Vasyl Lomachenko is P4P #1

[Alpha]

Andy Lee summed it up I think "He (Brook) actually showed enough that he can compete at middleweight but it's just that Golovkin is a future hall of famer."

That was because he wanted to set up a big fight with the welterweight who he could beat and make some easy money.

No he was wanting to secure a fight with GGG.

Whatever happened to going through 154 first? Seems like the logical progression to me. Forget the perceived lack of names there... and the glitter at 160. You want to move in weight in a sport that requires 5-7 pound divisions? One step at a time, I would think. People have been regurgitating names from the past. Yes... lots of guys have made that welter to middle journey... including my all-time favorite Trinidad. Was pretty successful too, until he met up with Hopkins. But guys normally don't jump over divisions to face arguably the greatest middle of his generation. How to argue that you can hang with the middles, when you've never proven yourself at junior middle. This is part of the argument, IMO.

Like you said guys have done it (although gradually) and been successful. There's no reason to believe that Brook couldn't be as well. If Trinidad had of skipped 154 I think he still would have had success at 160. Inoue jumped 2 divisions and seven pounds to destroy the long reigning #1 guy at 115. Hopkins jumped 15 pounds to defeat the lineal champion at 175. Roy jumped almost 20 pounds to defeat a heavyweight belt holder. Also as I mentioned Napoles jumped to 160 to challenge the lineal middleweight champ before returning to 147. Marquez to Mayweather. Pac to De La Hoya. Spinks to Holmes and many many more. It's also hard to argue against as history has shown it time and again that it is possible. Like I said just becuase Brook lost to GGG doesn't mean he couldn't be competitive with other middleweights.

[Alpha]

I heard Lomachenko vs Salido II is set for the summer. Vasyl apparently demanded it.

[Spicoli]

Might be unpopular opinion but lets just be clear, Brook jumping up was more about him wanting to be as big a star than he thought himself a superior fighter than GGG. Initially at least and honestly cannot blame him. But he put gloves on him. Facing Spence immediately off may again be more heart than mind but it's more respectable than some pampered wanker demanding catch weights in an already absurd Jr division madness. To many it's a pit stop. Tito demolished his way to 160 legitimacy if you ask me. The joke was on the majority of "experts" who failed to acknowledge Hopkins all along though.

[Master]

Might be unpopular opinion but lets just be clear, Brook jumping up was more about him wanting to be as big a star than he thought himself a superior fighter than GGG. Initially at least and honestly cannot blame him. But he put gloves on him. Facing Spence immediately off may again be more heart than mind but it's more respectable than some pampered wanker demanding catch weights in an already absurd Jr division madness. To many it's a pit stop. Tito demolished his way to 160 legitimacy if you ask me. The joke was on the majority of "experts" who failed to acknowledge Hopkins all along though.

That is all true but Brook has had some stinker defences after he impressively beat Porter. So the way I see it he cornered himself to take on these big challenges because he chose easy defences.

[Fenster]

Brook defended his belt according to the IBF rules. The fact he didn't dump the belt and is willing to shrink himself back-down to face a man that is meant to be the second coming says it all (being entitled to 75% of the pot helps too).

[TitoFan]

Might be unpopular opinion but lets just be clear, Brook jumping up was more about him wanting to be as big a star than he thought himself a superior fighter than GGG. Initially at least and honestly cannot blame him. But he put gloves on him. Facing Spence immediately off may again be more heart than mind but it's more respectable than some pampered wanker demanding catch weights in an already absurd Jr division madness. To many it's a pit stop. Tito demolished his way to 160 legitimacy if you ask me. The joke was on the majority of "experts" who failed to acknowledge Hopkins all along though.

Good post and good points all. The bolded statement is completely true and, although I've always been a big Brook fan and give him kudos for fighting respectably against GGG.... the truth of the matter is he JUMPED. He went directly from 147 to 160 with no tuneup fights... no fighting at 154... no facing someone at a slightly lower level than GGG. It was all about the "star impact", which is why many of us hesitate before trying to make Brook into something he's not..... a legitimate middleweight.

[Alpha]

Might be unpopular opinion but lets just be clear, Brook jumping up was more about him wanting to be as big a star than he thought himself a superior fighter than GGG. Initially at least and honestly cannot blame him. But he put gloves on him. Facing Spence immediately off may again be more heart than mind but it's more respectable than some pampered wanker demanding catch weights in an already absurd Jr division madness. To many it's a pit stop. Tito demolished his way to 160 legitimacy if you ask me. The joke was on the majority of "experts" who failed to acknowledge Hopkins all along though.

