The Army Boxing Thread

[binnie]

Table after round 1:

Mike Tyson - 4
Joe Lewis - 4
Lennox Lewis - 3
Muhammed Ali - 3
Evander Holyfield - 3
Larry Holmes - 3
All other fighters on zero.

[binnie]

How can you have greatest respect and that's bollocks be in the same sentence ..,'hyperbole surely, bollox lol.

The foreman frasier fight in my tiny brain is the most powerful punching display and I tend to view boxing through that opinion .

Canny punches though

I do respect you. I just also think you're a cunt

[vandeleur]

Hahaha ...... I am offended and agreeing at the same time

[binnie]

Round 2, fight 1:

Rocky Maricano vs Joe Frazier.

The pundits are in a frenzy for this one, which is widely predicted to be the greatest fight of all time. No one can pick it: two ATGs of equal size, equal power, and equal ferocity. And it doesn't disappoint. From the first bell these two fighters rush into each other and fight with each other's heads on the other's chests. The first four rounds are incredibly close, and could be called either way. From the 5th, however, what becomes clear is the Marciano has an awkwardness about him which is making things interesting - Frazier is still landing, but Marciano's defence is helping to roll and take the steam out of the punches. As round 8 rolls around, Marciano is getting the better of his, pummeling away at a game Frazier and pushing him back. Frazier tries to cover up on the ropes, but Marciano pummels his arms, slowly knocking the fight out of him. At the end of the 11th Marciano catches Frazier with Suzy Q, his trademark over-hand right and that is all she wrote. Fans are drained - it's one of the most brutal fights to ever take place.

Result: Marciano by KO. 4 points (3 for the win and 1 for the stoppage).

[binnie]

Round 2, fight 2:

Lennox Lewis vs Wladimir Klitschko.

In contrast to the first fight of round 2, the pundits expect this one to be a snooze-fest, with each fighter resorting to their natural safety-first approaches. But the pundits are wrong. Lewis smells the fear in Wladimir, and capitalises on it early just as he did against Andrew Golotta. As the bell to round one sounds, Lewis backs Wladimir against the ropes and unleashes a series of combinations to body and head. Wladimir goes down. He gets up at 8, but he is in panick mode, and Lewis moves in for the kill, knocking the big Ukranian cold within 90 seconds.

Result: Lewis by KO. 4 points.

[binnie]

Round 2, fight 3:

Joe Louis vs Evander Holyfield.

Both fighters are extremely confident as the bell sounds, but Holyfield quickly feels the disparity in power. Louis's vicious punches come in bunches, and the 'Real Deal' is repeatedly stopped in his tracks and forced onto the back front. As the come in close, Holyfield uses his head to try and stun the 'Brown Bomber', but Louis is smart enough to keep the fight on the outside for the most part. After seven rounds, although Holyfield has had his moments it is increasingly apparent that he's going to have to stop Louis to win, and he just doesn't have the power to do it. Louis's punches has made Holyfield's face look like a swollen pulp, and by round 10 the crowd it widely expecting a stoppage. 11 and 12 are completely one-sided, with everyone - Louis included - marvelling at Holyfield's bravery.

Result: Louis by very wide UD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Round 2, fight 4:

Mike Tyson vs Vitali Klitschko.

As the bell rings, Tyson rushes the slow starting Vitali and proceeds to unleash hell. Vitali is rocked twice in the opening round, and although he performs better in the second, he has taken a lot of punishment to the body and had his jaw tested more times than at any time in his career. By round 3, however, Vitali has composed himself enough to make the best of his considerable natural advantages - he has 8 inches in height and 35lbs in weight over Tyson, and as the fight goes on it is just too much for 'Iron Mike' to overcome. Vitali frustrates Tyson's attacks with uppercuts and hooks, circling and keeping him at distance. Tyson keeps coming, coming, coming, but he is getting pasted by the vicious Ukranian. In round 9, however, Tyson catches Vitali with a miracle right hand, and the Ukranian is all over the place - sensing blood, Tyson unleashes a 7 shot barage and Vitali goes down. He gets up and makes it to the end of the round. No-one knows how. In the tenth Tyson goes to the body as Vitali languishes on the ropes in recovery. But by the 11th Vitali has re-captured his composure, and comes back with some huge shots of his own. Tyson reaches the final bell, but in truth this looked like a bout between fighters in different weight categories. It's a close run thing, and the judges are divided.

