Thread: Fighters who have yet to step it up?

Was just thinking about how there are a bunch of fighters who have yet to step it up despite plenty of high profile televised fights on HBO and Showtime, and what will happen when they finally do. Obviously the first example to jump into my mind was Chavez Jr until recently, and how horribly that went for him against Martinez, but he's not the only fighter who has either never stepped in with a decent opponent or hasn't in way too long. A couple more that come to mind are Martirosyan, Broner, Canelo, Donaire (up till recently), Rigondeaux, Cleverly and plenty more, so question is, who should they be fighting?

Originally Posted by ElTerribleMorales

Was just thinking about how there are a bunch of fighters who have yet to step it up despite plenty of high profile televised fights on HBO and Showtime, and what will happen when they finally do. Obviously the first example to jump into my mind was Chavez Jr until recently, and how horribly that went for him against Martinez, but he's not the only fighter who has either never stepped in with a decent opponent or hasn't in way too long. A couple more that come to mind are Martirosyan, Broner, Canelo, Donaire (up till recently), Rigondeaux, Cleverly and plenty more, so question is, who should they be fighting?

No offense but you are glaringly wrong on Donaire. Among others he defeated, Vic (2007), Hernan (2010) and Fernando (2011) were highly ranked prior to suffering defeats against Donaire. Narvaez (2011) was moving up in weight, but he was the top- ranked junior bantamweight when Donaire beat him (still is). Mathebula (2012) and Vasquez Jr. (2012) were both top-ten ranked bantamweights too at the time that they faced Donaire.

Martirosyan is scheduled to face Lara.

Canelo should face a highly-ranked junior middleweight. It doesn't even need to be Cotto, Mayweather, or Martinez. It could be Gabriel Rosado, Cornelius Bundrage, or the winner of Martirosyan/Lara.

Cleverly should face Shumenov.

Speaking of Shumenov, I'd like to see him step it up soon too, although because he doesn't have a major promoter and isn't American, he hasn't been on any major network here yet.

I would like to see Edwin Rodriguez step it up. He's been on HBO a couple of times now. Arguably, he ducked Adonis Stevenson, but that's the exact kind of match he needs, or someone like Anthony Dirrell.

Mateusz Masternak at cruiserweight should step up soon. He's got 28 wins, no losses, but against no real competition. He should take on Fragomeni, or another experienced veteran on his way out.

At heavyweight, how about Boystov? When will he take the step up in competition?

Hbo and Showtime need to hold the stage they provide and some of the fighters the promote to higher standards. Recently as mentioned Rodriquez needs to decide what division he wants to be in, spr middle or lt hvy. Broner is stepping up I'll give him that, now make weight. Deontay Wilder has done next to nothing for being a Olympic medalist except fight televised club fights. Canelo is in dire need of a breakthrough piss or get off the pot fight, enough with the grooming.

Originally Posted by Rantcatrat

Originally Posted by ElTerribleMorales

Was just thinking about how there are a bunch of fighters who have yet to step it up despite plenty of high profile televised fights on HBO and Showtime, and what will happen when they finally do. Obviously the first example to jump into my mind was Chavez Jr until recently, and how horribly that went for him against Martinez, but he's not the only fighter who has either never stepped in with a decent opponent or hasn't in way too long. A couple more that come to mind are Martirosyan, Broner, Canelo, Donaire (up till recently), Rigondeaux, Cleverly and plenty more, so question is, who should they be fighting?

No offense but you are glaringly wrong on Donaire. Among others he defeated, Vic (2007), Hernan (2010) and Fernando (2011) were highly ranked prior to suffering defeats against Donaire. Narvaez (2011) was moving up in weight, but he was the top- ranked junior bantamweight when Donaire beat him (still is). Mathebula (2012) and Vasquez Jr. (2012) were both top-ten ranked bantamweights too at the time that they faced Donaire.

