Editorial Archives - BrawlBros.com https://brawlbros.com/category/editorial/ Fight For Something Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:32:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://brawlbros.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cropped-Brawl-Bros-Main-Logo-32x32.png Editorial Archives - BrawlBros.com https://brawlbros.com/category/editorial/ 32 32 The Rock Diet Plan, What He Eats in a Day, and What He Ate for Specific Movies https://brawlbros.com/the-rock-diet-plan/ https://brawlbros.com/the-rock-diet-plan/#respond Mon, 05 Apr 2021 18:21:14 +0000 https://brawlbros.com/?p=3859 The Rock, a.k.a Dwayne Johnson, may as well be Miriam Webster’s definition for ripped. While his work ethic is second to none, his muscle mass and low body fat can be attributed to his disciplined diet. In fact, so many people want to follow his secrets for success, both in and out of the gym, that he even started his ...

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]]> The Rock, a.k.a Dwayne Johnson, may as well be Miriam Webster’s definition for ripped. While his work ethic is second to none, his muscle mass and low body fat can be attributed to his disciplined diet. In fact, so many people want to follow his secrets for success, both in and out of the gym, that he even started his own workout clothing line with Under Armour. Because who doesn’t want to look good and feel good while working out?

The Rock’s diet remains relatively the same despite a few alterations in portion size and which foods he eats for particular movies. Regardless of which movie he’s eating for, we know one thing is true. He eats a lot! 

That may not make sense in terms of diet but he likes to think of diet in a different way. 

Let’s explore how. 

The Rock’s Typical Diet

In order to understand the Rock’s diet, we must first really understand what he means by diet. It isn’t the normal association of restriction in intake. It’s more about choosing a healthy lifestyle and diet. 

He has two diet plans essentially. One is his “normal” regimen for staying fit and healthy, while the other is for packing on more muscle mass for a specific role.

These plans are the  “Five-Meal Diet Plan” and the “Seven-Meal Diet Plan”.

Note: His diet plan is not cheap! Just for one day, you’ll need to buy 20 ounces of steak alone with chicken and salmon. 

Five-Meal Plan:

His five-meal day plan consists of high protein intake, simple carbs, and some vegetables. 

Here is what the Rock typically eats on an average day.

Meal 1: 

  • 10 oz steak
  • 2 cups of oatmeal
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 glass of watermelon juice

Meal 2: 

  • 2 servings of chicken
  • 2 bell peppers
  • 3 cups of mushrooms
  • 3 cups of broccoli 
  • 1 protein shake

Meal 3: 

  • 9 oz salmon
  • 8 asparagus tips
  • 2 cups of rice medley
  • 2 whole egg
  • 3 cups of broccoli

Meal 4: 

  • 10 oz steak
  • 8 asparagus tips
  • 3 baked potatoes
  • 1 glass of orange juice

Meal 5: 

  • 10 egg whites
  • 20 grams of casein protein

Seven-Meal Plan:

This looks very similar to his five-meal except a lot more cod is introduced and lean protein as he tries to bulk up on muscle mass and cut down on body fat. 

Here is what the Rock typically eats during his bulking diet plan. 

Meal 1: 

  • 10 oz cod
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 2 cups of oatmeal

Meal 2: 

  • 8 oz cod
  • 12 oz sweet potato
  • 1 cup of vegetables

Meal 3: 

  • 8 oz chicken
  • 2 cups of white rice
  • 1 cup of vegetables

Meal 4: 

  • 8 oz cod
  • 2 cups of rice
  • 1 cup of vegetables
  • 1 tbsp of fish oil – 122

Meal 5: 

  • 18 oz steak
  • 12 oz baked potato
  • Spinach salad

Meal 6: 

  • 10 oz cod
  • 2 cups of rice
  • salad

Meal 7: 

  • 18 oz 30 grams of casein protein
  • 10 egg white omelet
  • 1 cup of vegetables
  • 1 tbsp of omega-3 fish oil

This seven-meal plan is near twice the amount of calories that an average male eats. This  comes in around 5,200 calories per day. 

Why does he eat like this? Simply, his body demands it. With an intense workout regimen on its own and the need for him to be extra-large and lean in his roles on set, he becomes the Michael Phelps of movies. Some days the Rock reported 14 hours on set which did not include any of his rigorous time spent in the gym.

The Cod

Some parts of his diet are worth mentioning. During his seven-meal plan, he would eat 36 ounces of cod! This is nearly 2.3 pounds of fish alone in a day. Better yet, that’s 821 pounds of cod in a year! 

