The Roar
The Roar

Daniel Attias

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Joined March 2016

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Daniel covers the sport of boxing for various outlets, both here in Australia and overseas. He is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and an elector for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

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The way his game plan changed after being dropped in the first round forced him to respect George’s skillset. He would never admit to it but actions often speak louder than words. The post fight rant was cringeworthy though.

'Greatest fighter ever from Australia': The huge motivation driving George Kambosos on his 'hard road' to the top

I understand what you’re saying and there are many fighters who go the easier route. The whole risk vs. reward debate is a big part of the sport but imagine a footballer not wanting to play in the world cup or a basketballer preferring to play in the NBL as opposed to the NBA. As a professional athlete, surely competing at the highest level is the goal.

The key strategic error holding back Tim Tsyzu

I think the Zerafa fight was really the last piece of business left for him on the domestic scene. His growth as a fighter has been immense since his debut but that continued growth requires Tim to be challenged. The U.S offers that.

Too many Aussie fighters in recent years have built their records domestically then fought for world titles and lost badly. I think a few fights against legitimate contenders Stateside is exactly what Tim needs now.

The key strategic error holding back Tim Tsyzu

I was wondering if anyone would bring that up RBB! For the record, I agree with you but there are plenty out there who feel Leonard done enough to win it.

The Golovkin dilemma: Go up in weight or go down as a dodger

The bigger question for me here, is who has Golovkin beaten? Sure, he doesn’t have to go up in weight, he is a middleweight after all but should he choose to stay at that weight who will be his finest victory when all is said and done? Geale? Lemiuex? No offence to those guys but those wins don’t exactly wow me, or many others for that matter,

Ali had Foreman and Frazier. Pacquiao beat Morales, Cotto, Hatton and Barrera, Sugar Ray Robinson was primarily a welterweight but what makes him the greatest in many peoples eyes was his championship run at middleweight. Harry Greb often beat bigger men, Sugar Ray Leonard beat Hagler at middleweight, the list goes on.

I’m certainly not saying Golovkin isn’t a great champion, he has cleaned out his division, what I am saying is that should he wish to be mentioned in the same category as those aforementioned legends, he needs to take a risk and step up. He needs a big name on his resume. He has the talent to do so, does he have the fortitude?

The Golovkin dilemma: Go up in weight or go down as a dodger

I agree that there’s some good ‘potential’ matches at 160 for Golovkin Nic, but as you said, its become pretty clear that the likes of Jacobs, BSJ and Canelo are clearly ducking him and at 34 years of age he doesn’t have the time to wait for the Charlo’s, Andrade or J-Rock to move up from 154.

Titles at 168 would add a lot more to his legacy than fighting fringe guys at middleweight and the aforementioned big fights at 175 would undoubtedly make him an all-time great.

Lets hope we can see a mega fight for him in the near future, he deserves that, if he wants to risk going up that far in weight that is.

The Golovkin dilemma: Go up in weight or go down as a dodger

Thanks Grafter. Oscar certainly didn’t want to risk his cash cow losing, hence the decision to drop the belt and avoid Golovkin. The business side of the sport has a lot to answer for.

The Golovkin dilemma: Go up in weight or go down as a dodger

Really Boston? Surely that pick will translate into a trade…

2016 NBA Draft: Ben Simmons, Thon Maker live updates, blog

Couldn’t agree more, Jack. The regional titles are a joke and are making our fighters think they are better than what they are. You’re only as good as the last guy you beat, and in order to improve as a fighter that last guy you beat should have been much better than the one before. We’re not seeing this happen though, and it shows.

Aussie boxing on the ropes

Thanks Peter. Whatever British boxing is doing right now sure is working, there are some great fighters on the world stage right now from the U.K. Joshua is an amazing talent and I look forward to seeing him fight some quality opposition in the near future.

Aussie boxing on the ropes

It wasnt that long ago that Fury was thought of as nothing but a big slow oaf of a fighter, nobody gave him a chance against Klitschko but all of a sudden he’s completely unbeatable? You wouldn’t happen to be a Brit now would you Nick?

Fury may or may not have chosen to fight Browne, I didn’t state that the fight was a go. I did state that the WBA had mandated the tournament, and if all went to plan Browne may have to face Fury. Not all fights are super-fights and the fact of the matter is that Browne would be a credible opponent if he beat Oquendo or Ortiz in the lead up to a showdown with Fury.

I understand that money is pivotal in a fighters career, it is called prize fighting after all, but nowhere has anyone in Browne’s camp mentioned doing anything other than finishing the WBA tournament, Haye has nothing to do with this, and your speculations about Haye mean very little here. We all saw what he amounted too against Wlad when he had his chance at the lineal title. He ran and blamed it on a sore toe.

Haye sells tickets, I get that. It makes him attractive as an opponent but that doesn’t mean everyone is out there ‘chomping at the bit’ to land a fight with Haye at all costs. Also, how many tune-ups does the superstar have before becoming the king of the heavyweights? His next opponent is just as bad as De Mori was…

I think Anthony Joshua is an a amazing talent, but to say he’s on the elite level now when all he has done is beat Charles Martin reeks of bias. Joshua hasn’t fought anyone as good as Ruslan Chagaev, yet he’s elite, and Browne is a joke? Seriously?

Your argument and agenda here all seems to revolve around your unabashed love for British fighters, Nick.