Good post and good points all. The bolded statement is completely true and, although I've always been a big Brook fan and give him kudos for fighting respectably against GGG.... the truth of the matter is he JUMPED. He went directly from 147 to 160 with no tuneup fights... no fighting at 154... no facing someone at a slightly lower level than GGG. It was all about the "star impact", which is why many of us hesitate before trying to make Brook into something he's not..... a legitimate middleweight.

We're not saying that. We are saying Brook would be competitive at the weight and against the guys @Master listed.

[Spicoli]

Might be unpopular opinion but lets just be clear, Brook jumping up was more about him wanting to be as big a star than he thought himself a superior fighter than GGG. Initially at least and honestly cannot blame him. But he put gloves on him. Facing Spence immediately off may again be more heart than mind but it's more respectable than some pampered wanker demanding catch weights in an already absurd Jr division madness. To many it's a pit stop. Tito demolished his way to 160 legitimacy if you ask me. The joke was on the majority of "experts" who failed to acknowledge Hopkins all along though.

Good post and good points all. The bolded statement is completely true and, although I've always been a big Brook fan and give him kudos for fighting respectably against GGG.... the truth of the matter is he JUMPED. He went directly from 147 to 160 with no tuneup fights... no fighting at 154... no facing someone at a slightly lower level than GGG. It was all about the "star impact", which is why many of us hesitate before trying to make Brook into something he's not..... a legitimate middleweight.

I'd have far less respect for him for sure if he was one who came off with the "I didn't really lose that bad because no one really expected me to win in the first place" line. It's really one to be split on..if a guy jumps at his biggest challenge but fails bravely and comes back facing the best in proper division I can't knock it. Then again..arguably he never gave himself an honest chance by just packing on muscle and posing in the mirror and didn't fight his way to the weight. It was a short cut move for the reasons stated and I hope he's not doing it in reverse facing Spence without a working rebound 147 fight. Honestly what's this say about his star power and the fact he has the networks GGG demolition in the first place. Brook is just playing all his earned cards, facing the best and has the road paved. He's not a middleweight

[Ron Swanson]

I heard Lomachenko vs Salido II is set for the summer. Vasyl apparently demanded it.

I'm not happy about this. Salido hasn't won a fight since 2014! I like Loma but same as I am with other top guys, I expect more. Get back only matters if the opponent still matters. They should have at least explored bigger fights before settling on this.

[Alpha]

I heard Lomachenko vs Salido II is set for the summer. Vasyl apparently demanded it.

I'm not happy about this. Salido hasn't won a fight since 2014! I like Loma but same as I am with other top guys, I expect more. Get back only matters if the opponent still matters. They should have at least explored bigger fights before settling on this.

I'm ok with it as I'm sure he will pursue bigger fights once he has avenged the loss on his record.

[Master]

I heard Lomachenko vs Salido II is set for the summer. Vasyl apparently demanded it.

I'm not happy about this. Salido hasn't won a fight since 2014! I like Loma but same as I am with other top guys, I expect more. Get back only matters if the opponent still matters. They should have at least explored bigger fights before settling on this.

I think avenging a loss can be important for a fighter. Lennox Lewis did it and enhanced his legacy.

Khan did not because Prescott kept on losing his big fights so there was no need.

[Ron Swanson]

I heard Lomachenko vs Salido II is set for the summer. Vasyl apparently demanded it.

I'm not happy about this. Salido hasn't won a fight since 2014! I like Loma but same as I am with other top guys, I expect more. Get back only matters if the opponent still matters. They should have at least explored bigger fights before settling on this.

I think avenging a loss can be important for a fighter. Lennox Lewis did it and enhanced his legacy.

Khan did not because Prescott kept on losing his big fights so there was no need.

Big difference between an immediate rematch and avenging against a guy who hasn't won a fight in 3 years.

I know top guys can't always fight top guys. I'm just expressing what I want. What I want is Loma to take the biggest fight he can get. He says he wants Garcia, so he should show that by moving up to test the waters. Or if not that try to unify. If he can't any of those things done fine, get meaningless revenge. But try for greatness first.

[Alpha]

To be fair Salido should have won his last 2 fights.