Azumah Nelson

[rekcutnevets]

Azumah Nelson was one of my favorite fighters in the 90's. I didn't start following boxing until 1989, but it didn't take me long to discover the Professor.

How would he have done had he come along in this decade; against the likes of Barrera, Morales, Marquez, and Pacquiao?

vs. Barrera: I see Nelson's hand speed surprising Barrera in this fight. I really can't see a way for Barrera to find a way to win. I believe Nelson's uppercuts would be too much on the inside, and his right hand the difference on the outside.

vs. Morales: I believe Morles would be more than just a problem for Nelson. If Nelson thought he had trouble with Ruelas in their first fight he'll find even more here. I can't find a way for Azumah to win this one. I don't think he can be as effective attacking Morales as Barrera was.

vs. Marquez: I think Marquez in too fundamentally sound for Nelson. This is probably Nelson's worst match-up mentioned here.

vs. Pacquiao: I see Nelson winning this one. I think he might welcome a fight like this, use his cross arm defense, and counter with his back on the ropes.

[sweet_scientist]

I'd favour Nelson to knock them all out, and Marquez probably before the rest. Marquez is becoming hugely overrated. He was getting tagged plenty by an over the hill Barrera and if Manny Pacquiao can sit him on his ass 4 times I'm guessing Nelson can do it once - for good.

[Sweet Pea]

I'd favour Nelson to knock them all out, and Marquez probably before the rest. Marquez is becoming hugely overrated. He was getting tagged plenty by an over the hill Barrera and if Manny Pacquiao can sit him on his ass 4 times I'm guessing Nelson can do it once - for good.I agree more with this, though I wouldn't favor him to KO them all. Not sure where he gets off thinking Morales is such a bad matchup for Azumah though, and while Marquez is an excellent boxer/puncher, he's very hittable.

[sweet_scientist]

I agree more with this, though I wouldn't favor him to KO them all. Not sure where he gets off thinking Morales is such a bad matchup for Azumah though, and while Marquez is an excellent boxer/puncher, he's very hittable.

And very hurtable.

I could see all of them going the distance with Azumah too, it woudn't be shocking if they did, but a Ko for Nelson is the most likely scenario imo in each case.

Who would you favour to go the distance with Nelson?

[Sweet Pea]

And very hurtable.

I could see all of them going the distance with Azumah too, it woudn't be shocking if they did, but a Ko for Nelson is the most likely scenario imo in each case.

Who would you favour to go the distance with Nelson?Morales and probably Barrera, very skilled with excellent chins, especially Morales.

[sweet_scientist]

I agree more with this, though I wouldn't favor him to KO them all. Not sure where he gets off thinking Morales is such a bad matchup for Azumah though, and while Marquez is an excellent boxer/puncher, he's very hittable.

Probably by considering a mid 90's Azumah Nelson if reference to Gabby Ruelas is anything to go by.

[sweet_scientist]

Morales and probably Barrera, very skilled with excellent chins, especially Morales.

I'd fancy Barrera's chances over Morales' of lasting the distance. Morales is a warrior, but is a little bit too hittable. In any case, I think the likelihood is that Azumah takes them both out. They would present strong challenges though.

[PowerPuncher]

I fancy all 4 beating him in 8-4 or 7-5 type decisions because they are technically better and quicker fighters.

Nelson has the best shot against Morales and Pcquaio because they both love to brawl which plays into the proffesors hands but against an excellent technical boxer I see Nelson losing time and again.

Who knows maybe he'd catch up to 1 of these guys late because he was so strong, ferocous and powerful but I have to go with the better boxer

[sweet_scientist]

I fancy all 4 beating him in 8-4 or 7-5 type decisions because they are technically better and quicker fighters.

Nelson has the best shot against Morales and Pcquaio because they both love to brawl which plays into the proffesors hands but against an excellent technical boxer I see Nelson losing time and again.

Who knows maybe he'd catch up to 1 of these guys late because he was so strong, ferocous and powerful but I have to go with the better boxer

Look at a slightly pre-prime Nelson's effort against Salvador Sanchez, who is a better technical boxer than any of those four. Nelson pretty much held his own with him for 15 rounds. Ferocity, speed and power can sometimes overcome technique, which is why someone like Pac, who is pretty one dimensional, can still push a 'master' boxer like Marquez to the limit.

[rekcutnevets]

Originally posted by sweet_scientist
Probably by considering a mid 90's Azumah Nelson if reference to Gabby Ruelas is anything to go by.

Reference to Ruelas is something to go by. Nelson may have been faded at the age of 34, but Ruelas was never as good as Morales.

Morales had a great chin, and Nelson does not have what Pacquiao has: a powerful straight left. Nelson was not a southpaw.