Cod is a lean source of protein whereas other proteins can cause inflammation. This is one of the likely reasons you will see the massive amounts of cod in his daily diet when prepping for a bulkier role. 

Different Roles, Different Plans

Johnson has come out and said that for different movies and roles he will change his diet and workout plan based on the body look he is aiming for. When he filmed Baywatch with Zac Efron he came in at a leaner 238 and admitted he was aiming for less bulk. 

Having said that, his approach to two of his most notable roles as Zeus’ son in Hercules, and Hobbs, in the Fast and Furious series, his diet drastically changed. Mainly in calories. 

Hercules Diet

The intense diet the Rock chose to follow for his role in Hercules is commonly referred to as the “12 Labours’ Diet”. This diet follows the example from the seven-meal plan outlined above. Johnson noted, “I went for the demigod look: big and mean.” And he nailed it. 

The Rock spoke about how his calorie intake went up immensely because his workouts also matched the intensity of his role. For nearly six months he followed the seven-meal plan a day. 

While Johnson always says his workout and diet plans change from movie to movie, Hercules was a different animal because he went 172 days on this strict diet. In this case, he promised that once it was a wrap in filming he would beat his famous cheat day when he housed:

  • 12 pancakes
  • Four pizzas
  • 21 brownies
  • A stein of milk

Fast Five Diet

For the Fast Five film, the Rock put on a minimum of 30 pounds in lean muscle mass by pushing a 6,000 caloric intake a day. Weighing in at 260 his frame was meant to challenge the also ripped figure of Vin Diesel.  

He was able to make this massive change by following the seven-meal-a-day plan. However, the Rock allowed himself one cheat day a week where he housed down some of his favorite foods. 

Speaking Of Cheat Meals

the rock cheat meals

A cheat meal to the Rock is quite a serious event. As noted above that was for one day of food! Since his discipline is all about the “go big or go home” attitude, so are his days off from following these intense diets. 

Here are a number of his cheat meal days that he has so graciously shared via Instagram.

Five Pints Of Ice Cream

To end 2019 we saw the Rock obliterating five pints of Salt & Straw ice cream.

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Tequila

Of course, the pancakes were extra large in portion sizes. To add some more calories why not throw on some of his crunchy peanut butter and maple syrup. Don’t forget the Tequila either!

Two Bacon Cheeseburgers Accompanied With An Array Of Sugary Delights

Besides two bacon cheeseburgers with fries and some tequila, the Rock made room for at least five oversized cookies, a  few brownies, and a fat piece of cheesecake.

Six Sushi Platters with a Platter Of Cookies

Why choose one roll when you can simply have the whole menu? And of course, you have to finish off with a plate of cookies.

Eight Pieces of French Toast With a Slice of Apple Pie

Sort of like apple pie-flavored french toast? 

Two Turkey Subs and a Plate of Brownies

Arguably larger than footlongs accompanied with peanut-butter fudge brownies. 

The Workouts

rock workout

Regardless of those cheat meals, you can’t take in all those calories without putting some serious effort into the gym. The Rock spends an enormous amount of time on set but also spends a lot of his energy dedicated to his body and building large muscle mass. 

Here are some of his general workout routines that change based on the movies he is preparing for. 

Day 1:  Leg Day

  • 30-50 minutes of cardio (treadmill)

Breakfast

  • Barbell Walking Lunge – 4 sets, 25 reps
  • Leg Press – 4 sets, 25 reps
  • Leg Extensions – 3 sets, 20 reps
  • Barbell Squat – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Single-Leg Hack Squat – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Hack Squat – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Romanian Deadlift – 4 sets, 10 reps
  • Seated Leg Curl – 3 sets, 20 reps
  • Thigh Abductor – 4 sets, 12 reps

Day 2:  Back Day

  • 30-50 minutes of cardio (treadmill)

Breakfast

  • Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Bent-Over Barbell Row – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • One-Arm Dumbbell Row – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Barbell Deadlift – 3 sets, 10 reps
  • Pull-ups – 3 sets, to failure
  • Dumbbell Shrug – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Inverted Row – 3 sets, to failure
  • Hyperextensions Back – 4 sets, 12 reps

Day 3:  Shoulders

  • 30-50 minutes of cardio (treadmill)

Breakfast

  • Dumbbell Shoulder Press – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Standing Military Press – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Front Dumbbell Raise- 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Side Lateral Raise – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Reverse Machine Flyes – 4 sets, 15 reps
  • Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise – 4 sets, 12 reps

