v2 G.O.A.T The Final

First topic message reminder :

After two months of competition, over 2500 votes, over 5500 comments, a voting scandal, a restarted format and the Gavin Hastings situation, the v2 GOAT has come to its climax with the final matchup of the tournament today to decide who the v2 posters will crown their greatest of all time.

Yesterday’s two semi-finals were two of the most closely contested matches of the tournament with football, tennis, cricket and boxing represented in the final four, in match 1 Mohammed Ali took on Don Bradman and with the voting neck and neck for the majority of the day it was eventually the self-proclaimed greatest of all time that took the initiative and became the first entrant to secure his spot in the final. In the second match grand slam champion Roger Federer took on two time world cup winner Pele, in another intriguing battle that was extremely close all day neither man could establish a lead of any note, eventually Federer sealed his spot in the final by just two votes finishing on 44 to Pele’s 42.

Bradman exits the competition defeating Zinedine Zidane, and Harry Greb in round 1, Daley Thompson, Brain Lara and Eddy Merckx in round 2, Sugar Ray Robinson and Usain Bolt in the last 16 , Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods and Michael Johnson in the last 8.

Pele’s scalps include Michael Schumacher, Stephen Hendry, Phil Taylor, Martina Navratilova and Wayne Gretzky.

Today’s final sees a clash of styles, generation and sports as boxing takes on tennis to decide the v2 G.O.A.T

Ali vs. Federer and emancipator vs 6oldenbhoy in the battle of the GOAT champions

Please vote for the v2 G.O.A.T

Please leave a comment as to why you voted

mystiroakey wrote:As host you can represent every sport and class going.

And we fullfilled that. It was the most particp;ated olympics by us ever- for obvious reasons..

Anyway . How many boxers do you know or have known?. Thats the only question you need to ask..

I've never known any cricketers or anyone that was a member of a tennis club.

Also eastern europe would disagree with you that heavyweight boxing is dead. Attendances and participants are probably at their highest ever id guess.

Wlad and vitali regularly sell out football stadiums

spencerclarke wrote:About half a dozen amateurs a couple of professionals. Why?

We also had a large group in Beijing. Not really sure where this is going? Has ali changed nationality?

Boxing is a very low particpation sport. My comment was directed at SR. he asked the question. Most of us dont know many. yet all if us have played footy or tennis etc occasionally

Is it dying so much that the worlds two highest paid sportsmen are boxers?

spencerclarke wrote:Also eastern europe would disagree with you that heavyweight boxing is dead. Attendances and participants are probably at their highest ever id guess.

Wlad and vitali regularly sell out football stadiums

you are not understanding the point..

Boxing is losing participation. Its a dwindling sport. You are going to have to deal with the facts here pal

mystiroakey wrote:As host you can represent every sport and class going.

And we fullfilled that. It was the most particp;ated olympics by us ever- for obvious reasons..

Anyway . How many boxers do you know or have known?. Thats the only question you need to ask..

As host GB were given five spots if they failed to qualify a single boxer, they qualified 10 in 13 weight classes.

I know plenty of people of people who boxed or still box. Off the top of my head I know two people who play/have played recreational tennis. Participation rates vary depending on where you live. I don't see the relevance.

Have you actually got any statistics to back that statement up?

Apologies.

However I recommend you check out you local boxing gym. They are packed in the last couple of years in my experience. Plus with matchroom getting so many fighters in there stable that will be shown on sky amd the figures channel five a currently doing I think it will be fine.

Boxing has its problems. The most critical at times are boxing fans. But all sports have their problems

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Have you actually got any statistics to back that statement up?

Of course he doesn't.

http://www.abae.co.uk/aba/index.cfm/news/boxing-participation-continues-to-soar/

Thats just the amatuers.

SO you think partiucipation is higher today.

If thats the case why is Ali the best?

I'm not the one making sweeping comments with nothing to back it up, you made the statement so you need to prove it.

Ultimate fighting is stangling boxing. and at the rate its going it will continue to.

Womens boxing in the uk is on the increase though

mystiroakey wrote:

spencerclarke wrote:Also eastern europe would disagree with you that heavyweight boxing is dead. Attendances and participants are probably at their highest ever id guess.

Wlad and vitali regularly sell out football stadiums

you are not understanding the point..

Boxing is losing participation. Its a dwindling sport. You are going to have to deal with the facts here pal

Floyd Mayweather just signed a tv deal for a staggering amount of money and was the highest paid sports star in 2012 - that's a fact. Hardly something that would happen to someone in a dwindling sport.

Two questions for you Mysti

1. Who is the highest paid sportsmen in the world?
2. Who was voted by the argentinian people to be their number one sportsmen?

Imperial Ghosty wrote:I'm not the one making sweeping comments with nothing to back it up, you made the statement so you need to prove it.

You want an argument I take it?

