Zappas going to be knocked out when he fights his first decent opponent in the US

[MiracleMan]

Because of fights like last night.

[pecks]

He'll easily get worked out the moment he fights any top 15 fighter.
Theres things to like about the way he fights, but theres also some big flaws about his game.

[stiflers mum]

well the last 3 to go over have and you maybe right but i think youre wrong.well more hope youre wrong.

[ashley]

Yeah Zappa needs more solid fighters to finish his skill package....last night was nothing.....however I do think he will do well in the US under Shaw....provided its a build up process and not just to throw him to the wolves

[maco_187]

he has got more tools then most that have gone over, and dont forget they will love his aggressive style over there, they arent going to feed him to the wolves his young and needs time to develope over there... last nights fight should of happened it done nothing for his cause... its maybe time he goes overseas or he tries to vs ganoy?

[straight left]

Back off and give the kid a break. He is only 21 years old and he is simply being kept active> what else can you ask of him , he fights anyone and takes up any challenge and he still gets knocked for it.
I dont see any of you experts knocking the opponents that Fenech has faced.

Support our boys dont knock them.

[Texan Joe]

love to see him fight lance gostellow

[fast hands]

Maco & Straight Left have got it spot on.

Ganoy would be a big test for him. Kickett would also be interesting.

[perfect jet]

love to see him fight lance gostellow

I think Lenny is staying at 135 which puts an end to that one happening mate.

[MiracleMan]

Im not bagging Kickett out. Im a big fan of the kid. But you can't go around facing these types of fighters before good fighters. Theres a reason why the US and top promotional companies bring fighters along slowly. And consistently. In Australia, we seem to go against this.

[Hmmm]

yeh us fans were all screaming out for Kickett to step it up a bit, but facing a undefeated sensation may have been a step too high. Any suggestions as to who may have been a better opponent for kickett but still a major step-up?

[MiracleMan]

yeh us fans were all screaming out for Kickett to step it up a bit, but facing a undefeated sensation may have been a step too high. Any suggestions as to who may have been a better opponent for kickett but still a major step-up?
LOL i meant Zappa. :lol:

[flamengo]

[quote=straight left;4728251]Back off and give the kid a break. He is only 21 years old and he is simply being kept active> what else can you ask of him , he fights anyone and takes up any challenge and he still gets knocked for it.
I dont see any of you experts knocking the opponents that Fenech has faced.

Support our boys dont knock them.[/quot

The entire Fenech career is questionable.

[perfect jet]

yeh us fans were all screaming out for Kickett to step it up a bit, but facing a undefeated sensation may have been a step too high. Any suggestions as to who may have been a better opponent for kickett but still a major step-up?

lol. The undefeated part was right. Sensation? says who? :D

[The Governor]

I would love to see Zappa fight either Ganoy, Gostelow or Solomon Egberime before going to America.

[Kegsy]

I would love to see Zappa fight either Ganoy, Gostelow or Solomon Egberime before going to America.
I think Zappa needs to go threw at least 1 of them before going to the US too.
The hardest matchup out of those IMO is Ganoy & Zappa's team knows this.:yep
Zappa would learn more about himself from a fight with Ganoy then he has from his previous 20 odd pro bouts.

[bushboy]

Ganoy would take Zappa into deep water I think Kegs, Zappa is still hittable and guys like Ranee dont need many chances

[Kegsy]

Ganoy would take Zappa into deep water I think Kegs, Zappa is still hittable and guys like Ranee dont need many chances
No doubt Ranee would be his biggest test by a mile & take him into some deep water.
However should he win this fight, his prep before heading over to the US would be greatly enhanced.

I know its a big risk for not the hugest reward, but i think all our top prospects need at least 1 difficult encounter to see what they are made of when the going gets really tough.
This is the sort of reason why so many of our guys fail when stepping up overseas...either they were just not good enough or they were good enough but not properly prepared for the task at hand.

Your avatar Pittman is classic example of someone who IMO should have had at least a couple more tough contests before being thrown in with Sturm.

[perfect jet]

No doubt Ranee would be his biggest test by a mile & take him into some deep water.
However should he win this fight, his prep before heading over to the US would be greatly enhanced.

I know its a big risk for not the hugest reward, but i think all our top prospects need at least 1 difficult encounter to see what they are made of when the going gets really tough.
This is the sort of reason why so many of our guys fail when stepping up overseas...either they were just not good enough or they were good enough but not properly prepared for the task at hand.

Your avatar Pittman is classic example of someone who IMO should have had at least a couple more tough contests before being thrown in with Sturm.
Agree 100%.

Zappa is #14 IBF now but I know his team aren't interested in getting him an elimination fight yet. They plan on having a few fights in the US first.

