One for the Boxing fans!

[Otta]

BBC Reporting that a fight between Haye & Fury is close to being agreed for September.

Could be interesting in that Haye is by far the better fighter, but Fury will have a lot of size advantage and no doubt try to lean all over Haye.

Would have to say Haye though. If he lost to Fury it would be the end for him and a big result for Fury. Can't see it happening though.

[KidKruger]

I'd have to go with Haye, too. Haye fought the 7ft 2in Valuev and Vlad Klitshcko, so I think he can handle height.

I'm not convinced yet that Fury has the speed to trouble Haye.

Haye has a knack of getting in close enough to strike very quickly, so I think unless Haye just happens to get caught on the way in/out, or by part of one of Fury's combinations (which aren't bad), then he gets the KO.

It's in Haye's interests to close the show early because he's gonna have to move a lot and will be leaned on and elbowd etc. like Cunningham was. Plus Haye does tire mid-rounds. Perhaps Haye works Fury's body ?

Found out yesterday that Wilder is about to announce his next opponent, apparently a 'dangerous Russian'. Not sure who that is - Boystov - whoever, it could be Abdusalamov who I like a lot just for his brutal power, he's a KO merchant as is Wilder. If that match-up is made it'll be interesting in some respects, neither are amazing boxers, but both finish their contests early by KO.

[KidKruger]

My fave boxer at moment (at least, in my top 3-4 anyway) is fighting one of our lads on Saturday.

Gennady Golovkin 26(23)-0 fights UK fighter Matthew Macklin 29(20)-4(2)-0 (who beat Felix Sturm 2 years ago in Germany for the world title, but wasn't given the win. Everyone knows Macklin won it though.) in Conneticut.

Gennady looks like he doesn't DO much, looks like he doesn't move or have good footwork, looks like a plodder.

However, he seems to knock everyone one after hunting them down and weakening them with extremely hard shots. He must be a nightmare to face, cuts you off in the ring and just beats you down, very patiently, very methodically. Does not waste punches, very good accuracy.

Macklin - on paper, is arguably Golvkin's sternest test to date, having been in at least 2x world title bouts against Sturm (see above) and Sergio Martinez (back and forth contest but Mack got TKO'd in R11). Mack has performed at top level, and made a darned good account of himself, against better opposition (last 2 years) than Golovkin has faced.

Golovkin, though he hasn't fought at the same level, has never been battered, never even been dropped. In 300+ amateur fights he lost very few. He's from a higher pedigree I believe, and this Saturday is his 'step-up' fight. He is avoided in the MW division worse than the plague, Daniel Geale vacated his world title in favour of fighting Mundine in a domestic bust-up in Australia. Offers have been made to the dozen or so best possible MW/SMW champs and #2s, no-one has accepted the opportunity to take Golovkin's WBA (I think !) belt. If you had a MW strap, why wouldn't you try and unify with Golovkin ?

If GG beats Macklin earlier and more conclusively than Sergio Martinez did, that puts the gauntlett down for Martinez (who's already turned-down offers from GG's team). Because Macklin is top-10, if GG gets the win the other top-tier MWs will be running-out of places to hide. Either GG is overrated but somehow not found out, or he is what he appears, one of the best of this era. Problem is, at 31 he's not got a huge term ahead of him, unless his skills and lack of punishment have extended his longevity.

I think Mack could catch Golvokin and turn the fight around, it's possible. But Golvokin for me has too much nouse, Mack's come-forward style will suit Golovkin because he is a great counter-puncher. If Mack chooses to run, Golovkin will march after him and close the ring down, before letting his hands go, slowly and methodically.

I think the result is predictable but as for when Macklin gets KO'd, that depends on how Macklin fights the fight - he may need a Plan B/C depending on how his initial approach succeeds. It's possible it goes to points, but that'd be first time in 3 years for GG. Macklin has a good punch so he could in theory KO GG, but the class of GG makes this unlikely. Could be a great contest, I won't see it until YouTube does the honours on Sunday unfortunately.

Amazed this is not mentioned on the BBC Sport boxing page. Do I sound excited about this one, or what !

