So far he's been good enough to handle the fringe contender level with ease. He had virtually no trouble with Rigoberto "I'm not Canelo" Alvarez and David Lopez, easily beating both in Mexico. The Alvarez performance was impressive in that he hadn't fought in over a year yet showed no fear in going to Mexico, nor any ring rust. The guy he's fighting tonight is a scrub as far as title challengers go. Should look good, but still a "real" fight or two away from determining where he truly belongs at 154. His only "flaw" so far was not being properly connected. Not sure what Greg Cohen (now his promoter) can do for his career, but we'll see. At the very least, he's fighting the closest thing to a hometown fight tonight.
Oliveira-Tolliver should be fairly quick. Tolliver was shit back in what should've been his prime. Disappointed that this matchup made its way to Shobox
Tolliver looks nearly punched out three rounds in. If he can go one more round, he'd make for a decent future opponent for Zab Judah. That said... can't say I see Oliveira going on to run the tables at middleweight or wherever he plans to land once ready to contend for something
My god this Aussie was terrible. Its hard to get a gauge Trout based on tonight, because the Aussie was a TOTAL punching bag. What I can take away from tonight about Trout. Negative: 1. He's not much of a puncher. A guy with real power woulda had that Aussie on a stretcher as many times as he landed. 2. Holds his right hand too low. He can get away with that vs a slow bag like he was in with tonight, but a guy like Lara would totally destroy him for that. Positive: 1. He has decent enough handspeed, and although he's not a heavy puncher, his punches are pretty sharp. I like his right hook. 2. Picks his shots pretty well. Overall, I think he's talented/skilled enough to be a player at 154. The only guy that I absolutely keep him away from right now is Lara. He's alot better than that fraud Vanes. I know I keep harping on that fuckin greaseball, but I hate him.
LoPorto's corner was waving the towel in the air to stop the fight, but they should've instead wrapped it around the ref's neck for allowing the fight to go on so long. LoPorto's future meals will be served in a glass w/ a straw. I agree, shit opponent, and really a shit card. Well below the normal Shobox standards. Trout's not a power puncher. This fight was designed to make him look good in his hometown. Mission accomplished. his belt makes him a mandatory contender to Cotto-Margarito winner, though more likely scenario is WBA enforcing a Trout-Mundine "unification."
Exactly.. though the equivalent of a surgeon hesitant to perform an operation because he doesn't like the sight of blood.
Honestly, I'm not yet sold on Lara. I know he beat the crap out of Paul Williams, but as evidenced by the large number of fans willing to pick Kirkland to knock him out cold if they fight, it's clear that today's PWill doesn't come with much regard. Despite that fight, Lara is still the same guy who looked like shit against Molina, and fairly ordinary early in his career before Golden Boy started matching him against the first guy to walk into the bar. Trout fought the way he did last night because he wanted the knockout. He's a boxer first (though one who willingly stands in the pocket) and as far as I'm concerned is more proven than Lara at this moment.
The people who are picking Kirkland to knock out Lara aren't basing it off anything substantial. Kirkland was KO'd by Ishida for fucks sake. Lara hits harder than Ishida, is faster, and more skillful. I don't know why Lara looked bad as he did against Molina but he was breathing hard after 4 rounds in that fight, so I question how well he was trained. Plus I had him winning that fight anyway. Lara on top of his game is probably the best at 154 in all honesty.
I'm just saying X, it's one fight. I'm not sure I've seen Lara fight the same way in any two given fights, and like I said, it was just 3-4 months earlier when he looked clueless against Carlos Molina. Trout is generally the same fighter every time out, though more aggressive last night than on most occasions.
I liked what he said during the post fight interview..."if anyone thinks I don't deserve this belt, please come and take it." :laughing:
Ishida is Japanese, something Lampley felt was very important to point out time and again. "Kirkland was last seen getting knocked out by a Japanese fighter." Apparently, Lampley doesn't hold much esteem for Japanese fighters.
Lara fucking sucks...why are some people on this guys dick? He is a goddamn bum who has one combination he throws about 100 times a fight, give him a look and he's a confused C fighter.
Carlos Molina (again) Kirkland Vanes Trout Saul Alvarez Cotto Angulo I'd even give Wolak, Cintron and Rodgiues a chance against him...the FUCKING SUCKS Jesus Christ
I should have expected that from you. Lara beat Molina. He didn't look good in doing so but he won that fight. Kirkland- Don't make me laugh. Lara times Kirkland and clocks the shit out of him with counter punches. Kirkland would fall within 6. Vanes- Now your just trolling. That fraud gets embarassed by Lara. Trout- Good fighter. But Lara is a better boxer and more intelligent. Alvarez- Too slow and too basic. Lara schools him. Cotto- Prime Cotto yes. But this Cotto I'm not so sure. Angulo- The same Angulo who got schooled by Kermit Fucking Cintron??? Yeah ok. :giggle:
