Boxing

[Big D]

In the other fights of note.

Fielding got lucky. Hopefully just shaking cobwebs off after the Smith defeat.

Cardle was very lucky. He lost that imo.

[Numbers]

In the other fights of note.

Fielding got lucky. Hopefully just shaking cobwebs off after the Smith defeat.

Cardle was very lucky. He lost that imo.

Fielding proved he has a weak jaw imo, Rebrasse has very few knockouts on his record so to be put down by him was poor, especially after the tuning he had from Smith, it looks like Fielding is about domestic level but no better.

[Numbers]

Also the two fights that went to the cards were imo the wrong decisions, albeit narrowly but definitely wrong.

[Numbers]

Good news for Nick Blackwell: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/35962221

[Big D]

Good news for Nick Blackwell: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/35962221

Good to hear.

[Sandydragon]

Few thoughts:
1. Hopefully Blackwell pulls through.
2. Classy of Senior to tell Junior to take him out with body shots rather than head shots.
3. Brook badly needs a step up in class. I expect him to lose at the top level but he deserves a chance (and payday).

What did you make of Blackwell's corner? I'm not sure Gary Lockett was paying too much attention to the fighter, when he was telling him "this is your chance" Blackwell looked like he wasn't hearing him, at least he wasn't responding. Harsh on Lockett tho as when fighters get to that stage of a fight they're often too tired to speak, I would have expected him to at least look at his trainer tho, I suppose that's what the doctor should be looking at between rounds.

Good news is Blackwell is supposed to be woken from his coma this afternoon.

I agree that the Eubanks have done themselves some credit with how they have reacted to this.

Very tough to be in that corner given the way the fight was going. But that's what they are there for. I have heard corners say "show me something or I am pulling you out" but I didn't hear anything like that from Lockett (although I wasn't fully focused on the fight). I haven't read anything to suggest Lockett was thinking about pulling him out. Not that he will be thinking of much except Blackwell.

I do hope Senior doesn't put a dampener on any killer instinct Junior has though. He'll need it to get up to world level.

I don't think that will be an issue. It was clear that Jnr was well clear barring a miracle punch and Blackwell was barely defending himself. Fair play to Snr for making that call, he gets a lot of credit for that in my opinion.

I'm also a bit surprised that either Blackwell's corner or the ref didn't stop the fight earlier. He looked to be getting a pasting and checkin the fighter is still mentally with it should be a key consideration between rounds. Even making sure that he is making eye contact is important (as someone wrote below). Not a great headline for the sport, but thankfully Blackwell has come round.

[Big D]

I'm also a bit surprised that either Blackwell's corner or the ref didn't stop the fight earlier. He looked to be getting a pasting and checkin the fighter is still mentally with it should be a key consideration between rounds. Even making sure that he is making eye contact is important (as someone wrote below). Not a great headline for the sport, but thankfully Blackwell has come round.

That podcast I mentioned was good listen on those points. Adam Booth spoke really well about both of the above.

I do disagree with him that his corner were blame free, but he explained why the ref in his opinion did exactly what he should have and it made sense.

But the main thing is Blackwell is awake and seemingly has all his faculties in tact.

[Sandydragon]

I'm also a bit surprised that either Blackwell's corner or the ref didn't stop the fight earlier. He looked to be getting a pasting and checkin the fighter is still mentally with it should be a key consideration between rounds. Even making sure that he is making eye contact is important (as someone wrote below). Not a great headline for the sport, but thankfully Blackwell has come round.

That podcast I mentioned was good listen on those points. Adam Booth spoke really well about both of the above.

I do disagree with him that his corner were blame free, but he explained why the ref in his opinion did exactly what he should have and it made sense.

But the main thing is Blackwell is awake and seemingly has all his faculties in tact.

I think the ref has a much harder time establishing head trauma. Unless a fighter is beyond defending himself, then I would suggest its far easier for the fighters corner staff to notice if their fighter isn't quite right.
Again, unless its blatantly obvious, there is still room for discretion and not every call will go right. Boxers wont appreciate their support crew throwing the towel if they still think they have a chance.

Ultimately, what the ban everything brigade don't seem to understand is that no one is forcing boxers to fight. Tragic events will happen in nearly every sport, its part of the risk faced by those who participate. Boxing is a bit more raw in its intent to hurt the opponent, that's the main difference.

[Numbers]

Well I have the Joshua fight booked for tomorrow night, looking forward to it. I haven't seen anything of Martin but it seems he can punch a bit, I am a little worried about AJ's jaw, he looked a little shaky when he got caught in his last fight against Dillon Whyte, hopefully he will land first.

I'm also looking forward to see Selby, Groves and young Conor Benn.

I didn't realise Matthew Macklin was still boxing, he says his fight against Brian Rose is make or break.

[Big D]

Well I have the Joshua fight booked for tomorrow night, looking forward to it. I haven't seen anything of Martin but it seems he can punch a bit, I am a little worried about AJ's jaw, he looked a little shaky when he got caught in his last fight against Dillon Whyte, hopefully he will land first.

I'm also looking forward to see Selby, Groves and young Conor Benn.

I didn't realise Matthew Macklin was still boxing, he says his fight against Brian Rose is make or break.

I am going to have to do it the old fashioned way and find a link. Money is very tight just now and number 2 T-minus 6weeks or so.

Forgetting the important in ring bit, AJ looked very very relaxed at the weigh in. It is a big advantage to his career that all his fights have been made big shows as he has become accustomed to all the pre fight nonsense. Martin didn't look quite as sure.

I am not so much worried about his jaw per say, he ate a couple of punches from Whyte that would have decked most but it's AJ's emotional reaction It was like he was too proud to hold against Whyte. In saying that there was reasons for that.

[Edinburgh in Exile]

Anyone watching the undercards?

[WaspInWales]

Anyone watching the undercards?

Watched a bit of the Selby fight. Controlled and dominant after a shaky start, which I didn't see.

Blinked and missed Benn's debut.

[WaspInWales]

Time for the main event so will be hoping McIlroy sorts his shit out in the Masters whilst Joshua hopefully does the biz!

[WaspInWales]

Impressive start from Joshua. Landed a few and definitely got the round.

[WaspInWales]

Fucking belter!

[WaspInWales]

And again!

[WaspInWales]

It's over. Knocked on his arse twice in the space of a few seconds and didn't make the count.

Superb from Joshua!

[Edinburgh in Exile]

jesus...

Bang... BANG.

[WaspInWales]

Sweet, sweet punches though.

[Mellsblue]

When will I learn not to bother with pay per view boxing.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Blimey! Listened on R5. All the talk about Martin being stupid missing the count. Sounds like he just didn't fancy getting hit very hard, or he really is an idiot and just wanted to cut it as fine as possible and missed it.

[WaspInWales]

Blimey! Listened on R5. All the talk about Martin being stupid missing the count. Sounds like he just didn't fancy getting hit very hard, or he really is an idiot and just wanted to cut it as fine as possible and missed it.

Didn't matter as he would've been on his arse again before the end of the round. Those slow motion replays of the punches were brutal.

Martin knew it was over me thinks.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

There can't be many people who have been simultaneously Olympic and World Champion, certainly in the heavyweight division.

[WaspInWales]

I bet Tyson's Twitter feed is going to be busy tonight

[Edinburgh in Exile]

Blimey! Listened on R5. All the talk about Martin being stupid missing the count. Sounds like he just didn't fancy getting hit very hard, or he really is an idiot and just wanted to cut it as fine as possible and missed it.

Yeah, no way he was trying to be cute with the count. He got fucking rocked twice there.