Day 4:  Arms/Abs Day

  • 30-50 minutes of cardio (treadmill)

Breakfast

  • Dumbbell Bicep Curl – 4 sets, 15 reps
  • Hammer Curls – 4 sets, 15 reps
  • Spider Curl- 4 sets, to failure
  • Triceps Pushdown – 4 sets, 15 reps
  • Overhead Triceps – 3 sets, 15 reps
  • Hanging Leg Raise – 4 sets, 20 reps
  • Rope Crunch – 4 sets, 20 reps
  • Russian Twist – 4 sets, 20 reps

Day 5:  Leg Day

  • 30-50 minutes of cardio (treadmill)

Breakfast

  • Barbell Walking Lunge – 4 sets, 25 reps
  • Leg Press – 4 sets, 25 reps
  • Leg Extensions – 3 sets, 20 reps
  • Barbell Squat – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Single-Leg Hack Squat – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Hack Squat – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Romanian Deadlift – 4 sets, 10 reps
  • Seated Leg Curl – 3 sets, 20 reps
  • Thigh Abductor – 4 sets, 12 reps

Day 6:  Chest Day

  • 30-50 minutes of cardio (treadmill)
  • Barbell Bench Press- Medium Grip – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Incline Dumbbell Press – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Dumbbell Bench Press – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Flat Bench Cable Flyes – 4 sets, to failure
  • Incline Hammer Curls – 4 sets, 12 reps
  • Dips – Chest Version –  4 sets, to failure

Day 7: Rest!

To say the least, the Rock’s workouts are just as intense as his food regimen. 

What If I Tried His Diet? 

You wouldn’t be the first to ask, which is why a guy named Mark Webster made the investment both financially and mentally and tried it out. 

He updated his journey online following the routine from Feb 1st to March 1st.

Here’s what happened. 

Besides spending $1,262 in food that month Webster found that the routine actually was quite time intensive and interrupted his day every so many hours to eat. He also had to prep the food every 2-3 days for hours because it was impossible to prep on a meal-to-meal basis. 

To be exact eating at a reasonable pace Webster found himself eating for 20 minutes seven times a day. This worked out to two hours and 20 minutes a day dedicated just to chowing down. 

Webster knew that he couldn’t only follow the diet plan but also needed to exercise the same amount as well. In that month he put in about 60 hours of exercise averaging out about two hours a day. 

So between the meal prep, eating, and exercising, nearly five hours a day was gone!

So what were the results? While Webster’s body weight hardly moved (206 to 207 lbs) he increased a solid amount of muscle mass and found himself benching more and lifting heavier. For a 37-year-old guy who had been in relatively good shape, he admitted this was not the plan for everyone and required the intense amount of discipline you think it does, if not more. 

Eat To Win

The Rock takes eating to win to a whole new level. In fact, everything he does is always in a big way which is why he is so successful and in the shape that he is in. The dedication to diet, exercise, and simply his time during the day, is not an easy task to follow. 

But his methods work and as proven, not just for him.

In short, his efforts are just as respectable as his body. 

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]]> https://brawlbros.com/the-rock-diet-plan/feed/ 0 6 Fun and Easy Sports to Help You Stay Active Despite Your Busy Schedule https://brawlbros.com/6-fun-and-easy-sports-to-help-you-stay-active-despite-your-busy-schedule/ https://brawlbros.com/6-fun-and-easy-sports-to-help-you-stay-active-despite-your-busy-schedule/#respond Wed, 24 Mar 2021 23:56:53 +0000 https://brawlbros.com/?p=3850 Competitive sports are a lot of fun, but they’re a bit involved and have a large time commitment. Now certainly, this isn’t the case with all competitive sports. Many sports can be explored solo or just between two people. Badminton or tennis are fine sports for you and your significant other to play when you’ve got some free time, as ...

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Competitive sports are a lot of fun, but they’re a bit involved and have a large time commitment. Now certainly, this isn’t the case with all competitive sports. Many sports can be explored solo or just between two people. Badminton or tennis are fine sports for you and your significant other to play when you’ve got some free time, as an example.

Here we’ll explore five sports that don’t require a huge time commitment, but do produce health benefits when regularly played. You can fit these in during your lunch break, on the way to work, on the way home from work, or at intervals throughout the week.

Remember, all the experts say you really need as regards exercise is about a half-hour three times a week. It’s better to get a half-hour of cardio six days a week, but as long as you do so at least three times weekly, you’ll be doing much for your personal health overall.

