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I thought I watched the most mind-numbing fight 33 years ago but Okolie vs Billam-Smith was the worst title bout

, I thought I watched the most mind-numbing fight 33 years ago but Okolie vs Billam-Smith was the worst title bout

FOR 33 years the excruciating bore-draw clash between Johnny Nelson and Puerto Rican Carlos De Leon has been unopposed as the worst world title fight ever in this country.

The fans were subjected to 12 sleep-inducing rounds and those who did manage to stay awake in Sheffield’s City Hall could have counted the number of meaningful punches on their fingers.

Chris Billam-Smith was denied the chance to turn on the style by Lawrence Okolie, who wrapped his arms around and should have been disqualified

, I thought I watched the most mind-numbing fight 33 years ago but Okolie vs Billam-Smith was the worst title bout
Johnny Nelson’s draw with Carlos De Leon in 1990 was another real shocker

Until Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith wrestled through their WBO cruiserweight title contest last Saturday, I never thought I would have to again suffer such a mind-numbing experience from so-called elite boxers.

Nelson, a respected TV pundit, can  rest easy now the stigma he was saddled with has at last been lifted off his shoulders.

Marcus Mc­Donnell, one of Britain’s finest and most experienced referees, is to blame for allowing  Sky viewers and the 15,000 sell-out crowd at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium to take unnecessary punishment.

McDonnell should have had the courage to disqualify Okolie for making a mockery of such an important fight.

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I felt extremely sorry for local boy Billam-Smith — eager to put on a good show for his family and friends but stifled by Okolie’s constant holding.

Limpet Lawrence, from the opening bell,  wrapped his long arms around him and refused to let go for most of the 36 minutes until Billam-Smith lifted the crown with a majority points win.

And an exasperated McDonnell several times stopped the action to angrily lecture Okolie about his  persistent rule-breaking.

Marcus bent over backwards so far, being kind to Okolie by not throwing him out, that it’s  a wonder he didn’t snap his spinal cord.

He did at least deduct a couple of points but that still didn’t stop Okolie holding on to Billam-Smith for dear life.

Chris must have  been mightily relieved that Okolie wasn’t still clinging to him when he went home.

I can understand McDonnell’s reluctance to dismiss Okolie.

No doubt, he had the paying ringside customers in mind.

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And he knew that, if he did disqualify him, Okolie’s purse would have been withheld pending a disciplinary hearing, which could have led to a sizeable fine.

Marcus should have copied the late, great Mills Lane, who refereed Lennox Lewis’ world heavyweight title defence against Henry Akinwande in Nevada 26 years ago.

Akinwande decided he wasn’t going to risk being hit so he grabbed Lewis’s arms from the start and refused to let go.

After taking a point off Akinwande, Mills lost his patience in  the fifth when he spent 19 seconds trying to  get Henry to release his grip.

Along with everyone else, I cheered when he sent Akinwande back to his dressing room in disgrace.

The alarming postscript to last weekend’s miserable affair came when Okolie immediately announced that he was invoking the return-fight clause.

Surely, only the most extreme masochists would want to see that again…

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to improve my punching?

Boxing’s most important aspect is punching form. You must develop good punch technique if you want to become a better boxer. Here are some tips to improve your punching form.

  • Keep your head high. Keep your head up when you’re throwing punches.
  • Punch from your shoulder. When you throw a punch, try to hit the target from the shoulder instead of the chin.
  • Pay attention to your feet. Avoid moving your feet while you punch.
  • Use short punches that are quick. You will feel tired quicker if you throw longer punches.
  • Don’t forget about defense! Remember to stop incoming punches.
  • Use your elbows. The best way to defend your self is with your elbows.
  • Learn how to use your legs. Learn to properly use your legs.
  • Always practice. You will feel tired when you finish training. Keep going. It takes practice to get good at anything.
  • Have fun Enjoy what you are doing.
  • Remember to breathe. Being able to breathe properly will make you more powerful and provide you with energy.
  • Relax. Do not worry about making mistakes. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Instead, focus on learning new skills.
  • Be patient. Boxing can be difficult. It takes time to master your skills.
  • Never stop learning. There will always be improvement.
  • Listen to music. Music can help you relax and concentrate during training.
  • Watch videos of professional boxers. It can inspire you to do better.
  • Read books. Reading helps you better understand boxing techniques.
  • You need to take breaks. Sometimes it helps to take a break from boxing. Play soccer or basketball outdoors.
  • Find a coach. Coaching can make you more efficient at boxing.
  • Do push-ups. Push-ups help build strength and endurance.