Why dont you prove that it isnt!

Or concentrate on why Ali should be an ultimate Goat. Especially when this sport is growing so much!!

My only reasons to even consider Ali is due to other boxing fans stating that Boxing was high on participation(more so than today!) back then and therefore he was in a highly competitive era.

Now your telling me that it isnt the case.

Well if what your saying is true. Then Ali shouldnt even be in the 64

If anyone came make sense of mysti's logic I'll make them my GOAT of all time.

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Two questions for you Mysti

1. Who is the highest paid sportsmen in the world?
2. Who was voted by the argentinian people to be their number one sportsmen?

Is this question time.

Look dude I am not here for a heated debate. cant be bothered at the moment.

Good luck

mystiroakey wrote:

Imperial Ghosty wrote:I'm not the one making sweeping comments with nothing to back it up, you made the statement so you need to prove it.

You want an argument I take it?

Why dont you prove that it isnt!

Or concentrate on why Ali should be an ultimate Goat. Especially when this sport is growing so much!!

My only reasons to even consider Ali is due to other boxing fans stating that Boxing was high on participation(more so than today!) back then and therefore he was in a highly competitive era.

Now your telling me that it isnt the case.

Well if what your saying is true. Then Ali shouldnt even be in the 64

When did he say that that it wasn't a highly competitive era? Ghosty simply asked you to back up statements like participation is dwindling, it's being strangled by UFC etc with facts.

I'm not the one making statements to back it up, why is Bradman the greatest cricketer of all time when he played 80 years ago? Same logic.

well i have read many articles on boxing dieing out in the Uk and the states. Most people arnt interested in the sport anymore, health and safety as well. Other sports like rugby and NFL giving massive tough lads a decent wage, etc,etc

Ultimate fighting as well etc etc

Many boxing fans on here have told me as well. I honestly thought everyone assumed and knew that it was much less profile these days with dwindling participation

But hey I am no expert on this. Educate me if you know all- Tell me why its such a growing sport!

Imperial Ghosty wrote:I'm not the one making statements to back it up, why is Bradman the greatest cricketer of all time when he played 80 years ago? Same logic.

I havent even said he was

Dare to answer any of the questions I asked, how about a comparison between UFC ppvs and boxing ppvs?

mystiroakey wrote:Ok my top 10

1=. woods
1=. J nicklaus
1=. Fed
1=. Bolt
1=. messi
6. Iniesta
7. Bradman
8. Gretsky
9. Jordon
10. Carl lewis

What cricketer is above Bradman then?

congrats to Ali. Can't see Federer catching him now. Has been a fascinating competition with varying views and opinions has to be said.

Same time next year?

Sobers could be, Kallis could be, shane warne could be.. I dont know. But at this time I am going for bradman due to his outragious batting averages.

Its all opinions- I cant give definitives. thats why I have 5 equal top.

You on the other hand seem to know your boxing. I am not saying I am an expert of boxing. I have admitted i am not. I am not giving it. I am happy for you to tell me your views on boxing and why mine are off the mark.

Again I never understand the comparison between ufc and boxing. They are not mutally exclusive.

But going back to the point. Ali fought the best of the best in the history of heavyweight boxing over a long career. Off the top of my head I believe he had the freak occurance of meeting most of them in their prime too.

As I have mentioned above. Federer is obviously a brilliant tennis player but he would not be a favourite against nadal on clay at any stage of each of their careers.

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Dare to answer any of the questions I asked, how about a comparison between UFC ppvs and boxing ppvs?

What questions do you want me to ask. If I dont know them I would just waste 10 mins on google answering them and we would just go round in circles . I am past all that dude.

Give me your opinions and 'facts'. I am not a big boxing fan. I just say it from my perspective . and that perspective is that boxing isnt the big deal it used to be

Don't make statements you can't back up then, quite a simple premise really.

What statements have i made that i cant back up?

Are you just here for a fight?

Big lad. Big boxing fan yeah!

Calm yourself down. You dont even want a debate- You just talk riddles. I have tried to have a debate with you but you just cant do it can you!

I have no idea what you're going on about, you said boxing was a dwindling sport but gave no evidence to back it up.

A sport with a dwindling interest doesn't have the two highest paid sportsmen in the world nor does it have a 'little known' champion who is more highly regarded in his home country than a record breaking footballer.

You said that UFC was strangling boxing but it's boxing that produces the higher PPV numbers.

I'm not looking for a fight but you've not given a single piece of evidence to back up your assumption that it's a dwindling sport.

mystiroakey wrote:What statements have i made that i cant back up?

Are you just here for a fight?

Big lad. Big boxing fan yeah!

Calm yourself down. You dont even want a debate- You just talk riddles. I have tried to have a debate with you but you just cant do it can you!

Mystiroakey, I don't think anyone is here for a fight. You made statements about UFC and boxing and Participation dwindling, Ghosty wanted proof that's all.