Martirosyan is scheduled to face Lara.

Canelo should face a highly-ranked junior middleweight. It doesn't even need to be Cotto, Mayweather, or Martinez. It could be Gabriel Rosado, Cornelius Bundrage, or the winner of Martirosyan/Lara.

Cleverly should face Shumenov.

Speaking of Shumenov, I'd like to see him step it up soon too, although because he doesn't have a major promoter and isn't American, he hasn't been on any major network here yet.

I would like to see Edwin Rodriguez step it up. He's been on HBO a couple of times now. Arguably, he ducked Adonis Stevenson, but that's the exact kind of match he needs, or someone like Anthony Dirrell.

Mateusz Masternak at cruiserweight should step up soon. He's got 28 wins, no losses, but against no real competition. He should take on Fragomeni, or another experienced veteran on his way out.

At heavyweight, how about Boystov? When will he take the step up in competition?

on Donaire, I know he took on Vic but then went on his streak of just picking up smaller guys, Marquez looked tiny compared to him, and that's why I said until recently, because he finally did take on a string of good/decent opposition closer to his size in Montiel, Mathebula (where I thought he lost), and Vazquez Jr, but Narvaez looked tiny against Donaire and also looked flat in all 3 performances, but I do take my hat off to Nonito for taking on Nishioka tonight

Boystov does have to step it up, so does Povetkin

Difinitely not Donaire.

Originally Posted by :::PSL:::

Difinitely not Donaire.

like I said, Donaire NOW recently finally started to step it up, cause from his win against Darchinyan he fought a list of nobodies or smaller guys until finally picking it up and facing the likes of Montiel, Narvaez, Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (who IMO beat Donaire), and Nishioka, so not really bashing on him, I respect that he's stepping up in opposition and recognize that he's also made attempts to get the likes of Mares in the ring, although IMO Donaire has looked flat in most of his performances, most notably against Narvaez (who in his defense ran all night), Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (where again I felt Donaire lost), and last night against Nishioka up until the TKO

Rigondeaux is by far the guy I want to see in a real fight soon, no reason he shouldn't go right for Donaire imo. Barring that the winner of Mares-Moreno would be great as well.

Heavyweight Malik Scott has to be the worst offender does he not ?

He's still undefeated I believe and has yet to face ANYONE.

David Price needs to progress a lot faster, hopefully he will start doing it now.
Groves needs to a bit more active.

Donaire has suffered from some terrible matchmaking lately. Both Narvaez and Nishioka completely underwhelmed when it became obvious they were only in there to survive. I don't blame Donaire for that... but his image has suffered, IMO. I'm a fan of his and like to watch him fight, but please... no more Nishiokas. The guy was comically snapping his fight hand to his cheek from the get-go. Donaire needs a crowd-pleasing fight... and quick.

Originally Posted by ElTerribleMorales

Originally Posted by :::PSL:::

Difinitely not Donaire.

like I said, Donaire NOW recently finally started to step it up, cause from his win against Darchinyan he fought a list of nobodies or smaller guys until finally picking it up and facing the likes of Montiel, Narvaez, Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (who IMO beat Donaire), and Nishioka, so not really bashing on him, I respect that he's stepping up in opposition and recognize that he's also made attempts to get the likes of Mares in the ring, although IMO Donaire has looked flat in most of his performances, most notably against Narvaez (who in his defense ran all night), Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (where again I felt Donaire lost), and last night against Nishioka up until the TKO

You thought Donaire lost to Mathebula?? What??

I thought he looked great against Nishioka, btw. Any "flatness" was due entirely to Nishioka's over-cautious approach. Donaire took what was there and was pitching an easy shut-out.

Gary Russel Jr. needs to step up. Nothing on the horizon at all there.

Originally Posted by p4pking

Rigondeaux is by far the guy I want to see in a real fight soon, no reason he shouldn't go right for Donaire imo. Barring that the winner of Mares-Moreno would be great as well.