1. Cycling is a Sport and Can Be Combined With Your Commute

If you live within ten miles of where you work, it can be worthwhile to ride your bike to and from your job every day.

Five days a week at ten miles an hour over a twenty mile round-trip commute will get you in great shape, it’s good for the environment, and if you want to compete in competitive cycling sports over the weekend, you’ll have the physique and stamina for it.

2. Another Easy Sport is Swimming

Swimming a mile three to five days a week in the morning keeps you clean and in shape, and it’s an excellent sport if you’ve got knee issues that prevent you from running, or doing other intensive activities which impact the legs.

Also, if you’re savvy, you might be able to do this totally free. Generally, you’ll at least need a gym membership, but some cities have free public pools.

3. Surprisingly Fun and Easy: Pickleball

This is a sport a lot of people don’t consider because they don’t actually know how to play pickleball. Follow the link for the details, but essentially you can think of it as a sort of “bridge” sport between badminton, tennis, and racquetball. It combines certain elements of these sports for something that’s a lot of fun for all ages, and fairly straightforward.

You don’t even necessarily need a traditional pickleball court to play. All you really need is paddles, another person, and a ball—though it’s best to have a net, things like this can be improvised by those who develop a love for the game.

4. Near a Beach? Why Not Explore Surfing?

Surfing is fun in the sun that’s venerated the world over and is downright exhilarating. It takes a long time to get right, and there is always room for improvement. Plus, the better you get, the more potential there is for professional exploration of the sport. That said, it can be a bit expensive to get a wetsuit and aboard, and sometimes you’re not working a job where you’ve got the time.

Even so, if you’ve got a day off a week, you can get a week’s worth of exercise on that day, and feel like you’ve done something you’d try on a vacation. Depending on where you live, this could be a fine solo activity that’s itself a sport.

If you’re nowhere near a beach, snowboarding or skateboarding is also an option; the latter being the cheapest of all. Any of these board-based balancing sports ultimately exercise intensive and can be pursued at your leisure.

5. Frisbee Golf: All the Fun of Golf, Minus the Cost

Frisbee golf, disc golf, or “frolf” as the enthusiasts call it, is one of the cheapest ways to exercise in an enjoyable manner that gets you outdoors. Most cities have a frisbee golf course these days, and you can pick up a “disc” (that’s what frolfers call a frisbee) for just $10.

Keep in mind, different discs are more or less appropriate for different parts of the course. There are “putting” and “drive” discs. But you really only need one or two—getting two is smart, you’re probably going to lose your primary disc eventually.

6. Boxing

You don’t actually have to box anyone to pursue boxing as a sport. It’s best to have some sort of trainer, or join a gym, but you don’t even need that. All you need are your arms and some free space. 

True, it’s fine to have gloves and a bag, and work with a community at a facility; but even if you do these things, there’s a place for shadowboxing. At any rate, you can always fit this into your schedule, it’s a great workout, and boxing can even come in handy when it comes to defensive situations. 

“Boxing is my go-to workout when I know I’m short on time. The intensity it provides is bar none.” Shah Day

Sports You Can Fit into Your Schedule

Jobs that make it hard to stay fit—like desk jobs, long-haul driving, or high-stress roles in finance—can take a toll on both physical and mental health. Sitting for hours, irregular schedules, and limited access to healthy food options can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and decreased focus. Incorporating small changes, such as stretching at your desk, packing healthy meals, or walking during breaks, can make a big difference. For those needing extra help, services like personal fitness coaching, meal prep delivery, and wellness apps designed for busy professionals can provide structure and support, helping you stay on track no matter your job’s demands.

Frolfing, surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, pickleball, cycling, boxing, and swimming are all sports which are easy to pick up, challenging to master, straightforward, and generally something you can fit into your schedule. If you haven’t explored some of these, you may want to!

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]]> https://brawlbros.com/6-fun-and-easy-sports-to-help-you-stay-active-despite-your-busy-schedule/feed/ 0 Is Errol Spence Jr. the Next Great? https://brawlbros.com/errol-spence-jr-next-great/ https://brawlbros.com/errol-spence-jr-next-great/#respond Thu, 22 Feb 2018 10:56:02 +0000 https://www.brawlbros.com/?p=779 Every generation of boxing fans has been lucky enough to receive its great of that time. The list of greats in boxing is a long one that includes guys like: Sugar Ray Robinson Rocky Marciano Muhammad Ali Ray Leonard Mike Tyson Roy Jones Floyd Mayweather And many more. Who, decade after decade, have come, conquered and went. Sometimes there is ...

