Overeem's chance in Boxing?

[Snowfist]

Im a young guy who's been a fan of mma and k1 for 7 years now. I have just started getting into boxing in the last 2 years or so. Watching highlights. Learning the history. I really enjoy watching the sport.

My dad's been a fan of boxing for longer then I have and he is saying because the heavyweight division is weaker then ever he thinks with Overeem's ability to improve..already world class striking. He could learn to be one of the top boxers. If not THE top boxer right now.

What do you all think of this? It's not a troll thread I just truly think he could do quite well. He is an amazing athlete. Although not proven just yet..he is the best HW mma fighter imo. He is probably second best in K1 behind schilt. Where do you think he could rank in HW boxing with 100% dedication to boxing training.

Feel free to throw in other's from K1 if you would like. Gokhan Saki for instance. Cheers

 

[jlagman]

...and I'm a gigantic Ray Sefo fan.

 

[MysticNinjaJay]

If he started Boxing from an early age he could likely be a top Boxer. He is an amazing athlete with alot of natural talent.

However as of right now I doubt it. Tooling Ben Edwards with overhand rights and counter hooks and competing with the likes of David Haye and the Klitschko brothers are two different things.

I don't think any MMA fighter or Kickboxer has the technical Boxing skills to be a top Boxer. This is because they did not start Boxing at an early age. Cross-training in Boxing and being a specialist require different levels of dedication. This theory could be tested if some MMA fighters tried to make the transition.

 

[Snowfist]

...and I'm a gigantic Ray Sefo fan.

hmm. Thanks for the vid. So where do you think Overeem would stand? Could he breach the top 10 in your opinion? He has insane knockout power no? And some good defense. He show's a ability to learn. I was thinking since Roach was touting Arlovski as a guy who would do well in boxing's HW division..well Overeem would have a real good shot.

Didn't Manny start as a kickboxer? So did the Klitchko's correct? They are doing quite well.

 

[JungleKungFu]

Boxing and Kickboxing aren't the same bro guys like Wlad and Vlad and Toney would kill Overeem and i'm a Huge Overeem fan there just contrasting styles of fighting

 

[Snowfist]

Boxing and Kickboxing aren't the same bro guys like Wlad and Vlad and Toney would kill Overeem and i'm a Huge Overeem fan there just contrasting styles of fighting

Alright. Fair enough. Love em all.

 

[troublestarts]

I dunno. A guy like David Tua can do well as a HW. From a pure skill stand point, he's not that much better than Overeem.

 

[JayElectra]

I dunno. A guy like David Tua can do well as a HW. From a pure skill stand point, he's not that much better than Overeem.

David Tua has twice the power and twice the chin. What makes Overeem a devestating striker is mostly his dominant clinch. He has good boxing skills for MMA but that would not be enough. He also doesn't have a great chin (though it isn't glass like some people say).

 

[troublestarts]

David Tua has twice the power and twice the chin. What makes Overeem a devestating striker is mostly his dominant clinch. He has good boxing skills for MMA but that would not be enough. He also doesn't have a great chin (though it isn't glass like some people say).

true. Overeem is faster, taller, and longer. I'm not saying he could dominate or be world champ, but he'd have a decent record.

edit: also want to point out that Lennox Lewis didn't have an iron jaw, either.

 

[StillWill**]

He could beat some lower - average level guys, but would fail against top- elite guys. Its not really a fair comparison though, because it may have been a different story if he had grown up training solely boxing as opposed to kickboxing and grappling. Also, his most dangerous weapon as a striker is his clinch game and knees, which obviously would do him no good in a boxing match.

His hands looked noticeably improved in the Edwards fight this weekend though.

I always thought the best K-1/mma fighter to see in boxing would be Sergei K., as he did have a pretty successful amateur career. Also Schilt as he is 6'11/295 and has a good jab/1 2

 

[justblaze717]

true. Overeem is faster, taller, and longer. I'm not saying he could dominate or be world champ, but he'd have a decent record.

edit: also want to point out that Lennox Lewis didn't have an iron jaw, either.

Lennox would KO Overeem in a boxing match, very early too.

 

[troublestarts]

Lennox would KO Overeem in a boxing match, very early too.

I think you missed the point

 

[justblaze717]

I think you missed the point

Sorry

 

[troublestarts]

Sorry

Overeem's athleticism, size, and questionable chin remind me of Wlad. if he had trained boxing from the start, who knows.

edit: but yes, any decent HW champ in history would likely beat Overeem the kickboxer in a boxing match.

 

[LearningToLive]

Overeem boxings skills sucks.

He has power and timming, but no real technique.

We would get destroyed by any TOP 20. I bet he would lose to Tyson Fury.

 

[soggyfist]

He has no chance in anything other than the regional level.

 

[The Fan Man]

Here is that "nutrition expert's" recent fight against Ben Edwards.



As it's been said, he has power, timing, and the necessary calm in the ring to not gas out in 30 seconds; but he just has very little in terms of skills. If Overeem dedicated the next five years exclusively to boxing, he could be a bigger but slower and less technical version of Sam Peter. Also much less powerful.

I would love to see Badr Hari crossover though.

 

[StillWill**]

I would love to see Badr Hari crossover though.

Good God no he does not have the chin, luckily he is in a sport where you can be KOd and still be in the mix, so although it is his biggest weakness he can manage.

If he went to boxing he would be KOd a few times and fade into obscurity

 

[idojiujitsu]

Boxing is James Toney's territory! Overeem would get KO'd quick.

 

[MysticNinjaJay]

If he started Boxing from an early age he could likely be a top Boxer. He is an amazing athlete with alot of natural talent.

However as of right now I doubt it. Tooling Ben Edwards with overhand rights and counter hooks and competing with the likes of David Haye and the Klitschko brothers are two different things.

I don't think any MMA fighter or Kickboxer has the technical Boxing skills to be a top Boxer. This is because they did not start Boxing at an early age. Cross-training in Boxing and being a specialist require different levels of dedication. This theory could be tested if some MMA fighters tried to make the transition.

Just to be clear I for one am not suggesting that anyone with a Pro Boxing license can beat Overeem. I think he could be atleast Mid Tier at this stage in his career. It would just not be likely for him to be Top 10 or even Top 20. World class Boxers are specialists at their discipline. Cross-training in Boxing is not enough to make you an elite Boxer.

I'm surprised the Freddie Roach said that Andre Arvolski could be a top Boxer. He doesn't exactly have the best chin. His Boxing looks sharp in MMA but I doubt it is enough to be a world champion. I would however like to see an MMA fighter attempt to compete with elite Boxers to see how they do.

KJ Noons says he is setting up a fight with either Mayweather or Pacquiao to have cross-over matches. One in Boxing and one in MMA.