Result: Vitali by SD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Round 2, fight 5:

George Foreman vs Larry Holmes.

Foreman is seething after his loss to Lewis, and promises to take all of his frustrations out on Holmes. In truth, however, he faces exactly the same problems as last time: against a great boxer who can give him angles and use his feet to get out of trouble, Foreman looks ineffective. Holmes sticks behind his jab for the first four rounds, racking up the points and pulling ahead on the cards. He hasn't hurt Foreman, but he has neutralised him. In rounds 5 and 6, Holmes becomes more aggresive, peppering Big George with hooks and crosses. The fight heats up as a result, and in the 9th Foreman's power finally makes headway. He catches Holmes with a big right, and Larry is rocked. Foreman goes in for the kill, but Holmes's instincts allow him to make the end of the round. In round 10, he frustrates Foreman with his jab and movement, and in rounds 11 and 12 meets him in the middle of the ring and trades. What surprises the crowd is that Foreman gets the worst of it. Holmes's victory is a considerable upset.

Result: Holmes UD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Round 2, Fight 6:

Muhammed Ali vs Jack Dempsey.

A classic boxer-vs-fighter bout emerges. In the first three rounds Ali tries to dance, but Dempsey is much, much wilder than anyone he's ever faced, and uses rough-house tactics to pin Ali against the ropes a batter him. The body punches he connects with are savage. In the 4th Ali realises that he has to fight, and his aggression surprises Dempsey - although Jack is winning the middle rounds, he is clearly not as in control as before. Ali's toughness begins to neutralise Dempsey, who's aggression saps his reserves. In rounds 9, 10 and 11 Ali uses his superior hand-speed to great effect, and Dempsey is rocked a couple of times. In the 12th, they meet in the middle of the ring and thrash it out - Ali is rocked early, but his 1-2 is enough to pinch the round. As the final bell rings, no-one has a clue who has nicked it.

Result: Ali by SD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Table after Round 2:

Joe Louis - 7
Lennox Lewis - 7
Larry Holmes - 6
Muhammed Ali - 6
Mike Tyson - 4
Vitali Klitschko - 3
Evander Holyfield - 3
Rocky Marciano - 3
Wladimir Klitschko - 0
George Foreman - 0
Jack Dempsey - 0
Joe Frazier - 0

[vandeleur]

Mmmm tyson in his prime 21 year old against klit who never had one and chinned boxers outside the post office as they got their pensions .
You know where am going with this


Still excellent posts binnie and a very knowlegable read

[binnie]

This issue with Tyson - and a lot of other ATGs - vs the Klits is that they would be giving away so much height and weight. Those two are like a whole other weight class above.

[binnie]

Round 3, fight 1:

George Foreman vs Evander Holyfield

Foreman - having won none of his fights so far - is pissed. Unfortunately for Evander Holyfield, he is the man on whom Foreman will work out his frustrations. Evander fights bravely - he uses his feet to frustrate Foreman, and his granite head to take some wince-inducing shots - but from mid-way through the first round, the result looks inevitable. Foreman's heavy blows and relentless power cause the referee to stop a game Holyfield in the fifth, following three trips to the canvas.

Result: Foreman TKO. 4 points.

[binnie]

Round 3, Fight 2:

Mike Tyson vs Wladimir Klitschko.

Tyson is still reeling from his close loss to Vitali, and vows to 'decapitate' Klitschko jr in this match. The pundits, however, are picking Wladimir to win - his 35lbs weight and 8'' height advantage seem insummountable, especially when coupled with his iron jab. No-one predicts what happens next. As the first bell rings, Tyson charges into Wladirmir, ducks under the jab and lands a left hook flush on the jaw. Wladimir goes to pieces, trying to hold and smoother Tyson. But Iron Mike works well on the inside, hitting Wladimir in the ribs, and landing a peach of an uppercut which causes the big Ukranian to crash to the canvas 45 seconds in. Wladimir stumbles to his feet, but he looks panicked and Tyson charges into him on the ropes, landing a right hook to the body which he then twists into an upper cut. The left hook which follows leaves Wladimir out cold. The referee begins the count, but one drunken gentlemen in the second row yells 'You could count to 1,000 over that cunt: he ain't getting up'.

