Classic fights I've watched recently

[Bodyshot3]

Lloyd Honeyghan vs Johnny Bumphus

Bit of a London mugging by Lloyd as I recall.....

.....but he was pretty much at the height of his powers around this point and clearly felt that he could straight after the Thin Man and not put himself in too much danger. He did the same to Gene Hatcher later that summer too.

In-between Bumphus and Hatcher there was a good fight/defence with Maurice Blocker who was actually a very good challenger and not a light welterweight.

[handsofstone]

Mark Breland vs Lloyd Honeyghan


Breland blitzed Honeyghan in 3 rounds to retain his World Welterweight title, Honeyghan down 6 times in all, down in the 1st from a long left jab of Breland, Honeyghan got up but was hurt and never recovered, Honeyghan was don twice more in the 2nd, first knockdown was that same jolting left jab of Breland which hurt him even more than the first KD, when he got up Breland tore in about him with both fists and a right had Honeyghan down again as the bell went


The end came in the 3rd, Honeyghan down 3 times, a right uppercut had him down seconds into the round and when he got up Breland trapped him in the corner unloading lightening quick combinations and it was left hooks which had Honeyghan down again, the end was near and Breland was pouring heavy pressure on Honeyghan who had to show a lot of heart not to go down again but it got too much and a final Breland right hand put Honeyghan down for a sixth and final time before it was stopped, tough night for Honeyghan but Breland oozed class

[Bodyshot3]

It all unravelled against Breland for Lloyd - probably due to the Starling defeat - and Wembley Arena went very quiet that night as Breland did a very professional job on the road. Maybe one of Breland's best wins?

Lloyd's career at the very top was always finely balanced I thought....there was the surging-smart aggression of the Curry fight and also going right after Bumphus and Hatcher...but he was simply too feisty-carefree against Vaca (first fight) and did not realise that Starling could not be smashed-up/bullied inside a few rounds

[handsofstone]

It all unravelled against Breland for Lloyd - probably due to the Starling defeat - and Wembley Arena went very quiet that night as Breland did a very professional job on the road. Maybe one of Breland's best wins?

Lloyd's career at the very top was always finely balanced I thought....there was the surging-smart aggression of the Curry fight and also going right after Bumphus and Hatcher...but he was simply too feisty-carefree against Vaca (first fight) and did not realise that Starling could not be smashed-up/bullied inside a few rounds

Surprised to see how he couldn't take Breland's power at all, the jabs for the first 2 knockdowns took pretty much all his resistance away

[AntonioMartin]

I saw Wilfredo Gomez vs Carlos Zarate in preparation for my Wikipedia article on the bout which now you can read there:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfredo_ ... %C3%A1rate

The bout's description on the article are all my observations, backed by the you tube video linked to it.

Enjoy!

[Bodyshot3]

Surprised to see how he couldn't take Breland's power at all, the jabs for the first 2 knockdowns took pretty much all his resistance away

Breland was obviously very good and came prepared.....but I think Lloyd's "lifestyle" was a huge factor in that collapse.

Lloyd most definitely liked the ladies, liked the London party scene and to a certain extent had got carried away by his belief he could simply bomb guys out. Not a great combination against someone like Breland.

There were signs that Honeyghan had to be super-disciplined to be superb and well before Breland.
He went into lock-down before the Curry fight - almost living like a Hermit - to get himself ready and also shock Curry.

Definitely, one of the most interesting/unconventional British world champs I can recall.

[AntonioMartin]

Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.-Tony Martin....good scrap that went ten rounds. Martin wouldnt have lasted to the third with a prime Chavez Sr but he showed guts hanging there, taking some serious shots until the end. Chavez Sr. still pulled a close but clear win.

Too bad what happened to Martin 16 years later, getting murdered by a client. RIP Tony Martin.

[handsofstone]

Bernard Hopkins vs John David Jackson



Hopkins stops Jackson in the 7th to retain his World Middleweight title, strange fight Jackson's legs just weren't there all night, his legs were far too wide, anything Hopkins landed had a visable effect and he was wobbled several times in the fight


Cagey start from both men, plenty feinting, missing and holding but not a lot of landing, it wasnt until the 3rd that Hopkins began to find the range with thr lead right cross and as I say Jackson was wobbling from partially landed shots, Hopkins had Jackson down in the 6th but again looked a balance issue's a left to the body took Jackson's legs from him, in the 7th Hopkins pinned Jackson in the corner and was unloading both hands he forced Jackson down on the bottom rope, when he got up thr ref waved it off, maybe harsh as he was avoiding a lot of shots but he looked ready to go TBH