Why Lucas Browne may never fight again

Nick, thanks for the reply. I was never under the assumption that Browne was able to clear out the heavyweight division, I even wrote a piece before the positive test came out stating that I was of the opinion that Browne was actually a fairly limited fighter and he would more than likely lose in the near future.

‘Big Daddy’ Lucas Browne’s tough road ahead

My aim with this piece was to inform readers that despite the recent positivity surrounding the clean test before the fight, Browne still had a long way to go in order to clear his name, and that it was likely he would be suspended. I then merely pointed out what options he had in order to get back to where he is currently, and why that may lead to us never seeing him fight again. I also agreed that it made no sense for him to take the drug in the days leading up to the bout, but that common sense meant very little in the grand scheme of things and held no sway over his impending suspension.

Now, onto the real crux of the issue here. David Haye. Seriously? Firstly, Browne was always going to continue with the WBA tournament, that meant facing guys like Oquendo, Ortiz, Fury etc. I had my doubts about him beating those guys too, but Haye is not even in the picture right now, not sure why you would even mention his name to be honest. He may be back fighting, but after a long lay-off, and one win over a horrible De Mori, what exactly qualifies Haye to be even mentioned right now? Just look at his next opponent, not what I would call quality! Until he fights someone of note, lets not talk of his ‘ascent to the real WBA championship mandatory position.’

Why Lucas Browne may never fight again

Loved this! Pop would be an intimidating interview for even the most experienced I would imagine.

My dream interview with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich

Yeah I do, but it was always going to be hard to top that. He’s young, will take some time to develop, and I also feel he hasn’t seen the ball as much as he should. I just think they need to stick with him, he is the future in the halves for us.

Griffin's selection headache could come sooner rather than later

It’s a tough decision for Griffin to make, Wallace has been phenomenal playing in the number nine jersey, but Segeyaro does bring a certain attacking presence out of dummy half. Wallace has been a workhorse on defence, but I personally find it hard to see him in a starting role when Chicko is back, and Martin is a kid I’d like to see the Panthers continue to stick with in the halves. He has such potential and deserves to continue to play in first grade.

Griffin's selection headache could come sooner rather than later

Hi Peter,

I agree that Britain is getting it completely right when it comes to bringing fighters along. From the amateurs to the pros the results do speak for themselves. Our guys could definitely learn a thing or two from the way in which your fighters are being trained and the way in which they are matched up with opponents. Congrats on another world champ in Anthony Joshua too, he’s one hell of an athletic specimen, one who can punch like a mule.

Aussie boxing on the ropes

Thanks James. Couldn’t agree more about the padding of records, its ruining the career of many a young fighter.

We do have a few talented guys, but the amount of talented fighters wasting their careers fighting stiffs is all too apparent. Horn is a great prospect, I’m glad he’s fighting Bailey next up too. He may be old but he’s a proven puncher and he will be a good step up for Horn at this stage of his career.

Steve Lovett is one to keep an eye on too. He’s plying his craft in America and from all reports is learning a lot and is impressing many.

Aussie boxing on the ropes

I’ve kept a keen eye on Watts for some time now. I think she is more than capable of winning a medal. Lets hope one of these three can end the drought for us.

Road to Rio: Aussie boxers qualify for the Olympics

Soliman had his B sample tested and it came back negative. Browne is going a different route to Sam, as his team is conducting their own investigation in order to clear his name, a much tougher proposition if you ask me. I hope Lucas does get cleared, his win was huge for boxing in this country, would be sad for it to end this way.

Why Lucas Browne may never fight again

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) conducted the testing at the request of Browne and his team. They have a good track record with getting it right in matters such as these but there really needs to a single body who tests all fighters.

I agree that the whole fight reeks of corruption but the substance itself is used to burn off fat and Lucas did come in at the lightest weight he has ever been for a fight; he looked better than he ever has in my opinion. Not to mention his tactics for the fight itself were to be more mobile, use his footwork more and keep out of range of Chagaev, there’s no doubting his lighter weight would have been advantageous there.

No doubt he will get the ‘B sample’ tested. Lets hope it comes back negative.

World heavyweight boxing champion Lucas Browne failing a drug test stinks to high heaven

You could be on to something there KingKongBundy. I was thinking purely based on the weight factor, and the fact that heavyweights don’t need to cut or make weight. His newfound boxing skills and footwork could have been, in part at least, attributed to his leaner frame.

I’ll wait for the B sample to come back before I write him off, but it doesn’t look good for Australian boxing right now.

'Big Daddy' Lucas Browne's tough road ahead

Klitschko certainly was gun shy. It was a horrible fight but showed that maybe Wlad’s days as the heavyweight kingpin are over. I certainly hope so. The division badly needs new life. Bring on Parker and Joshua and co.

'Big Daddy' Lucas Browne's tough road ahead

Funny you say that. Browne came in the lightest he’s ever been for the Chagaev fight and the banned substance reportedly found was clenbuterol, which is often used as a fat burner. It’s usually used by guys to make weight, strange a heavyweight would use it.

'Big Daddy' Lucas Browne's tough road ahead

Thanks, Patrick. Huge news this morning, very disappointing too. Interesting to see how this all plays out now.

'Big Daddy' Lucas Browne's tough road ahead

No doubting Joshua and Parker seem to be the future of the division; they both have big fights scheduled soon too. The heavyweight division seems to have come alive since Fury defeated Klitschko.

'Big Daddy' Lucas Browne's tough road ahead

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