So What Did We Learn?

[marbleheadmaui]

George Groves continues to make one think he is the future of the 168's. At some point he's going to have to step up the competition, but for fifteen pro fights? He is on track.

Ricky Burns is one of those moderately talented, well taught, crafty, extremely tough guys. He is without question a fine, classic boxer in the British Tradition, but that isn't his defining characteristic. It is that he's a tough guy. He loves being in the ring almost as much as Johnny Tapia. Just an excellent performance against Michael Katsidis. I wonder if Manny defeats JMM if Burns isn't a logical next fight for Marquez.

Michael Katsidis has been fun to watch. But don't you get the sense we have seen his best and that it is downhill from here?

Pier Cote is one of those electric athletes. He winds up his right hand like he is throwing a baseball. But he is still fast enough to get it home. He reminds me of the Yoriorkis Gamboa of three years ago. Supremely athletic, too confident and vulnerable as hell. But man oh man can he punch!

Lucian Bute looked HUGE to me. He also was in complete control of that fight from the minute it began. No way to know yet, but he might well be the best of the 168's. At worst he is a formidable challenge for the winner of the Ward-Froch battle. Al Bernstein kept talking about how Bute had become a stand in your face, stalk and destroy puncher, but I think that was just how he chose to fight last night. I suspect he would not fight that way against Froch for example.

Glenn Johnson finally got old. His balance stunk, he couldn't get in range, he didn't take punches like he usually does and for the first time I sensed some spiritual . Since Johnson started 32-0 he is 19-16-2. He has been a noble journeyman. Good enough to compete with top fighters, rarely good enough to beat them. he is a throwback to earlier boxing eras who had a dozen guys in each division who usually weren't ranked, but who could compete with anybody, and occasionally surprise someone. Men like Jose Basora and Tiger Jones and Jose Fernando Castro. Glenn you've been one of the backbones of the sport in and out of the ring. Thank You.

James Kirkland dominated Alfredo Angulo. I had this completely wrong. Looking back the right hand Angulo landed was a desperation shot. Everything Perro is know for Kirkland did better. What a glorious fight. I'll bet we never see Angulo as a top guy again. A career changing defeat is my bet. As for Kirkland? I don't know how long he'll last fighting that way, but is there any 154 who you'd pick against him? Hell given how much the 160's suck let's put him in against Sergio right now.