminator in February is a good starting place to show what he's about, but to be fair, Darren Rhodes isn't the sternest of opposition at middleweight.
Talking of the British scene it looks like Wayne Elcock has been shafted by the Board in my opinion. He's had the best form of all the contenders and I hear he still isn't mandatory
Glad to hear Richard Williams is looking to get back in the middleweight picture. I still think he can mount another challenge for the British.
THEBUTCH wrote:The eliminator in February is a good starting place to show what he's about, but to be fair, Darren Rhodes isn't the sternest of opposition at middleweight.
Talking of the British scene it looks like Wayne Elcock has been shafted by the Board in my opinion. He's had the best form of all the contenders and I hear he still isn't mandatory
Glad to hear Richard Williams is looking to get back in the middleweight picture. I still think he can mount another challenge for the British.
I agree re: Rhodes - I would like to see Mcdermott in with Ryan Rhodes.
These young guys may have speed etc - but who have they fought?.
IMO - RW would have beaten all the domestic fighters and a good few of the top guys on Europe with hs performance against Howard Eastman.
I feel sorry for Elcock and he should be nexdt - but in a sense - Howard stops all those contenders Elcock down so it may be a blessing for Elcock -
I can not se Howard fighting Mcdermott or Darren Rhodes.
[quote="THEBUTCH"]I'm not sure Elcock will neccessarily see it as a blessing not getting a shot at the British title. William didn't even take part in an eliminator.
Elcock should get a straight shot. Rhodes, Murphy and Bendall all mean far more at 11st.6lbs than Richard's form prior to Eastman.[/quote
I think Elcock will get to fight the Winner of the eliminator unless of course Howard gives him a Voluntary..
You may say RW did not deserve the shot n- but he has achieved more than Bendall ( he had his shot) and Murphy.
At least RW won 3 on the trot - Howard LOST 3 on the trot!
RW's reputation and achievements at LightMiddle helped him get the shot and remember o that is the way it works sometimes - and remember he was down to fight Dann twice...!
3 wins over average foreigners as opposed to 3 credible losses to world class opposition is a poor comparator. Williams probably wouldn't have lasted with any of those 3 that beat Eastman. If Eastman ko'd Richard, I'm more than sure the other would have too.
I know it's the way it works, but that won't stop me moaning about the injustice of it :) . Elcock has to jump through hoops, Williams didn't
However, from a purely selfish standpoint, the chance to see Macca and Elcock, the two best middleweights in the Midlands, square off in a final eliminator would be something else!
Also, another British eliminator might be called. Matt Macklin told me that Ken (Purchase) was trying to work out a middleweight eliminator for him in February.
Elcock has every reason to be unhappy. He's a ready made contender for the British title regardless of if Eastman vacates. It's not like he's kicking his heels and waiting around for another shot, he's getting wins over British middleweight opposition and bagged an English title too.
THEBUTCH wrote:3 wins over average foreigners as opposed to 3 credible losses to world class opposition is a poor comparator. Williams probably wouldn't have lasted with any of those 3 that beat Eastman. If Eastman ko'd Richard, I'm more than sure the other would have too.
I know it's the way it works, but that won't stop me moaning about the injustice of it :) . Elcock has to jump through hoops, Williams didn't
Maybe if Elcock did not waste his chance before and get knocked out in 1 by Murphy( later avenged I know) - he would no have to wait again..
I think you will see Eastman do a voluntary and stop Elcock in 3 rounds -then vacate and RW will get back in due to Elcock being stopped - Lockett being WBU etc etc and RW will fight the winner of the Eliminator with Darren Rhodes and Mcdermott and kick whoever wins arse!
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
You are telling me that Eastman would have knocked Hopkins out?! Based on what? Eastman is a very good fighter, only just shy of world class, but every time he stepped up, he got beaten. Hopkins fought the way he wanted to fight and easily outclassed Eastman, had he been forced into a brawl, I am pretty confident that Hopkins would have toughed it out. Eastman is cagey, but Hopkins is every big as cagey and more, and knows every foul trick in the book.
I reckon that Eastman had the power to KO Hopkins, but what you say is right - Hopkins won the fight the way he had to, there was no mileage in him going to war with Howard if he had the speed and skills to win it otherwise. Don't forget that H.E. was only stopped vs Miranda, so Hopkins would have been remiss to go to war with him.
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
You are telling me that Eastman would have knocked Hopkins out?! Based on what? Eastman is a very good fighter, only just shy of world class, but every time he stepped up, he got beaten. Hopkins fought the way he wanted to fight and easily outclassed Eastman, had he been forced into a brawl, I am pretty confident that Hopkins would have toughed it out. Eastman is cagey, but Hopkins is every big as cagey and more, and knows every foul trick in the book.
I reckon that Eastman had the power to KO Hopkins, but what you say is right - Hopkins won the fight the way he had to, there was no mileage in him going to war with Howard if he had the speed and skills to win it otherwise. Don't forget that H.E. was only stopped vs Miranda, so Hopkins would have been remiss to go to war with him.
)
. Like you, I sincerely hope that doesn't happen.
will really make it hard for the lesser middleweights to beat him. His workrate and desire is hot enough as it is!