Discussion Classic Fights + Hypothetical '' dream '' match up's

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Macpotata

Macpotata

Norm Smith Medallist
Mar 22, 2017
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Which are the most memorable for you and which ones really stick out in your memory?

Quite a few for me. I'll start with a fight game that has taken a backwards step in more recent times and bring up some kickboxing. Mike Zambidis the Greek born K-1 fighter and multi world champion was an outstanding talent with excruciatingly lethal hands. He had a couple of famous and brutal bouts with another Aussie Kickboxing legend in Gurkan Ozkan. Loved the days when kickboxing was thriving and pretty big in Australia. We've had some quality home grown fighters as well as other talent step on Aussie soil from offshore. Here's Zambidis, born in Sparta go figure. He sure is a Spartan Warrior.

ZAMBIDIS.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Zambidis

181 bouts for 157 wins, 87 by KO. Very impressive resume.

From what I can recall although I could be wrong, there was genuine bad blood between the two and a dislike for each other. There was the Greece vs Turkey rivalry, but I think it stemmed from the build up to the first fight, or after the second. In any case this was a famous fight with a famous finish.



Just googling Ozkan now I found out that he went to jail for at least two years back in 2012. It's the first I heard of this and was surprised, albeit not surprised if you can understand and I'm sure many of you can when it comes to fighters. Many people who don't understand fighters or the fight game have a negative view of such characters and certainly like anything in life there are good and bad in all aspects. With athletes and particularly fighters they have an almost primal rage in them. This is not to stereotype all fighters because again the emphasis is on not all are the same. Some are ticking time bombs and when they aren't fighting or post career, don't have that outlet, focus and mental and physical release they get when they are prepping for a fight or just in the gym. There is no end goal, no drive, no goal in sight. They merely get lost. You see it in Footballers and NFL players too when they hang their boots up. In now way am I condoning it, but I do understand it. Anyway it was a great bout between two great fighters and sportsmen. Zambidis was well trained in boxing and the way he puts his punches together you could easily mistake him for a pro boxer.


What led me to Zambidis first was another fight in actual fact where he was the much fancied favourite bluing against New Zealand's Mike Cope { I think he's from NZ :) } Anyway it just goes to show no matter how good you are or how much of a favourite you can be, you are always susceptible to a loss. Granted Cope was no slouch, but this was a famous upset win and one that pretty much no one saw coming.




check it out, it didn't last long.


Anyway I thought I would post something different than just your UFC and boxing fights. I did come here to ask more so for those as opposed to kickboxing but I remembered these and thought I'd share. On Cope's victory is also goes to show there are various ways to win a fight and even if you do down or are hurt, you're not out of it and can still emerge the victor.


One fight I will add is the famous victory from Kostya Tszyu against the flashy and cocky Zab Judah. The famous '' chicken dance ''



Styles make fights. I thought Kostya was going to meet his match with the younger, faster, flashier Judah but you also can't underestimate and disregard knowledge and a savvy experienced veteran in Tszyu. Just because one guy might like the prettier fighter, the more exuberant and the more flamboyant does not mean he is the better fighter or will always win. Zab provided more angles, flashier and slicker foot work and head movement { not when it mattered } along with pace and combos but Tszyu had timing and precision on his side as well as ring smarts and an impeccable fight I.Q. Tzsyu showed it's not always about flamboyance and show skills it's about getting the work done, and there are many ways to skin a cat. Zab had the foot speed as well as hand speed but the old Lion won out by planting him not where he was, but where he was GOING to be. Perfect execution by our Russian born adopted Aussie. Shut that loud mouth up quite nicely I must say:)





Share some of your most memorable fights as well as fighters you've taken a liking to.
 