[handsofstone]

Bernard Hopkins vs Glen Johnson



Hopkins stops the unbeaten but green Johnson in the 11th to retain his World Middleweight title, Johnson stopped on his feet after a slow one sided beatdown, he was brave and showed that chin and durability but he was never in the fight

Hopkins looked excellent, jab was beautiful, the right hands class, he softened Johnson up to the body from the start, slowed him down and by the end it was target practice, Johnson was never really visibly wobbled but you could tell in his body language Hopkins was right on top of him, Hopkins showed great variety and accuracy, a dissection of a very tough challenger, finally in the 11th after pretty much shoe shine combination thr ref stopped it

[Counter-puncher]

Bernard Hopkins vs Glen Johnson



Hopkins stops the unbeaten but green Johnson in the 11th to retain his World Middleweight title, Johnson stopped on his feet after a slow one sided beatdown, he was brave and showed that chin and durability but he was never in the fight

Hopkins looked excellent, jab was beautiful, the right hands class, he softened Johnson up to the body from the start, slowed him down and by the end it was target practice, Johnson was never really visibly wobbled but you could tell in his body language Hopkins was right on top of him, Hopkins showed great variety and accuracy, a dissection of a very tough challenger, finally in the 11th after pretty much shoe shine combination thr ref stopped it

i was shocked, when i first saw this fight, that it (or more specifically Hopkins' performance)doesn't receive more attention, albeit Johnson was somewhat green at the time you can tell he's got plenty of ability and something of a skillset, but Hopkins looked beautiful that night IMO.

Hopkins puts in one of the most punch-perfect performances of the 1990s here, in my opinion, superb handspeed, sharpness and accuracy, punch variety, all worked off that superb jab, sharp, stiff, lightning-quick, great to watch.

[handsofstone]

Bernard Hopkins vs Glen Johnson



Hopkins stops the unbeaten but green Johnson in the 11th to retain his World Middleweight title, Johnson stopped on his feet after a slow one sided beatdown, he was brave and showed that chin and durability but he was never in the fight

Hopkins looked excellent, jab was beautiful, the right hands class, he softened Johnson up to the body from the start, slowed him down and by the end it was target practice, Johnson was never really visibly wobbled but you could tell in his body language Hopkins was right on top of him, Hopkins showed great variety and accuracy, a dissection of a very tough challenger, finally in the 11th after pretty much shoe shine combination thr ref stopped it

i was shocked, when i first saw this fight, that it (or more specifically Hopkins' performance)doesn't receive more attention, albeit Johnson was somewhat green at the time you can tell he's got plenty of ability and something of a skillset, but Hopkins looked beautiful that night IMO.

Hopkins puts in one of the most punch-perfect performances of the 1990s here, in my opinion, superb handspeed, sharpness and accuracy, punch variety, all worked off that superb jab, sharp, stiff, lightning-quick, great to watch.

Agreed mate, Hopkins was quality

[handsofstone]

Bernard Hopkins vs William Joppy



Hopkins beats Joppy by wide UD to retain his World Middleweight titles, near shut out win for Hopkins who put in another great performance to school Joppy and break him down, Joppy only just made it to the end, he suffered a torrid 12th when Hopkins poured it on him for the 3 minutes unloading punch after punch as Joppy reeled around the ring legs shaky, he showed grit though and deserved to hear the final bell


Hopkins showed his experience , his guile and boxing brain to outbox Joppy and frustrate him early, usually landing single shots, whether it the jab or lead right before tying Joppy up, not always great on the eye but it was effective, by the late rounds Joppy was a mile behind and looking jaded as Hopkins turned the screw and started to look to break him down to the body, landing some sharp left hooks and right hands, as I say torrid last round for Joppy but Hopkins had to settle for a landslide

[Onetimeonly]

Bernard Hopkins vs William Joppy



Hopkins beats Joppy by wide UD to retain his World Middleweight titles, near shut out win for Hopkins who put in another great performance to school Joppy and break him down, Joppy only just made it to the end, he suffered a torrid 12th when Hopkins poured it on him for the 3 minutes unloading punch after punch as Joppy reeled around the ring legs shaky, he showed grit though and deserved to hear the final bell


Hopkins showed his experience , his guile and boxing brain to outbox Joppy and frustrate him early, usually landing single shots, whether it the jab or lead right before tying Joppy up, not always great on the eye but it was effective, by the late rounds Joppy was a mile behind and looking jaded as Hopkins turned the screw and started to look to break him down to the body, landing some sharp left hooks and right hands, as I say torrid last round for Joppy but Hopkins had to settle for a landslide

Pretty sure they had a side bet on joppy lasting the distance. Something like that, it's why nard went so hard late.