[david_carnell]

Who's broadcasting this in the UK?

[KidKruger]

DC - Not sure, just checked BoxNation channel (which I have) but not showing there fot this weekend. So probably YouTube.

[david_carnell]

Well your man Golovkin won inside 3 rounds. No wonder no one wants to fight him.

[KidKruger]

I got home from weekend away and watched the youtube clip last night. Jeez.

The pundits are talking about him facing Ward, Froch and other SMWs.

Why ? Because the other MW belt-holders/ top brass, Peter Quillin, Sergio Martinez and Daniel Geale are not interested. Quillin (Kid Chocolate) makes noises, but no overt challenge.

This is a perfect example of how boxing fans are shafted by the multi-belt situation. there's no definitive 'best' because it's all split into parallel groups of boxers, with fighters subscribed with one organisation to be a contender for that belt only. It allows boxers to hide and face 'their' mandatories/selected opponents.

Complete farce (if you want to see best fight best).

[Jeremy]

The number of belts/bodies is of course the biggest problem in boxing today. I'd also suggest that there are too many divisions... we could probably make do with 10-12 rather than the 16 or whatever we currently have.

[KidKruger]

yes it's arguable too many weight divisions.

Also a delight to watch this weekend (BoxNation catch-up) were:

1. Frankie Gavin v Denton Vassell. (WW). FG broke Vassell's jaw and closed the show. Denton's physique was spectacular, he's always in prime form, but I never was that enamoured with his abilities even though he's in with the best domestically. Frankie is surely future world champ, even though he's only 15-0, his timing is best I've seen, almost supernatural. The doctor's didn't want Vassell to take any more hits gto the jaw and risk major injuries. Vassell was saying he was fine !

2. Paul Butler v A Late Replacement (Ali). (SBW). Ali (surname) was only given 48 ours notice to fight Butler and gave a good account of himself, going for Paul from the start and getting some successes. However, Paul has incredible reflexes and clipped Ali in R1, knocking him down brielfy for a 10-8 round. A good body shot in R2. Fnished it in R3/4 with the body shot thing again.

[Otta]

So Price beaten for a second time. As big and strong as he is, it doesn't look like he can take much punishment. Beaten by body shots last night.

[Jeremy]

Back to domestic level for him, then.

It's not too late for him I guess, but his prospects aren't looking great right now...

[Lilly Potes]

Do you think was great to see you comment on my Facebook page NO was not great go back and see what happen.SAD very SAD

[KidKruger]

Good point Lilly - well made, succint and pertinent.

I watched the contest last night it looked like Price had it in the bag at least a couple of times, with Thompson just making a 9 count I (I was suprised the ref didn't wave it off, given the hometown thing) and being staggered at points in the fight. It was surprising to see Price spent by R3 but I think the body shots and a couple of short rights from Thompson were to blame for that ! Price's legs were completely gone, really sad to see.

I think the body shots that caught Price would have hurt most HWs, same with the 15 or so headshots at the end. The ref should have stopped the contest at that point, not given Price a count FFS, that was weak ref'ing. I guess the ref was just givin Price every chance to turn it around. Frank Maloney burtsing into tears at the end was very sad to see, he's had heart problems and I think he had a heart attack last time price lost to Thompson. Maloney said if Pricey wants to call it a day now, so will he give up promoting.

I don't think it's all over for Price by any means, but he's had a couple of levelling contests recently which could very well be to his advantage if he, with his team, sets-out to adjust and learn from it.

He's only had a handful of fights and the HW division is wide-open (more so, once the K Bros retire).

[Otta]

According to BBC, Haye Vs Fury is now signed, sealed, and due to be delivered on September 28th.

Also reporting that Froch is likely to face Groves next. I really like Groves, but don't think he's ready yet.

[Jeremy]

Apparently Haye has signed but Fury hasn't - yet. The fight makes a lot of sense for both fighters though. It's one of the biggest paydays out there for Haye, and it will also be good for his ranking if he wins.

Fury, to be fair, is expected to lose - but no shame in losing to one of the best out there at this stage in his career, and as long as he gives a good performance his stock should rise. And surely he'll earn more in this fight that the rest of his career to date.

