BGrif21125 said:
I've seen very little of Calzaghe over the years, so I don't feel qualified to make many comments about what he can or can't do. But based on what I've read about Calzaghe and what I've seen with Taylor, I agree with you.
It's frustrating to watch someone like Taylor, who has been blessed with above average height, reach, and body size for a middleweight, and then he spends the entire night backing up and throwing wild power shots against a smaller opponent.
I was expecting Taylor to come out and establish his jab and control Ouma in the center of the ring. Taylor certainly won the fight, but I don't think he controlled the ring generalship, and to move up in weight and beat a legitimate champ like Calzaghe, you have to be able to do that.
Sometimes I get a little over-obsessed with the jab, but it blows my mind why a guy like Taylor insists on holding his hands low, retreating to the ropes, and then winging power shots.
[post="560254"][/post]
You can never get over-obsessed with the jab!! From the times I have seen Joe, he would tear apart Jermain if he didnt change his game. Now Joe tried to go toe to toe with Bika, and their was some trouble, so if Jermain could appeal to Joe's fighting instincts then he could win. But if that does not happen, I think its very possible to see another Lacy scenario.
I actually think Peter Manfredo will give Joe a pretty good fight. Peter has improved by leaps and bounds since he hooked up with Freddie Roach, and going into Calzaghe's house, he will be in a "nothing to lose" mode, which can make him dangerous. Peter is pretty slick and has better power than people give him credit for. He clearly won the second fight he had with Mora. Plus, it will be great to see a local guy get a major shot. The only major problem is that he is making a huge jump in competition way to fast. Joe Spina to Joe Calzaghe? Thats quite the story.
I can't wait for this supposed Ricky Hatton-JLC fight to happen.
How the hell did a judge almost give Kassim Ouma that fight. He tricks judges. Lampley was right on about what he said about the Powell fight. One guy had the fight 100-90 for Ouma, and another had it 96-94 for Powell. That is way to large off a differential.
Some interesting prospects are in New England right now. Check out Joe McCreedy, Mike Oliver, or Jason Estrada if you have the chance. Oliver just won the USBA super bantam weight belt.
On the national prospects alert, Andre Berto looked impressive with that power. He needs to fight for a title, now. Andy Lee is 6-0, Emanuel is bringing him along well. John Duddy is 18-0, after surviving that test from Yory Boy Campas. Amir Khan won his first title at age 20, he is the one of the best prospects in the world.
The great Polish champion, Tomasz Adamek, will fight Chad Dawson in Feb. Chad Dawson is from New Haven. It will be in defense of Adamek's WBC light heavy belt.
The next great thing in boxing are Australian fighters. Australia is becoming an amazing athletic nation. Australia's boxing is still in the stage when its a true racial battle. See Danny Green (white working-class hero) and Anthony Mundine's (black hero) rivalry. The last fight that was really hyped along ethnic lines in America was the Cotto-Malignaggi fight. I remember Italian and PR guys on boxing boards talking about who could whip whom in any fight. I am sorry, but this side of boxing is hilarious, and it is almost kind of sad that it has moved on with the times
.