BoxRec

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 06:23**

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:
states wrote:Hmm, I can see your point Ian. But having praised Burns's stamina just a few posts ago, I'm duty bound to disagree. Do you not think his biggest problem was lacking the punch, and the strength to keep Johanneson off? I think the fitness was there, but Burns just cannot back his opponent up when he has to.
I don't think you necessarily have to back your opponent up, states. Get the hell out of the way instead.

The lad has heart but honestly, every time he (briefly) got on his toes and jabbed or put a few punches together, Carl stopped ploughing forward. Don't kid yourself that he was some relentless force in there.

In my opinion, Burns just wasn't fit enough to carry this through. He connected many times and when he got through, it was HIM who was looking for the clinch and not Carl. He was tired. Every time he returned to his corner, he slumped as if he was all in.

We've all seen fighters with no punch jab and get out of the way and box their way to a decision against a stronger opponent. If you use your legs, you don't need bull-like strength but he didn't have the fitness. I thought the lad underperformed...or maybe I just thought he was better than he actually is.

Most people who I know felt Burns would win, and so did I. We were wrong and I don't think it was because Carl was better than we thought.

I think that you may be underestimating Johanneson here Ian. I thought that Burns may have been fit enough to live with the version of Johanneson that we've seen in the past, but I don't think he expected to have to face the kind of workrate that Johanneson showed in the first half of the fight. I've never seen Carl fight at a pace like that, and I didn't think him capable of sustaining it for so long either.

A lot of Burns' apparent fitness problems came from the fact that he was taken out of his comfort zone, and made to match Johanneson or be blown away. That, and the body shots early on, won Carl the fight. Rather than Burns not being as good as first thought, or having problems with fitness, I think it was Johanneson who was better than he's previously been given credit for.

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 06:34**

I can see Ian's point of view - I don't know if it was a lack of sense (cause I do think if he would have continued an asault for say 30 seconds Carl would have dropped) or a lack of experience.

I didn't like the look of Burns coming into the ring.... I really think his 5ft 10 frame is struggling to fit into 9stone 4. Not surprising that Body shots appear to be a vulnerable area.

Also, I am not sure it was more a fitness issue from Burns but maybe it was Johanneson's early pressure that got to him more than we were knowing. The KD in the 7th wasn't the best, but Burns to struggle just cause his strength was gone (his head was clear and his legs were not scambled). Burns seemed to disguise his discomfort very well.

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 06:45**

Ian, to be fair to Burns, I don't think there's any way in hell he'd have survived that type of pressure without being in tremendous shape.

But maybe he needs to take it to another level of fitness, I'll give ya that!

He was no doubt shocked by the Marvin Hagler type pressure Carl threw at him in the opening rounds - great fight

Thank god for fights like this, to make up for the WBU / sportnetwork efforts the fans are asked to stomach on ITV.

To be honest, I was thinking Burns might even get to Johansson late, while watching the fight - and I think if he put more weight behind his shots - stepped in behind them, rather than the arm punches he throws - he'd have had a good shot as Carl tired down the stretch.

He'll come back a better fighter: he's a tremendous talent, huge heart and great boxing skills, and I'm going to be watching his career with even more interest now.

Anyone else reminded of the American Paul Spadafora while watching Burns? Not the girl friend shooting bit, obviously

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 06:49**

I can see that MW, Johanneson used to remind me of Brodie - but I do think Brodie had a bit more variety now.

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 08:05**

Once again Burns loses but comes out with lots of credit...which don`t really mean alot in the wider picture.

Burns is 23yrs old(me thinks) so has lots of time, and as long as these losses don`t blunten his enthusiasm then they will have learnt him more than having 20 contests (notice how I don`t say fights)beating up on a smaller less gifted fighter.

How different would it be if Brendan Ingle was working with Ricky and not Carl?...style wise I`d think the Ingles could do big big things with Ricky Burns...maybe he should contact the Sheffield guru.

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 08:57**

Yes, Carl boxed at a terrific pace right from the off and much more quickly than he normally does.

Didn't think he could keep it up - fair play to the lad.

I agree with Stu - if Burns had the conditioning to put in a thirty second burst rather than a five second one from time to time, the fight would have been a lot more even.

I suppose what I'm saying is this. If Burns had have been as fit as Carl, it would have been a much closer fight. The digs to the body, as has been said, certainly contributed to Burns' fate.