Do I have to fight in order to train boxing?

Boxing is not possible without fighting. You must put in the work to get better at boxing. You will be able to improve your boxing technique and endurance.

Watching good boxers fight is the first step to improving your boxing technique. The first step towards improving your boxing technique is to watch some good fighters. Watch their moves, how they throw the punches, and how you defend yourself. Then, copy their tactics.

Next, you need to spar with another boxer. This is where you’ll see whether you’ve improved your boxing technique. When you spar, you’ll also notice how fast you can punch, how strong your punches feel, and how well you block incoming punches.

Finally, you’ll need to practice your boxing skills by doing drills. Practice makes perfect, so be patient and persistent.

What are the differences between different types of boxing gloves

There are three types of boxing gloves available: mitts and fingerless mitts. Mitten gloves have padding at the knuckles. Fingerless mitts don’t have any padding around your knuckles but still cover your fingers. Full-fingered gloves have padding on the entire hand.

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Mittens can be used for hitting the fist with your fist. Fingerless mitt gloves are used for punching or striking with the knuckle of the index finger. Boxing gloves that are full-fingered can be used to punch with your whole fist.

What are the potential benefits of learning to Box?

Here are some reasons to learn boxing:

  • It builds confidence. Learning to box will give you the courage to face bullies or other people who might try to bully you.
  • It improves your overall health. Boxing builds muscle mass. Muscle mass makes you stronger.
  • It teaches you self-defense skills. Learn how to fight to learn how you can protect yourself.
  • It increases your mental toughness. Mental toughness is important when you’re facing challenges.
  • It gives you a sense of accomplishment. When you master a particular technique, it will make you feel like a true fighter.
  • It’s fun! Nothing is more fun than being punched in a stomach.
  • It’s cheap. It only takes a pair if boxing gloves, and a punchingbag.
  • It doesn’t need much space

Statistics

  • It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
  • You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)

External Links

boxandflow.com

expertboxing.com

How To

How do I set up a boxing gym at my house?

A common question that people ask is how to set up a gym for boxing. Many people ask how much money they should spend on equipment, what kind of space is needed, how many employees do you think you need etc. There are many things that will affect the cost to start your own business. Some of them include location, type of business, number of employees, marketing budget, competition etc. The importance of having quality equipment is something that many people forget. If you don’t have any equipment then you cannot get started. These are some great tips for starting a home boxing club.

  1. You will need somewhere to train. It could be a garage, basement or spare room. Even the living room will work. Only one thing is required: there must be enough room to install the equipment.
  2. A punching bag is essential. This is vital because you won’t have the ability to practice punches without it. This can be anything from a small plastic bag to heavy leather bags. It should be big enough that you can comfortably carry it. It should be strong and durable to ensure that you can use it for many years.
  3. You will need a pad. Matting is used to protect floors or walls while practicing kicks. It is made mostly of foam rubber. They can be bought online or offline stores.
  4. A bench is necessary. Bench is used to support your body while doing pushups. They can be ordered online or in local stores. But make sure to choose the right size.
  5. A speedbag is essential. Speedbags are used to develop fast hand movements. You can buy them from either online or offline shops. Make sure that you buy a quality product which will last long.
  6. Headgear is necessary. You need a headgear to protect your head while sparring. It can be bought online or in-store. Make certain that you choose something that fits well and protects your face.
  7. Gloves will be necessary. Gloves protect your hands during sparring sessions. These gloves can be bought online or in stores. Find the right pair for you.
  8. A mouthpiece is necessary. Mouthpieces are used to protect your teeth during sparring sessions. These mouthpieces can be bought online or in stores. Choose the right pair for you.
  9. You will need a ring. Rings can be used to simulate real fights. These rings can be bought online or offline. It should have padding on both sides, so you don’t get hurt during sparring.
  10. A towel is essential. Towels are used to wipe sweat off after each workout session. These towels can be bought at your local sporting goods store, or online. You should ensure that they are absorbent and soft.

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