This guy never seems to be talked about, why?
10 fights and he's a 2 weight world champion. Rated #1 in his division, 22 years old. Future is bright.
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This guy never seems to be talked about, why?
10 fights and he's a 2 weight world champion. Rated #1 in his division, 22 years old. Future is bright.
Really enjoy watching him fight. His fight with Acosta was really good. His chin seems a little shaky a he's been dropped a couple of times. There was talk of a unification with Taguchi in December but Tanaka suffered orbital injuries in his last bout, so that's off for now.
He's just flawed enough to be really exciting.
Just, at times he shows some amazing abilities. Like in the above fight in the 12th he feints and hops off to the side just like Loma with the brilliant balance.
Just thought such a fan friendly fighter deserves a thread
Couldn't agree more. Some of these little guys deserve more love.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Swanson
We are talking about him in this thread so what's your point ?
If I was HBO or Showtime I would buy up all the smaller weights and have a competition. They will be a lot cheaper than the heavier weights, they have less ego and will try harder. The fights would be great and they would become household names.
HBO definitely needs to try something new. Their model the last few years of putting name fighters vs cheap no hope opponents has gotten them crushed. They are currently nearly irrelevant in boxing, when not so long ago HBO was king.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
HBO slashed their boxing budget dramatically which is why they're not really at the races anymore. But you've got to question what they're doing with the budget they do have left. They're showing Kovalev's next fight against a TBA, they're showing and have recently showed a bunch of similar fights. The superflyweight show a couple of weeks ago was a nice exception. They should go for more bang for the buck cards like that with the money they have to spend.
I don't understand why they didn't show this cruiser/supermiddle/whatever it is world boxing series thing. It's on Saturdays and they could have bought it for cheap.
Seems like Tanaka is set to vacate and heading to 112.
Looks like his people hope to lay the groundwork of an immediate 112 top ranking, being the wbo chances are Tanaka is now there pre 112 debut. We could use more of the lower weight guys doing impressive things on mainstays like HBO but they went the way of names for names sake long ago and have recently imo dumbed it down even more hyping up Cletis Seldin as a "future star" :vd:. Decent guy, honest approach..but gimme a break. Fans don't mind brawlers but force feeding it to them while ignoring some hidden gems is really shortsighted. Fans love discovering new talent and what guys like Tanaka need is simply an opportunity and every fighter yearns for exposure. While some are simply over exposed.
Would surprise me if he becomes #1 to Kimura, that's an easy title win for Tanaka in my opinion, although he has shown a few vulnerabilities lately. Could be due to weight struggles who knows for sure. Yep HBO could get these guys at a steal. I hope someone has the sense to put on a WBSS at these lighter weights or do what they have with the SuperFly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spicoli
I like Seldin but I think he gets beat out next against Yves Ulysse Jr on the Saunders/ Lemieux undercard.
All the ingredients are there and that is one positive by hbo rolling out the part 1 and part 2 great triple header cards at Super fly. Top tier guys from Japan are basically super stars enjoying massive fan base already so that may play a part but fortunately now we're seeing Inoue breaking out. Thinking same with Ulysse and hopefully somewhere along the way a ref will see fit to call intentional lead elbows a foul ;D. Seldin will be the 'weather the early storm' type by majority he faces.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlphaWould surprise me if he becomes #1 to Kimura, that's an easy title win for Tanaka in my opinion, although he has shown a few vulnerabilities lately. Could be due to weight struggles who knows for sure. Yep HBO could get these guys at a steal. I hope someone has the sense to put on a WBSS at these lighter weights or do what they have with the SuperFly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spicoli
I like Seldin but I think he gets beat out next against Yves Ulysse Jr on the Saunders/ Lemieux undercard.
Tanaka going for his 3 championship, in a 3rd weight class on Sep-24th against WBO Flyweight champion Sho Kimura.
This will be Tanaka's 12th fight, same as Loma, to try and pick up the title in 3 divisions.
His record is also starting to look pretty good.
Ryuji Hara was 18-0 heading in to only Tanaka's 4th fight. And has only lost once since to probable HOF Katsunari Takayama.
Vic Saludar, was 11-1, and just won the WBO minimumweight title last month.
Moises Fuentes was 24-2, is a former WBO minimumweight champion, and interim WBO Light Flyweight champion.
Angel Acosta was 16-0 (16) and has since won the WBO light Flyweight title.
2 of the guys on his record are current champions.
Three championships in three weight classes and he hasn't even had to leave Japan to do it.
At the risk of sounding heretic, I'll be more impressed when he leaves the comforts of home and beats elite opposition abroad.
Sorry..... that's big for me.
Also..... 3 championships in 3 weight classes in 11 pro fights?
Again, consider me an outlier. I may later bow at the Tanaka temple, but not quite yet.
I thought you'd give him more props after he beat your countryman Acosta quite comfortablyQuote:
Originally Posted by TitoFan
I also like guys who travel, but there are variables to that. Japan is a hotbed for the little guys, and they can make good money fighting excellent opposition there.
Only recently have we again started to see them getting more coverage.
For me it's more about opposition, if your fighting at home but fighting to guys I'm ok with that.
And to be fair, Kimura is also Japanese, as are a few of the champions around the weight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlphaI thought you'd give him more props after he beat your countryman Acosta quite comfortablyQuote:
Originally Posted by TitoFan
I also like guys who travel, but there are variables to that. Japan is a hotbed for the little guys, and they can make good money fighting excellent opposition there.
Only recently have we again started to see them getting more coverage.
For me it's more about opposition, if your fighting at home but fighting to guys I'm ok with that.
And to be fair, Kimura is also Japanese, as are a few of the champions around the weight.
He gets props for beating Acosta. Wouldn't mind seeing a rematch of that one... maybe over on this side of the world.
Still..... 3 belts in 3 weight divisions in 11 pro fights without ever leaving your backyard is just a bit too comfortable for my palate.
Not saying the guy isn't good. Just saying I like the traditional, hard-earned method of getting championship belts. Especially those who have the "cojones" to grab them at the champ's hometown.
He could do it unbeaten too :p