Thoughts on this PHENOMENAL boxing weekend??

[that Indian]

Every now and again, boxing turns out and reminds me why it is the greatest show on earth.

The weekend is not even over, and we've had a tremendous amount of action to process. Some of the highlights for me:

- Elijah Florex vs Tanjhae Teasley was a purist delight between two well-schooled prospects

- Leo Atang is a fresh new face in the heavyweight division

- Josh Kelly skates on thin ice and just slides by Murdazaliev. He used movement, a POWER jab and took away the body attack to earn a well-deserved win. Probably the high point of his career, and he should enjoy every moment.

- Ring 6: Keyshawn had a BREAKOUT performance. This performance completely redeems his past failures. The combination of boxing, aggression and power--damn, this kid is a STAR.

- Shakur did his thing and definitively showed the world Teo's ceiling. The scary thing is that Shakur has at least 2 more gears above this. It's going to take an all-time great to beat him--he is going to be an ATG himself when it's all done.

- To me, the best performance was of this phenomenal weekend was Xander Zayas vs Baraou. Man, Zayas showed me some things. He showed it all: movement, speed, power, combinations, balls ... He did what Kelly couldn't do. He is Puerto Rico's well-deserved star and, as of now, a worthy successor to wear their mantle of greatness.

- I would love to see Baraou vs Murtazaliev. That is going to be Hulk vs Juggernaut type shit.

- Viloria vs. Perez is happening RIGHT NOW and that is a WAR! Tune in right now if you are not watching.

- And we STILL have Gvozdyk, Bohachuk vs Butaev and Rayo on tap!

Honestly, this is the best fight weekend I can remember. Something for everyone.

If you can't appreciate this weekend, boxing just isn't your thing.

 

[StopDucking]

Shakur proved what I’ve been saying: he’s the best boxer in the world now that Crawford has retired. Nobody’s gonna beat that guy. The only boxer who has a puncher’s chance is Tank.

 

[that Indian]

JEEZZZ.., add another Nail in the coffin!!

This week is insane

 

[that Indian]

Shakur proved what I’ve been saying: he’s the best boxer in the world now that Crawford has retired. Nobody’s gonna beat that guy. The only boxer who has a puncher’s chance is Tank.

Tank is done done. At 140 I can’t pick anyone over Shakur although 140 is low-key stacked.

 

[Blazeblack]

Good weekend for boxing.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Good times

 

[that Indian]

Shakur was phenomenal. His jab, distance control, footwork, reactions. But there are 2 things that make him stand apart from most other champs--and why I think he will beat Haney:

1) Pattern-recognition: He seems to know what his opponent is going to throw before they throw it. This isn't just reaction speed--he is already blocking a punch before it's even half-deployed. I can't imagine how frustrating it is for an athlete like Teo, who is used to beating his opponent's reaction speed, meet someone who is always one step ahead.

2) Position: He very rarely breaks his frame. He's hardly off-balance, always has the foot on the outside, never out-angled. His positioning also dictates the flow of the fight. Guys like Crawford, Beterbiev, Inoue, Bam--these are other guys who are always in position. A very rare quality.

Watching Shakur is like listening to technical jazz or reading a textbook -- not particularly fun, but entirely educational.

 

[Hagler]

Boxing is a dead sport doing decently.

 

[Goatenstein]

All I know for sure is that Shakur is lucky he doesn't have to deal with a prime Rod Salka.

 

[StopDucking]

Shakur was phenomenal. His jab, distance control, footwork, reactions. But there are 2 things that make him stand apart from most other champs--and why I think he will beat Haney:

1) Pattern-recognition: He seems to know what his opponent is going to throw before they throw it. This isn't just reaction speed--he is already blocking a punch before it's even half-deployed. I can't imagine how frustrating it is for an athlete like Teo, who is used to beating his opponent's reaction speed, meet someone who is always one step ahead.

2) Position: He very rarely breaks his frame. He's hardly off-balance, always has the foot on the outside, never out-angled. His positioning also dictates the flow of the fight. Guys like Crawford, Beterbiev, Inoue, Bam--these are other guys who are always in position. A very rare quality.

Watching Shakur is like listening to technical jazz or reading a textbook -- not particularly fun, but entirely educational.

It’s distance management and timing.

 

[that Indian]

It’s distance management and timing.

Yeah pattern-recognition is required for timing. You have to know what is coming in order to disrupt it. But it's also his positioning, which is more than distance management. A guy like Lara manages distance well but is not always in the best position to punch. Shakur is always in a position to punch, which he will do if he sees an opening.

 

[treelo]

Atang v Itauma in 5-7 years time may be fucking HUGE

they are both only young though but have great credentials behind them