Result: Tyson KO. 4 points.

Ringside cameras begin an interview with Tyson Fury after the fight. Fury praises Tyson's performance, but says that he wants the winner of the tournament because, 'The world has yet to see how good Tyson Fury is'. Upon hearing Fury's comments over the arena's PA, Mike Tyson jumps out of the ring to where Fury is sitting and decks the pikee bastard and three of his entourage.

[binnie]

Round 3, fight 3:

Joe Frazier vs Larry Holmes.

Frazier has yet to find himself in the tournament, despite fighting gamely. Holmes is the wide favourite, but by round two it is clear that this is going to be a tough, tough fight. Holmes is working his jab, but Frazier is relentless in charging forward, landing blows on Holmes's torso, arms, and head. All of the first 6 rounds could be scored either way and, despite Holmes' best efforts the fight could be taking place in a phone box. In round 7, Holmes hits the cavass after a classic Frazier left hook. He makes it out of the round, but gets the bollocking of all time from his corner. This proves to be a wake-up call. In rounds 8 and 9, Holmes fight back to take the fight under control, and in round 11 he rocks Frazier with and uppercut. In the twelth they go at it like its the last fight ever to take place on earth. Holmes looks to have edged it, but no-one is sure.

Result: Holmes by SD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Round 3, fight 4:

Lennox Lewis vs Jack Dempsey.

Lennox is the clear favourite. The dominant force in the competition, he stands 5'' taller than Dempsey and some 60lbs heavier. Many commentators also expect him to put on a boxing master class against the rugged Dempsey. Lewis tries to get his jab going in the first, but it's immediately clear that Dempsey couldn't care less about who the favourite it and leaps at Lewis. Nothing of any real significance lands, but Dempsey takes the first two rounds by pushing the action as Lewis seems to flounder under pressure. Lennox begins the third with a couple of big shots, but that only seems to piss Dempsey off further. As Lewis backs away after throwing a jab, Dempsey lands an absolute haymaker to the bigger man's jaw. And that is all she wrote.

Result; Dempsey KO 3. 4 points.

[binnie]

Round 3, fight 5:

Muhammed Ali vs Rocky Marciano.

This is a classic bull vs matador fight. Ali dances, jabs and circles the smaller and slower Marciano for 12 rounds. Rocky makes a game show of it - and Ali later comments how surprised he is that Marciano is so hard to his cleanly - but he just can't pin 'The Greatest' down. Fans were expecting a classic, but the end result is a one-side, wide UD with very little action. Ali tells the world afterwards that he's going to 'whoop everyone in the tournament' - the cameras turn to Tyson Fury at ringside, who can't comment because his jaw has been wired following its run-in with Mike Tyson's fist.

Result: Ali UD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Round 3, fight 6:

Joe Louis vs Vitali Klitschko.

The size disparity again looks insurmountable, but this fight turns out tasty. Slow-starting Vitali loses the first two as Louis peppers his body with combinatios. In the third, Vitali circles, leaning back to avoid Louis head shots, and catches the smaller man with single blows. This pattern repeats for two more rounds, after which Louis focuses on Vitali's body. It's even after 8, and Vitali tries to attack - that is his mistake, but he's now there to be hit by Louis, who has faster hands and feet and hits harder than anyone Vitali has been in the ring with. By the 11th, Vitali is marked up and beaten. He lands some crushing shots in the 12th, but it is too little, too late. After the fight Vitali comments that he is amazed that a 200lbs guy can hit as hard as Louis.

Result: Louis UD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Results after round 3:

Louis 10
Tyson 10
Holmes 9
Lewis 7
Ali 7
Dempsey 4
Foreman 4
Holyfield 3
Marciano 3
Vitali 3
Frazier 0
Wladimir 0

Frazier and Wladimir eliminated from the competition.

[TFM_Dale]

one drunken gentlemen in the second row yells 'You could count to 1,000 over that cunt: he ain't getting up'.

Result: Tyson KO. 4 points.