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Every generation of boxing fans has been lucky enough to receive its great of that time. The list of greats in boxing is a long one that includes guys like:

  • Sugar Ray Robinson
  • Rocky Marciano
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Ray Leonard
  • Mike Tyson
  • Roy Jones
  • Floyd Mayweather

And many more.

Who, decade after decade, have come, conquered and went. Sometimes there is a direct passing of the torch, and sometimes we wait in limbo to see who the next hall of famer is. Sometimes it’s obvious, seeing guys like Mike Tyson from their first fight on, you know he is the next up. But then there are guys that come out of nowhere.

After Floyd announced retirement the second time, we weren't sure who was going to take his place as the best pound for pound fighter on the planet. Many people had Lomachenko picked. However, after Floyd announced retired for a third time, the smoke settled. It is much more clear who is here to dominate the pound for pound for the next decade or more.

His name is Errol Spence Jr.

Errol has got all the makings of greatness and I’m pegging him to be the next in line.

Here is why.

No One Can Stop Him, At Least Not On the Horizon

Currently Errol looks like an unstoppable force in the welterweight division. He has fought similar opponents to Thurman's, and has stopped them in a  much shorter time. Even guys that Thurman went the distance with were disposed of. I’m not only mentioning Thurman because this fight is being built up, but also because currently, Thurman is considered the top dog in the welterweight division. On top of that, Thurman is a tremendous fighter who has victories over guys like Porter and Danny Garcia. Errol, however, has looked like he is a notch above that every time out and hasn’t had a fight that looks competitive.

Not only that, he was able to stop Chris Algerie, a guy who went the distance with Pacquiao. When he steps into that ring he looks unstoppable. His recent performance against Peterson showcased a unique combination of speed, power and fight IQ. Peterson is a very hard guy to look good against and will test anyone in front of him. However, even he failed to get anything off against Errol. He is too good for the current welterweights. Smaller guys like Mikey Garcia and Terrence Crawford have called him out, but despite being great boxers, I think are way too small. The challenges for Errol lie in higher weight classes and even then, I see him cleaning guys out at 154. The super fight looming for him is Canelo, and that’s a fight I can see him winning.

Speed, Power, IQ and a Great Chin

These are some of the things that make a great fighter. Errol Spence Jr has the complete package. There isn’t one weakness or flaw that he has shown so far, despite having some great opposition. The only thing that can take down fighters like this is lack of discipline and in a recent interview he said he is “neck and neck” with Floyd Mayweather when it comes to work ethic. As long as he can maintain that he will continue to reign the welterweight division.

Unlike Floyd, he is a natural welterweight and not a small guy who came up and found his home in welterweight. Errol spells TROUBLE for anyone coming up in weight class because he is the old school version of the welterweight. He is a BIG guy who cuts down to 147. Most of the guys who have found their home in welterweight, aren't actually natural welterweights. This makes him very dangerous and very powerful at that weight class. He has demonstrated his punching power in his last 3 outings, stopping guys like Kell Brook, Algerie, and Peterson. As the fight wears on you can see the punches doing damage and his opponents can’t take anymore pain.

For a big guy he is also really fast, combined with great timing and accuracy. Peterson came in with a gameplan of keeping his guard high against him and Errol masterfully broke through his guard with different angles and baits to open him up. He also took some great shots while trying to open Peterson up, none of which phased him. At times, “The Truth” looks like the machine in there.

As far as IQ, watching his fights is like watching an Grandmaster playing chess with a checkers champion. You can see his opponents are just trying to get quick counters on him while he is methodically breaking them down to eventually get the checkmate. He takes his time, stays patient, manages his energy and slowly mauls his opponent until they can no longer fight back. Once they are worn, he unloads full power to end the fight. It takes a next level confidence to approach the fight this way and he does it EVERY time out.

Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime

One thing lacking in boxing these days is guys pick their fights based on how much money is to be made. It is always risk vs reward based decision making. Back in the day guys just wanted to fight the best guy out there, and believe it or not, it still made them money, because fans always came back for a great fight. These days there is a lack of pride in fighters. They're somehow not ashamed of avoiding the guy that is calling them out.

Errol is cut from the old cloth. He has been willing to fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. He went to fight Kell Brook for the belt in his home land. He fought Peterson, even though it’s a risky fight for any up and comer. Both of these fights happened because others were ducking him.