[handsofstone]

Bernard Hopkins vs William Joppy



Hopkins beats Joppy by wide UD to retain his World Middleweight titles, near shut out win for Hopkins who put in another great performance to school Joppy and break him down, Joppy only just made it to the end, he suffered a torrid 12th when Hopkins poured it on him for the 3 minutes unloading punch after punch as Joppy reeled around the ring legs shaky, he showed grit though and deserved to hear the final bell


Hopkins showed his experience , his guile and boxing brain to outbox Joppy and frustrate him early, usually landing single shots, whether it the jab or lead right before tying Joppy up, not always great on the eye but it was effective, by the late rounds Joppy was a mile behind and looking jaded as Hopkins turned the screw and started to look to break him down to the body, landing some sharp left hooks and right hands, as I say torrid last round for Joppy but Hopkins had to settle for a landslide

Pretty sure they had a side bet on joppy lasting the distance. Something like that, it's why nard went so hard late.

That was mentioned mate, Joppy got 50K for going distance, Hopkins says he earned it

[Counter-puncher]

Bernard Hopkins vs William Joppy



Hopkins beats Joppy by wide UD to retain his World Middleweight titles, near shut out win for Hopkins who put in another great performance to school Joppy and break him down, Joppy only just made it to the end, he suffered a torrid 12th when Hopkins poured it on him for the 3 minutes unloading punch after punch as Joppy reeled around the ring legs shaky, he showed grit though and deserved to hear the final bell


Hopkins showed his experience , his guile and boxing brain to outbox Joppy and frustrate him early, usually landing single shots, whether it the jab or lead right before tying Joppy up, not always great on the eye but it was effective, by the late rounds Joppy was a mile behind and looking jaded as Hopkins turned the screw and started to look to break him down to the body, landing some sharp left hooks and right hands, as I say torrid last round for Joppy but Hopkins had to settle for a landslide

Pretty sure they had a side bet on joppy lasting the distance. Something like that, it's why nard went so hard late.

That was mentioned mate, Joppy got 50K for going distance, Hopkins says he earned it

funny as fvck, I never heard that

[Onetimeonly]

Bernard Hopkins vs William Joppy



Hopkins beats Joppy by wide UD to retain his World Middleweight titles, near shut out win for Hopkins who put in another great performance to school Joppy and break him down, Joppy only just made it to the end, he suffered a torrid 12th when Hopkins poured it on him for the 3 minutes unloading punch after punch as Joppy reeled around the ring legs shaky, he showed grit though and deserved to hear the final bell


Hopkins showed his experience , his guile and boxing brain to outbox Joppy and frustrate him early, usually landing single shots, whether it the jab or lead right before tying Joppy up, not always great on the eye but it was effective, by the late rounds Joppy was a mile behind and looking jaded as Hopkins turned the screw and started to look to break him down to the body, landing some sharp left hooks and right hands, as I say torrid last round for Joppy but Hopkins had to settle for a landslide

Pretty sure they had a side bet on joppy lasting the distance. Something like that, it's why nard went so hard late.

That was mentioned mate, Joppy got 50K for going distance, Hopkins says he earned it

Lol he looked like a gargoyle.

[handsofstone]

Jermain Taylor vs Bernard Hopkins 1+2



Taylor beats Hopkins by SD to become Undisputed World Middleweight champion, awful fight, no action and styles just didn't gel at all, both cagey and looking to counter, it was Taylor who picked up the lead though, slightly quicker out the blocks, jab was better and he was simply landing more although not a lot more, Hopkins output for first 8 rounds was dire, averaging less than 20 punches a round, Taylor was winning a few rounds by a couple punches, still Hopkins even at 40 grew into the fight down the stretch, was able to get some punches off as Taylor slowed to a halt and it was Hopkins who finished well, wasn't enough though and Taylor got the nod



Taylor wins the rematch by close UD to retain his titles, 115-113 across the board, another snoozefest, equally as bad as the first fight, Taylor started off cagier this time maybe mindful of how he faded last time so it wasn't until about the 4th he began to let his hands go, Hopkins was still in his shell throwing occasional single shots without too much success, the holding was brutal to watch every time both men threw a punch they'd tie up, Taylor switched off in the middle rounds again and Hopkins nicked a few rounds, Taylor started to get his jab off and land the odd right hand and Hopkins got home with the odd left hook, 2 counter punchers though it was a tough watch, I'm glad Taylor won at least he threw some punches in bunches, Hopkins is dreadful to watch