I was the drunken gentlemen

I'll never understand your fascination with "Annie" Lennox Lewis and the Bitchkos but terrific write ups Binnie!

[vandeleur]

, Mike Tyson jumps out of the ring to where Fury is sitting and decks the pikee bastard and three of his entourage.

hahaha

[Seshmeister]

May 12, 1923: First boxing match at Yankee Stadium, featuring former heavyweight champion Jess Willard against Floyd Johnson. It draws 63,000 spectators

[vandeleur]

wouldnt fancy watching from that top stand at the corner

[binnie]

Round 4, fight 1:

Tyson vs Holyfield

The build up to this one is electric, and the fight itself is full of surprises. It's certainly true that Holyfield isn't scared of Tyson, and he's more than happy to stand a try and out-tough him. But prime Tyson's speed and ridiculous combinations test the 'Real Deal' in everyway, and although he's has his moments in the first four rounds he enters the second third of the fight battered, bruised and bloodied. In the middle rounds, however, Holyfield starts to come into his own, frsutrating Tyson by catching him coming in and head-butting him consistently on the inside. The latter, in particular, throws Tyson off his game. By the 8th the momentum is with Holyfield, but the body shots Tyson has been throwing all night are beginning to take their toll, and one of the 'Real Deal's' eyes is completely closed. Tyson takes the 9th and 10th, persistently rocking Holyfield. In the 11th, the ref stops the fight. Holyfield protests, but his corner were only moments away from chucking in the towel.

Result: Tyson TKO. 4 points.

[binnie]

Round 4, fight 2:

Foreman vs Dempsey.

This is fight is short, bitter and ugly. As the bell rings the two rush into each other and unload. As tough as Dempsey is, it's clear that the 40lb weight difference makes a huge difference, as Foreman bullies him all over the ring. Dempsey goes down at the end of the first, and looks shell-shocked. In the second, Dempsey uses his superior speed to get angles on Foreman, and hits him with some haymakers which make Big George wince. Dempsey seems to be in his own now, but Foreman ends the round with a couple of big shots which open up horrendous cuts on Dempsey's face. The third goes down in history as one of the truly great rounds, as both fighters touch the canvass and the rise and fall of the momentum is entirely unpredicatable. But in the fourth, Foreman looks the fresher - the size difference is the key. He pins Dempsey in a corner and pummels him with a succession of shots under which Dempsey eventually folds.

Result: Foreman by KO. 4 points.

[binnie]

Round 4, fight 3:

Rocky Marciano vs Larry Holmes

Holmes predicts and easy night's work for himself in the build up, and his massive height, reach and weight advantage seem to make that prediction likely to come true. But he's underestimated the Rock. Marciano batters him to the torso and arms for the first three rounds, seemingly unfazed by Holmes's attempts to get his jab working. Larry is visibly surpsied by Marciano's power. At the end of the third, Holmes's corner read the riot act and tell him to fight. Despite being the lighter puncher of the two, round 4-9 see Holmes trade with Marciano and get the better of it simply because he picks his shots better and finally starts to fight like the bigger man. In the 10th, however, Marciano proves he isn't out of it, and sends Holmes to the canvass with a left to the body followed by a right to the chin. Holmes only just makes it out of the round. Will-power, crushing uppercuts and luck manage to secure Holmes the 11th and 12th, and he takes a close decision.

Result: Holmes UD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Round 4, fight 4:

Vitali vs Ali

Ali is on fire in the build up to this one. 'I call him Dr. Frankenstein - he's so ugly he can't be human'. Vitali seems unfazed by the mockery until the week before the fight, where Ali's antics clearly begin to anger him. Pundits wonder how 'The Greatest' will overcome a 30lbs weight and 4'' height disadvantage, but when the bell rings it is immediately apparent that the difference in speed will be decisive. Put simply, Ali's feet make Vitali look slower than soil erosion. As Ali dances, weeves and peppers Vitali for 12 rounds, the Ukranian looks more annoyed that hurt, and even as his face marks up he continues to try and cut off the rings, even landing a handful of crunching blows. When the 12th finishes, it is clear that there is only one winner.

Result: Ali UD. 3 points.