When he was asked in an interview what he is going to do about fighters avoiding him, his response was scary:

“I’m going to keep cleaning out the division until they have nowhere to hide.”

Those are the words of a man that is confident in his own abilities. He knows he can beat any man in front of him and is willing to fight the best to get to the best and show the world what he is capable of. We need that in boxing.

The Rumors: Errol Spence Makes Floyd Mayweather Quit, Knocks down Broner

Then there is these to further build the myths about this guy. You read that right, Errol Spence did make Floyd Mayweather quit in the ring in sparring and also has been said to knock Broner down in sparring.

When asked about both of these Errol Spence had a humble response to each.

Against Floyd here is what is said to have happened.

He sparred Floyd and gave him some work, once they got out the ring, Floyd told him “you’re alright for a b***h.” At that point Errol challenged him to get back in the ring, no rounds, until someone quits. Typical TMT doghouse  style sparring.

When asked who quit first Errol humbly responded “I didn't quit.”

Here is the Floyd situation in Errol’s own words:

When asked about Broner, he said:

“It’s sparring, things happen, sometimes you get caught with a good punch.”

This guy has a lot of class and doesn't trash talk either fighter, but doesn't deny it either.

These are more than rumors, and it’s scary news for the welterweights out there.

Errol "The Truth" Spence: Cut From the Old Cloth

Another tell tale sign of Errol’s potential greatness is his character as a fighter. The way he approaches the sport is much like the fighters of the golden era. It’s almost like he took a time machine to the modern day and showed us what old school fighters would be like in this environment.

He fights anyone they want to put in front of him, he wants to fight up to 3 times in one year after becoming champion and cuts weight! A lot of fighters these days don't do either. It’s why we see smaller welterweights today than we did back in the day, these guys just don't have the stomach for cutting weight anymore. Because everyone else was doing it, it worked out. But now “The Truth” has entered their division and everyone is going to feel what it’s like to fight a real welterweight.

Unlike fighter's like Floyd, he also fights often and whoever. Normally once fighters reach champion status they fight twice a year max and carefully select their opponents. Spence doesn't care who or what date, which is another sign of greatness.

Too Early?

A lot of you will think I'm saying this prematurely. Is it too early to tell?, I don't think so. Every welterweight out there that can challenge him wont be capable of beating him. Guys like Mikey Garcia want to move up in weight to face him and to me that's a scary move for Mikey.

Here is a list of potential opponents he can face:

  1. Keith Thurman
  2. Danny Garcia
  3. Shawn Porter
  4. Mikey Garcia
  5. Lucas Matthysse
  6. Terence Crawford

The only name on that list that I think poses a threat is Crawford and he is much too small to do any real damage against Spence. Errol is a big welterweight, so he cleans this division out 100% and the only challenges for him lie in the weight classes above.

Being that he is cut from the old cloth, I see him cleaning out the welterweight division before he moves up, and becoming, perhaps, one of the greatest welterweights we ever see.

Time Will Tell

Maybe I’m jumping the gun on Errol and we should wait until he is tested. Although, I have a feeling that most of what he faces at welterweight wont seem like a test because it will look too easy. I’m pegging Errol to be one of the greats before his career is up, and I’m calling it now before everyone sees it.

Drop me your comments below and let me know your thoughts. Just remember to be nice.

Brawl all day!

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]]> https://brawlbros.com/errol-spence-jr-next-great/feed/ 0 Lomachenko vs Rigondeaux Theory: Rigondeaux Threw the Fight https://brawlbros.com/theory-rigondeaux-threw-the-fight-vs-lomachenko/ https://brawlbros.com/theory-rigondeaux-threw-the-fight-vs-lomachenko/#respond Mon, 05 Feb 2018 11:00:10 +0000 https://www.brawlbros.com/?p=745 The post Lomachenko vs Rigondeaux Theory: Rigondeaux Threw the Fight appeared first on BrawlBros.com.

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Before you skip reading this article to attack me in the comments section and degrade me as a human being, hear me out. While we know only one story, here is what’s possible in regards to the way the fight ended.

It is absolutely possible that:

  1. Lomachenko outclassed Rigondeaux, and he just quit mid fight to avoid embarrassment or damage. That is the Loma fan theory.
  2. Rigondeaux actually hurt his hand, didn’t see a way out, so he stopped. Rational boxing fan theory.
  3. Rigondeaux choked on the big stage. Also Loma fan theory.
  4. He threw the fight. “Boxing is corrupt” boxing fan/conspiracy theorist theory.

