One for the Boxing fans!

[Jeremy]

So... after succesfully defending his belt against a nurse who boxes part-time, Cleverly has been matched against yet another second tier (to be generous) fighter. Even the WBO are refusing to sanction it this time.

We all know that Warren likes to protect his fighters, but this has gone too far. How on earth can Cleverly consider himself to be a champion?

[Otta]

Have to agree now, especially as his last fight was only agreed by the WBO on the condition that he'd fight their mandatory challenger within 120 days, and he's trying to back out of an agreement.

In other news, Scott Harrison was due to make a comeback next week, but it's been cancelled after he was arrested for shoplifting in a bloody supermarket. He's got some serious issues!

[KidKruger]

Ha !!

That's funny about Harrison, didn't he assault someone and try nick their car a couple of years ago too ?!

When Clev was still in Uni he took a lot of pride saying he's so proud that he's worked his way ip the proper old-school way by going up through the regional belts before attempting world honours. But now he's got world honours it's like he's being paid to spar. I watched Clev fight that nurse and I am worried for him that he could not dispatch a smaller man who doesn't try to hit him.

I've said several times that Clev should fight Shumenov and see what he (and thd Khazak) are made of.

After the last Clev show maybe that's not a good idea for how own safety.

I think Dawson would nail him. At some point he's gotta face someone decent.

Bellew put on a good show against Nathan too.

Hatton got a hiding from Kell Brook last weekend but he's a tough old nut, not sure where he goes from here after also losing to Saul Alvarez. Check the hatton/brook contest on YouTube. Brook is called Special, he sure looks it.

Also Macklin got a hiding from Martinez who is one of my fave boxers to watch, so quick and accurate.

[Otta]

Wlad to "test" himself against a 40 year old he knocked out 4 years ago.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/17693035

Christ, we need a decent heavyweight to emerge from somewhere!

[KidKruger]

Agreed.

There's no-one left for the K-Bros to fight at that weight.

I was watching some Ike Ibeabuchi contests last night, he would be streets ahead of the competition the K-Bros currently fight. Except he's in prison unlikely to get out before he's 40 !

[Jeremy]

It's a shame, we'll never really know how good these guys are, because there's no yardstick... literally no decent opposition. Vitali arguably proved himself against Lewis, but many would argue that Lewis was past his peak and unmotivated.

[KidKruger]

Perhaps we could double-up ?

ie. Vladimir v Haye & Helenius or Vitali v Mayweather & Pacquiao & Shane Mosley

Best Divs now are surely SMW, LWW, WW, LMW ?

[taper]

The Tyson Fury juggernaut ( chuggabug?) continues. He switched to southpaw for Rogan and dismantled him. With David Price and Anthony Joshua, I think there's real potential among British heavyweights.

[Otta]

Eubank Jnr looked pretty good, but I do hope his dad will let him make his own way. Can't help but think that dad is relishing being back in the spotlight for himself.

[KidKruger]

Tyson did pretty good against a man twice his age, but he got bossed in rounds 1 and 2 by the taxi driver.

I think Tyson needs to get out in Europe now. I don't agree with his promoter that he'd destroy Povetkin.

Eubanks was awesome, the guy he fought was no mug either - it was a bold match-up for him, certainly with no guaranteed win. His Dad is a showman and although he did most of the talking after the fight I don't believe he has anything other than the success of his son in mind, an amazing boxer as Christopher Livingstone was, along with his old trainer, is as good a guidance as any young boxer could ever hope to receive.

With a few more fight suggested before the year's up, he's one to watch.

!

[Otta]

Loved the posing he did after the win. Just like his old man.

[taper]

Agreed. I think Fury needs a top end trainer to work with him. He does have some raw talent and serious boxing ability.I wonder about his chin though. Eubank sr was one of the greatest British boxers. Teak tough brutality and serious boxing ability. His boy looks excellent.

[KidKruger]

David Price is now establishing his reputation as one of the best domestic heavyweights, probably in the top four.

Encouragingly he's keen to fight the other, which, as Tyson demonstrated when he gave up his belts, may not be a reciprocal motivation.

Beating Sam Sexton at the weekend in style and dominating the entire time, he set out his stall as a player in potentially European-level boxing.

From fight to fight Price is looking leaner and increasingly in shape, as big as a Klitschko but years away (like 40 fights) in experience.

Who he fights next I think will be really significant, I'd prefer if he cleared-up locally but it's unlikely Haye/Chisora will want it as theyre chasing World honours and Tyson Fury is making a big clucking sound although I wonder if he can be forced to fight by repeatedly being exposed as a runner.

Other stuff: Malignaggi was amazing at WW, Kessler did a real job on Greene at LH.

Froch / Bute is surely the next big domestic match-up ? Who do you fancy for that ?

For me Froch in R11.

[Jeremy]

Price is looking in great shape, isn't he? He's already 28 though... still, no reason why he couldn't continue well into his mid thirties if he doesn't take too much damage.

We already knew Kessler was a level or two above Greene, hopefully there are some good challenges waiting for him now - Dawson, Cloud, Pascal, etc.

I think Froch will give 100% against Bute, and I'd say he's the tougher, stronger, more aggressive fighter. But I believe Bute is more skillful, and will win a UD.

Bute vs Ward is the fight we all want, and the fight the SMW division needs.

[Otta]

Surely the fight everyone wants to see is Derrick & Dave? No?

In all seriousness, I know it's wrong, but I am still interested to watch that fight.

[Preston]

I'm keen to watch Derrick and Dave, why not, they've fought a Klitschko each and both stayed up the whole time so must have something to offer.

Bute v Ward - I disagree, I don't recognise Bute as having entitlement to fight at the top of his division. Perhaps if he beats Froch emphatically.

[KidKruger]

Chisora should try to make headway in America I think they'd like his aggression over there.

Froch is a big step up for Bute, regardless of his speed and skill.

[KidKruger]

Froch takes Bute in 5 !!

If you were Bute would you seriously hold Froch to the contracted re-match ?!

[Jeremy]

Very glad to be proved wrong last night! Doubt Bute will want a rematch, its not as if he got with a lucky shot!

[KidKruger]

Caught the last 1/4 of the Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley fight to witness the most bizarre decision by the judges.

Even Bradley, having been awarded the fight by split decision, conceded he'd have to go back and look at the tapes to see if he really did win the contest ! He actually said this twice in the post-fight chats, while stood right next to Manny.

Pacquiao graciously said he'd done his best and would welcome a rematch. Manny landed 34% against Bradley's 19% !!

Rematch likely in the autumn, both fighters up for it.

Which probably squashes any chance of a Mayweather v Manny contest.

[Otta]

Manny does seem to be lacking the power in his last couple of fights, that had Ricky Hatton unconscious before he even hit the canvas.

Still a very bad decision, but the Manny we've seen recently would be quite easy for Mayweather, whereas a year or 2 ago you couldn't call it.

[KidKruger]

Yeah I agree - I'd favour Mayweather IF he ever meets Manny.

I'm not convinced Pacquiao's power has diminished though, Hatton was also KO'd by Mayweather who is not a legendary power puncher by any stretch. Better boxers can be harder to KO because they can reduce the occasions where their head is sat there waiting to receive a full impact punch. Almost every solid straight left Manny landed was whilst Bradley was on the move.

[Otta]

Hatton helped them by basically moving straight in to the punches.

[KidKruger]

Yeah I reckon so, short of hitting himself real hard he couldn't have been more obliging ;)

[Alan Medic]

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