[AustraHungarian]

Bearing in mind Zap's US debut is on the Dawson v Johnson 2 undercard, I wonder if main Event will show it? The card is starting to look pretty good! Dawson v Johnson 1 was a ball tearer and Angulo is on it as well and he is neverbull! Maybe worth shelling out for!

[bushboy]

No doubt Ranee would be his biggest test by a mile & take him into some deep water.
However should he win this fight, his prep before heading over to the US would be greatly enhanced.

I know its a big risk for not the hugest reward, but i think all our top prospects need at least 1 difficult encounter to see what they are made of when the going gets really tough.
This is the sort of reason why so many of our guys fail when stepping up overseas...either they were just not good enough or they were good enough but not properly prepared for the task at hand.

Your avatar Pittman is classic example of someone who IMO should have had at least a couple more tough contests before being thrown in with Sturm.

I agree 100% that before a guy is sent over for a big fight he needs a test, Pittman would have benefited hugely from a tough as nails encounter with an overseas opponent, not a one sided turkey shoot against nonoy gonzales.

Personally I would love to see Zappa fight Ganoy because it could be Aus fight of the year, but im just not sure how Zap would handle Ganoy who hits like a mule.

[perfect jet]

I agree 100% that before a guy is sent over for a big fight he needs a test, Pittman would have benefited hugely from a tough as nails encounter with an overseas opponent, not a one sided turkey shoot against nonoy gonzales.

Personally I would love to see Zappa fight Ganoy because it could be Aus fight of the year, but im just not sure how Zap would handle Ganoy who hits like a mule.

They have sparred a few times. If you said that was one reason Zappa has shown no interest in a fight with Ganoy, I wouldn't argue with you. ;)

[Kegsy]

They have sparred a few times. If you said that was one reason Zappa has shown no interest in a fight with Ganoy, I wouldn't argue with you. ;)
All the more reason to make the fight happen.:yep

[perfect jet]

All the more reason to make the fight happen.:yep
They have been asked a few times and the answer is always "no thanks".

[maco_187]

i think he should try test himself would love it to be zappa vs ganoy but if he looses his confidence would probably be shattered cause ganoy will just play ktfo anyone who tries to trade with him... if you can stop robbie peden you know you can really wack...
in anyways im a massive zappa fan, his style will make people want to watch his fights!

[ranser]

I don't know how the hell Ganoy is a lightweight?? He looks like he is a junior middleweight.he has huge legs .

[Contendo]

i think he should try test himself would love it to be zappa vs ganoy but if he looses his confidence would probably be shattered cause ganoy will just play ktfo anyone who tries to trade with him... if you can stop robbie peden you know you can really wack...
in anyways im a massive zappa fan, his style will make people want to watch his fights!



Maybe the exposure on a big show in the States will take Zappa's confidence to another level and his camp potentially seeing Ganoy down the track next year?

I can agree with not taking on Ganoy prior to his US debut as potentially, the States presents far bigger options for Zappa and to be fair to both fighters, Ganoy vs. Zappa is going to be a big payday just yet for either fighter.

I don't mind if it builds here in Australia and if it happens at some point in the future, well we can all sit back to a great fight.

[PIPO23]

Zappa will beat Ganoy... Ranee is slow and progressively more so now that he is with Grange boxing club...Haven't been impressed with the work that gym put's in.....unless Zappa get's caught with a lucky shot. He should win in dominant fashion. Zappa wouldn't have to look for Ganoy. Zappa TKO..

[Contendo]

Zappa will beat Ganoy... Ranee is slow and progressively more so now that he is with Grange boxing club...Haven't been impressed with the work that gym put's in.....unless Zappa get's caught with a lucky shot. He should win in dominant fashion. Zappa wouldn't have to look for Ganoy. Zappa TKO..


I tend to agree with this post. A great fight and I think recently, Zappa's criticism by various posters has just been simply to not having the fighters that want to fight Zappa.

He has been kept busy and active which is what we want as fans and from the US also who want him active and with confidence up, combined with record.

Everyone trots on about Ganoy's power, I seem to recall one Tommy Browne who's a tough nut himself being dropped by a stinging Zappa rip to the body. If Ganoy get's hit by Zappa with that, he'll know it.

There's not too many Aussie boxers out there stinging to the body like Lenny!

Zappa vs. Ganoy I'm sure will present itself properly for both parties in the future. At the moment, it's a great fight for the fans with albeit, an average payday at best for either.

Go Zappa!

[perfect jet]

I tend to agree with this post. A great fight and I think recently, Zappa's criticism by various posters has just been simply to not having the fighters that want to fight Zappa.

He has been kept busy and active which is what we want as fans and from the US also who want him active and with confidence up, combined with record.

Everyone trots on about Ganoy's power, I seem to recall one Tommy Browne who's a tough nut himself being dropped by a stinging Zappa rip to the body. If Ganoy get's hit by Zappa with that, he'll know it.

