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Upcoming Fights **Mod note: Keep discussion to fight night threads**

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    #722
    Sprinter Sacre
    Closed Accounts Posts: 610 ✭✭✭Sprinter Sacre


    Usyk/Gassiev on July 21 in Moscow. Usyk giving no f*cks again fighting in the opponent's back yard. I'd be fearful the Russians will concoct something, Usyk will have to win convincingly or get the stoppage to get the nod I feel. Great fight though, only Betway seem to have a line and have Usyk @ 1.36 and Gassiev @ 3.1. There has to be some value in Gassiev there.


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    #723
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Sprinter Sacre wrote: »
    Usyk/Gassiev on July 21 in Moscow. Usyk giving no f*cks again fighting in the opponent's back yard. I'd be fearful the Russians will concoct something, Usyk will have to win convincingly or get the stoppage to get the nod I feel. Great fight though, only Betway seem to have a line and have Usyk @ 1.36 and Gassiev @ 3.1. There has to be some value in Gassiev there.

    The judges will most likely be neutral/fair for both teams..

    You think they’ll be bought?


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    #724
    Sprinter Sacre
    Closed Accounts Posts: 610 ✭✭✭Sprinter Sacre


    walshb wrote: »
    The judges will most likely be neutral/fair for both teams..

    You think they’ll be bought?

    With the WBSS there it surely means there's less of a chance of corruption but I'd put nothing past Russia, especially seeing Gassiev probably has the biggest potential of the current Russian crop. A loss to Usyk doesn't deter him massively but a win over Usyk sends shockwaves throughout the sport.


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    #725
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    I see Joe Ward lost a tight 3/2 to his old nemesis, La Cruz from Cuba today in the Chemistry Cup in Germany. Ward dropped La Cruz in rd 1....No doubt La Cruz got up and tickled his way into wowing the judges!


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    #726
    megadodge
    Registered Users Posts: 5,314 ✭✭✭megadodge


    pac_man wrote: »
    Just watched it there. The usual tactical affair but this time around, it could have went either way. He must be sick of the
    sight of Cruz.

    Genuinely very little in that. The commentators didn't seem to be too impressed. It has to be looked at as progress though.

    One thing that Joe should work on is throwing the third and sometimes the fourth punch. It was a three punch combination that floored Da Cruz, but he seldom threw them after that. Attacking someone so hard to catch, throwing singles or twos is seldom going to succeed.


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    #727
    Sprinter Sacre
    Closed Accounts Posts: 610 ✭✭✭Sprinter Sacre


    Ward is definitely getting closer to beating him. La Cruz just always appears to have loads left in the locker though. He coasts his way to wins all the time, but when he actually has to work he has little problem trading and putting in the volume.

    I'd be interested to see his approach as a pro even though he's not really shaped to be a pro. He's clearly got a system for the short amateur fights where he can steal rounds without trying too hard but he can turn on the intensity very easily when needed and I'd be curious to see if he'd alter his approach with longer and more enduring fights or would he just do a Floyd and try and con rounds all night long.


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    #728
    megadodge
    Registered Users Posts: 5,314 ✭✭✭megadodge


    Sprinter Sacre wrote: »
    Ward is definitely getting closer to beating him. La Cruz just always appears to have loads left in the locker though. He coasts his way to wins all the time, but when he actually has to work he has little problem trading and putting in the volume.

    But he doesn't land very much. Just looks in control without actually landing punches. It's a skill in itself I suppose, where it's more about perception than anything else.


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    #729
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Not only does La Cruz not land much, he rarely lands correctly or cleanly..

    Fair play to the Ref for warning him a few times for clowning and not boxing...


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    #730
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Watching the fight yesterday I was of the firm belief Joe had done more than enough to win but still wasn't surprised that La Cruz got the verdict. I suppose you develop a sixth sense about these things the longer you are watching.

    After another watch today it's definitely closer than I was allowing for, but I still believe Joe was desperately unlucky to lose. He must be thinking that he'll have to knock yer man out of the ring if he's ever to get that elusive victory against him.

    To me there was obviously one clear cut round in that and two very tight ones. I think La Cruz was either complacent or maybe a little put out by the ref's warnings - bout time you'd say - but he left himself totally exposed for one moment and Joe seriously took advantage. But that round was about more than just the knockdown, I thought he was in control throughout, landed several good blows and took hardly anything in return.

    La Cruz was much better in the second. I take on board the criticism of his style and punching method, but the punches come so fast at the same time, there's simply no defending against them. I thought they both traded some good blows in that second round, but wouldn't quibble with the Cuban shading it at the same time. However, Joe had an even better third round for me and I just cant have him losing both of those last 2 rounds. I'm not boringly screaming fix or daylight robbery or anything like that, just think a poor decision was reached and I hope he draws confidence from this and realises he can have this guy's measure next time round and any time after.


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    #731
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Taylor/Postol on channel 5 at 10.20 tonight.


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    #732
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    La Cruz knocked out in rd 1 today by Khalil Cole of the USA...LHW final.

    Been saying it years, he’s crap!��

    It’s on YouTube. Cracker of a right hand, but maybe should have been allowed continue...

    And who was there in the Yank’s corner?


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    #733
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Cole also knocked his semi final opponent out. Pretty heavy one that. Looks real quality. Slick, fast and intent on boxing/punching..


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    #734
    Sprinter Sacre
    Closed Accounts Posts: 610 ✭✭✭Sprinter Sacre


    walshb wrote: »
    La Cruz knocked out in rd 1 today by Khalil Cole of the USA...LHW final.

    Been saying it years, he’s crap!��

    It’s on YouTube. Cracker of a right hand, but maybe should have been allowed continue...

    And who was there in the Yank’s corner?