[binnie]

Round 4, fight 5:

Lewis vs Louis.

Lennox is easily the bigger man here, having a 50lbs weight advantage. Joe's fist are faster, however, and he stuns Lennox early with a three shot combination which puts the Britain down in the second. Lewis begins to work behind his jab in the third, but by the 5th Joe's relentless pressure, body shots and toughness is clearly swaying the momentum. In the middle rounds Lennox shows himself to be aggressive, pushing Joe back with big shots to the jaw. In round 8, however, Louis really lets his hands go and Lennox is taking an awful lot of punishment, despite landing a couple of perfect uppercuts. Lennox tried to box behind his jab in the last three rounds, but this just allows Joe to nick the rounds by being busier.

Result: Louis by close UD.

[binnie]

Results after round 4:

Tyson: 14
Louis: 13
Holmes: 12
Ali: 10
Foreman: 8
Lewis: 7
Dempsey: 4
Holyfield: 3
Marciano: 3
Vitali: 3

Vitali, Holyfield and Marciano to compete for the remaining place in the quarter finals.

Vitali-Holyfield: Holyfield's self-belief carries him through the walloping he takes for the first five rounds, and his continual body shots start to bother Vitali in the middle rounds. He tries to use his footwork to frustrate the bigger man, but Vitali finds him easy to hit and unleashes a savage beating in the last three rounds. Vitali UD.

Vitali-Marciano: This looks like a fight between guys two weight-classes apart, and Vitali pounds a game Marciano to a pulp. Punching upwards so far renders Marciano's shots devoid of their normal power, and there is little he can do to stem the tide. Vitali wins a UD in a fight that should have been stopped after 7, and he proceeds to the quarter finals.

[smorgdonkey]

Round 4, fight 3:

Rocky Marciano vs Larry Holmes

Holmes predicts and easy night's work for himself in the build up, and his massive height, reach and weight advantage seem to make that prediction likely to come true. But he's underestimated the Rock. Marciano batters him to the torso and arms for the first three rounds, seemingly unfazed by Holmes's attempts to get his jab working. Larry is visibly surpsied by Marciano's power. At the end of the third, Holmes's corner read the riot act and tell him to fight. Despite being the lighter puncher of the two, round 4-9 see Holmes trade with Marciano and get the better of it simply because he picks his shots better and finally starts to fight like the bigger man. In the 10th, however, Marciano proves he isn't out of it, and sends Holmes to the canvass with a left to the body followed by a right to the chin. Holmes only just makes it out of the round. Will-power, crushing uppercuts and luck manage to secure Holmes the 11th and 12th, and he takes a close decision.

Result: Holmes UD. 3 points.

No way. Holmes was champ in an era when there was no opposition other than aged people from previous eras. Same as Lennox Lewis...he never fought anyone in their prime. He fought Tyson after Mike lost his focus. EVERYONE wanted to fight Mike after he lost his focus - prior to that it was all destruction.

[binnie]

Sudden death quarter finals schedule:

Dempsey-Tyson
Lewis-Vitali
Louis-Foreman
Holmes-Ali

[binnie]

No way. Holmes was champ in an era when there was no opposition other than aged people from previous eras. Same as Lennox Lewis...he never fought anyone in their prime. He fought Tyson after Mike lost his focus. EVERYONE wanted to fight Mike after he lost his focus - prior to that it was all destruction.

Holmes fought a prime Ken Norton, for one. I think he gives most ATGs serious problems simply because his footwork was so good, and his jab was probably the best ever. What he lacked in power (he wasn't a light puncher, but he wasn't thunderous either) he made up for in all other areas. Against Marciano - who was 5'10'' and 180lbs - he would have had a 6'' height and 40lbs weight advantage. Great as Marciano was, there's no way he overcomes that - we have to remember that a lot of guys Marciano beat (Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore) were light-heavies who stepped up. We could argue that Marciano never beat an ATG heavy in their prime. We could also say the same of Tyson (which most of his critics do).

As for Lewis, he beat Holyfield in his prime, and Vitali K (just). The Tyson fight counts for nothing, I'd agree with that. Lennox's problem was his chin - he wasn't 'chinny', but it wasn't cast-iron either. But at 6'5'', 240lbs and with a great jab, excellent timing and good power, he would have been there or thereabouts in any era. Lewis could be tortuoulsy dull to watch, and therefore very difficult to root for, but he was great fighter. Even Foreman said he was perhaps the best heavyweight ever.

