Alex's Special Fight Reviewz - Weekends Action - 8th December

First topic message reminder :

Oh yes, Alex is back, with more terrible predictions and more rambling about Boxing!! Strap yourselves in for a bumpy ride!

I mean I can't help but look forward to this weekends action, but the amount of fights I'm gonna have to put reviews up for is insane... However, the amount of fantastic fighters that we are able to watch this weekend is immense. We looked up to the Boxing Gods, and they answered.

Ok so let's get cracking:

Manny Pacquiao Vs. Juan Manuel Marquez - Welterweight - Las Vegas - HBO PPV, Primetime

Let's start off with the big one.

The fourth time these two meet up in a ring, and it feels like even more of a pick 'em than the other 3. Lest we not forget Marquez was a massive underdog in all of the other 3 fights, now more and more people are siding with JMM to finally get his victory over Manny, or get jobbed on the cards as many felt in the most recent meeting between these two.

Naturally I think it will be cagey, at no point in the last meeting did it look as though either man was thinking KO, seemingly more focused on nicking rounds with small flurries quick singles to take the round on the cards. This time I feel Manny may be feeling a different approach, to try and seriously excercise his speed on JMM and burst through with combinations, but with the fight lulling into them both posturing and posing at each other again.

I get this feeling that Manny and his team feel as though they have to either win incredibly decisively to get the win, or to knoc Marquez out as they prhaps feel that they won't get lucky on the cards for the 3rd time in a row if the fight is razor close.

My Fight Prediction: Pacquiao to take a decision, NOT controversially either. A fair decision on a very diffficult fight, but one that Manny finally, really puts his mark on proceedings. I just think Team Manny will be completely on the ball for this one and really get Manny to fire on alll cylinders for this fight.

Alex's Special Fight Review: Needless to say, a 5 Star Fight.

Yuriorkis Gamboa Vs. Michael Farenas - Super Featherweight - Las Vegas - HBO PPV, Primetime

Y'all must have forgot! Jeez, to be honest Yuriorkis, we almost did! Yes you're a great talent, but bloody get in the ring and show us! Well I guess tonight he'll be doing that at least, against Michael Farenas, a tough fully fledged Super Featherweight that has never been stopped, though not in the same skill league as Gamboa. (How many are?)

Let's be honest, Gamboa is a pretty special fighter and given the fact that he hasn't fought for a year they won't be putting him against a real world beater, and they haven't. Farenas hasn't been in with anywhere near the kind of quality that Gamboa except for his last fight, which was called a Technical Draw after 3 against the unbeaten Japanese Champion Uchiyama. So I can't really class that as an "Experience".

Compared to Gamboa almost playing with the likes of Salido and Solis. Oh, but Farenas may win because his nickname is Hammer Fistl which is just too good... But no I actually expect the little Flllipino to get his arris handed to him.


My Fight Prediction: Gamboa KO, too fast and just simply too good for Farenas, but he may want to get a few rounds under his belt before that.

Alex's Special Fight Review: A 3 and a 1/2 Star Fight.


James Degale Vs. Fulgencio Zuniga - Super Middleweight - Hull - Channel 5, USA WealthTV


For the AMAZINGLY prestigious WBC Silver Belt!!


James Degale's career finally looks to be heading in the right career, boxing regularly again, there being talk of up to six fights next year, also. He already has a date lined up on January 26th, against Mouhamed Ndiaye for the European Title, but first he has to get past the experienced Zuniga. However, I do get a feeling that Zuniga is perhaps a fair bit past his best now. Beaten by a shootout by Oosthuizen in his last fight, he looked as though he had lost a fair bit. Nevertheless he is a very tough Colombian who has only lost to the best, like Pavlik, Bute and Cloud (Bear in mind he's not really a Light Heavyweight).

Zuniga brings plenty of experience to the table and has boxed at far higher levels than Degale and so brings plenty of World Title experience to the table, however I think the fresher Degale should have enough to keep him off. Degale looked a little unsure of himself at times, unsure of which way to box, and being backed up to the ropes too easily and allowing his work rate to drop losing him rounds. I would say he needs to put in a better performance than he did last time out, otherwise this could have a suprising end to it.

My Fight Prediction: Degale UD, too slick and fresh for Zuniga who is a bit past it now and won't quite have the engine or drive to take Degale at this stage of his career.

Alex's Special Fight Review: A 5 Star Fight.

Kid Galahad Vs. Ivan Morote - Super Featherweight - Hull - Channel 5, USA Wealth TV

Kid Galahad against another journeyman, still learning his trade has looked good so far, so expect him to look good in this one.

My Fight Prediction: Galahad UD, just too good for the journeyman.

Alex's Special Fight Review: A 2 Star Fight

Chris Eubank Jr. Vs. Oleg Fedotovs - Middleweight - Hull - Channel 5, USA Wealth TV

You can forgive Eubank Jr. for taking on complete dross this week, due to the fact that the man actually fought last weel also and went 8 rounds, in a competetive fight (Never mind what the judges scorecards said) against Bradley Pryce. The same questions will arise is he as good as his father, his lack of power, the fact that he's not inside the weight limit for any fight, although he hasn't fought for a title so it doesn't matter as much.

My Fight Prediction: Chris Eubank to take a stoppage win in this one, due to his opponent being useless.

Alex's Special Fight Review: A 1 star fight.

Brian Magee Vs. Mikkel Kessler - Super Middleweight Division - Somewhere In Denmark - Sky Sports, Danish PPV

Magee is a really tough man, but Kessler is just tougher. I think Kessler has lost a slght bit of speed and his defences aren't quite as tight as they once were, but should just have too much in the tank for Magee. Magee, as always will give his absolute all, but Kessler's subtleties and extra weaponry will see him off.

