BoxRec

I have three times!

If you're a mate of his I apologise, I just don't think he's got it anymore and think if he carries on he'll get hurt.

He peaked 10 years ago.

Were you impressed by that performance?

Craig Lynch isn't just a journeyman, he's not even competitive. He was woeful.

And he may be 30 but he's had a long 12 year career....taken its toll I think.

No disgrace though....

Thank you for retracting the word shot.
That is all I wanted to clear up.
The relevence of you being a writer is that if you are you should know better in my humble opinion.
Joe Public often use phraseology about boxing without thinking - but journos should know better.
Whilst I would never describe the WBU as a world title can I just ask for your observation of the fact that Alexander turned down Rhodes recently.
Also, K9 didn't want to know in the Contender series.
If Rhodes is way past it, surely Alexander should have taken an easy pay day ?
You would not believe how difficult it is to match make for him.
Why ?
Because within the fighters fraternity he is still seen as dangerous.
Let me be briutally honest - a recognised World Title is way off beam, but domestically, particularly at LM he has points to prove.
As Dave P has said, a Jones match up at British looks a decent fight to me.

Well let's hope it happens.

Nobody wants to see him on the scrap heap, but you can't put your hand on heart and tell me the Lynch performance was up to scratch.

Lockett performance was a grittier one, so let's hope for more of the same.

And I agree with Oli about the word shot, I wouldn't dwell on that too much or worry about it.

Good luck Ryan, give him our best..

Hook,
Why are you dwelling on one performance ?
I agree with you it wasn't the best - but he won inside the distance.
He's fought four times since, all decent performances, including the Lockett fight.
Indeed if you want to focus on one performance from a fiighter's career then look no further than the systematic dimantling of Lockett by Tsarenko.
Using your joined up logic, that's Lockett over and done with - but as we all know he avenged that defeat which remains his only loss.

I guess Alexander turned it down because he must be having doubts about himself following December's disaster. He pulled out of Contender too. Better he takes his time and makes the right decision. But Alexander v Rhodes would be an interesting fight - something like a "loser leaves town" scenario.

I'm not talking about one performance.

You're in the Rhodes camp so you've got interests in him, I don't and can look at this objectively.

I don't feel he's got it anymore. You do.

We'll agree to differ.

PS I admire your backing of him, not usually much loyalty in this game....

Thats' fair enough Hook - but you've made no comment on opponents turning down the chance to fight someone 10 years past it (your words) ie K9, Alexander.
Doesn't that tell you something ?

Incidentally, what's the K9 story? Was it supposed to be part of The Contender?

I think we have seen the best of Rhodes, but there is plenty out there still for him to have a go at and be competitive.

Inactivity is something he doesn't need though and I would hope he is fighting regular over the next 12-18 months.

Yes Oliver.
He also turned down Kel Brook.

As I mentioned on the other thread, to which you replied?

Where is Wayne? I didn't know he'd been offered that fight? Would be tough battle between those two, either extremely dull or just a few rounds of banging before one gets KOd.....

He's not usually one to shy away from a fight.....

K9 is a total joke, he can't fight at all, he doesn't know what a jab is.

I'd have fancied Ryan to beat him a few years ago, possibly even now, but the whole point of what Oli was saying is that we expected so much more of Ryan after his booming start to his career....

Let's see him get past this guy first then judge then......

Let's hope he can turn things around, needs to recharge the batteries...

I don't mean recharge the batteries as in having a log break btw, I mean he needs to find what he's lost of late, that sparkle....

Well we'll know a bit more after Sundays fight.
I think that Buchanan will put up stern resistence, Paul didn't fold against Ravelo in his last fight, and it was the first time he'd fought on such a big bill, in front of a crowd like that. Unfortunatly for him he doesn't have a big punch, which is what he may need to defeat Rhodes.

If Rhodes does win, then i'd like him to go for one of the meaningful titles, such as British or Europeon. I'd think that Moore will vacate soon, so that leaves Ryan in a good position to challenge for it , I'd like to see Pryce get a shot at it against him.

The Euro title is being contested by Baysangurov and Bayram, i'd expect Baysangurov to win that one, he's a good boxer in the usual Russain mold, with a sharp dig, but Rhodes would stand a chance there as well.

Either way, its 1 fight at a time for Ryan now, if he's not focused completly on Sundays showdown then he could slip up, and then he'll struggle to get anything meaningful.

good points.....

This match is made at 11st 8lbs.
There's no problem with focus, so no excuses.

twenty six wrote:This match is made at 11st 8lbs.
There's no problem with focus, so no excuses.

Sounds good, I'll look forward to reading the reports, shame this isn't on TV, Ryan is usually good value.

Well seen that Rhodes won in 89 seconds, knocking down Buchanan 3 times, can't argue with that result.
Let's see Ryan in with Pryce now.

Not bad for a shot fighter eh lads ?
Two seriously damaging shots to the right temple, and Buchanan never recovered.
Anyone now wanting to reconsider their views ?
Ultimately the result needs to be kept in perspective, but I'm delighted that he has proved once again some people wrong.

When he steps up to the plate and delivers against somebody of British or even area title class then he'll get the props he deserves mate.

And in a way you've proved mine and Oliver's point. When Rhodes was early 20s, everyone - including us - had high hopes for him. Didn't expect him to be here in 2007 feasting on a bloke who's only had 8 fights, his biggest being a W6 over Ojay Abrahams.....

Sounds like a good win, so well done Ryan....but don't get too carried away!

Hook,
I used the words keep in perspective. I'm not getting carried away.
I'm just glad that he has made a statement to anyone who considers him shot.
When are you and Fennell getting engaged ?

'Twenty Six' , any news on what Ryans plans are next?

Very educated response twentysix, you're vested (probably financial) interest in Rhodes has served you well....

Keep matching him with the likes of Buchanan, work him into a British title shot and see what happens.

Nice little earner for you, probable victory for the champ. I'd like to be proven wrong but don't feel he has it anymore.

I apologise for that, as I've mentioned.

You should have declared an interest in this thread, especially when you told us "how hard it is" to match Ryan....

Look forward to your response, it will probably involve you pulling tongues...

PS I'm also interested what's next for Ryan? How much of a step-up from this guy?