If you read the title, then you know that I think #4 is also a possibility, just as much as any other option.

Here is why:

#1 He Wasn’t Hurt at Any Time During the Fight

At no time during the fight was Rigondeaux actually hurt by Lomachenko. The only hard punches landed were on the break and nothing clean ever got off. There was no real damage done. Just a lot of pitterpatting and barely grazed punches. All the amazing stuff Loma is known for, like turning his opponents, he couldn’t do to Rigo. Every time Loma tried to turn him, Rigo was right there in front of him, pivoting off the front foot. The first two round went exactly as I thought they would, both fighters missing, and showing off why they’re gold medalist. At this point, size did not play any role. So as for the first reason above, I didn’t see Loma outclassing, or damaging Rigo enough to make him quit.

#2 Winner’s Mindset

Someone that goes this long in his life winning on the big stage doesn’t just quit and give up. He didn’t win the olympics twice on accident, he didn’t defect from Cuba randomly, it was hard work, and bravery that got Rigo to this point in his life. Someone with that mindset doesn’t stop mid way when he still has the ability to keep going. It’s hard for me to imagine a person that has done that much in life, quit in the biggest fight of his life. He still had another hand that he could’ve at least finished the fight with. He has a great right hook so I don’t buy the fact that his left was the only way to win that fight. Rigondeaux has been a winner his whole life, I don’t know that he would give that up so quickly over an injury. The only thing I can think of is if he had incentive to throw the fight…

#3 He Had Incentive

In the pre fight build up, we hear a story of his son who is still in Cuba. We’ve known in the past history of famous Cuban athletes giving the Cuban government money to bring their family here. So put yourself in Rigo’s shoes. Everyone avoided him in the boxing world and he wasn’t getting another big fight after this. Especially because this was a competitive fight and if he happened to lose, he was never going to get a big payday again. It’s not crazy to think that for the sake of his family, and a final payday, he gave up the fight for a better future. A person that has been through what Rigo has, has to be as cynical as they come. This makes for a perfect storm. At best, his reported earnings for this fight was $400,000. That’s not nearly what Rigo deserves for the career he’s had.

#4 Other’s Had Incentive

As the saying goes “no one wants to see how their cheeseburger is made” so naturally, boxing fans usually don’t like to lift that curtain. But the boxing world is corrupt and they had a huge incentive to approach Rigo with a proposition. Vasyl is a huge money making machine. He is being marketed as the next great and has the appeal of a superstar. He can generate much more income in the long term than it would take to make offer to Rigo. We all know Loma, no matter how well he did, wasn’t going to knock Rigo out. However, with the way the fight went down, it went perfect or a “No Mas Chenko” marketing plan going forward on top of some big, winnable fights for Loma.

#5 “Not that Bad”

At the end of the fight the doctor asked if they need to go straight to the hospital or its if its not that bad, Rigo responded “not that bad” . We didn’t see him land the left hand awkwardly or at any point where we see him potentially hurt his hand. This just didn’t happen. He was inactive pretty much for the whole fight, just being defensive and then just quit. I don’t know about you, but seems off to me.

We Haven’t Heard from him since

To make things even more odd, we really haven’t heard from Rigo at all since the fight. He has been completely missing in action. This is very odd that he hasn’t commented on the fight at all. Maybe he is just embarrassed after all the build up hype and talk but that is usually just part of the game. You don’t see McGregor in hiding after not living up to his trash talk, or any one else for that matter.

Maybe..

Maybe he took the money. If you think about it, Cuban boxing hasn’t done anything for Rigo despite his skills and accomplishments, USA boxing hasn’t either. At this point in his career it was either take the money, or beat this guy and be avoided some more. Or, maybe I’m just a deranged fan who is trying to irrationally rationalize why one of my favorite fighters lost. Maybe Rigo got old overnight and we he just doesn’t have it in him anymore. Maybe he absolutely knew he wasn’t winning the fight and decided not to continue. Maybe he actually hurt his hand. Maybe my cynicism comes from being around boxing and speaking to guys who know things about the original “No Mas” fight that others don’t.

Unless Rigo tells us, we will never know.

It’s Not Vasyl’s Fault

If you allowed yourself to be influenced by this theory, don’t blame this on Vasyl. He went out there and did what he had to do. In fact, it is highly likely that he just went out there and beat Rigo up fair and Square. It’s possible he did to Rigo what he does to everyone else, and he is in fact, that good. It’s possible that he just won the fight and was dominant. Either way, he is a fighter, and fighters go out there to do what they do best: fight.

