BoxRec

this has been vaguely mooted over the past couple of years.

not a great fight for Smith and with my black country hat on i'm not sure its a great one for Macca either. Smith just does everything he does, better.

I'd like to be able to justify it on behalf of my man, but i can't, really. I'd like to have seen Macca at least beat someone like a Dilks, Dodson, or whoever, before he got this chance.

Bomber 1 wrote:I'd bet DeGale is mandatory for the british title before Groves.... Also this match ain't official yet so I think everyone should reserve judgement, Not really fair to start giving people a going over when this might not even be true???

Surely Kenny Anderson , Carl Dilks,are in line before Degale and Groves.

I wouldn't have Anderson in front of any of them..... DeGale perhaps.

He's only had one fight after a year long break, which *apparently* was a close one against Mendy.

Groves has stopped Samuels and also won the Commonwealth stopping Adamu - that places him above Dilks by default.

Bomber 1 wrote:I'd bet DeGale is mandatory for the british title before Groves.... Also this match ain't official yet so I think everyone should reserve judgement, Not really fair to start giving people a going over when this might not even be true???

The board have published this notice so someone has asked for this match to happen.

Looks like i'm completely on my own with this one then!!
I don't think McDermott is all that bad, has a good skill set (yes it was worrying how easily Barker was timing him with the straight right), definitely big enough to step up to super middle, has shared the ring with some decent fighters (better than some of the other names being mentioned) and I think it will be a good clash of styles. Yes, I think Smith will stop him towards the end of the fight but after his last two which were fairly dull affairs, I reckon this one will be fun whilst it lasts.

Lenny wrote:Looks like i'm completely on my own with this one then!!
I don't think McDermott is all that bad, has a good skill set (yes it was worrying how easily Barker was timing him with the straight right), definitely big enough to step up to super middle, has shared the ring with some decent fighters (better than some of the other names being mentioned) and I think it will be a good clash of styles. Yes, I think Smith will stop him towards the end of the fight but after his last two which were fairly dull affairs, I reckon this one will be fun whilst it lasts.

haha, you're not on your own exactly lenny, but i am biased so i thought i wouldn't bother sticking my oar in. all good points.

i dont think mcdermott is that bad but he dosnt deserve his shot. Also if paul smith wants to move on and up he needs better fights imo. Smith v groves should be made but dont think itll happen. After he beat quigley then dodson now mcdermott if it happens the opposition is getting worse..

I'm as baffled as anybody regarding why Daz Maccy Mac has been granted this particular title chance, but I welcome any excuse for the wearing of a Black Country Hat.

hope you're well Russ

Counter-puncher wrote: hope you're well Russ

I might not have been, but from the very second that a Black Country Hat rests on my head the world suddenly stops looking as grey as the peas (pays) and starts looking as bright and rosey as some of the pink blobs on the side of The Public.

I know you feel the same.

yow aye alf right our kid

Bomber 1 wrote:I'd bet DeGale is mandatory for the british title before Groves.... Also this match ain't official yet so I think everyone should reserve judgement, Not really fair to start giving people a going over when this might not even be true???

What would DeGale have done to merit mandatory status ahead of Groves?
And shouldn't Groves be the co-challenger at the very least once the British title is vacated?

Chris W 1982 wrote:Can anyone actually tell me what McDermott has done to earn a British title shot?

Former undeafeted Midland area middleweight champion,Former British and Commonwealth title challenger TWICE and He is the current English Middleweight champion and got alot of exp and alot more to offer...
When he fought Elcock it lasted 2 rounds due to injury... i think Macca would of beat him to be fair but thats my opinion, Barker, why on earth Macca stood there and tried to FIGHT barker is beyhond me.... Darren admits that was totally the wrong tactics and didnt listen to his corner and it cost him dearly. Think well see a different fighter against Smith

oliverc wrote:

Bomber 1 wrote:I'd bet DeGale is mandatory for the british title before Groves.... Also this match ain't official yet so I think everyone should reserve judgement, Not really fair to start giving people a going over when this might not even be true???

What would DeGale have done to merit mandatory status ahead of Groves?
And shouldn't Groves be the co-challenger at the very least once the British title is vacated?

Degale will get there because he is with FW

Jacko11 wrote:

Chris W 1982 wrote:Can anyone actually tell me what McDermott has done to earn a British title shot?

Former undeafeted Midland area middleweight champion,Former British and Commonwealth title challenger TWICE and He is the current English Middleweight champion and got alot of exp and alot more to offer...
When he fought Elcock it lasted 2 rounds due to injury... i think Macca would of beat him to be fair but thats my opinion, Barker, why on earth Macca stood there and tried to FIGHT barker is beyhond me.... Darren admits that was totally the wrong tactics and didnt listen to his corner and it cost him dearly. Think well see a different fighter against Smith

I appreciate there may have been circumstances in McDermott's losses but certainly doesn't make it ok for him to just step up a division and face a British champion who has a potentially lucrative WBO ranking.

There's about half a dozen current 12st fighters who are far more deserving than McDermott

I'd imagine it's a volontary. With those you don't have to be the most worthy, just worthy enough.

bigdaddy wrote:

Bomber 1 wrote:I'd bet DeGale is mandatory for the british title before Groves.... Also this match ain't official yet so I think everyone should reserve judgement, Not really fair to start giving people a going over when this might not even be true???