    Ah here hardly crap, he's one of the most decorated amateurs of all time, regardless if you can't warm to his style.


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    #735
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Sprinter Sacre wrote: »
    Ah here hardly crap, he's one of the most decorated amateurs of all time, regardless if you can't warm to his style.

    Those question marks are smiley faces...

    Absolute crap to watch. And offensively crap...


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    #736
    Sprinter Sacre
    Closed Accounts Posts: 610 ✭✭✭Sprinter Sacre


    Just seen the footage of the La Cruz 'KO'. I mean it's hard not to find it enjoyable when someone clowning around gets caught, and it was a lovely punch by the American lad but talk about a horrific stoppage. He beat the count handily and had his gloves up ready to resume. Terrible from the ref. If it were the worlds or the Olympics there would be war.


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    #737
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Sprinter Sacre wrote: »
    Just seen the footage of the La Cruz 'KO'. I mean it's hard not to find it enjoyable when someone clowning around gets caught, and it was a lovely punch by the American lad but talk about a horrific stoppage. He beat the count handily and had his gloves up ready to resume. Terrible from the ref. If it were the worlds or the Olympics there would be war.

    Was a lovely shot. Definitely hurt him. But he could have continued..

    He was losing the rd as well, which I am happy with. I think that Cole lad has the exact style, tools, range and skills to have La Cruz’s number...


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    #738
    megadodge
    Registered Users Posts: 5,314 ✭✭✭megadodge


    Sprinter Sacre wrote: »
    Just seen the footage of the La Cruz 'KO'. I mean it's hard not to find it enjoyable when someone clowning around gets caught, and it was a lovely punch by the American lad but talk about a horrific stoppage. He beat the count handily and had his gloves up ready to resume. Terrible from the ref. If it were the worlds or the Olympics there would be war.

    Could somebody post a link please. I had a quick look on Youtube last night and didn't find anything.


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    #739
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Google La Cruz knocked out. Should return video result..

    https://youtu.be/5K13Z6nSc78


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    #740
    megadodge
    Registered Users Posts: 5,314 ✭✭✭megadodge


    walshb wrote: »
    Google La Cruz knocked out. Should return video result..

    https://youtu.be/5K13Z6nSc78

    Yeah, got it, thanks.

    Beautiful punch. Short, sharp, precise. But a sh*te stoppage.


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    #741
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Yeh, he was ok to continue from what I saw...

    But maybe the ref saw different. Right up close and all that...

    Semi final a peach


    https://youtu.be/BjUPDiibJxc


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    #742
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    megadodge wrote: »
    Yeah, got it, thanks.

    Beautiful punch. Short, sharp, precise. But a sh*te stoppage.

    Yeah, totally. La Cruz looked a bit shook I reckon but, ffs, give him a chance at least.


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    #743
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    The great LHWs from the past would have steamrolled La Cruz...

    Two that come to mind are the 1976 Leon Spinks and the 1984 Holyfield..


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    #744
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Joe_ Public wrote: »
    Yeah, totally. La Cruz looked a bit shook I reckon but, ffs, give him a chance at least.

    Playing devil’s advocate, but was it LA Cruz’s kind of still body and blank stare that swayed the ref?

    Maybe he should have been more alert, reactive and moved around a little to really impress upon the ref that he was on and clear?


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    #745
    megadodge
    Registered Users Posts: 5,314 ✭✭✭megadodge


    walshb wrote: »
    Playing devil’s advocate

    Really? You??


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    #746
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    walshb wrote: »
    Playing devil’s advocate, but was it LA Cruz’s kind of still body and blank stare that swayed the ref?

    Maybe he should have been more alert, reactive and moved around a little to really impress upon the ref that he was on and clear?

    I'm guessing refs are under instruction to err on the side of caution these days, its the way things are going. Just think he's gone a bit overboard on this occasion, though you can make the argument for the ref alright.

    This American kid does look good though. Been ages since they had a decent light heavyweight on their books over there.


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    #747
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Pros/ams considered, from watching it on the couch it looked a little premature...

    Anyway, glad he got beaten...


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    #748
    boxer.fan
    Registered Users Posts: 748 ✭✭✭boxer.fan


    Great to see La Cruz put on the floor. He is very frustrating to watch, it must be terrible to box him.
    I'm sure he could have continued, however, the fact that Ward floored him as well probably had some influence in the ref calling it.


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    #749
    walshb
    Registered Users Posts: 55,039 ✭✭✭✭walshb


    Had a look at the stoppage again....

    Not as premature as first thought. La Cruz was rocked and dazed. Looked a bit "out of it." Staring blankly at the referee without moving...

    The ref may have been thinking that if I let it go he could get whacked very heavy.....

    La Cruz's senses didn't seem to be all there...


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    #750
    boxer.fan
    Registered Users Posts: 748 ✭✭✭boxer.fan


    pac_man wrote: »
    boxer.fan wrote: »
    Great to see La Cruz put on the floor. He is very frustrating to watch, it must be terrible to box him.
    I'm sure he could have continued, however, the fact that Ward floored him as well probably had some influence in the ref calling it.

    Ward dropping him would have zero to do with the ref calling a halt. What is it about Cruz that makes him frustrating to watch?
    You can't really say that Ward dropping him had no part in the refs decision. You weren't the referee.
    I just don't like that style of boxing. I respect his achievements & how he gets the decisions but it's not for me.


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    #751
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    walshb wrote: »
    Had a look at the stoppage again....

    Not as premature as first thought. La Cruz was rocked and dazed. Looked a bit "out of it." Staring blankly at the referee without moving...

    The ref may have been thinking that if I let it go he could get whacked very heavy.....

    La Cruz's senses didn't seem to be all there...

    He's clearly dazed alright. On reflection i wouldnt have too much argument with the call.


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