Ah, right. How could I forget the most obvious guy? I don't think we'll get either of those fights anytime soon though. There's the Top Rank/GBP issue with Mares/Moreno and Donaire said he's not interested in Rigondeaux until Rigondeaux actually has a pro resume. (Given the heat Donaire has taken for having "boring" fights recently -- including in this thread -- I can see how that would be another reason not to fight Rigondeaux next for him; that's a feint-fest waiting to happen. Fine with me, but unpopular with most.)

Originally Posted by shza

Originally Posted by ElTerribleMorales

Originally Posted by :::PSL:::

Difinitely not Donaire.

like I said, Donaire NOW recently finally started to step it up, cause from his win against Darchinyan he fought a list of nobodies or smaller guys until finally picking it up and facing the likes of Montiel, Narvaez, Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (who IMO beat Donaire), and Nishioka, so not really bashing on him, I respect that he's stepping up in opposition and recognize that he's also made attempts to get the likes of Mares in the ring, although IMO Donaire has looked flat in most of his performances, most notably against Narvaez (who in his defense ran all night), Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (where again I felt Donaire lost), and last night against Nishioka up until the TKO

You thought Donaire lost to Mathebula?? What??

I thought he looked great against Nishioka, btw. Any "flatness" was due entirely to Nishioka's over-cautious approach. Donaire took what was there and was pitching an easy shut-out.

Gary Russel Jr. needs to step up. Nothing on the horizon at all there.

no way in hell are the scores from the Mathebula fight even close to what really happened, Mathebula struggled early on then picked up the pace and IMO outworked and landed the better shots, but agree with you about Gary Russel Jr, Kell Brook maybe as well?

Originally Posted by shza

Originally Posted by ElTerribleMorales

Originally Posted by :::PSL:::

Difinitely not Donaire.

like I said, Donaire NOW recently finally started to step it up, cause from his win against Darchinyan he fought a list of nobodies or smaller guys until finally picking it up and facing the likes of Montiel, Narvaez, Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (who IMO beat Donaire), and Nishioka, so not really bashing on him, I respect that he's stepping up in opposition and recognize that he's also made attempts to get the likes of Mares in the ring, although IMO Donaire has looked flat in most of his performances, most notably against Narvaez (who in his defense ran all night), Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (where again I felt Donaire lost), and last night against Nishioka up until the TKO

You thought Donaire lost to Mathebula?? What??

I thought he looked great against Nishioka, btw. Any "flatness" was due entirely to Nishioka's over-cautious approach. Donaire took what was there and was pitching an easy shut-out.

Gary Russel Jr. needs to step up. Nothing on the horizon at all there.

He doesn't know much about the sport. No surprise he can't fucking score

Originally Posted by Violent Demise

Originally Posted by shza

Originally Posted by ElTerribleMorales

Originally Posted by :::PSL:::

Difinitely not Donaire.

like I said, Donaire NOW recently finally started to step it up, cause from his win against Darchinyan he fought a list of nobodies or smaller guys until finally picking it up and facing the likes of Montiel, Narvaez, Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (who IMO beat Donaire), and Nishioka, so not really bashing on him, I respect that he's stepping up in opposition and recognize that he's also made attempts to get the likes of Mares in the ring, although IMO Donaire has looked flat in most of his performances, most notably against Narvaez (who in his defense ran all night), Vazquez Jr, Mathebula (where again I felt Donaire lost), and last night against Nishioka up until the TKO

You thought Donaire lost to Mathebula?? What??

I thought he looked great against Nishioka, btw. Any "flatness" was due entirely to Nishioka's over-cautious approach. Donaire took what was there and was pitching an easy shut-out.

Gary Russel Jr. needs to step up. Nothing on the horizon at all there.

He doesn't know much about the sport. No surprise he can't fucking score

seems I have a stalker, not the only one who had Mathebula either winning or a draw