Surely Kenny Anderson , Carl Dilks,are in line before Degale and Groves.

why dilks? he hasnt beat nobody of note. he did enuff to beat adamu but groves made adamu look like a journeyman, i think degale and groves deserve a crack before dilks. anderson only holds 1 decent win over mendy

Chris W 1982 wrote:

Jacko11 wrote:

Chris W 1982 wrote:Can anyone actually tell me what McDermott has done to earn a British title shot?

Former undeafeted Midland area middleweight champion,Former British and Commonwealth title challenger TWICE and He is the current English Middleweight champion and got alot of exp and alot more to offer...
When he fought Elcock it lasted 2 rounds due to injury... i think Macca would of beat him to be fair but thats my opinion, Barker, why on earth Macca stood there and tried to FIGHT barker is beyhond me.... Darren admits that was totally the wrong tactics and didnt listen to his corner and it cost him dearly. Think well see a different fighter against Smith

I appreciate there may have been circumstances in McDermott's losses but certainly doesn't make it ok for him to just step up a division and face a British champion who has a potentially lucrative WBO ranking.

There's about half a dozen current 12st fighters who are far more deserving than McDermott

It's called protecting your fighter.... manager and promters today are brilliant at it especially the Ingles

Chris W 1982 wrote:I appreciate there may have been circumstances in McDermott's losses but certainly doesn't make it ok for him to just step up a division and face a British champion who has a potentially lucrative WBO ranking.

There's about half a dozen current 12st fighters who are far more deserving than McDermott

Who are the 6 fighters that are "far more" deserving than McDermott?

I'm struggling with 6 also.

Magee, Groves, Quigley, Dilks, Degale, Anderson (thats them at a push).

I think its not a great match up, but it isn't as shocking as being noted here. I think there is a strong case for him being ranked #4 at Middle, with the top 2 being at least EBU level (and Murray could be joining them in that class soon enough).

I think he would be British or Commonwealth champion had he not been fighting in the same era as Macklin and Barker (who are better than the average British champion). I think he would have had Elcock also.

Plus there is the Steve Bendall angle.

Don't get me wrong, I aint "Championing" this fight as some kind of acid test for Smith, but I think there have been alot worst title fights. People have mentioned McDermott apparent lack of size.... I've always wondered just how he can make Middle, he will be bigger than Smith and I think the move up will do him well.

stujones wrote:I'm struggling with 6 also.

Magee, Groves, Quigley, Dilks, Degale, Anderson (thats them at a push).

Paul David is another.

stujones wrote:I'm struggling with 6 also.

Magee, Groves, Quigley, Dilks, Degale, Anderson (thats them at a push).

Yes, I would say they are possibly more deserving (at Super Middleweight), but I think that only Magee qualifies as far more deserving.

I don't think any of the others have wins that are clearly (or at all) better than McDermott's, the only problem is that those wins are at Middleweight.

Best two wins:

McDermott - Bendall & Butler
Groves - Adamu & Samuels
Quigley - Dodson & King
Dilks - Ajisafe & Boyle
DeGale - Horton & Barr
Anderson - Mendy & King

In my opinion - Dean Powell for me is one of the very best matchamkers we have seen for many many years - he knows the sport inside and out - however Smith v McDermott is all wrong.

If we are to believe Smith is beyond domestic clashes - the only reason I see for what basically is a p*ss poor fight is so that Smith can win the Lonsdale Belt outright - if that is the thinking behind this fight then fair enough - however - sometimes due to injuries or inactivity etc etc - to capitilise on a fighters talent, earning potential and to progress him as far as his abilities will stretch then unfortuntately enhancing the Boxing CV with the coveted Lonsdale Belt has to be overlooked - Smith for me has not been totally consistent and I honestly believe he is one of them fighters who could easily lose a domestic clash as he could win against a European or world class opponent.

Smith in my view should throw sentiment to onside - and as hard as it will be to say - no to the Lonsdale Belt - the reward in fighting a decent European/World opponent could possibly be far greater. If we are to believe Smith is beyond domestic class then he has a mighty hard decision to make - if I were managing him I would be banging on Mr W arren's and Mr Powells door demanding a decent couple of tests and no meaningless domestic clashes.

Horse wrote:

stujones wrote:I'm struggling with 6 also.

Magee, Groves, Quigley, Dilks, Degale, Anderson (thats them at a push).

Yes, I would say they are possibly more deserving (at Super Middleweight), but I think that only Magee qualifies as far more deserving.

I don't think any of the others have wins that are clearly (or at all) better than McDermott's, the only problem is that those wins are at Middleweight.

Best two wins:

McDermott - Bendall & Butler
Groves - Adamu & Samuels
Quigley - Dodson & King
Dilks - Ajisafe & Boyle
DeGale - Horton & Barr
Anderson - Mendy & King

I prefer not to use your formula.

The six fighters mentioned are much more worthy of a shot than McDermott. He is moving up a division on the back of a win against Danny Butler and being handed a title shot straight away.

Whilst McDermott perhaps isn't an "ideal" choice, he's a decent choice I think. His only legitimate loss was to Barker, and that looked like a premature stoppage too (although he was behind clearly in the fight.)

Thats how it works these days, though, he's a credible challnger, but not the most logical choice.