I just said something very similar. I've been critical of Boots in the past for his resume and his dad's propensity for avoiding smoke on his behalf. But I also thought that seeking unifications was the right move, rather than being just another contender at 154. He's young, despite being 9 years in, and if he keeps taking real championship fights and ranked opponents, the doubts will get silenced over time.
I don't hold Boots accountable for the perhaps premature hype of the media and fans. I hold him accountable for what he says and what sort of fights he takes when good fights are available, because that's what he can control.
The line about him getting hit is pretty dumb, IMO. He demonstrated that he has defensive skills, and anyone who thinks differently can damn well get in the ring and try it for themselves. He's never even been wobbled from what I've seen, and he's been hit clean by guys who are good punchers and have real power. His current style means that if he doesn't feel that threatened, he'll happily take a few punches to try to get the finish, and frankly, fans should be HAPPY that he has that style. The same people who crap on him for taking shots are the same ones calling Shakur boring, saying that Rigo is just a runner, or claiming that Jamaine Ortiz ran vs Teo, despite stepping to him in the corner when Teo tried to wave him in, and outlanding him across the course of the fight. Boots has a fan friendly style, so it's frankly bizarre to complain about him getting hit. He gets hit considerably less than, say, Oscar Valdez, and the latter never gets that kind of criticism.
If he pulls an Andrade/Canelo and goes back to fighting low ranked guys while avoiding his mandatories or other champs, I'm going to be on his case. But he fought the guy I wanted him to, and dominated and finished him. Sure, he got hit. But Stanionis usually punches way more, and lands with around 10% better accuracy, so I don't get why people are whining about it. It's all very well to talk about punches you "shouldn't" get hit by, when you're not the one facing those punches.
As someone who's been a critic of Boots' resume and avoidance of smoke over the years, I say the author of this article got it **** on. He fought a better quality guy and performed great. What more needs be said?
I don't hold Boots accountable for the perhaps premature hype of the media and fans. I hold him accountable for what he says and what sort of fights he takes when good fights are available, because that's what he can control.
The line about him getting hit is pretty dumb, IMO. He demonstrated that he has defensive skills, and anyone who thinks differently can damn well get in the ring and try it for themselves. He's never even been wobbled from what I've seen, and he's been hit clean by guys who are good punchers and have real power. His current style means that if he doesn't feel that threatened, he'll happily take a few punches to try to get the finish, and frankly, fans should be HAPPY that he has that style. The same people who crap on him for taking shots are the same ones calling Shakur boring, saying that Rigo is just a runner, or claiming that Jamaine Ortiz ran vs Teo, despite stepping to him in the corner when Teo tried to wave him in, and outlanding him across the course of the fight. Boots has a fan friendly style, so it's frankly bizarre to complain about him getting hit. He gets hit considerably less than, say, Oscar Valdez, and the latter never gets that kind of criticism.
If he pulls an Andrade/Canelo and goes back to fighting low ranked guys while avoiding his mandatories or other champs, I'm going to be on his case. But he fought the guy I wanted him to, and dominated and finished him. Sure, he got hit. But Stanionis usually punches way more, and lands with around 10% better accuracy, so I don't get why people are whining about it. It's all very well to talk about punches you "shouldn't" get hit by, when you're not the one facing those punches.
As someone who's been a critic of Boots' resume and avoidance of smoke over the years, I say the author of this article got it **** on. He fought a better quality guy and performed great. What more needs be said?
mgame
Comment