Little off topic oakey but do you know why the tennis board have such a problem with nadal?

spencerclarke wrote:Little off topic oakey but do you know why the tennis board have such a problem with nadal?

because he keeps beating "the greatest of all time player"?? nasty boy

Spence, I don't think they do. They are sort of split in two. Half Nadal, Half Federer, they've a distinct lack of tolerance though, if you aren't part of the clique and you dare to criticise either your post will vapourise.

spencerclarke wrote:Little off topic oakey but do you know why the tennis board have such a problem with nadal?

Probably because his game lacks the flair of Federer's. Nadal grinds you down with athleticism whereas Federer is the more gifted player. I've read that quite a few times elsewhere.

super_realist wrote:Spence, I don't think they do. They are sort of split in two. Half Nadal, Half Federer, they've a distinct lack of tolerance though, if you aren't part of the clique and you dare to criticise either your post will vapourise.

Haha really!?! Two brilliant players with completely different playing styles you would think they would be delighted with that!

peace out fella.

I used to love boxing in the eubank,ben tyson eras and stuff. But its just not the same for me anymore..

I think its sad that the heavyweight division isnt what it was.. And i think that ois clearly the biggest reason ahy many think its a dieing sport.

You could well be right. But it kind of doesnt seem right that the two biggest draws are lighter weights..

It certainly isnt a golden age for the sport. Could you agree on that?

super_realist wrote:Spence, I don't think they do. They are sort of split in two. Half Nadal, Half Federer, they've a distinct lack of tolerance though, if you aren't part of the clique and you dare to criticise either your post will vapourise.

Sounds like a place where some fun could be had!

spencerclarke wrote:

super_realist wrote:Spence, I don't think they do. They are sort of split in two. Half Nadal, Half Federer, they've a distinct lack of tolerance though, if you aren't part of the clique and you dare to criticise either your post will vapourise.

Haha really!?! Two brilliant players with completely different playing styles you would think they would be delighted with that!

Not sure what they'll talk about when they're gone, which might actually be very soon for both.

superflyweight wrote:

super_realist wrote:Spence, I don't think they do. They are sort of split in two. Half Nadal, Half Federer, they've a distinct lack of tolerance though, if you aren't part of the clique and you dare to criticise either your post will vapourise.

Sounds like a place where some fun could be had!

Gordy would be in his element.

compelling and rich wrote:

spencerclarke wrote:Little off topic oakey but do you know why the tennis board have such a problem with nadal?

because he keeps beating "the greatest of all time player"?? nasty boy

I have no idea . go and ask the regulars

Btw you boxing lot are as bad as the tennis lot.

Tough places to go if you just nip in and out. Nothing like my gentlemanly boards(golf,cricket and rugby)

Well forget the last one when the welsh are in town

Love em really

I was just about to say apologies if this is coming across as ganging up im sure everyone would agree its not meant to be.

Honestly the boxing boards are great. I joined the old 606 for football and now spend more time on the boxing board. Ive learnt so much about boxing and fighters. Its very edicational. As a result I love the sport more than I ever have and watch a lot more.

I'll say hello if I ever see you on there!

Actually anyone who come in for serious debate is quite welcome, its usually daft sweeping statements or ridiculous ones that get the beating. Sadly you picked ghosty out for your introduction. Ghosty's friendly welcome as the british envoy to russia won world war 2.

mystiroakey wrote:peace out fella.

I used to love boxing in the eubank,ben tyson eras and stuff. But its just not the same for me anymore..

I think its sad that the heavyweight division isnt what it was.. And i think that ois clearly the biggest reason ahy many think its a dieing sport.

You could well be right. But it kind of doesnt seem right that the two biggest draws are lighter weights..

It certainly isnt a golden age for the sport. Could you agree on that?

Possibly not in this country but the sport has grown immeasurably in some parts of the world like Germany or kazakhstan while it remains as popular as ever in mexico or puerto rica. The lack of interest in the heavyweight division by the americans has been made up for by the germans and eastern europe in general.

The heavyweight division has always been dominated by americans but different cultures favour different weights. The orientals are very lowest weight driven while the hispanics are very lower to middle driven.

ShahenshahG wrote:Actually anyone who come in for serious debate is quite welcome, its usually daft sweeping statements or ridiculous ones that get the beating. Sadly you picked ghosty out for your introduction. Ghosty's friendly welcome as the british envoy to russia won world war 2.

I can't make head nor tail of that.

It was deliberately scrambled just in case you took offence.

Dont worry about it. I just couldnt be bothered with the hardcore debate tonight, searching through wiki and getting numbers and posting articles..

I have been on the boxing boards and wummed it up on occasion. I think I was having a pop at the Kilitckos or something. jeas i got battered then. but probally my own fault. Karma lol