BOXING AND CHECKERS
I THOUGHT the recent Lyndon Arthur-anthony Yarde contest was fascinating, and as usual found David Haye’s observations to be both honest and insightful. However, I was puzzled by his suggestion that Yarde should stop “playing chess” (thinking hard) and start “playing checkers” (presumably not thinking!) Actually, true checkers (draughts) involves rather a lot of thinking: the average tournament game lasts two hours and world championship matches consist of 40 games played over 10 days (around eight hours a day). Should any reader wish to learn more about the game this Christmas, they could do worse than get hold of my Checkers for the Novice (Amazon: £5.49), which will set them well on the road to becoming an expert and correct many popular misconceptions. P.S. Jack Dempsey was said to enjoy checkers and famously wrote the introduction to Tom Wiswell’s best-selling Learn Checkers Fast. Richard Pask, English Match Champion 1995-2006 (ret)
JOSHUA’S DEVELOPMENT
ANTHONY JOSHUA was always a puncher. He is now developing nicely as a patient and rangy boxer, showcasing his burgeoning skills, although his limited lateral movement suggests room for further improvement. In his match against Kubrat Pulev, we were treated to the sight of “AJ’S” uppercuts and combinations, which nearly finished the fight in round three, and a hugely effective jab keeping his ever-willing opponent at bay. Pulev is perhaps a little one-dimensional, but he is blessed with a dangerous right hand and a granite chin. He must be given full credit for being an archetypal fighting man with a resolute spirit. However, class eventually told, and Joshua’s own, final right cross on the chin in the ninth was brutally decisive. Tyson Fury has certainly got his work cut out to win the undisputed heavyweight crown in what promises to be the fight of 2021, if, God willing, it can only be made. Gavin Littaur
REFRESHING INTERVIEW
I’D just like to say how refreshing it was to read Matt Christie’s recent interview with WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman (November 19 issue). I liked the way Matt tried to get some clarity from Mauricio, in order to try to understand some of the WBC’S policies. It is a mess, especially the situation at lightweight, where there are potentially three ‘world champions’. Even after Mauricio answered this question, I’m still no further forward in understanding why they have done this. It doesn’t make sense, but what does make sense in boxing anymore? Matt Gale