BoxRec

With Hunter adding European title to his British and Commonwealth, I hope to see him in a few "big" organisations world's top ten, and maybe a few independent rankings world's top ten.

Wayne, I still think on the basis of his January fight with the number #1 in the devision clings on to a low top ten ranking with me, and I think once any suspension (which happend after the Larios rematch) is uplifted will move to the top 10-15 with most of the world governing bodies.

So, in essence we have two fringe world class fighters here in what could be a great little contest. I would still add Pickering's name as a fringe world contendor. Just who do you think will win?

Will Hunter be that little fresh for Wayne? Will Wayne be able to cope with the workrate of Hunter (shocked I am writing that as an option)? Likewise, do you think McCullough's superior stamina (to Pickering) will prove pivotal. Wayne might not be a noted puncher, but I think that is because he has fought good chins or bigger world class fighters. At a lower level, Wayne usually takes care of business inside the distance - I would give Wayne the edge in power over Pickering, who hurt Hunter on a few occasions. Will Wayne be too strong for Michael?

Its a toughie to call, still think a prime Wayne would handle Hunter easy enough - but Wayne is maybe not the fighter he once was.

Who do you think wins.

Hunter was very very lucky to scrape past Pickering,if the fight had been held anywhere else he would not have got the nod.
McCullough will have too much for him

stujones wrote: Its a toughie to call, still think a prime Wayne would handle Hunter easy enough - but Wayne is maybe not the fighter he once was.

Who do you think wins.

But you aint seen the prime Hunter yet either... You have to take in that Hunter is new to this game really but what a talent we have instore for our british hopes for the future dont you people agree..?

theguru wrote:Hunter was very very lucky to scrape past Pickering,if the fight had been held anywhere else he would not have got the nod.
McCullough will have too much for him

It seems you are implying that Pickering CLEARLY won and Hunter was lucky he was at home. Anyone could see the fight was very close.

Hunter would have too much for the 2005 version of Wayne McCullough.

Razor wrote:

stujones wrote: Its a toughie to call, still think a prime Wayne would handle Hunter easy enough - but Wayne is maybe not the fighter he once was.

Who do you think wins.

But you aint seen the prime Hunter yet either... You have to take in that Hunter is new to this game really but what a talent we have instore for our british hopes for the future dont you people agree..?

Quite true, I am a fan of Hunter and tipped him to beat Pickering. I am calling the three fringe world class which I think is a compliment to Michael at this stage of his career - he is the one with the most left of the three.

However, will he take McCullough now?

I'm sorry, but I've got to disagree to most of what you chaps are saying.

Hunter is not some great talent at all IMO. He does work very very hard, and he is supremely fit!!! However technically he does nothing special, and shows no sign of power. The boy is fairly rugged, and very fit. A bit like Jamie Makeever or Dazzo Williams. I doubt he'll survive long on the European circuit, let alone aganist McCullough.

It'd be a question of levels if he were to box Wayne. He certainly couldnt trouble Wayne's chin (who can?), so Wayne would just come straight through his work, and bang him about with educated shots. Stoppage around the 5th IMO.

JimmyJamJerusalem wrote:I'm sorry, but I've got to disagree to most of what you chaps are saying.

Hunter is not some great talent at all IMO. He does work very very hard, and he is supremely fit!!! However technically he does nothing special, and shows no sign of power. The boy is fairly rugged, and very fit. A bit like Jamie Makeever or Dazzo Williams. I doubt he'll survive long on the European circuit, let alone aganist McCullough.

It'd be a question of levels if he were to box Wayne. He certainly couldnt trouble Wayne's chin (who can?), so Wayne would just come straight through his work, and bang him about with educated shots. Stoppage around the 5th IMO.

I agree wayne is to good for hunter at the minute who if we are being honest is at his level. Hunter is a perfect style for mcullough they both have a high workrate and fitness levels but the better work comes from wayne and stops murray inside the distance with his experience and better skills.

Hunter looked good against pickering but the fight was perfect for his style of fighting and the pressure fighter will always look better against a smooth operator backing off trying to pick his shots. he wont get that luxury against a class operator like mcullough who still has it in him to beat guys like hunter.

Wayne isn't a puncher and hasn't stopped anyone of note for donkeys years - Add in the fact he is 35 and suddenly Hunter has a reasonable chance to beat him.

The McCullough of 5-6 years ago would have had more than enough to beat someone like Hunter - The 2006 version may not have.

McCullough may be past his best, but he is leagues ahead of Hunter!!!

Surprised the amount of people still not giving Michael his due. I also can't be having the claim a boxer as arkward and classy as Pickering was 'made' for Hunter either. A fight with Wayne would be exciting in my view. I know who'd win...

Dont think Mccullough has beaten anyone european class and above for 11 years now. hunter should beat him.

REAL_DEAL wrote:Dont think Mccullough has beaten anyone european class and above for 11 years now. hunter should beat him.

Some might argue he beat the #1 in the devision in January though. It was mighty close for sure, scoring was awful.