[Counter-puncher]

Jermain Taylor vs Bernard Hopkins 1



Taylor beats Hopkins by SD to become Undisputed World Middleweight champion, awful fight, no action and styles just didn't gel at all, both cagey and looking to counter, it was Taylor who picked up the lead though, slightly quicker out the blocks, jab was better and he was simply landing more although not a lot more, Hopkins output for first 8 rounds was dire, averaging less than 20 punches a round, Taylor was winning a few rounds by a couple punches, still Hopkins even at 40 grew into the fight down the stretch, was able to get some punches off as Taylor slowed to a halt and it was Hopkins who finished well, wasn't enough though and Taylor got the nod

believe it or not I can remember passionate forum arguments about the scoring of this fight......

[handsofstone]

Jermain Taylor vs Bernard Hopkins 1



Taylor beats Hopkins by SD to become Undisputed World Middleweight champion, awful fight, no action and styles just didn't gel at all, both cagey and looking to counter, it was Taylor who picked up the lead though, slightly quicker out the blocks, jab was better and he was simply landing more although not a lot more, Hopkins output for first 8 rounds was dire, averaging less than 20 punches a round, Taylor was winning a few rounds by a couple punches, still Hopkins even at 40 grew into the fight down the stretch, was able to get some punches off as Taylor slowed to a halt and it was Hopkins who finished well, wasn't enough though and Taylor got the nod

believe it or not I can remember passionate forum arguments about the scoring of this fight......

I never scored but the action was so sparse that even the wider rounds were close, Hopkins was so hard to land clean against but his output early was dreadful, Taylor was forcing things if anything

The rematch is even worse I believe??

[Counter-puncher]

Jermain Taylor vs Bernard Hopkins 1



Taylor beats Hopkins by SD to become Undisputed World Middleweight champion, awful fight, no action and styles just didn't gel at all, both cagey and looking to counter, it was Taylor who picked up the lead though, slightly quicker out the blocks, jab was better and he was simply landing more although not a lot more, Hopkins output for first 8 rounds was dire, averaging less than 20 punches a round, Taylor was winning a few rounds by a couple punches, still Hopkins even at 40 grew into the fight down the stretch, was able to get some punches off as Taylor slowed to a halt and it was Hopkins who finished well, wasn't enough though and Taylor got the nod

believe it or not I can remember passionate forum arguments about the scoring of this fight......

I never scored but the action was so sparse that even the wider rounds were close, Hopkins was so hard to land clean against but his output early was dreadful, Taylor was forcing things if anything

The rematch is even worse I believe??

I've literally never seen it. I remember a few people going hammer and tongs over and over, one group saying Hopkins had hurt Taylor with a right hand in the last round i think, another madly pro-Taylor, and probably 3/4 of the forum not giving a fvck

[Syntax Error]

Michael Spinks V Larry Holmes 1.

Spinks's awkwardness was in full display.

Holmes just could not solve Spinks at all.

Larry tried to get his much vaunted jab into play, but it was useless against Michael.

Holmes's whole schtick was his jab which usually set up his big Right, but he seemed clueless once his piston like jab wasn't able to control Spinks.

Spinks fought a great fight and looked like the boss for most of it, despite being much smaller.

To be fair to Holmes, he was ageing, but I expected him to be more dominant.

[AntonioMartin]

Michael Spinks V Larry Holmes 1.

Spinks's awkwardness was in full display.

Holmes just could not solve Spinks at all.

Larry tried to get his much vaunted jab into play, but it was useless against Michael.

Holmes's whole schtick was his jab which usually set up his big Right, but he seemed clueless once his piston like jab wasn't able to control Spinks.

Spinks fought a great fight and looked like the boss for most of it, despite being much smaller.

To be fair to Holmes, he was ageing, but I expected him to be more dominant.

I remember watching this fight live. I had it 145-141 for Spinks.

Lots of people believe Holmes got robbed on this one too, however. (I am among the many who think he won fight #2 as well)

[AntonioMartin]

Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas.

Thomas was a really great fighter. I actually scored round four for him.

BUT, he was not in Tyson's league...

[hhaehre]

Pretty sure they had a side bet on joppy lasting the distance. Something like that, it's why nard went so hard late.

That was mentioned mate, Joppy got 50K for going distance, Hopkins says he earned it

Lol he looked like a gargoyle.

I seem to remember that he actually turned up at the post fight presser with a head like a balloon. He said something like "I take my lumps like a man and I ain't gonna hide"

[brilo33]

sugar ray leonard v lalonde, really good fight