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On the fight game. If you train in it or are consider taking it up, adopt a style that works for YOU. As was the case with Kostya, he wasn't the in and out flashy head moving fighter like Zab was. He didn't have the foot speed or hand speed that Judah had. Yet he still won. That's the beauty of fighters and fighting. There are many ways to win. There is no need to over complicate it or try to utilise a style that is not best suited for you. A simple game plan can go along way. Certainly as the level in competition grows so to will you have to in many various avenues not only physically but mentally and strategically. But to simplify it and emphasis firmly on the word simplify, If you're a kickboxer and have no wresting background you wouldn't try to take down a wrestler would you. If You're a boxer are you going to stand there and trade thigh kicks with a kickboxer? If You're a BJJ and wrestling specialist would you trade combos and go toe to toe with a boxer? If you have a bumper right hand and can knock an opponent out with one shot and it's worked, are you not going to throw it? Conversely if you're a combination thrower and get your best outcome when you're mixing them up, would you resort to throwing one punch at a time? Hell no. Use and utilise what's in your Arsenal and in your bag of tricks. Keep it simple when need be, but learn, use and evolve especially when you merely you have to { you should always be evolving not just in fighting but in life } Mix it up, evolve, but don't shy away from YOUR best attributes.


Go and catch that chicken Rock. Get up you son of a bitch. Cos Mickey loves ya!
 
Macpotata said:
On the fight game. If you train in it or are consider taking it up, adopt a style that works for YOU. As was the case with Kostya, he wasn't the in and out flashy head moving fighter like Zab was. He didn't have the foot speed or hand speed that Judah had. Yet he still won. That's the beauty of fighters and fighting.
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Kostya had effective footwork that suited his style in the professional ranks - he adapted well. If you watch Tszyu in the amateur's against Vernon Forrest you will see that he had impeccable timing and footwork. With all those amateur fights, honing and working on the basics (like footwork, positioning, and timing) it provided Kostya a good foundation for the pros. It is just that he adapted a different fighting style in the professional ranks, and that is what made him so effective. Zab Judah had great handspeed and reasonable footwork but Tszyu had great timing, power, and also effective footwork. He didn't waste time bouncing around. Tszyu knew what worked for him in the pros, whereas if you watch some of his amateur fights you'll see a different fighter (as he adapted himself to the amateur ranks before he turned pro). He regularly out punches Vernon Forrest in their amateur fight and often beats him with speed, timing and positioning. It is no easy feat to do that against someone who holds such a long reach advantage over you. In the pros he sat down on his punches and used his power - that is why he footwork slowed, but don't let that fool you, he used his feet to put him in positions to do serious damage. That is what the pro's are about. If you get the KO you don't need the judges and you won't be conned.
 

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Farm Boy said:
Kostya had effective footwork that suited his style in the professional ranks - he adapted well. If you watch Tszyu in the amateur's against Vernon Forrest you will see that he had impeccable timing and footwork. With all those amateur fights, honing and working on the basics (like footwork, positioning, and timing) it provided Kostya a good foundation for the pros. It is just that he adapted a different fighting style in the professional ranks, and that is what made him so effective. Zab Judah had great handspeed and reasonable footwork but Tszyu had great timing, power, and also effective footwork. He didn't waste time bouncing around. Tszyu knew what worked for him in the pros, whereas if you watch some of his amateur fights you'll see a different fighter (as he adapted himself to the amateur ranks before he turned pro). He regularly out punches Vernon Forrest in their amateur fight and often beats him with speed, timing and positioning. It is no easy feat to do that against someone who holds such a long reach advantage over you. In the pros he sat down on his punches and used his power - that is why he footwork slowed, but don't let that fool you, he used his feet to put him in positions to do serious damage. That is what the pro's are about. If you get the KO you don't need the judges and you won't be conned.
Click to expand...
Nice. Good analysis. Love your work and knowledge as always mate. I'll check out the Forrest fight when I get a chance too.

Well said.
 
Macpotata said:
One fight I will add is the famous victory from Kostya Tszyu against the flashy and cocky Zab Judah. The famous '' chicken dance ''



Styles make fights. I thought Kostya was going to meet his match with the younger, faster, flashier Judah but you also can't underestimate and disregard knowledge and a savvy experienced veteran in Tszyu. Just because one guy might like the prettier fighter, the more exuberant and the more flamboyant does not mean he is the better fighter or will always win. Zab provided more angles, flashier and slicker foot work and head movement { not when it mattered } along with pace and combos but Tszyu had timing and precision on his side as well as ring smarts and an impeccable fight I.Q. Tzsyu showed it's not always about flamboyance and show skills it's about getting the work done, and there are many ways to skin a cat. Zab had the foot speed as well as hand speed but the old Lion won out by planting him not where he was, but where he was GOING to be. Perfect execution by our Russian born adopted Aussie. Shut that loud mouth up quite nicely I must say:)





Share some of your most memorable fights as well as fighters you've taken a liking to.
Click to expand...