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 11:01**

great performance by Carl!
I thought he'd break down Burns like he did, i was really surprised the amount of people who picked Burns to win it on here. Had a £50 bet with a Scot mate i was so sure!
Carl was just too strong and his work on the inside was quality, so many hook/uppercut combinations that not many British fighters ever show, his schooling America really shines through.
After the first couple of rounds you could see the change in Burns' face, he looked shaken by the strength,workrate and bodypunching of Johanessen.
Burns was very brave and though a few nice combinations himself, but didn't have enough of a dig to make Carl think twice about steaming forward.
Burns has a nice stiff jab, i'm surprised he didn't use it more but again i don't think it would have discouraged Johannesen much last night.

Leeds Town Hall is a beautiful venue for boxing, the view from anywhere was awesome. Great atmosphere as well, did that come across on the tv?

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 12:19**

This was an impressive performance from Carl.
Some problems in the camp meant that his prep wasn't the best, and that had me thinking this was a loseable fight for him.
I thought he had to finish Burns in the first three to win, which shows how much I know.
As for the venue, Assassin yes it is good, but in honesty when you put together well supported boxers from Leeds Sheffield and Manchester in the same place it's always going to be electric.
Add the spice of a few jocks, and you can't fail.
Pity about the couple of flare ups in the crowd, which could have spoilt a great night's entertainment.

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 12:23**

i was there too and the atmosphere was great and i agree the venue is perfect for boxing,superb view of the action from everywhere.carl was fantastic and just didn't allow burns into the fight.
whilst it was electric inside there was plenty of aggro as well with the mass brawl in the bar area and the scuffles in the crowd,but a great job was done by the security.

Posted: **10 Feb 2007, 18:55**

states wrote:
Max Molyneux wrote:True, Mitchell does get hit too easy but he hits hard and Is strong so I think that It might be a 50/50.

Johannesson would batter Murray though, he's like Mitchell, gets hit too easy and bruised In stay busy fights.
Erm, what are you trying to say here Max? You've confused me.

As for Johanneson-Mitchell: Carl lands too often and too hard. Mitchell hasn't fought at anything like British title level. Like Femi and Burns, he's got some skills. He just doesn't have the seasoning to live with Johanneson.

I said Mitchell Is easy to hit but Kev can bang as well and he has a good chin and Is strong too so I can see a 50/50 fight If Kev fought Carl.

Carl would probably win though.

Burns just stepped up too early and needed a Murray or Mitchell kind of fighter before he foguth Johannesson he can come back. Burns has balls though and will fight anyone.

Posted: **11 Feb 2007, 08:42**

Just to echo that Leeds Town Hall is a great venue for boxing. What a lovely building and the views were great.

You're always going to get beer warriors in the crowd but in general it was a good atmosphere.

Posted: **11 Feb 2007, 11:27**

Fair play to Johanneson, i didn't see the fight yet but it was a good win. Also fair play to Burns, he is young and his career is still only in the embrionic stages really yet he has already faced Arthur/Earl/Johanneson and is mixing in genuine title company. He could easily have gone the naff WBU route and still be undefeated but relatively untested...fair play for him for going the traditional road instead and taking on better opposition than fake world titles have to offer him, it will benefit him in the long run. Shame he can't dig too, even the light punching Fehintola showed that a snappy jab and good movement can perplex Johanneson.

Posted: **12 Feb 2007, 06:44**

I was thinking Burns should move up in weight as he's a tall boy.
Being long this gave Carl alot to aim at and the stomach was the natural shot for him.

The concern for Ricky moving up is he has no weight in his punches.
You need natural punching ability for sure but he needs someone to teach him to sit on his punches. Also learn to stop throwing those winging punches and straighten them up. You can wing it if you are Margarito for instance but Ricky doesn't posses an ounce of that power.

To his credit he can box but I'n not usre why big things are expected of him.

He beat an under motivated Earll and Arthur was average the night they fought.

Posted: **12 Feb 2007, 07:13**

I tipped Burns, it was a tough one to call though, which makes the manner of Carl's win even more impressive.

I actually thought if anyone would be outworked it would be Carl - Arthur/Johanneson is a natural fight now.

We all know that is very unlikely to happen, but we can dream.

Posted: **12 Feb 2007, 07:16**

Alex Arthur V Carl Johanneson for the European would have been a good one, better than no marks like Palomo and Bento that the EBU are putting forward.

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Carl Johanneson v Ricky Burns

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