BoxRec

From the Telegraph yesterday:

FORMER footy bad boy John Hopoate is to fight Willie Mason's brother Les in a heavyweight showdown at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in October. The fight will split sections of league fans, with Mason enjoying huge support from the Bulldogs and Hopoate having a great following with his former teammates at Manly and the Tigers. Good judges who have seen them both in the ring and in training are tipping a Hopoate victory.

Hopoate has an advantage in experience. Mason is younger and bigger.

Interesting.

What a garbage fight between 2 complete scrubs.

Thats it guys, keep bringing boxing into disrepute.

Mason has had two fights so far and won them both. Don't you think it is a bit early to write him off? Or are you one of these psychics that turn up every so often?

See ya, Doris Stokes.

R_jay wrote:What a garbage fight between 2 complete scrubs.

Thats it guys, keep bringing boxing into disrepute.

At least they're fighting each other instead of another couple of scrubs...

This way we only have to endure them in one fight instead of two

Two carthorses can still make a good race.

These 2 look evenly matched to me.

It won't be one for the purists but so what.

Brute wrote:Mason has had two fights so far and won them both. Don't you think it is a bit early to write him off? Or are you one of these psychics that turn up every so often?

See ya, Doris Stokes.

How many amateur fights did he have? Zero? He's a fat scrub who can't fight for shit, but just happens to get some press because he's the brother of someone who is well known.

Only in boxing can you completely suck, but still call yourself a "professional". In every other sport in the world you actually have to be good to make money. If that guy fought in the amateurs he'd get killed in every fight, but somehow people actually care about the guy. He's a disgrace.

Lovemore N'Dou was right on the money; too many of these bums in the sport. They're an insult to every guy that fought in the amateurs, actually bothered to learn how to fight and paid their dues. Ill be rooting for a double KO.

well said r jay!!!!!

''double ko'' the best comment ive read ever !!!!

totally agree. mason is a complete disgrace to the sport, living off his bro's coat tail. he could at least try to get into shape.

hoppa aint much better but at least looks the part.

R_jay wrote:

Brute wrote:Mason has had two fights so far and won them both. Don't you think it is a bit early to write him off? Or are you one of these psychics that turn up every so often?

See ya, Doris Stokes.

How many amateur fights did he have? Zero? He's a fat scrub who can't fight for shit, but just happens to get some press because he's the brother of someone who is well known.

Only in boxing can you completely suck, but still call yourself a "professional". In every other sport in the world you actually have to be good to make money. If that guy fought in the amateurs he'd get killed in every fight, but somehow people actually care about the guy. He's a disgrace.

Lovemore N'Dou was right on the money; too many of these bums in the sport. They're an insult to every guy that fought in the amateurs, actually bothered to learn how to fight and paid their dues. Ill be rooting for a double KO.

Anthony Mundine only had two or three amateur fights and I'd say he's fairly decent. Jameel McCline is another with no amateur background and although he's not the best ever fighter he's done alright. To say you have to have an amateur career to be good as a pro is ludicrious. I agree at the moment Les is fairly poor, but he's learning and he has the physical attributes to go a long way. He is a big massive bloke and I think time will show that the blokes got heart. It's not his fault that Willie is a famous footballer. He made some mistakes in his life and now he's just trying to ply his trade as a boxer. Stop criticising him and give him a break.

Les will beat Hoppa

GM #1 wrote:totally agree. mason is a complete disgrace to the sport, living off his bro's coat tail. he could at least try to get into shape.

hoppa aint much better but at least looks the part.

I'm not a fan of Les by any means but in all fairness I'm pretty sure he started at over 160kg so that means he has dropped about 40kg. thats not a bad effort! Yes he still looks terrible and I don't like seeing him jiggle in the ring but credit where credits due, he has made an effort...

Paul Ferrari never boxed as an amateur, but still managed to win Australian titles in three divisions as well as Commonwealth titles. My old mate Kenny Lonergan won State titles as a middleweight and light heavyweight, but made little impression as a professional. What works for some does not work for others.