Mack v Johnson

[CFH]

jmbtandy, I'd like to hear your opinions on the fight and why you think it is a good, winnable fight for Mack. How close it is to being solidified?

[Rantcatrat]

jmbtandy, I'd like to hear your opinions on the fight and why you think it is a good, winnable fight for Mack. How close it is to being solidified?

BIIIG step up. Johnson wins this one.

[No Contest]

Johnson vs Mack......hmm I think thats a damn good matchup actually. If Mack can up his workrate and show some better stamina, he could pull it off. I don't see this being a k.o. either way, unless Mack gasses out late. Johnson will be pressuring like crazy just like Andrade so lets see if Mack can handle the pressure.

[jmbtandy]

CFH - It is obviously a tough fight, Johnson is one of the top guys in the division who is not a world champion, but Yusaf has now gone to number 8 in the WBA so if you look at the fights that are available they are as follows

Champion - Garay
Challenger - Brahmer

1. Roy Jones - Will never fight Mack nor has any interest in WBA title
2. Uzelov - Is also being talked about but would have to go to Ukraine
3. Barishian - Not interest in fighting mandatory at this time
4. Johnson - In talks
5. Kostecki - Have to go to Poland in December is there if we want it
6. Kanfuah - Says is not ready to compete at the level
7. Mack
8. Ulrich - Will have to go to Germany
9. Kuziemski - Says is not ready for the fight
10. George - Would love to fight but in talks with Chris Henry

So looking at the list the weaker fighters are all reluctant to come out of eastern europe and we all know unless you can get a knockout you are in trouble over there. Kostecki is one of the guys we looked at as he has been KO'ed before but it is a big risk a loss to one of those guys would really hurt Yusaf.

So ok going back to Johnson, his workrate and chin are great, but watching the Chad fight, when Chad was boxing him he was successful it was only when he allowed Johnson to come onto him and he stopped moving did Johnson then take control. We feel that Yusaf is a different person to the guy that was crawling round the ring on his knees after running out of steam against Berrio and Andrade and excuses aside he was in horrible condition, weight drained and his preparation for both fights were really bad, his attitude as is with many undefeated fighters was my natural ability will see him through and he didn't have to put the work in. People are quick to forget but prior to the Berrio fight they were talking about him being the next opponent for Calzaghe. He needed a firm hand and someone to tell him some home truths and realise what sacrifices he had to make to to compete with the top guys. Over this year he has certainly been through a lot and now is finally really to step up and compete with the top guys.

Yes Johnson is a step up in class and yes he is possibly the best guy that he has shared the ring with, and to go to Florida to Johnson's backyard is a risk, but surely less of a risk than going to Eastern Europe.

Other options are keep building Mack and do a Joe Spina or one of those guys who inflate their records with journeymen, but Yusaf and his team wants to make a statement and we want to fight the top guys, we don't want to waste another year fighting a bunch of limited guys waiting for the phone to ring, he has had 30 fights he has the experience of doing that it's time to push on. Yes their are easier fights out there to take and it might be better to hide for a year so the Hopkins, Calzaghe's, RJJ, Johnsons, Tarvers etc disappear, but we still feel Yusaf can become a name and many said when Calzaghe fought Eubank he was making a mistake and there were easier routes but life is about taking risks and usually the bigger risks the bigger the reward.

[Kirkland Laing]

Good luck whoever he ends up fighting. I'd avoid Glen Johnson for a while yet though.

[No Contest]

I think the best options of those are Ulrich and George. I would lean towards George if possible because getting a decision against Ulrich in Germany , well you know how that goes....

[Spicoli]

I think Johnson wins this.Work rate and high calibur experience.

[LEGION]

I think Johnson wins this.Work rate and high calibur experience.

I got Johnson winning as well. Durable chin and a more polished, effective pressure fighter than say Andrade is. I see a ko win late. Of course Johnson is at the stage where he could come into the fight "old" and lose by just getting outworked. Could be a great little fight though.