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Did anyone see McCulloch v Larios last night?

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 05:46
by jamesmcdonnell
Was on Eurosport.

It was a shame they cut out 6 bloody rounnds, but judging by what Holdsworth said, and watching the rounds, I have a feeling McCulloch might have got jobbed,

So many of Larios shots were missing or hitting gloves, granted when they did land they were harder shots, but McCulloch wasn't shoeshining, he was throwing meaningful shots and he did a hell of a lot of body work.

On that showing, you'd have to say McCulloch looks in fine fettle. At SB he appears to have some pop, enough to keep his opponent's honest, and he seemed to box with a bit more defensive nous. Holdsworth made out he was just pouring forward, but McCulloch was pretty cagey on the inside and was making Larios miss a lot.

I was one of those calling for Wayne to hang them up, though I always suspected he would be a lot more competitive at SB, I didn't expect him to still be a world class threat.

Those scorecards from what I could make of it anyway, were utterly ridiculous.

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 06:13
by mickeybeard
I thought Wayne looked a lot better than I thought he was going to. That said, I still thought he looked old in there at times. If Larios is the best this division has to offer (I haven't seen Mahyar Monshipour, so I can't comment there, but I'd put him ahead of Vasquez) then maybe Wayne can win a title, but I'd still like to see him get out before he gets a shoeing off some younger up-and-coming fighter.

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 06:51
by silkov
I was one who has said that I thought Wayne should quit but he gave Larios a good fight for sure and I was glad to be wrong up to a point. Wayne seemed to be ahead after the first 6 or 7 rounds but then Larios came on to win the latter rounds quite clearly though Wayne was still fighting back. I think it was a fair decision in all but the scores were way too wide... I think Larios won by just about a round or two at the most.
Despite his good showing Wayne is still definately past his prime... a lot of his old handspeed and head movement is gone and he tired badly and also took a lot of shots so really would be wise to hang them up now. Wayne is just so tough and courageous that I can't help feeling that he will get himself into one war too many if he carries on.........

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 07:04
by jamesmcdonnell
Yes, but that was agaisnt the guy who was being called the best in the division by many. Wayne was hardly outclassed, and I didn't even think that Larios won the later rounds clearly. I gave him 8-10, but the 11th was close, and I gave Wayne the last.

Wayne may have tired at the end, but christ almighty, is it any wonder, he never stopped throwing shots early on. I think his body work must have been ignored by the judges to come up with those farcical scores.

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 12:37
by THEBUTCH
I've watched the fight twice, once on BBC Northern Ireland and once on Eurosport (and I think the screening I saw covered every round) and I had Larrios the winner. Not by the wide scores the judges had, but no doubt that Oscar was the winner.

Wayne fought a great fight, but so many of his shots are of the flapping variety and lack quality and power. When Larrious did open up the class was apparent (to me) and he did often enough.

Talking of bias the BBC team of Jim Neily and Dave McAuley were a joke and disgracefully one sided in their commentary and as for Steve Holdsworth? He signed off his commentary by saying he was disgusted with the result.........but scored it 115-114 to McCulloch ! Because of low quality and delivery of Wayne's punches I find Holdsworth score more ludicrous than any of the actual judges' tally.

I remember posting (before the bout took place) that Wayne would have to box the fight of his life just to keep it competitive (but still lose) and this is pretty much how I thought it turned out.

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 13:38
by silkov
Larios landed the better punches I think and several times seemed to have Wayne hurt a little in the later rounds. The decision was definately the right one I think, though had the fight been over here its likely Wayne would have been given it. Personally I'm not overwhelmed by Larios and don't consider him that great a fighter... this isn't to knock wayne or anything.... but watching the fight I was relived that Wayne wasn't in there with a really big puncher. Larios seems a decent puncher but nothing special and his work rate was sometimes on the lazy side early on in the fight.
Perhaps Wayne can get a rematch with Larios but can he improve on this performance?.

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 14:13
by liamlion
The problem with Wayne in the Larios fight, was that he was constantly throwing arm punches. He caught Larios flush a fair few times but they had no real effect.

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 15:50
by stujones
I thought it was very close, I actually scored it for McCullough by 1 6-5-1. A different route to Holdsworth. However, Larios 5 rounds were clear were I would say only 3 of Wayne's was. So therefore, I'm not saying the decision was wrong.

However, the scoring was way out.

Posted: 15 Mar 2005, 19:48
by Lefthookhappy19
Joan Guzman is the best in this division and he will prove it if the Larios fight eventually comes off. He will totally brutalise Larios. It will be a massacre. Guzman is just as tall, as fast if not faster, way more skillful and hits like a welterweight.

Hmm...

Posted: 17 Mar 2005, 03:28
by Unknown
Lefthookhappy19...

Larios was somewhat slamming Guzman and already making reason why not to face Guzman at the post-fight interview when it was already agreed.

I agree Guzman's the best in the divison. He's the most avoided fighter around these weights too. He's simply not getting fights. His next opponent might be Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson but that's just another name to KO/TKO.

Posted: 17 Mar 2005, 06:16
by liamlion
In Larios' defence (according to Wayne McCullough) Larios has had to have surgery which has ruled him out for the next few months.

Posted: 17 Mar 2005, 12:09
by kevo
silkov wrote:Perhaps Wayne can get a rematch with Larios but can he improve on this performance?.
thought that Larios' manager had offered Wayne a rematch anyway?

Posted: 17 Mar 2005, 17:46
by Neri
Wayne has a good few fights left in him after that performance. A rematch would be exciting again. maybe a fight with Guzman or Vazquez. i dont think he would be in too deep with these

Hmm..

Posted: 17 Mar 2005, 18:43
by Unknown
Neri...

Did you you see how much he got hit?

I'm telling you right now...

He does not want to be in there with Guzman. He shouldn't.