[vandeleur]

I've read a lot of articles by very well informed sportsman and they all agree that Holmes is the most underrated of all the heavyweight Atg .

[binnie]

Quarter-final 1: Tyson vs Dempsey

As the bell rings these two tear into each other. Dempsey is wild, and shows no fear, but it's clear that Tyson has all of the advantages: 35lbs heavier, and considerably faster, but round 3 Dempsey is looking battered and bruised. Dempsey rocks Tyson with a wild shot at the start of the fourth, but Tyson comes on stronger, pinning Dempsey to the ropes and pummeling him to the canvas. Dempsey gets up, but it's only a matter of time now. Tyson finishes him with a 5 shots combination which sends a message to everyone else left in the competition.

[binnie]

Quarte final 2:

Lewis-Vitali.

Given how well Vitali performed in these guy's first bout, the pundits have this one almost 50/50. Lewis takes the first round because Vitali is a slow starter, but in round 2-5 it is very close. Lewis - unused to facing a bigger man - is getting caught with some of Vitali's unorthodox punches, and Vitali seems largely unfased by anything Lewis hits him with. In the 6th, Lewis comes in to match fire with fire, and his superior speed sees him take the 6th, 7th and 8th. In the 9th it heats up nicely, in what could be a pick 'em round, but by the 10th Vitali, whilst not necesarily in trouble, looks by far the worse for wear. Lewis clinches the final two rounds with his jab and over-hand right. His victory is emphatic, but not thrilling.

[binnie]

Quarter Final 3: Louis-Foreman

Foreman is the bigger man, but Louis is th faster and more accurate. The 'Brown Bomber' seems unfazed by Foreman's power, and consistently beats Big George to the punch in the first 4 rounds, landing savage combinations. In round five, Foreman begins to get closer, and Louis tastes his power. The middle rounds sees Foreman look to tire the smaller fighter out, but his corner is concerned by just how many unanswered shots he's taking. At the end of the 8th, however, he pulls himself back into it by sending Louis to the canvas with a vicious left-right. Louis makes it out of the round, but still looks dazed in the 9th, which Foreman takes. In the 10th, Louis's handspeed again edges him ahead, and by the 11th Foreman is out of ideas. The 12th is a classic, as Foreman chucks everything at it, but Louis rocks him with crisper, shorter punches. Louis takes clear UD. The pundits who thought the 20lbs weight disadvantage would be too much are pleased to be wrong.

[binnie]

Quarter final 4: Ali-Holmes.

The build up is legendary. Ali casts himself as hero and Holmes as villain, a role which the latter is only too happy to play. 'I'm gonna dance', 'he's going to heaven in seven' and 'he's too ugly' fly all over the media, and everyone expects Ali to be too fast for a game Holmes. But what shocks everyone is how unstuck Ali becomes early on - everyone commented on how Ali has beaten the better fighters, but all of the greats he beat (Foreman, Liston, Frazier) were crude sluggers, massively powerful but limited boxers. Holmes provides a different challenge. His jab causes Ali a world of problems, timing 'The Greatest' coming in and keeping his attacks at bay while racking up the points. Like Ken Norton, Holmes has a purer boxing style which Ali's speed can't capitalise on as easily as elsewhere. By round 6, Ali's corner are worried. Ali begins to goad a now confident Holmes, who foolishly trades with him and loses the handspeed battle in the process and brings Ali back into the fight in the middle rounds. By round 10, however, Holmes has recognised his mistake and goes back to working behind his jab, as Ali becomes frustrated. The closing rounds are close, but Holmes edges a close decision. The arena is silent - 'The Greatest' is out!

[binnie]

Semi-finals:

Tyson-Lewis

Louis-Holmes

[katina]

Pacquiao destroyed Algieri.

[binnie]

Yeah, I'm not sure what to make of it though. There was a lot of hype around the fight, but does beating Aligeri (who is relatively untested) tell us much about Pacman? He fought well, but there's not much more to say than that.