Enzo Vs Afolabi Spoiler! post fight discussion merged

[My T Sharp]

I am going to give you some background on Ola Afolabi, he has been a well kept secret at the Wildcard gym for years, the kid has not had one single amateur fight, he has basicly lived in the gym and has put in the work to get where he is today.

his record very misleading, he only has five Kayos and 3 draws with only one single loss, that loss was early in his career at the hands of Allen Green (SMW) Ola has spent the last several years as a sparring partner for the likes of James Toney, Kingsley Ikeke, Bernard hopkins, Romin Karmazin to name a few.

his fights that he has had, as I said the record is misleading, with no Amatuer background and wanting to go far in this sport, he didnt just go out there for the Knock out, he had to basicly get in rounds so that he can further develope his skills, which is why you only see 6 knock outs on his record, the man was having a very hard time getting fights, and the fights he would get, like I said if you just knock out everybody it will be harder to get you fights, no promoter or manager will want their man in there with you.

So basicly Ola had to play the waiting game but instead of just waiting he stayed in the gym and sparred as much as he possibly could, I remember when he only had about 6 fights he was already sparring with Kingsley Ikeke, and was beating up Ikeke in the gym the kid does have talent.

So in all of this Enzo lost to a bum, that isnt the truth, Ola is an un heard of but he is not a bum, I have explained this time and time again since they put this fight together, Ola has been under the radar and if anybody over looks him it will be a costly mistake.

Congrats to Ola for his hard earned win~

Cheers for the insight. He sounds like the type of fighter to be respected. Good luck to him in his title shot

[chris s]

It all proves that fighters make trainers. When Joe Calzaghe and Enzo Maccarinelli were banging them out Enzo Calzaghe was voted trainer of the year by the American boxing writers. A couple of losers and he can't teach a cat to p*ss up against the wall.

[matko]

just asked a question on the other thread about ola, whether he spared toney. his skills and concentration was quality, he had a similar style to toney in ways i thought at ringside he stayed in front of enzo slipping and rolling etc was quality to watch and enzo was looking strong too credit to both guys

[The_Real_Deal]

just asked a question on the other thread about ola, whether he spared toney. his skills and concentration was quality, he had a similar style to toney in ways i thought at ringside he stayed in front of enzo slipping and rolling etc was quality to watch and enzo was looking strong too credit to both guys

Years back just before the Holyfield Toney fight, he sparred with James, he sparred with him up until after the Sam Peter fight, but he has also worked with other household names, this was basicly his amateurs the work was done all in the gym and its paid off big time, awsome performance by Ola finally he is going to start making some money....

That fornicator still owes me ten bux~ DD

[Spiker]

How old is Ola??
I thought he did a fantastic job.
Enzo threw everything at him and lets face it Ola has now beaten the hardest hitter in the division.
And i loved it when macranelli hit the canvas

[rhino222]

maccarinelli is no more than a 'flat track bully'. but...we have learnt one thing, when he gets chinned he is one hell of a dancer. and deserves his place in the 'ministry of funny walks' hall of fame alongsede the likes of...

trevor berbick

zab judah

any others fellas??

[Shirow]

I was very impressed with Ola and i did see some things that reminded me of Toney. Namely how relaxed he was on the inside and the way he would throw a right hand roll and throw another one. Now Toney appears finished it's good that some of his skills will live on.

About Enzo, the talk of retirement whenever a fighter loses when he steps up is a bit silly. It just means that a fighter has found his level and it's not world class. He can make a decent career as a Wayne Braithwaite type of opponent who'll put on a good show has some power but won't win when he steps up. I don't see a problem with that.

[Coco]

I was very impressed with Ola and i did see some things that reminded me of Toney. Namely how relaxed he was on the inside and the way he would throw a right hand roll and throw another one. Now Toney appears finished it's good that some of his skills will live on.

