BoxRec

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑27 Jan 2025, 12:48 i wonder who won that fight

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 15:29

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 14:59

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 14:48

I fear they won't, I mentioned this when they turned over.
You turn over late and there is no time to lose, and you only have a short time to improve.

The way things are going, neither will win a British title, despite having talent to burn.

At this weight 29 isn't young. If everything goes well it will be 2/3 years before they get to Smith's level, and they will be both well over 30.

Don't forget years in the GB squad takes its toll between high class sparring and top level fighting.

I hope they earned well in the GB squad.

I think you get like a base salary as a top am don't you? I suspect it is a stable but not large income (but I've no real idea). I do think people like Conlan, and even Clarke show the dangers of staying amateur too long. I respect Clarke for going through the waiting of Olympic cycles to finally get picked and medal, but I think he is very old for an early-career HW now. I wonder if there is an ideal age/number of fights for an am before turning over, and I appreciate it's winning something in the ams to give you some standing when you do turnover so you're not starting from having to run about selling tickets (that sounds as stressful as fighting).

I think if you are in the elite squad you are on a grand a week

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑27 Jan 2025, 14:27

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑27 Jan 2025, 12:48 i wonder who won that fight

Walid landed a 4-punch combo and knocked Smith out.

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 16:52

maverick23 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 16:22

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 15:28

If they can keep him busy, like what FW did with Hatton, get him fighting against Euro level, fringe world level, get the rounds in, get a support base.
He isn't a puncher at top level so needs to get used to the pace over the long route too.
Then in 18 months time he will be genuinely ready for the world stage, doing it the right way.
I really don't think the Frenchman was that bad, Smith was that good.

Who at European level would get him ready for a world title fight?

For me if he fought McComb, O'Leary and Taylor this year, they would be big domestic fights, generate interest, give him experience of the big stage, give him rounds too.
Taylor taken last would give him the best prep for top level

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 09:01 Corner threw in the towel, so both the referee and Ouizza's trainer were of the same opinion.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 07:09

skanksta wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 19:31 I don't agree with the forum so much as Bellew

It wasn't a great stoppage for me, not for a LLB with a big lead especially.
Hurt obviously and didn't complain, but I'd like to have seen if he could have regained his shape..

I didn't think he was in a position to defend himself, did you?