I love watching that fight. Judah would surely look back on that fight and wonder why he was protesting the stoppage. Tszyu hit so damn hard that it was an easy stoppage to call. He would have did serious damage had that of not been stopped. Such a great fighter. I think Tszyu gives Mayweather hell if they ever fought. That would of been a hell of a fight. I rate Tszyu very highly, he was a student of the game at an early age. The only fighter at 140-147 that would have beat Mayweather during their careers. They could have fought at one point, I understand Floyd was actually chasing the fight - as well as chasing a prime Sugar Shane, which would have also been a great fight at the time.
 
Just watched Kostya's fight with Forrest Farm Boy. Brilliant. Head movement, evasiveness, speed, to hit and not get hit as well as counter, beautiful display of boxing skills.
 
I liked Forrest. I thought he'd beat Mosely when they fought. Pity about his death. *en hell a few boxers met their demise in bad fashion like Him, Gatti, Corrales etc.
 
I often watch the Holmes v Norton fight.

Intriguing fight.

Both fighters shook each other and had every chance of winning.

Norton probably lost the fight by not doing to much in the first few rounds.

Much like he lost Ali III by playing the last round too safe.
 
Freofalcon said:
I often watch the Holmes v Norton fight.

Intriguing fight.

Both fighters shook each other and had every chance of winning.

Norton probably lost the fight by not doing to much in the first few rounds.

Much like he lost Ali III by playing the last round too safe.
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Talking about playing the last few rounds safe, that's what Oscar De La Hoya did in 1999 against Tito Trinidad. De La hOya thought he was robbed, so did many others. Others I spoke to years later when they watched it again thought Trinidad Shaded it, due to Oscar D's inactivity in the last few rounds.

It wasn't a classic in terms of the fight itself, but it sure was a huge bout and a big one in boxing history.

We might need FarmBoy to make a come back and shake up the Welterweight Division:fire:
 
Macpotata said:
Talking about playing the last few rounds safe, that's what Oscar De La Hoya did in 1999 against Tito Trinidad. De La hOya thought he was robbed, so did many others. Others I spoke to years later when they watched it again thought Trinidad Shaded it, due to Oscar D's inactivity in the last few rounds.

It wasn't a classic in terms of the fight itself, but it sure was a huge bout and a big one in boxing history.

We might need FarmBoy to make a come back and shake up the Welterweight Division:fire:
Click to expand...

De La Hoya got a couple of questionable calls of his own against Whitaker and Quartey. I personally thought he lost both of those fights but haven't seen his fight with Trinidad.
 
Guy Threepwood said:
De La Hoya got a couple of questionable calls of his own against Whitaker and Quartey. I personally thought he lost both of those fights but haven't seen his fight with Trinidad.
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I didn't see Whitaker but I agree on Quartey. That was a great fight, the last round epic.
 

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Macpotata said:
I didn't see Whitaker but I agree on Quartey. That was a great fight, the last round epic.
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Rounds 6 and 12 of the Quartey fight were both brilliant. The Whitaker fight above isn't as action packed, but if you can appreciate boxing footwork and defense you'll love watching Whitaker.
 
Guy Threepwood said:


Rounds 6 and 12 of the Quartey fight were both brilliant. The Whitaker fight above isn't as action packed, but if you can appreciate boxing footwork and defense you'll love watching Whitaker.
Click to expand...

I love boxing footwork and D. Because that's what boxing is. All the best boxers have that first and foremost. If you don't have that as a boxer, you aint s**t and you aint a boxer:laughing:
 


I think if memory serves correct they gave the first fight a draw but Lewis won, and the second fight Eholy won but they gave it to Lewis to make up for the firsto_O

De La Hoya vs Mosley number 1 was an electric fight.
 
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awesome slipping from Judah then with the counter. Love it.


edited - It was good, but after re-watching it for the first time in about 18 years, I thought it was better than it actually was.
 
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GG.exe said:
6:33: Grant suffered a dislocated jaw and 26 lacerations on his tongue. Butler was convicted of 2nd degree assault and served 4 months time. Three years later, Butler killed a sports writer with a hammer and set fire to his apartment, and was sentenced to 29 years time.
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WTF!!!!!!
 
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