Thursdays, on this nook of the Universo Pugilistico, are all about my sack– my bulging, bulbous, aching sack– and the gooey, salty fact contained inside. So…sit again, shut your eyes, pull again your hair, and prepare for this week’s cash shot of knowledge. This week we’ve got feedback/questions concerning Tszyu-Fundora, Keith Thurman, Rolly vs. Pitbull, and extra…
Tszyu vs. Thurman, minus Thurman
Hello Paul.
I used to be shocked that Keith Thurman pulled out of his struggle with Tim Tszyu, however not likely THAT shocked to be sincere. Keith could also be comfortable in life and well-off to not must struggle, good for him, however that doesn’t precisely make him an asset to the game. IMO, he was matched with Tszyu to be the mouth of the promotion and assist promote the struggle, however he was there to lose, to be sincere. He was being provided as much as assist construct the star energy of Tszyu. Sebastian Fundora is stepping in to take Thurman’s place and I believe he’s going to be stopped laborious. What’s complicated in the intervening time is whether or not any belts will likely be up for grabs in Tszyu-Fundora now that Tszyu is combating an precise 154 lb. contender who was as much as struggle for the vacant WBC title on the undercard.
What say you about all this Tszyu-Thurman-Fundora rigmarole?
– John F.
Hey John.
Truthfully, I wasn’t even taking note of all of the title discuss. The belts DO matter, however not essentially to me, a minimum of not proper now. Apparently, Tszyu-Fundora will likely be for the WBO and WBC junior middleweight titles. The one attention-grabbing factor on this belt stuff is that Terence Crawford has reportedly petitioned the WBO to problem the winner of the struggle and he was granted that chance. So, whoever wins on March 30 should enter into negotiations with Crawford inside 5 days of the bout. I’m not gonna lie, Tszyu-Crawford (which I mentioned would occur in my 2024 boxing predictions) has me tinkling myself in anticipation.
As for Thurman, nicely, he’s enjoying the sport on his personal phrases. His checking account is about the one factor benefiting from his profession technique and I’ve no downside with that. It’s his life, his profession, and I don’t assume he’s hurting the game in any manner. It will’ve been attention-grabbing to see Tszyu towards somebody who might field and transfer like Thurman, however, realistically, issues may’ve ended badly for him towards a younger, sharp, energetic, and naturally larger man like Tszyu.
Fundora is a high-quality alternative and he’ll make for an all-action struggle for so long as it lasts. For Tszyu, going from prepping for an orthodox mover and getting a 6-foot-6 southpaw strain fighter on quick discover is a troublesome changeup, however he ought to be capable to make the adjustment.
PBC PPV…WTF?
Hey Magno.
Tszyu-Fundora remains to be PPV? LOL. Tszyu-Thurman wasn’t even PPV-worthy. What the hell are these PBC fools smoking? This present goes to tank, huge time. Is it too late for Amazon Prime to again out of this mess?
– JD the Boxing Fan
Hey JD.
It’s actually so simple as this– purchase it or don’t purchase it. Personally, I’d desire for there to be a lot much less pay-per-view, however I’m not aware of the enterprise realities concerned in making these fights. I’ve gone on report quite a few instances about my feeling that paywalls, on the whole, are detrimental to the long-term well-being of the game. Nevertheless, till I’m made KING of boxing, I’ve no say-so in any of the enterprise stuff. Within the meantime, a card’s PPV-worthiness must be as much as the patron.
Rolly vs. Pitbull
Hello Paul.
I believe individuals are sleeping on the Rolly vs. Pitbull struggle on the Tszyu-Fundora undercard. I believe this might have Struggle of the Yr potential. I acquired Isaac sporting down Rolly and stopping him late. How do you see this struggle enjoying out?
– Luis
Hey Luis.
I hear you. I’m additionally very intrigued by this matchup. Cruz is the technically higher fighter, however will he be thrown off by Romero’s awkwardness and unorthodoxy? He’s not a one-punch killer and he IS transferring up in weight, too. The query for me is how nicely he can deal with Rolly’s punch. He’s proven himself to have an amazing chin, so possibly he CAN take the pictures and grind Rolly down. One other query is how nicely Rolly can field and hold Cruz from making use of that strain. Other than all that, I similar to the way in which the contrasting personalities conflict. It’ll be enjoyable, for positive.
Hurray for Paul, Boo for Boxing Bossmen!
Hello Paul!
Your final column (“Notes from the Boxing Underground: When The Sideshow Outsells The Circus”) was intelligent as hell man. You have been impressed! Have been you excessive when writing it? The fart within the hurricane line was as humorous because it was sensible! Significantly, what a great piece.
I agree with you concerning the “purists”. Those self same guys that trash these freak fights look the opposite manner when established boxing stars mount histrionic numbers simply to promote the fights. I utterly agree with you: nobody ought to really feel offended about fights like Tyson-Paul. I, as an alternative, would quite to bitch about our present boxer’s inactivity and the truth that you possibly can’t anticipate one of the best going through one of the best. In each main sport, one of the best clashing towards one of the best is an absolute certainty. You identify it. MLB, NBA, NFL, Soccer World Cup.
However I primarily wished simply to congratulate you on a really articulated article, Paul. Thanks for protecting us entertained!
— Carlos, from Hermosillo, Mexico
Thanks Carlos. I recognize the sort phrases. Really, I recognize any e mail that doesn’t start with, “You name your self a boxing author?”
The boxing intelligentsia is (in)well-known for being outraged about “secure” points whereas conveniently ignoring the precise points that matter. Within the case of those movie star boxing matches, the query isn’t “why do individuals watch them” or “how can we make them go away.” Reasonably, the query SHOULD be: “how are the boxing bossmen screwing up so badly {that a} public who WANTS to purchase into boxing chooses to look at nothing fights over actual high-end fights?” You may be rattling positive that NBA execs can be up in arms and holding emergency conferences if movie star half-court basketball video games have been drawing increased rankings than the NBA finals. Boxing execs don’t appear all that anxious.
Received a query (or hate mail) for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The very best of one of the best will get included within the weekly mailbag section proper right here at FightHype. Ship your stuff right here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.