big lennox wrote:I didn't buy the pay-per-view so didn't watch the fights at the weekend. How did they all look?
Is Joshua looking like the real deal?
Could Kell Brook trouble Mayweather/Pacquiao?
What was Selby's performance like?
I heard that Kevin Mittchel put in a stella performance -would he have a chance in a rematch?
It was a superb night of boxing, I got to the arena at 4pm and sat and watched, and enjoyed, every fight on the card. Credit to Matchroom, brilliant card.
Joshua's power is certainly world class, but he still hasn't been in with anyone who's hit him back yet at a decent level, so the jury will still be out for me until he faces a Chisora type (Price would be utterly redundant for me as he'd fight scared of that right hand IMO and it would be over as soon as Joshua connected). Problem is, because there isn't much depth in the HW division, the only fighters who will give him the test he needs area already at or near the top level, and I can sort of understand what Eddie says about him having to take a certain path, besides which he isn't fighting Fury or Klitschko anytime soon since they're up next against each other. Not convinced Eddie Chambers would offer much either to be honest, would love dearly to see him face Lucas Browne though, who carries decent power.
Kell Brook was superb, boxed brilliantly against an awkward opponent. Gavin to be fair to him boxed well and made it difficult for Kell at times but the class shone through. I think he could and would trouble both Mayweather and Pacquiao to be honest, Pacquiao is far to open against someone of Kell's size, and I think he would run Mayweather close personally, although probably lose by 2 or 3 points on the cards. Amir Khan, I'm convinced after this weekend, gets put to sleep by Brook.
Selby was unbelievably good, he looked like he'd boxed at this level for years and oozed class. The Welsh Mayweather is very appropriate given the swagger, and the sheer class in the ring. Very exciting future for him.
Mitchell's fight was probably the fight of the night, just ahead of Ryan/Hibbert. Heart of a lion, real brave performance by Kevin and it was heartbreaking when it finished, he'd left absolutely nothing in the ring and can hold his head up very high. Linares was a properly tough guy and it was a real war of attrition. The tenth round particularly was like nothing I've ever seen before, it looked like Mitchell was going to be stopped at one point and he sprang back into action and hurt Linares himself. Phenomenal.
Overall a fantastic night of boxing, would have been worth £17 of anyone's money, but for £40 I'm so glad I went and saw it live.