Jamie Moore on Floyd Mayweather, Anthony Joshua and gifts for opponents
Friday 18 September 2015 10:25, UK
Floyd Mayweather claims he's retired, Anthony Joshua makes a big noise and Stephen Smith wants attention. Here's Jamie...
Will you miss Floyd Mayweather Jr?
That's a difficult one. He's been so good for the sport in one sense. He's put boxing on the front and back pages and brought a lot of money and attention when he has boxed. At the same time, he's gained a lot of negative press. He dodged Manny Pacquiao for so long and then took him on when he was past his best. For every good headline, there's been a negative one.
He's had bad press in his personal life which is never good for the sport. For all the money he's brought in and the Vegas headlines, there seems to have been a negative aspect too. So I'm caught in two minds. I think boxing-wise, he may be appreciated the more time goes on.
I don't think he'll be missed as a spectacle. He was never one for being involved in exciting fights. If he was involved in a good fight it was usually because the opponent was able to pose him problems rather than Floyd go out there and be exciting. I was never one to sit up through the night to watch Floyd for that reason. It seemed to get to the point where every fight was the same.
He has his lovers and his critics. I'm neither. I appreciate how good he was but I wasn't a fan.
He has his lovers and his critics. I'm neither. I appreciate how good he was but I wasn't a fan.
Is Stephen Smith overlooked because of his brothers?
Maybe so. It's probably one of those situations that can't be helped. Paul Smith has been involved in some big fights lately, Callum is the youngest one coming through and has gained the most headlines over the last 12 months and then you've got Liam with his own world title shot coming up.
It's great times for the family and I'm sure none of them would begrudge another taking the headlines or getting world shots but I suppose Stephen has had to take a bit of a back seat recently. I'm sure he's going to enjoy his own moment if and when it comes when he's the one in the spotlight.
This weekend is his chance to push himself further.
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What impact did the weekend have on Anthony Joshua v Dillian Whyte?
Joshua will be favourite and rightly so, because of the way he's got rid of his opponents. Whyte has been impressive in his own right on smaller stages but the fact he hasn't boxed on the big stages as often as Joshua may count for something on the night. Joshua has that experience. Whyte won't be intimidated but it may affect how he goes about his business.
It was proven to an extent against Gary Cornish that when someone comes to have a fight with Joshua, coming at him in a positive way, it can have a negative effect. Cornish tried to establish himself but it was quickly evident that Joshua is in a different class. I didn't think it would go long - I think I said two or three rounds - but it was even quicker than that.
A lot of the fast finish was down to Cornish and I have to say, I've got more respect for him doing that than I would have had if he'd have survived four rounds by running. I'd much rather see someone try and go and win than try to survive.
Whyte is a different kettle of fish to Cornish. He's going to be a lot more resilient, tougher and a better fighter all round. Technically, I think he'll be better. I think it'll be a very different fight. I think Joshua will overcome him but I think Whyte can really cause him some problems.
Did George Groves win against Badou Jack?
I don't think he did. I think it was very close and you can argue that he won but personally, I thought he lost it by a round. It was one of those fights, and there seem to have been a lot of them lately, where they could go either way and there have been close rounds that could be called for either fighter. I don't think anyone can complain.
I think Groves could have showed a little bit more sportsmanship rather than walk out of the ring. He should have realised and I'm sure he did realise that it was a close fight. Badou Jack deserved a bit more respect than that. I think he should've shaken his hand.
If he feels hard done by then he should be screaming for a rematch. I don't see why not and it was a close fight so I'd like to see it again.
How hurt is Ricky Boylan and where does he go from here?
He is devastated. He just didn't turn up on the night and you can't make excuses. That's a couple of times he's boxed on undercard bouts on big bills and not put in the kind of performance that I've seen in the gym.
We're going to have to have a look at that and try and find the answers to that. He's devastated. It was a huge fight for him locally. He's going to spend a bit of time with the family and evaluate the situation to see where we go from here.
Charlie Edwards gave Louis Norman a gift at the press conference for their fight. If you were going to give one of your opponents a gift, what would you give to who?
I think I'd give the same gift to both Matthew Macklin and Ryan Rhodes. It'd be a sedative. I'd give Macklin a sedative so he'd calm down and stop being so ferocious and one for Rhodes to stop him from knocking me out!