Originally posted by sweet_scientist
I'd favour Nelson to knock them all out, and Marquez probably before the rest. Marquez is becoming hugely overrated. He was getting tagged plenty by an over the hill Barrera and if Manny Pacquiao can sit him on his ass 4 times I'm guessing Nelson can do it once - for good.
Again, styles come into play. Barrera does not have Nelson's hand speed, but his punches are sometimes thrown shorter. Well, most of the time. Barrera does have a wide hook at times. Pacquiao is a southpaw, and his left is what was dropping Marquez. The last one was also very powerful, and Marquez got up and finished a fight I thought he won. Marquez is available to be hit, but when was the last time he got stopped?

[Robbi]

I agree more with this, though I wouldn't favor him to KO them all. Not sure where he gets off thinking Morales is such a bad matchup for Azumah though, and while Marquez is an excellent boxer/puncher, he's very hittable.

I wouldn't say very hittlable. Your looking at the Barrera and Pacquaio rematches I think. Apart from the three knockdowns against Pacquaio in their first fight his defense was very good for the vast majority of the fight. Marquez's defense was at one point one of his strongest attributes. However, that was when he was fleet-footed around the ring. Thats something he's lost in the last 2-3 years. Anyone know has studied Marquez fights will know this.

Prime Marquez was 2002-2005. Barrera was past his best, but so was Marquez when they fought.

[Robbi]

Anyone seen Nelson v McDonnell?

[Mantequilla]

McDonell does quite well against him.

Nelson marches after him without cutting the ring off, overtaking him during the second half and stopping him after a few knockdowns.

Brian Mitchell looked much better against McDonnell.

[JohnThomas1]

McDonell does quite well against him.

Nelson marches after him without cutting the ring off, overtaking him during the second half and stopping him after a few knockdowns.

Brian Mitchell looked much better against McDonnell.

Fair call, but Nelson did underperform a bit at times i think.

[Robbi]

Nelson's knockout against Cowdell was a real eye catcher. Cowdell looked like he had been sniped with a 9mm pistol from JT hiding up the back of the arena in row Z.

[Sweet Pea]

I fancy all 4 beating him in 8-4 or 7-5 type decisions because they are technically better and quicker fighters.
And a green Nelson's performance against Sanchez does nothing to dissuade you from this position?

[sweet_scientist]

Reference to Ruelas is something to go by. Nelson may have been faded at the age of 34, but Ruelas was never as good as Morales.

Morales had a great chin, and Nelson does not have what Pacquiao has: a powerful straight left. Nelson was not a southpaw.

Are you saying Morales was only open to straight lefts? I venture to say Morales was hittable with just about any decent shot.

And Nelson at age 34 is a far cry from Nelson in his mid to late 20's.


Again, styles come into play. Barrera does not have Nelson's hand speed, but his punches are sometimes thrown shorter. Well, most of the time. Barrera does have a wide hook at times. Pacquiao is a southpaw, and his left is what was dropping Marquez. The last one was also very powerful, and Marquez got up and finished a fight I thought he won. Marquez is available to be hit, but when was the last time he got stopped?

Barrera is no southpaw and he hit Marquez plenty and had him hurt too.

Marquez has never been stopped, I must acknowledge that he has great heart, but I don't think he's faced a fighter with the combination of power and skills that Nelson possesses. Pac is very one dimensional in comparison.

[rekcutnevets]

Originally Posted by sweet_scientist
Are you saying Morales was only open to straight lefts? I venture to say Morales was hittable with just about any decent shot.

And Nelson at age 34 is a far cry from Nelson in his mid to late 20's.


No, I am not saying that is all that Morales can be hit with. I have only seen one fighter stop him, and that fighter's biggest weapon was a straight left. Pacquiao also landed his share of right hands against Morales, they would not have been enough to stop him without that left.

Gabriel Ruelas is a far cry from Erik Morales, so it's still relative. If Nelson fought Ruelas that way while still in his 20's, then I'd definitely say he would have no chance at all against Morales.

Back to Marquez. Marquez also has good legs, and finds openings with his straight right while being hurt. He makes it hard to just walk over and bring it. Combine that with his height and reach advantage over Nelson, and I think he gives Nelson a more than difficult puzzle.

[Mantequilla]

Morales defensive ability is truly sub-par.

His fight with a shot Zaragoza is a classic showcase of defensive incompetence.Every ridiculously telegraphed lead that zaragoza threw smashed him flush.

It's one reason why i think the number of great fighters he should be favoured over is between slim and none.

Still a good fighter of course.Just not on Nelson's level.

[rekcutnevets]

Nelson and Fenech will be getting it on again in a couple of nights.

I read how Fenech offered to make this an 8 round affair since Nelson is right at 50 years old. Nelson refused and wanted 12 rounds. Now that the fight has been made, Nelson admitted that he had already been training for 3 months before he was approached for the Fenech fight.

Turns out Nelson wanted a in on some of that J.C. Chavez farewell tour, and was looking to secure a bout with Chavez.