Kevin McBride's Return

[6 Pack]

McBride is terrible, he should have cashed in when he beat Tyson instead of overpricing himself. He won't get very far.

The main event is more interesting to me, does everyone believe it is an open and shut case of a Peter KO? It seems most of the writers are leaning that way. I'm not so sure. Maskaev has a new found belief and even though all 5 of his losses are by stoppage he took bombs off both Sam and Rahman and never flinched. He also popped the unbeaten cherry of David Defiagbon during his comeback.

I think if Maskaev can establish a rhythm he may cause the lumbering Nigerian some problems. However Peter showed against Toney in the rematch he is more of an astute boxer than we once thought, if he reverts to the big KO approach then i give Maskaev a chance. But if Peter is smart and boxes for openings i think he wins.

You actually make a good case for Maskaev. He has been fighting very well for himself as of late. I still pick Peter though. Still a decent fight for this heavyweight division.

I also agree with McBride. a guy with that limited talent should have chashed in immediately. Danny WIlliams, who is ten times the fighter McBride is in my opinion, cashed in with a title shot against the biggest name at the time and the generally considered best (Vitaly). McBride got nothing out of this.

I pick Golota, even if he is old. It seems McBride is hopin to catch these guys on their way out...this time he loses.

[Old bones Ian]

Everyone ends up dead.

Good point!

yes i walked into that one didn't I

Tyson is a f*ck up, completly at the call of the guys fleecing whats left of his earning potential.
I don't feel sorry for him, there are alot of heavyweight champs that have come from the ghetto's and not ended up back in the gutter. Holmes, Frazier, Foreman spring to mind.
Tyson reminds me of guys down my local , who always blame everyone else for there situation.

[bennie]

Golota is the real waste. Everyone knows he can't handle the pressure of big, big fights.

[Cannibal]

I have no idea why this fight isn't taking place in Ireland. Ireland has a HUGE Polish community. Some papers even have a Polish section. Surely the money between 2 faded heavyweights would be in Ireland where they would probably have an even split of support.

[HomicideHenry]

It's more than likely a shut out for McBride, he'll more than likely be knocked out inside of two rounds...but on the off chance that he somehow pulls off the upset, beats Golota, it'll not only be getting my vote for upset of the year, but will place McBride in the running for a title; if the Tyson win didn't get him a shot, a win over Golota would, considering Golota's faced off for the IBF/WBA/WBO titles in the last 3-4 years and has faced the Bowe's and Lewis's and Tyson's...it'll be an even bigger win than the Tyson one was, if he does win.

But don't count on it...but I'll give the Irishman the benefit of the doubt, I bet on him to beat Tyson years before, I'll say he'll give Golota a fight, but I wont say he'll win.

[Cannibal]

You're over rating the present Golota. Golota of the past would of easily blown McBride out of there, but now Golota is pretty much done as a main player. He is also 39 years old now, how much do you really think he has left?

There is no way that it would be upset of the year. More shocking things have happened than a run of the mill journeyman beating a 39 year old has been/nearly man.

[stujones]

Golota is the real waste. Everyone knows he can't handle the pressure of big, big fights.

Yeah its been a shame, not so sure if its the big fights exactly but the opponents. Seems like his blows it when he is in with a big puncher.

The reason why I am saying this is because he did well vs Byrd, which I thought was a bigger fight than Brewster - Just was a bit shafted by the judges.

[Razor]

On the under-card of the WBC HW showdown between Samuel Peter and Oleg Maskaev, was a little match that caught my eye, as it was a tad bit unusual.

Kevin McBride (34-5-1, 29) who's best known for being the youngest Super Heavyweight medal winner in history, as well as being the victor in his match against Mike Tyson, and for being the Irish HW champion (though that particular title hasn't been defended since 1997), is set to face "The Polish Mike Tyson" Andrew Golota (39-6-1,32)!

McBride, since losing to unknown Mike Mollo in 2006, has reportedly been residing in his native Ireland and had not contacted legendary trainer Goodi Petronelli for some time, seemingly 'retired' from boxing. After the Tyson bout, McBride had signed a deal to fight then WBA champion John Ruiz, that is if Ruiz got by the gigantic Nicolay Valuev. Unfortunately for McBride he was never able to cash in on the Tyson fight, never got his title shot, and was knocked out by a mediocre opponent.

Andrew Golota, like McBride, has also faded into obscurity, as he has only fought once since losing to then WBO champion Lamon Brewster by KO in the 1st round, a 2nd round TKO over Jeremy Bates (yes the same Jeremy Bates that is also a part-time salesman and was a recent Holyfield victim). Golota had been impressive in his 2004 bout against Chris Byrd, though he was unranked, and had two other title shot opprotunities against John Ruiz (WBA) and of course Brewster (WBO) in late 2004 and early 2005.

Though, on paper, this sounds like a complete mismatch, Golota is 39 years old and is significantly smaller than the "Clones Colossus" and has never had quite the mental strength to go along with his actual boxing ability, as he is prone to fouling out, having mental break downs before and during fights and the like. Also throw in the fact that he has only fought 4 times in the last 4 years, may also show the tolls of inactivity. Same goes for McBride.

McBride might just have something to prove this time around, taking enough time off from the ring to regroup after that humiliating loss, and get back into focus....though most experts and fans would say this is a case of a lamb being led to the slaughter.

In any case, Golota and McBride are back, and whoever wins, will be sure to be thrown into the HW mixed bag of contenders and pretenders. And I am sure, for however long it lasts, it will be a wildly sloppy and entertaining fight among two of the bigger HW's in the division.

McBride is dog shit, thats pure tripe, he couldn't box eggs.

[HomicideHenry]

I remember the first time I saw McBride in action...on paper I thought he had enough to beat Tyson, but when I saw him against Kevin Monity, I was like "This guy moves like Frankenstein"...but then I saw him hit Monity, and he was take 4-5 steps back...I figure McBride has a well decent punch, enough bite to it, to make Golota think twice.

He has no real talent to speak of, is slow and ponderous, but McBride showed what he could do with an emotionally unstable fighter (Tyson), I think if he doesn't give in, tries to stand up and take it, he'll do the same to Golota like he done to Tyson...besides, Golota doesn't have too good a record against bigger men who do have power.

McBride doesn't have "all of Ireland in his fist", but for a Frankenstein type, he hits pretty damned good for a 'bum'.