Do we potentially have a REAL DEAL elite level fighter??

[Bentchassis]

Aside from Mundine and Katsidis who have already been discussed at length.

Considering some of our more recent champion or popular fighters like Shannon Taylor, Paul Briggs, Nader Hamden, Rick Thornberry, Sakio Bika, Ben Rabah, Lovemore N'dou, Gary St Clair, Robbie Peden, Glenn Kelly, the Waters boys and more, have all had chances at certain points in their career, where wins over certain world class opponents or different paths taken to success could have possibly established elite level standing in the eyes of the many in world boxing circles.

Unfortunately, in just about all of these cases our fighters have just fallen short of that international reputation for one reason or another.

Looking at our current local talent it is hard to gauge anything other than their potential based on their performance against, not always great, domestic level competition or early losses like in the case of a green Pittman.

For instance, if all the stars were aligned, I really think Daniel Geale has all the attributes to become an elite level fighter on the world scene. He has a fantastic amateur pedigree with olympic level experience and is now very technically sound. He has great movement and evasive skills, proven power, seems to adapt to most styles and most importantly continues to develop.

From what you have seen and felt watching our local talent and their various styles, characteristics etc, would you consider any of the following to have a chance of becoming an elite level fighter on the world stage and if so why? Willy Kickett, Billy Dib, Jamie Pittman, Lenny Zapp, Jackson Asiku, Geale even Solo and Oganov or any of your own suggestions?? OR will most fall short??

[daz52]

Alot of people seem to be rapt in Zappa im not impressed at all.. People say ohhh he loves a war hes so tough this and that at the end of the day once he takes a SMALL step up in class hes guna get KOed... You cannot fight the way he does against World-Class fighters or even average American fighters you will be knocked out... ITs plain and simple not rocket sciene you just cannot afford to get hit that much..

Oganov already had his butt handed to him he was never anything special though most boxing people knew that and said it...

Kickett i think has great potential as does Dib but Billy needs to calm down in the ring stop trying to fight so much like Prince Naz... I know everyone has his style but last time all the bullshit he carried on with nearly cost him a fight against no one special at all... Geale i think has the talent to be something special to he has imprssed me...

[Barge FTA]

until our top fighters start to test themselves against the best, they will go nowhere. guys like Hussein Hussein go from fighting a thai cab driver to fighting for a world title. this just isn't going to prepare them for a world title.

[Bentchassis]

until our top fighters start to test themselves against the best, they will go nowhere. guys like Hussein Hussein go from fighting a thai cab driver to fighting for a world title. this just isn't going to prepare them for a world title.
Perhaps that's one of the reason's Dib is no longer fighting Linares, too many examples of Aussie fighters not being ready and losing the big fights.

On the other hand you could argue that even in defeat, the Pittman / Katsidis losses, could possibly help their careers due to exposure and experience. This was not the case for the likes of Shannon Taylor or Ben Rabah though, so it's a fine line sometimes.

In this climate, a fighter can't always afford to waste a big opportunity when they are not exactly coming thick and fast. It's tough financially for Aussie boxers and you wouldn't necessarily begrudge them the chance to earn big dollars even at the risk of damaging their careers.

There's alot to be said for good management too, which I believe someone like Geale has.

[MSTR]

I think Kickett could potentially become something good, although not elite. To be honest, Australia hasn't had an Elite fighter since Kostya Tszyu and before that it was Fenech. Elite to me is a top p4p guy. We have had some decent fighters and title holders, but no one elite.

[MSTR]

I haven't actually seen any of Geale yet... Would be interested to have a look if anyone has any clips anywhere...

[Box-on]

I can't see anyone really bar maybe Kickett, but not 'elite'. Unfortunately due to our rather isolated location on the map and the very poor level of exposure boxing receives here is Oz I can't see thing really improving. Now and again we get one out of the box such as Vic D, Fenech, Tszyu etc but as mentioned when most have to step up it's far too big a step. Kelly, Waters and Thornberry as an example were way outclassed, our best shot was Briggs with the Adamek wars. Let's face it as a sport it's tough (no teamates here) no exposure as in Rugby League, Union, Cricket etc and bugger all money for most. Ask the average Joe on the street and he will prolly know Mundine, Green, Hopoate and maybe Les Mason. The last 2 due to getting press.

