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Message: [QUOTE="JAXCUSE, post: 4236168, member: 516"] Pretty good day of fights. Early AM and evening. I thought Murata would give GGG a run for his money. Great amateur (like GGG) that just never put it all together as a pro. He was home, younger, rested, a bruiser, Golovkin was inactive and showing father time. I smelled potential upset. And after 5, I thought my prediction looked feasible. Thought Murata had the right strategy (midrange, straight 1-2, went to body hard, controlled distance and kept GGG from working inside). He was hurting Gennady to the midsection, but taking too much return fire. Like you said, GGG clicked into another gear in the 6th and Murata wilted. Sneaky counter right hook ended it (don’t see that punch often). I agree - don’t think GGG is anywhere near Prime anymore, but he still has that ramrod jab, concrete hands and a world-class chin. Reminds me, in a way, of a late career Julio Caesar Chavez Sr. Still an offensive machine, but slower and easier to hit. Also allot more vulnerable to the body. Shaker and mover with power and speed would really give him fits at this stage (maybe the Charlo’s, maybe a Crawford if he’d move up 10 lbs). But, even at this late stage of career, not many at 160 that I would pick over him. That said, I think Canelo beats him up if they share the ring again. Bigger (and better) now…. Thought Tagoe was cherry-picked for Garcia’s return (very long layoff). Size, power, hand speed and reflex differential was marked. I know many pundits don’t like Garcia; I too think he’s underdeveloped and over-hyped. But, I see allot of natural gifts (reminds me of a raw, amateur pre-Olympic Lightweight Oscar De LaHoya in a way) - big for weight, hand speed, natural LH power, reflexes. But he needs allot of technique work. Loops his punches, initiates from too far out/leaps into punches, drops the hands and lifts the chin, no set-up or economy to the offense (just walks to opponent and throws allot). Like you identified, often off balance and failed to cut off the ring effectively. All bad practices/habits. He just boxes (at this stage) with natural physical tools and athleticism. IMO, not nearly enough if thrown in with the Top 5 (or 10…) 135’ers right now. He has millions of YouTube followers though, so I guess there’s that…. Lublin-Fundora may have been the most competitive and action packed of the trilogy today. Don’t see too many 6-6 Jr Mids (Fundora). And one that likes to fight on the inside as well…. Thought it was over early when Fundora dropped Lublin hard in the 2nd. Lublin showed heart and fought back (even dropped Fundora late in the 7th). Corner pulled Lublin out after a rough 9th - he was really busted up and appeared to fight thru a broken nose for several rds. Fundora reminds me a bit of a (less polished) Emanuel Navarette (Featherweight Champ). High motor, stays in pocket, punches in bunches from all over the place. Both fighters came up differently (Fundora not a promotional star, matched tough early, Lublin a PBC stable showcase along with Charlo’s). But Fundora now probably get’s the Charlo-Castano winner next. Good for him. Nice to see a fighter that came up the “hard way” get a chance and succeed…. [/QUOTE]

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