GONZALEZ DARED TO BE GREAT
WHAT an excellent night of boxing it was on Saturday (September 9). In Germany, Oleksandr Usyk showed why in a couple of years the battle of the 2012 Olympic gold medallists is going to be a massive fight. Anthony Joshua’s power and size versus Usyk’s speed and movement.
Then there was the excellent super-fly card in California. Juan Francisco Estradacarlos Cuadras was an entertaining battle, and of course, don’t forget Roman Gonzalez losing to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. There is no shame in that for Gonzalez. I just think super-fly was ultimately a weight class too far for him. Nevertheless, he dared to be great, and ducked no one from strawweight up to super-fly.
Also, to quote Sky’s Ed Robinson, Naoya Inoue has the hair colour of Canelo Alvarez, but cuts the ring off and unleashes pain like Gennady Golovkin. Super-flyweights and bantamweights beware – “The Monster” is coming. Jamie Ingleby
RENDA DESERVES SHOT
IT was great to see Cello Renda finally achieve Southern Area champion status following his incredible war with the gallant Leon Mckenzie at York Hall in Bethnal Green (p37). Renda is an absolute credit to the sport and surely deserves a shot at the British title. He’s never ducked anyone, and has taken tough assignments at very short notice. Plus, his conduct outside the ring has been impeccable. So come on BBBOFC and all you promoters! Give this excellent servant of British boxing the shot he deserves! Andreas Stavros
HAILING HOBBS
I WAS impressed with Chris Hobbs’ Guest Column in the August 31 issue, highlighting the jiggery-pokery matchmaking in boxing. It is, of course, unfair to the boxing fan.
It’s disappointing that prospects are usually matched with opponents that they are expected to beat. The stock answer given by promoters and managers is that their charge is learning his trade and gaining experience. Surely it would be quicker to achieve these two objectives if they were matched with an opponent with a similar record – as suggested in the article – enhancing the entertainment value at the same time. Norman Riddell, Edenbridge
MORE ON MARCIANO
FELLOW reader Dermott Mulholland took me back when I read his letter about Rocky Marciano in the August 31 issue. I remember coming across an article in 1966 claiming that a 43-yearold Marciano was planning a comeback, and had had three secret fights – two of his opponents were Wayne Bethea and Bob Foster. Mark Taha