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Message: [QUOTE="JAXCUSE, post: 4254140, member: 516"] Not a fan of woman’s boxing either, but agree - watched Taylor/Serrano and it was very action packed. Evenly matched, great atmosphere, high contact and momentum shifts. Thought Serrano gassed herself a bit during the big 5th rd. I too believed Katie was done, but she showed heart and recovered. Got her 2nd wind down the stretch and thought she squeaked it out (expected a draw, so DAZN could rematch). While skill level, athleticism and strength are no where near the men’s game, women’s boxing would gain more fans/greater market if the promoters would make fights like this (and not follow the men’s promotional model of trying to build fan interest around individual fighters/personalities). Just my opinion - Anne Wolfe or Layla Ali were the best and most complete women’s boxers I’ve seen. Different era, not much competition and both were rather big (almost 160 if memory serves) for their opponents. Curiously, they never fought (should have - same era). Wolfe today has a reputation as a ferocious trainer for male boxers (generally avoid her because her physical regime is so demanding). Bottom Line - not enough depth or skill in the game to gain my dedicated interest. But to each his own…. I agree - Stevenson/Valdez wasn’t all that competitive. Expected better. I had it 10-2 Stevenson w/ a flash knockdown. Shakur looked great - Unified 130 Champ. Reflexes, strength and hand speed. Sure used the rehydration clause to good effect - looked like a JrWelter in there tonight. Thought he could have tried to close things out down the stretch, but deferred. Valdez just couldn’t get Stevenson out of the comfort zone. Or change the pocket. Leaning over the knees in the peek-a-boo markedly - thought he might get clipped. Thought Oscar made the right adjustment in the 3rd. He found something by pressing, cutting angle to the body and using the lead right. Then, he went back to distance and let Stevenson dictate. And dominate…. Trying to set traps and time/counter Shakur (with one big LH from distance) was not a good strategy. Thought Bradley and Andre were right - Valdez needed to fire away and try to walk through Shakur. Shorten distance and keep him in the phone booth. He’d take a beating, but was the only way to put enough leather on Stevenson to make a difference. Obviously, easier said than done and don’t think he ever really tried it - too wary of the consequence. I thought Valdez would be a good measuring stick for Shakur. Tell us allot how he’ll match up with the top young 135’s. Think he’s maturing nicely into the pro style (thought he would eventually) - sets down more on punches, less back foot, less risk adverse. As you identified, not a real KO puncher and need to see how he handles adversity, but I’d say he’s ready for the jump (no one left at 130). Stacks up favorably with them all. Hope Bob matches him aggressively - Kambosos/Haney winner would be nice by end of year. Maybe Keyshawn Davis from the undercard (same promoter, amateur pedigree). Loma if he’s able/available after. Then cross-promotional with Tank Davis. Guess I can dream…. [/QUOTE]

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