About Enzo, the talk of retirement whenever a fighter loses when he steps up is a bit silly. It just means that a fighter has found his level and it's not world class. He can make a decent career as a Wayne Braithwaite type of opponent who'll put on a good show has some power but won't win when he steps up. I don't see a problem with that.

True but he still has a punchers chance against most, an opponent now maybe but a damn dangerous one

[The_Real_Deal]

I was very impressed with Ola and i did see some things that reminded me of Toney. Namely how relaxed he was on the inside and the way he would throw a right hand roll and throw another one. Now Toney appears finished it's good that some of his skills will live on.

About Enzo, the talk of retirement whenever a fighter loses when he steps up is a bit silly. It just means that a fighter has found his level and it's not world class. He can make a decent career as a Wayne Braithwaite type of opponent who'll put on a good show has some power but won't win when he steps up. I don't see a problem with that.

I wouldnt say that his level isnt world class, I would say that this fight simply says that Olas level is world class.. and not this nobody that none of you heard of anymore, this was Olas break through fight, and he broke through, I am going to wait it out before I rule Enzo a C level fighter or a bum, Honestly Ola has been a well kept secret for some time.

[Shirow]

Something else. I was very worried that Ola had the sparring partner mentality and would let it slip through his fingers. His low workrate, showboating and the way he kept touching gloves at the beginning of each round made me worry he would just do enough to show he was the better fighter but not to win.

It was a relief when he finally closed the show. I assume that Frankie has options and what with the demise of Cook & Pryce and the open Cruiser divison hopefully he be motivated to get behind him.

[The_Real_Deal]

Something else. I was very worried that Ola had the sparring partner mentality and would let it slip through his fingers. His low workrate, showboating and the way he kept touching gloves at the beginning of each round made me worry he would just do enough to show he was the better fighter but not to win.

It was a relief when he finally closed the show. I assume that Frankie has options and what with the demise of Cook & Pryce and the open Cruiser divison hopefully he be motivated to get behind him.

I doubt Frank has options on Ola, I dont even think Frank thought Ola stood a chance in this fight as was the case with everybody else, with the exception of the few who knew what Ola was about. I can tell you this the next time he fights a big name he will not be a 20-1 underdog thats for sure.

And do not be fooled by his knock out ratio, the man can crack~

[Coco]

I thought Enzo's tactics were poor, he was trying to make a statement by taking Ola out, but instead he punched himself out while Ola tucked up and looked after himself.
If Enzo utilized his jab and boxed sensibly on the outside, I think he could have won clearly on points.
I don't think we should get too excited about Ola, his workrate is too low over the longer distance and I don't think he hits hard enough to get himself out of jail each time.
Furthermore even if FW does have options, is Ola's fan base big enough to make him a profitable commodity?

[Neil Jones Jnr]

He looks very beatable.

Enzo won 7 of the 8 rounds. He just got suckered in.

I'd pick Enzo to win a rematch

[The_Real_Deal]

He looks very beatable.

Enzo won 7 of the 8 rounds. He just got suckered in.

I'd pick Enzo to win a rematch

I dont think that Enzo won 7 of 8 rounds, especially when you consider there were 9 rounds not 8, the 9th just got cut short, anyhow, I had the fight pretty even at the time of the stoppage. I would love for people to continue doubting Ola, this way I can continue making good money with crazy odds like they had against him with the Enzo fight. 20-1 underdog can you fornicating beleive it?

[rhino222]

Something else. I was very worried that Ola had the sparring partner mentality and would let it slip through his fingers. His low workrate, showboating and the way he kept touching gloves at the beginning of each round made me worry he would just do enough to show he was the better fighter but not to win.

It was a relief when he finally closed the show. I assume that Frankie has options and what with the demise of Cook & Pryce and the open Cruiser divison hopefully he be motivated to get behind him.

it was the sparring partner mentality that actually WON ola the fight, he tucked up well and was economical when enzo was unloading. my best advice for enzo is that boxing is like sahgging....go hell for leather initially might impress the birds, but if you blow your bolt too soon you will be seen as a shit shag, however, if you take your time, have good staying power and retain the ability to have a big finish, then the chicks will love ya.

enzo, you were a shit shag, well done ola !!!