[KidKruger]

Fury appears to have chickened out of fighting Kubrat Pulev.

He'd have got less money losing to Kubrat than he would losing to Haye.

[Otta]

Fury bow on board.

[KidKruger]

Rumours abound that Fury will find a way to back-out of this contest.

Groves v Froch. I agree with Otta, I don't think Groves is quite ready. My fears for Groves are that he doesn't mind trading, he can be hit (though doesn't seem to mind), he hasn't fought top opposition yet. I'm tempted to think Groves could outbox Froch (as arguably Dirrell and Ward did), however Froch completely schooled Abraham with pure boxing, so he CAN box when he wants to.

I'm not convinced Froch will face Groves this year, perhaps 2014.

If they fight in next 6 months I'd have to pick Froch, based on toughness, experience, who he's already beaten. i could see it going to points or Froch getting a stoppage/TKO.

TBH I'm surprised Groves has the rating he has, given the other SMWs out there, but I guess that's a feature of the multi-belt/politics.

Groves is obviously gifted, beautiful to watch (in a non-gay way), but I think it's a stark jump from his last 3-4 opponents to Froch !

[KidKruger]

David Chisora's on this weekend, against Malik Scott, an unbeaten (35-ish wins) US fighter.

Malik has not faced the same level of opposition as Chisora (barring Chisora's last opponent !), has a low KO % but is being touted by some boxing 'writers' as the next big think, along with Deontay Wilder.

Unless Malik is going to outbox Chisora for the entire fight I can't see him winning. Chisora will come and find him and test his chin. Chisora has actually trained for this contest, so it should be entertaining no matter the outcome.

[Jeremy]

Not impressed with Malik's padded record, consiting largely of 8 round UDs against journeymen. Chisora should take this one. Hard to see where he goes from here if he loses... Prizefighter?

[KidKruger]

If Chisora wins I'd actually like to see him fight Fury again.

Heaven knows why Chisora was unprepared last time, but given Cunningham floored Fury (and Chisora himself had Fury wobbled a couple of times) I'd give Chisora a very good chance.

Of course, Fury's on his own 'path' and is unlikely to want Chisora.

I watched the Kell Brook v Carson Jones 2 contest on youtube earlier this week. Kell hit Jones with everything, had him wobbled/legs gone, something about Jones though meant he just takes punches and keeps coming. In the end the ref stopped the fight because Jones was being caught too cleanly and too frequently. Kell needs to ensure he doesn't lower the class of his opponents now, he missed his title shot against Devon Alexander through injury and is keen to get back into contention. I'd rate Kell's chances against Adrian Broner (therefore Broner wouldn't be interested).

[Otta]

IF Fury gets well beaten by Haye, he'll probably be more interested in another Chisora fight.

[KidKruger]

I only caught the Chisora v Scott fight from R4 onwards. From what I saw, Chisora was being outboxed and out pointed by Scott, but Scott (as his record shows) didn't have the power to stop Chisora.

Scott's punch selection and movement was great, his combinations were well-delivered.

However, Chisora keeps coming forward, walking Scott down, then as Scott ducks and leans back to avoid a Chisora looping downward right hand he gets caught and cowers, giving Chisora the chance to land a big right body shot.

Scott takes a knee and the ref counts, it actually looks like Scott is fine but just taking the opportunity for a break as a tactic, seeing as he's down anyway.

As the ref counts 9, Scott springs-up, definitely beating the 10 count, but the ref waves it off.

Certainly looks like dodgy reff'ing from the angle the camera showed it (looking from behind Scott). Uproar from crowd and one or two of Scott's corner men have fits.

I couldn't see Scott's face at the time the ref stopped it, so I'll give ref the benefit of the doubt and not overtly condemn him

Does seem an unfair stoppage though.

If Scott punched harder, hd may well have stopped Chisora early.

[Otta]

Scott has said in America you amways get the full 10 count, but he took it with grace.

[KidKruger]

Froch v Groves on Nov 23rd for IBF Supermiddleweight title.