There's not too many Aussie boxers out there stinging to the body like Lenny!

Zappa vs. Ganoy I'm sure will present itself properly for both parties in the future. At the moment, it's a great fight for the fans with albeit, an average payday at best for either.

Go Zappa!

Zappa has hurt alot of guys to the body. He does that well. Although, he didn't hurt Olartes at at his return to lightweight.

I'd be more concerned about Zappa's chin than Ranee's body. Remeber, Zappa has been hurt by little guys like Rubin Santillanosa and was dropped twice by light punching Junmar Dulog, who can make 57 if he has to. He suffered a knock down to Ryan Langham as well.

Find me a puncher amongst Lennys last five or so opponents.

[Contendo]

Zappa has hurt alot of guys to the body. He does that well. Although, he didn't hurt Olartes at at his return to lightweight.

I'd be more concerned about Zappa's chin than Ranee's body. Remeber, Zappa has been hurt by little guys like Rubin Santillanosa and was dropped twice by light punching Junmar Dulog, who can make 57 if he has to. He suffered a knock down to Ryan Langham as well.

Find me a puncher amongst Lennys last five or so opponents.


All valid points Jet and certainly, I'm not here to debate back and forth, the in and out's of Lenny's fights and opponents.

Like I said previously, a Zappa vs. Ganoy bout is one I'd like to see and on another thread stated that it should be a SuperBoxer bout for the vacant IBO Lightweight title. (Extra incentive for both parties)

However, I do understand that at the moment, Zappa's team are focused on keeping him active, albeit under a bit of a struggle to find opponents who want to fight him.

The US date for Lenny will be a great learning curve for him and I'll keep supporting him and at 21yrs of age, he's got time on his side for when his team want to look at Ganoy or any next level of opponent.

He's had some toes in the water with the likes of Browne and St. Clair and the kid's just a nice a young lad with people like Mecuri and Hussein guiding him who really care, I hope he does big things.

[RayKelly]

I'd be more concerned about Zappa's chin than Ranee's body. Remeber, Zappa has been hurt by little guys like Rubin Santillanosa and was dropped twice by light punching Junmar Dulog, who can make 57 if he has to. He suffered a knock down to Ryan Langham as well.

Lenny was struggling getting his weight down back then and it really took its toll on him. He makes lightweight easily now so would be good to see whether those guys could drop him now. He's spent the past few months sparring Ndou, Mundine, Geale, and The Contender fighters and I haven't heard him being dropped by them.

Can't wait to see him step up!

[perfect jet]

All valid points Jet and certainly, I'm not here to debate back and forth, the in and out's of Lenny's fights and opponents.

Like I said previously, a Zappa vs. Ganoy bout is one I'd like to see and on another thread stated that it should be a SuperBoxer bout for the vacant IBO Lightweight title. (Extra incentive for both parties)

However, I do understand that at the moment, Zappa's team are focused on keeping him active, albeit under a bit of a struggle to find opponents who want to fight him.

The US date for Lenny will be a great learning curve for him and I'll keep supporting him and at 21yrs of age, he's got time on his side for when his team want to look at Ganoy or any next level of opponent.

He's had some toes in the water with the likes of Browne and St. Clair and the kid's just a nice a young lad with people like Mecuri and Hussein guiding him who really care, I hope he does big things.

All very true.

I hope he does really well too. A Ganoy fight makes no sense right at this point with Lenny having signed with Shaw. It was offered to Zappa's team earlier but they weren't interested. Would have been a good gauge of where Zappa is at.

But it's understandable that Lenny has his sights on other fights at this point.

[perfect jet]

Lenny was struggling getting his weight down back then and it really took its toll on him. He makes lightweight easily now so would be good to see whether those guys could drop him now. He's spent the past few months sparring Ndou, Mundine, Geale, and The Contender fighters and I haven't heard him being dropped by them.

Can't wait to see him step up!

I didn't think he looked as strong at 135 against Olartes. Anton has been ko'd a few times but he was unfazed against Lenny. Granted, it was Zappa's first fight at 135 in a long time so he may take time to re-adjust. I dare say you wont be seeing Zappa in with a southpaw for a loooong time lol.

I'm not knocking the kid, just raising a few points guys. I like Lenny, he's a good kid and he is young. Again, I hope he does really well in the US.

[RayKelly]

Lenny felt awesome going into that fight, I just think that Olartes style frustrated him a bit.

Lenny's only young and untested on the world stage so we can all just speculate. Time will tell! :)

[perfect jet]

Lenny felt awesome going into that fight, I just think that Olartes style frustrated him a bit.

Lenny's only young and untested on the world stage so we can all just speculate. Time will tell! :)

For sure Ray! :good

[raff]

Lenny is a great young fighter, i believe he will fight whoever his management put in front of him, i believe he will slowly build up to the harder fights wich are thebest options for him, i dont think there is anyone out there that dislikes him at all.