[DavidPayne]

I'll ask a question, would we have even heard of Maccarinelli if he was from Ipswich or Taunton or Consett?

Nah. Coat-tails. Its all about coat-tails.

I've never, ever seen what Macca is supposed to have had. His fight with that Belgian light-heavyweight told me all I needed to know. One dimensional and not fond of taking a shot.

[Captain Hook]

So his previous success didn't happen??
Or were they just by luck??
Boxers lose, so does that make it the trainers fault??

Well said mate, lot of people really have enjoyed seeing this trio of British fighters lose.

I know their promoter is a pudendum but this is not great for British boxing.

[gobbles]

I thought Enzo's tactics were poor, he was trying to make a statement by taking Ola out, but instead he punched himself out while Ola tucked up and looked after himself.
If Enzo utilized his jab and boxed sensibly on the outside, I think he could have won clearly on points.
I don't think we should get too excited about Ola, his workrate is too low over the longer distance and I don't think he hits hard enough to get himself out of jail each time.
Furthermore even if FW does have options, is Ola's fan base big enough to make him a profitable commodity?

I read somewhere that he had never seen a tape of Afolabi and knew nothing about him. He fought like that, really poor tactics and didn't use his jab.

[Coco]

Apparently Enzo is threatening to quit if he doesn't get an immediate rematch

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/sport ... ticle.html

[My Name Is Earl]

Was impressed with Enzo's new hair, but disappointed in the usual post match excuses.

Were the 'problems in the build-up' he alluded to, the delayed start cos of the late glove wrapping of Ola?

Fairplay to the Londoner Fought a smart fight and no coincidence he's put 2 crackin W's on his cv.

[J]

I'll ask a question, would we have even heard of Maccarinelli if he was from Ipswich or Taunton or Consett?

Nah. Coat-tails. Its all about coat-tails.

I've never, ever seen what Macca is supposed to have had. His fight with that Belgian light-heavyweight told me all I needed to know. One dimensional and not fond of taking a shot.

ive never been a fan either mate.

too much bluster not enough substance.

[Matt W]

I think Enzo seems like a good guy and so didn't like seeing him KOd the way he was. I do feel though that he is symptomatic of a number of fighters who feel they are 'world class' without having won against world class opposition.

I've no problem with people believing that they can be world class (you can be sure that you never will be without the belief you can), but to me there is a danger that believing you are on that level without the wins to back it up can lead to the kind of complacency that we saw from Enzo.

I am getting especially tired of hearing British fighters saying 'I am world class' before they have even fought at Euro level.

[Matt W]

100% agreed Terry. And as in the Haye fight he was wide-open to the right hand.

[Counter-puncher]

I am getting especially tired of hearing British fighters saying 'I am world class' before they have even fought at Euro level.

sadly, that's exactly what Macklin said after beating Elcock.....

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I was very impressed with Ola and i did see some things that reminded me of Toney. Namely how relaxed he was on the inside and the way he would throw a right hand roll and throw another one. Now Toney appears finished it's good that some of his skills will live on.

About Enzo, the talk of retirement whenever a fighter loses when he steps up is a bit silly. It just means that a fighter has found his level and it's not world class. He can make a decent career as a Wayne Braithwaite type of opponent who'll put on a good show has some power but won't win when he steps up. I don't see a problem with that.

I wouldnt say that his level isnt world class, I would say that this fight simply says that Olas level is world class.. and not this nobody that none of you heard of anymore, this was Olas break through fight, and he broke through, I am going to wait it out before I rule Enzo a C level fighter or a bum, Honestly Ola has been a well kept secret for some time.

I think it showed he has world class technique but F Class Workrate to be fair. I can't see him having the physical ability to stay at the top long