McCullough said he wanted to go out for the last rounds in the Larios rematch in Graham Houston's column in BM because he still felt he could win the fight. The guy must have taken too many head shots and become deluded, he is a warrior but what does he have left at the highest level? As for McCullough-Hunter well...i am sure there will be plenty of punches thrown that's for certain.

steve689 wrote:McCullough said he wanted to go out for the last rounds in the Larios rematch in Graham Houston's column in BM because he still felt he could win the fight. The guy must have taken too many head shots and become deluded, he is a warrior but what does he have left at the highest level? As for McCullough-Hunter well...i am sure there will be plenty of punches thrown that's for certain.

I actually don't think he was deluded, while I didn't score it that way - I think you can make a case for Wayne winning 4 of the rounds of the rounds, including the last two rounds of the fight.

I suppose Wayne might have been thinking (with some justification given the history of judging) "close rounds will be going to me, based on me being unlucky with the cards last time". As I said I think there were four (maybe 5) rounds which you could make a case for Wayne if you were being leanient. Also, Wayne was having possibly his best spell of the fight at the time of the stoppage - I think had he won the 11th and 12th, he would probably have argued the decision again.

Perhaps but he was taking some big bangs from a big puncher like Larios, i wish Wayne all the best but i just have a nasty feeling he may be an accident waiting to happen :(

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:

theguru wrote:Hunter was very very lucky to scrape past Pickering,if the fight had been held anywhere else he would not have got the nod.
McCullough will have too much for him

It seems you are implying that Pickering CLEARLY won and Hunter was lucky he was at home. Anyone could see the fight was very close.

Hunter would have too much for the 2005 version of Wayne McCullough.

No I was implying the fight was close and a great fight,but the deciding factor was the hometown advantage.It would have been interesting to see the fight on neutral ground with all european judges.
Fair play to both fighters I would rather see fights like this which are so competitive and evenly matched,than the one sided farces SN was providing on far too many occassions.

steve689 wrote:Perhaps but he was taking some big bangs from a big puncher like Larios, i wish Wayne all the best but i just have a nasty feeling he may be an accident waiting to happen :(

I know what you mean though, he is a worry, but I think he still should have been allowed to carry on. I've spoken to Wayne about this, and he can dress it up all he wants; he just wanted to hold onto his 'unstoppable' reputation. That meant the world to him. Larios had him beat, and it was beyond him points wise, but he did not deserve to be stopped. I fornicating hate Margret Goodman!!!!

And C'mon, Wayne would be insulted if he realised people think Hunter would live with him. Not a hope

JimmyJamJerusalem wrote:

steve689 wrote:Perhaps but he was taking some big bangs from a big puncher like Larios, i wish Wayne all the best but i just have a nasty feeling he may be an accident waiting to happen :(

I know what you mean though, he is a worry, but I think he still should have been allowed to carry on. I've spoken to Wayne about this, and he can dress it up all he wants; he just wanted to hold onto his 'unstoppable' reputation. That meant the world to him. Larios had him beat, and it was beyond him points wise, but he did not deserve to be stopped. I fornicating hate Margret Goodman!!!!

And C'mon, Wayne would be insulted if he realised people think Hunter would live with him. Not a hope

Of course that fight should have been stopped. Wayne was getting completely battered and if it were to continue and he ended up unconcious the doctor, referee, cornermen - everybody would have been criticised for letting it go as long as it did. The bottom line is that Wayne was clearly out of the fight and taking unnecessary punishment. Walking away from the ring after a stoppage is far better than risking potentially fatal injuries by stupidly trying to preserve an iron chin record.

Hunter for me against McCulloch. Michael fully deserved his win over Pickering in a brilliant and close fight.

johnswan1 wrote:

JimmyJamJerusalem wrote:

steve689 wrote:Perhaps but he was taking some big bangs from a big puncher like Larios, i wish Wayne all the best but i just have a nasty feeling he may be an accident waiting to happen :(

I know what you mean though, he is a worry, but I think he still should have been allowed to carry on. I've spoken to Wayne about this, and he can dress it up all he wants; he just wanted to hold onto his 'unstoppable' reputation. That meant the world to him. Larios had him beat, and it was beyond him points wise, but he did not deserve to be stopped. I fornicating hate Margret Goodman!!!!

And C'mon, Wayne would be insulted if he realised people think Hunter would live with him. Not a hope

Of course that fight should have been stopped. Wayne was getting completely battered and if it were to continue and he ended up unconcious the doctor, referee, cornermen - everybody would have been criticised for letting it go as long as it did. The bottom line is that Wayne was clearly out of the fight and taking unnecessary punishment. Walking away from the ring after a stoppage is far better than risking potentially fatal injuries by stupidly trying to preserve an iron chin record.

I have to agree with this

In light of recent events it's easy to think this way.

So why were we not calling for the stoppage against Harrison, or any other time Wayne has relied on his heart to drag him through a beating?

Wayne was taking punishment, but he was perfectly coherent, he still had his balance etc, he wasn't showing distress signals (other than his head rocking back all the time). He would have made it a piece of piss!!

JimmyJamJerusalem wrote:In light of recent events it's easy to think this way.

So why were we not calling for the stoppage against Harrison, or any other time Wayne has relied on his heart to drag him through a beating?

Wayne was taking punishment, but he was perfectly coherent, he still had his balance etc, he wasn't showing distress signals (other than his head rocking back all the time). He would have made it a piece of piss!!

The Harrison fight SHOULD have been stopped in my opinion, that WAS a battering - the Larios fight SHOULDN'T have been stopped.