[Sox]

I think Daniel Geale is one of our best current prospects.
He's young, only been in the game as a pro for 4 years, and looks very very good.

Rick.

[raff]

darchinyan

[PIPO23]

Get ex-perience overseas against better-but-beatable latinos, el Latino like a Mehikan. Training's much better over there, solid sparring. Just to get the hang of it. You know! it's much better than stayin in Aus, beating Filos and Thais,shite boxers...

[WhataRock]

I like Dan Geale but he is not worldchampionship material.

He would be lucky to challenge for a real title.

I think he isnt made for pro boxing, he is a little bit chinny and he knows this now, and it seems to effect his confidence.

Kickett looks great now but it will be some time before we know if he is the real deal or not.

[CarltonBlues]

Kickett could be great but he's very raw at the moment, I hope they don't rush him.

[Bentchassis]

I like Dan Geale but he is not worldchampionship material.

He would be lucky to challenge for a real title.

I think he isnt made for pro boxing, he is a little bit chinny and he knows this now, and it seems to effect his confidence.

Kickett looks great now but it will be some time before we know if he is the real deal or not.
I never saw the Comer knock down but he obviously recovered well enough. I saw the Gonzales and Oti ones and they were more flash knock downs more than anything else.

He definitely lost confidence though, particulary after Gonzales, you could see it in his movement mostly as he def seemed more tentative, he still he won his next 5 or so fights quite convincingly, though it was expected of him to KO those opponents and when he didn't people jumped off him a bit. He removed some doubt for me against the big punching Dawson when it seemed his ability to control the distance in the fight frustrated Dawson and his big right never really came into play.

Overall their are some pretty good fighters going around at the moment that earlier in their career had suspect chins or had been knocked down, Cotto for example even DLH was hurt. All Im saying is it's not all bad for Geale in that respect and Im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, though your point is valid and I could be proven wrong.

[Bentchassis]

I haven't actually seen any of Geale yet... Would be interested to have a look if anyone has any clips anywhere...
I've only got tapes and can't find footage anywhere on youtube or the w.b.v.a site.
I might try and convert the tapes to DVD and then attempt to post it at some stage, ideally during my work hours!!

[huricn]

imo our best chance at a ligit world title are.

Geale
Tausa
Zappa
Kickett
Rocky

[WhataRock]

I never saw the Comer knock down but he obviously recovered well enough. I saw the Gonzales and Oti ones and they were more flash knock downs more than anything else.

He definitely lost confidence though, particulary after Gonzales, you could see it in his movement mostly as he def seemed more tentative, he still he won his next 5 or so fights quite convincingly, though it was expected of him to KO those opponents and when he didn't people jumped off him a bit. He removed some doubt for me against the big punching Dawson when it seemed his ability to control the distance in the fight frustrated Dawson and his big right never really came into play.

Overall their are some pretty good fighters going around at the moment that earlier in their career had suspect chins or had been knocked down, Cotto for example even DLH was hurt. All Im saying is it's not all bad for Geale in that respect and Im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, though your point is valid and I could be proven wrong.

Apparently that was also flash, the comer KD I mean.

Ive never seen the Gonzales KD's but I was told by quite a few that he was lucky to get out of the round. Do you have that fight on tape?

I can see you point but I dont think Geale has to other tools that those guys you mentioned have, he is quick and has a good skill set but overall he isnt exceptional, I mean on the world stage.
I think he will continue to easily defeat any guys in oz and probably quite a few fringe contenders but Im not so sure about the guys on the higher end of the division.

Id LOVE to be proven wrong though, its just I dont like to have false hope in guys I dont think have what it takes. So many good fighters fall by the wayside in boxing, its hard for me to get overexcited and buy into hype these days.

[huricn]

Apparently that was also flash, the comer KD I mean.

Ive never seen the Gonzales KD's but I was told by quite a few that he was lucky to get out of the round. Do you have that fight on tape?

I can see you point but I dont think Geale has to other tools that those guys you mentioned have, he is quick and has a good skill set but overall he isnt exceptional, I mean on the world stage.
I think he will continue to easily defeat any guys in oz and probably quite a few fringe contenders but Im not so sure about the guys on the higher end of the division.

