One for the Boxing fans!

[Alan Medic]

Feck ya. What was I thinking.

[KidKruger]

So it's Mayweather v Maidana II tomorrow. What do you reckon ?

I managed to get-up just in time for the start of the first contest and was gobsmacked during round 1 because Maidana was bossing it and I'd never seen Floyd compromised like that. As the rounds progressed Maidana's dominance (if it ever really was that) diminished exponentially, leaving Floyd owning the rounds. The decision could never have been Maidana's.

But it's months later and Floyd Mayweather is older.

I think Maidana gets schooled tomorrow. He says he knows Floyd now, having fought him once - but the opposite must also be true and Floyd brings plans A-Z to the table being always able to adjust to what's in front of him. Don't quote me tho.

[KidKruger]

Papers say Mayweather put in a dominant performance. The weigh-in photos showed him cut like I've never seen, how much extra work he must have done to science that bewilders me because he's a certified gym rat anyway.

The only boxers remaining IMO to prove there are no peers remaining, are:

Pacquiao

Brook

Thurman

Bradley

If he doesn't cover these names in his last 2 fights (or three, if he decides to try beat Rocky Marciano's record) then his legacy isn't as solid as it could have been.

Khan's surely out of the running now, unless it's a big money fight in UK ?

[KidKruger]

I know only 3-4 people post on this thread, but...

Anyone know if Rick Burns' fight is being shown in any pub locally-ish ?

I've a Scots mate stopping over and this fight would be icing on the cake for us.

[Otta]

Don't know, but if anywhere is likely to do it I'd try The Man of Kent, Nunhead.

02076397485

[KidKruger]

Cheers Otta will give it a go.

[KidKruger]

In the early hours of tomoro morning Bernard Hopkins will be putting his two LightHeavyweight world titles up against Sergey Kovalev's one world title. Kovalev has been avoided by all the other top heavyweights, he exposed Nathan Cleverly, he's knocked out 23/25 opponents he's faced.

Hopkins has chosen this fight to unify the titles and become undisputed champion at the weight.

Hopkins will not lose this fight on points, because Kovalev can't outbox him. He can only lose by KO.

Hopkins cannot win by KO, he can only win on points.

This means Hopkins has willingly chosen to spend 12 rounds in the ring with a wrecking machine.

He gets my total respect for stepping-up and challenging Kovalev in pursuit of unification. He may have seen something he can exploit, something the other top LHW fighters have not seen (or are unable to see).

But he's got serious balls for setting-up this contest.

And all this, regardless of what his age is- even if he was in his early 30's he'd be brave to take this fight.

[KidKruger]

Well that told me - Hopkins loses on points !

Talk about durable. And we now know Kovalev can box.

(so temping to edit last post quickly...)

[Jeremy]

Time for Hopkins to go. His skill and experience have enabled him to be fairly effective against unremarkable opposition for the last few years, but his best days are long behind him.

[KidKruger]

I agree it's a timely point to retire, but it wouldn't be like he's not still elite.

[Otta]

He'll fight on. He shouldn't, but he will.

[KidKruger]

If he was 'old' in the sense of unable to defend himself, weak, unfit, history of being hit a lot, slow, unskilled and from a lower-tier level I'd certainly want him to retire, for his own good.

But he's none of the above.

Whatever he decides I wish him the best.

I think he'd beat Stevenson, so there's a belt right there - trouble is he'd need to face Kovalev again to unify !!

[Jeremy]

Personally I'd favour Stevenson to beat Hopkins. I reckon its between Stevenson and Kovalev to figure out who's #1. After that... yes Hopkins can still compete with the like of Tavoris Cloud and Jean Pascal, but why would he want to?

[KidKruger]

He's voiced interest previously in fighting Golovkin.

The guy's mental !

Kovalev was too big for Hopkins on fight night, Kov is a natural LH - this was a big part of the outcome.

To think Hopkins took Kov the distance when no-one else has I think speaks volumes for his ability, compared to the rest.

[KidKruger]

Excellent Saturday evening of boxing this coming weekend.

Fury v Chisora II

Saunders v Eubank

Frankie Gavin v Bradley Skeete

Plus other stuff on the card (I think Liam Walsh).

Been following the build-up ?

Who d'ya fancy ?

For me it's: Chisora, Eubank, Gavin.

[Otta]

Good piece on bbc website about Embark Jnr and Snr.

Is it on sky or have 5 still got Fury's fights?

[KidKruger]

Not sure Otta I think it's on BoxNation luckily.

[Jeremy]

Amir Khan v Devon Alexander

Khan's claiming this is his stepping stone to Mayweather or Pacquiao. In reality it's a stepping stone to Kell Brook. Another loss would be a disaster for him.

[david_carnell]

I hadn't realised he's now 28. With his hand speed being his primary asset, he's not got long left at the top.

Where has the time gone?

[Jeremy]

Months/years down the pan chasing a short-cut to a Mayweather fight, instead of establishing himself as a genuine challenger.

[david_carnell]

That and a couple of spectacular losses that set him back a good year each time.

That first one, Precott, was such a shock to him.

Endless changes of trainer haven't helped either.

[Otta]

He's more interested in a massive payday which will set him for life, than actually being a genuine great.

In my opinion.

[Jeremy]

I don't like him personally. I think he's arrogant and deluded. Nevertheless, I think he's a great boxer to watch, an incredible combination of natural talent and athleticism. His lack of discipline has stopped him fulfilling his potential.

[Otta]

Agree with all that.

I think the arrogance has also held him back a bit too in a roundabout kind of way.

[david_carnell]

It's all a little bit Naseem Hamed ptII isn't it? Except not as talented.