[PIPO23]

I didn't think he looked as strong at 135 against Olartes. Anton has been ko'd a few times but he was unfazed against Lenny. Granted, it was Zappa's first fight at 135 in a long time so he may take time to re-adjust. I dare say you wont be seeing Zappa in with a southpaw for a loooong time lol.

I'm not knocking the kid, just raising a few points guys. I like Lenny, he's a good kid and he is young. Again, I hope he does really well in the US.

Olarte was running :tired doesn't even punch.Zappa will win.Ganoy is overrated on this board.He will lose becoz of his poor speed and defense..Zappa is way stronger than let's say Mick Shaw and Luxford lol hahahaha.Zappa is equivalent to a Mike Katsidis..
End of story.

[perfect jet]

Olarte was running :tired he doesn't even punch.Ranee doesn't run and he believe it or not punches back..So one of the 2 he will go down dats fa sho.Zappa will win.Ganoy is overrated on this board.

Olartes was running. That's his style. Billy Dibb still ko'd him. Funny, for a guy who wasn't punching (your are right) he caused a bit of swelling around Lennys eyes.

I agree, it will end in someone getting knocked down. I don't think we will see it happen though. Not now.

[perfect jet]

Olarte was running :tired doesn't even punch.Zappa will win.Ganoy is overrated on this board.He will lose becoz of his poor speed and defense..Zappa is way stronger than let's say Mick Shaw and Luxford lol hahahaha.Zappa is equivalent to a Mike Katsidis..
End of story.

Ganoy has poor defence? he has been stopped by Ben Rabah, Katsidis and Fernado Angulo. All world rated fighters. Zappa has been dropped by Junmar Dulog and Ryan Langham. You do the math.

Zappa is stronger than Mick Shaw and Luxford? lol. True, but this is where you look stupid. What's your point exactly?

Name one fighter who Lenny has faced, who is stronger than Ganoy. Just one.

[PIPO23]

Ganoy has poor defence? he has been stopped by Ben Rabah, Katsidis and Fernado Angulo. All world rated fighters. Zappa has been dropped by Junmar Dulog and Ryan Langham. You do the math.

Zappa is stronger than Mick Shaw and Luxford? lol. True, but this is where you look stupid. What's your point exactly?

Name one fighter who Lenny has faced, who is stronger than Ganoy. Just one.

Overrating Ganoy :-(

Why coz he beat Mick Shaw and Paulley bwajajajajaja??I am telling you.Zappa is the same class as Rabah and Katsidis...You will see. I'll be here to tell you. I TOLD YOU SO!! WHEN IT HAPPENS.

[perfect jet]

Overrating Ganoy :-(

Why coz he beat Mick Shaw and Paulley bwajajajajaja??I am telling you.Zappa is the same class as Rabah and Katsidis...You will see. I'll be here to tell you. I TOLD YOU SO!! WHEN IT HAPPENS.

I don't think Zappa is in the same class as Katsidis and Rabah. I kope I'm wrong, as I'd like to see him do well.

But lets not gloss over the comparisons. Would Dulog have dropped Katsidis or Rabah, ever?

Would Olartes have lasted 8 rds with Katsidis or Rabah?

Time is on Lennys side. But so far, the comparisons are premature. Lenny hasn't fought a 135'er who can punch for how long? Been a while huh?

It's good you are a fan Pipo, but you need to wait and see how Lenny goes when he steps his comp up.

[fast hands]

Just a couple of comparisons. Katsidis at Zappa's present age [ 21 ] still hadn't

had his first pro fight & didn't fight Ganoy till he was 25 .

Zappa isn't in Katsidis's class yet but I think he 's Australia's best young prospect.

[ I'm also a Katsidis fan ]

[perfect jet]

Just a couple of comparisons. Katsidis at Zappa's present age [ 21 ] still hadn't

had his first pro fight & didn't fight Ganoy till he was 25 .

Zappa isn't in Katsidis's class yet but I think he 's Australia's best young prospect.

[ I'm also a Katsidis fan ]

Or this...

After 20 pro fights, Katsidis captures an interim WBO belt (Graham Earl). After 20 pro fights, Lenny is fighting a flyweight from Thailand.

Yes, he is young, but he has some catching up to do.

[ashley]

Or this...

After 20 pro fights, Katsidis captures an interim WBO belt (Graham Earl). After 20 pro fights, Lenny is fighting a flyweight from Thailand.

Yes, he is young, but he has some catching up to do.


I am a Lenny fan but also a Rocky fan......Rocky has the better fights to date but I see better things in Lenny.....his body punches are better as is his power in both hands.

Both fighters need to work on defence and Lenny has age on his side and has not been smashed unlike Rocky.

I hope both guys go on and win titles for AUST :good