Id LOVE to be proven wrong though, its just I dont like to have false hope in guys I dont think have what it takes. So many good fighters fall by the wayside in boxing, its hard for me to get overexcited and buy into hype these days.

i was there when he fought Comer and that was no flash knock down

[WhataRock]

i was there when he fought Comer and that was no flash knock down

I havent seen it soIm not going to argue. I know your affiliation with Gary.

But whats you idea of flash chris?

Was Dan in serious trouble? Or was he caught with a decent shot, got pretty much straight up and came back to stop Gary in the next round like it was described to me.

[huricn]

I havent seen it soIm not going to argue. I know your affiliation with Gary.

But whats you idea of flash chris?

Was Dan in serious trouble? Or was he caught with a decent shot, got pretty much straight up and came back to stop Gary in the next round like it was described to me.

i dont think geale was hurt bad but it was a good knock down.
then the nextround geale hit garry with 3 nice shots he fell back to the ropes and was ready to continue but the ref jumped in and stopped it. he was no more hurt then geale was.

[WhataRock]

i dont think geale was hurt bad but it was a good knock down.
then the nextround geale hit garry with 3 nice shots he fell back to the ropes and was ready to continue but the ref jumped in and stopped it. he was no more hurt then geale was.

Well clearly thats why the rematch was warranted.

Thats why I was a little uneasy about the LoPorto stoppage.
I know the ref has just got to make a decision with what he sees, without any bias. But the fact we know Gary can come back from stuff like that made me think what if only he was given a little more time to fight back.

[huricn]

Well clearly thats why the rematch was warranted.

Thats why I was a little uneasy about the LoPorto stoppage.
I know the ref has just got to make a decision with what he sees, without any bias. But the fact we know Gary can come back from stuff like that made me think what if only he was given a little more time to fight back.


yeah thats right Garry is a tough sob. i can see why the ref stopped the fight against Frank i counted 15 unanswered shots. but yeah i dont think Garry was hurt maybe a little shocked that frank came out that way.
while the Grange is a great gym i dont think it was the place for garry. he was never going to be a boxing just a fighter. he done well for a guy that only had 8 amature fights

[WhataRock]

yeah thats right Garry is a tough sob. i can see why the ref stopped the fight against Frank i counted 15 unanswered shots. but yeah i dont think Garry was hurt maybe a little shocked that frank came out that way.
while the Grange is a great gym i dont think it was the place for garry. he was never going to be a boxing just a fighter. he done well for a guy that only had 8 amature fights

The first time I saw Gary was against Dale Hawke on the Delisle-Maniatas undercard.
I was pretty impressed with the fact he had only had a short am career, as was mentioned by the commentator. He looked like a natural in there, he certainly looked like he had a lot more fights than stated. To become one the best fighters in oz @ 154-160, which is where we have a bit of talent, is an achievement.

[Bentchassis]

Apparently that was also flash, the comer KD I mean.

Ive never seen the Gonzales KD's but I was told by quite a few that he was lucky to get out of the round. Do you have that fight on tape?

I can see you point but I dont think Geale has to other tools that those guys you mentioned have, he is quick and has a good skill set but overall he isnt exceptional, I mean on the world stage.
I think he will continue to easily defeat any guys in oz and probably quite a few fringe contenders but Im not so sure about the guys on the higher end of the division.

Id LOVE to be proven wrong though, its just I dont like to have false hope in guys I dont think have what it takes. So many good fighters fall by the wayside in boxing, its hard for me to get overexcited and buy into hype these days.
Fair enough, to be honest, i've only seen a snippet of the Gonzales fight which was shown between a round in either the Sonni fight or Oti fight, it showed the knockdown but not the remainder of the round. If what you've been told is true, then it obviously would not have been a flash..

[Bentchassis]

Well clearly thats why the rematch was warranted.

Thats why I was a little uneasy about the LoPorto stoppage.
I know the ref has just got to make a decision with what he sees, without any bias. But the fact we know Gary can come back from stuff like that made me think what if only he was given a little more time to fight back.

Jesus mate, I follow your point, but tough as Comer may be he was 2 or 3 more shots away from being decapitated :huh

[WhataRock]

Jesus mate, I follow your point, but tough as Comer may be he was 2 or 3 more shots away from being decapitated :huh

Wasnt a bad stoppage at all.

Just Ive seen Gary wear some serious leather and come back strong from it. I guess I just wanted to see him win that more.