My Fight Prediction: Kessler KO, Mikkel to take him out late, possibly with body punches.

Alex's Special Fight Review: A 4 Star Fight.

Darren Barker Vs Kerry Hope - Middleweight - London - Sky Sports

Kerry was billed as "No Hope" against Proska not too long ago, but oh my, did he upset the apple cart. Do I expect him to do it again? Nah...

Barker has had a fair amount of time out though, putting up he kind of spirited performance he did against Sergio Martinez I can't really see him losing this one.

My Fight Prediction: Barker UD, just too good a boxing brain for Kerry Hope.

Alex's Special Fight Review: A 3 Star Fight

Erick Ochieng Vs Max Maxwell - Light Middleweight - London - Sky Sports

For the English Title, I really like Max Maxwell, having an incredibly cool name and a really good guy personality. A little bit under rated in my view I reckon he can pull of the upset. Max will look to put as much pressure on Ochieng as possible and will make it as physical as he can. Should be a real fun one.

My Fight Prediction: Maxwell to take the decision in an upset. Come on Maxy!

Alex's Special Fight Review: A 3 Star Fight.

Carson Jones Vs Dean Byrne - Welterweight - London - Sky Sports

Well to be honest I'm still a bit upset about Lee Purdy not fighting Jones, because that would have been a real great clash. Dean Byrne, the "Irish Lightning" steps in. In truth I haven't seen Byrne much, only a couple of times, but I didn't rate him all too highly, so I expect Jones' workrate and physical strength to be too much for Byrne and for him to be stopped mid rounds. Should still be a very watchable fight while it lasts.

My Fight Prediction: Jones KO Round 7, just too much power and strength for Byrne to deal with.

Alex's Special Fight Review: A 3 Star Fight

Khalid Yafai Vs. Jorge Serez - Bantamweight - London - Sky Sports

Another fight for Kal, fighting so often which is great to see. Expect him to look sharp and devastating as always.

My Fight Prediction: Don't know a thing about his opponent, but Kal by KO.

Alex's Special fight Review: A 2 Star Fight.

Jeez, so there you have it, may have missed a few out htis week due to there being sooooo many.

Anywho use this thread as a live fight discussion thread.

Also, thoughts?

I am so wired now, I actually think that was the best fight I've ever witnessed live.

What?! you're in Vegas

But yh, what a fine fine moment for boxing. A rivalry up their with most in history of the sport.

Nah I mean live on the telly... But still, wow. Roach has had a shocking year, has he won a big fight?

Thing was aswell Manny looked as though he was gonna KO Marquez, and it was the best I've seen Manny look since the Cotto fight.

But, fighters that are still great don't get KO'ed like that.

Think Roach's lost 4 fights in a row... and I'm with you, may've been the best fight I've seen live.

My grandkids will know about this rivalry!

AlexHuckerby wrote:I'm still recovering lads, my trousers are still real tight if you get my drift...

AlexHuckerby wrote:The sight of Manny on the floor like that was just... undescribable

Steady on D4.

Il Gialloblu wrote:

AlexHuckerby wrote:I'm still recovering lads, my trousers are still real tight if you get my drift...

AlexHuckerby wrote:The sight of Manny on the floor like that was just... undescribable

Steady on D4.

Wondering which high bridge he's currently sat on top of, balling his eyes out clutching his Manny doll trying to convince himself that Manny 'will come back and be strong Manny, I ruv you Manny'

Estatic for JMM, as others have said, he finally gets his deserved victory with no controversy.

A cracking fight with an ending which was the one I would of bet my house against, albeit I was jumping with joy!

The talk of PEDS is crazy considering Manny's own rumours. They have both gone up weights and looked stronger during their careers and Manny's team didn't ask for stricter testing as i'm sure we all would of predicted.

Roach was a hypercrite before the fight accusing JMM and saying JMM turned down stringent testing which even Arum said was rubbish.

Manny and JMM are both as innocent and guilty of each other so JMM desrves to enjoy his win as much as Manny has enjoyed his.

I do fear for D4 though, probably in a dark room drowning his sorrows.

justice is done.
manny walked right onto the shot like hatton did with mayweather's.

counter punching at it's best. he needed the ko, not just for judges but because it looks like he was struggling to breath.

marquez is manny's kryptonite. in my eyes he's beaten him 3 times at least now.

[quote="OasisBFC"]justice is done.
manny walked right onto the shot like hatton did with mayweather's.

counter punching at it's best. he needed the ko, not just for judges but because it looks like he was struggling to breath.

marquez is manny's kryptonite. in my eyes he's beaten him 3 times at least now.[/quote]

Same for me. Although I hope this fight now reduces the cumulative frustration aimed at the pacman because of the injustices against marquez. I've always flitted between 2-1 or 3-0 marquez prior to last night. Have watched em this morning at work and I think 3-1 is definitive for me.

I've actually had Marquez winning all 4 fights.

Though with the first two I have no complaints of you having it either way.

Alex who did you have winning at the K.O? Pacquiao surely?

Manny won the first two for me then Marquez knocked him down to level it up but I had Manny winning the 4th and then the 5th i think it was he knocked him down and had him in all sorts of bother, I had him winning the sixth as well until, well... You know...

Pacquiao looked as good as he did against Cotto and he was winning the fight in my opinion. However he was far too reckless and Marquez had trained for power, he was slower, but has such great timing that he didn't need as much speed.

Pacquiao charged in and BOOM, game over. The most shocking thing I have seen in a boxing match was when Marquez dropped him the first time, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

FOTY, round of the year, knockout of the year, who said the 4th fight was a waste of time????