Whatever Your Thoughts

Whatever your thoughts on this fight, both fighters are tremendous athletes who deserve a spot in the hall of fame due to their accomplishments. I’m probably just mad that such a historic event for boxing ended in such anti climatic fashion. Or, there is actually some weight to this theory. Either way, I hope we see both guys again and hope to hear from Rigo soon. You’re missed by your fans.

Also, before you unleash your wrath in the comments section, keep in mind this is just a theory.

Brawl all day!!!

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The post Lomachenko vs Rigondeaux Theory: Rigondeaux Threw the Fight appeared first on BrawlBros.com.

]]> https://brawlbros.com/theory-rigondeaux-threw-the-fight-vs-lomachenko/feed/ 0 Mayweather vs Mcgregor 2: Why Mayweather Will Go To the UFC https://brawlbros.com/mayweather-vs-mcgregor-2-why-mayweather-will-go-to-the-ufc/ https://brawlbros.com/mayweather-vs-mcgregor-2-why-mayweather-will-go-to-the-ufc/#respond Mon, 05 Feb 2018 10:32:24 +0000 https://www.brawlbros.com/?p=739 The post Mayweather vs Mcgregor 2: Why Mayweather Will Go To the UFC appeared first on BrawlBros.com.

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A lot of people have brushed it off as speculation, but I’ve been watching Floyd for long enough to know that this will happen. Keep in mind we live in a time where Donald Trump is president of the United States, and UFC’s biggest star has already been in the ring with the greatest boxer of this generation. Anything is possible.

Mayweather vs McGregor 1 has been brushed off until it happened. People are yet again underestimating the chance of this happening, yet we all can’t help but feel excited. Here are my top 5 reasons why May vs Mac 2 will happen, and will happen this year.

#1 The Hints are Here

Where do I begin, Dana White, Mayweather, and Mcgregor have all been dropping hints. In fact, they aren’t hints at all, they have all been dropping huge obvious bombs telling us that this fight is going down.

First, it started with a video of Mayweather saying he can go to the MMA if he wanted to because he loves “money” and his fans.

Then Dana white proceeded to say that its in serious talks, with Mayweather later denying that there are talks of “billion dollar multi fight deal” with the UFC.

And then, this happened:

With Connor posting a picture with his son immediately after Floyd’s post, with a caption that read “Fuck the Mayweathers.”

And then..

Mayweather asked us what are the odds, only to let us know a day later, that the odds are high, with this post:

And then this post as of recent:

Mayweather McGregor MMA

That’s right guys this fight is happening and we are only on reason number 1.

#2 It’s the Same Marketing Plan

At this point, we all know that both Mayweather and McGregor have the best marketing teams surrounding them. They’re big money guys with big money consultations and big money brains that have gotten them to where they are today. They know how to build a fight. The Mayweather vs McGregor MMA fight is following the same trend as the Mayweather vs Mcgregor boxing match.

If you recall previously, it was Mayweather that said the fight is in serious talks, with Dana White immediately denying it. This time the roles are reversed.

Then, Conor Mcgregor puts up posts like “I am boxing “ and pictures of him training in the ring, along with tag lines that say “tell us the rules set.”

Mayweather is following this same trend now with the posts we mentioned above. The image of him in the cage with MMA gloves on, just tells me he is ready to jump in the cage.

All this is to build the fight in the fans minds and get that conversation going. This helps the fans market to themselves and get excited about the fights. Heated debates will begin and half the crowd will tune in just to witness themselves proving their friends wrong. It’s marketing at its finest and they are pulling it off wonderfully.

#3 Canelo vs GGG: Ruining the PPV

The thing about Floyd Mayweather, is that his future is in the combat sports promotion business. Mix that in with his disdain for the “Golden Boy” and his competitiveness, and what you have is a guy willing to do anything to win, in and outside of the ring.

That said, last go around, Mayweather made sure to time his event so close to Canelo vs GGG, that it affected the PPV numbers. What was supposed to be a record breaking superfight for Golden Boy promotions, ended up being just a great event. This is because just two weeks prior to it, fight fans shelved out $100 to watch McGregor take on Floyd in the ring. Now with the rematch for Canelo vs GGG looming, I have a feeling Floyd is out to do it again. I wouldn’t be surprised that this time, he does it a week before, or even the day of that fight. The timing of all this promotion is just way too coincidental. The thing about Canelo is he basically is the only draw in the Golden Boy roster, and this fight is the biggest fight Canelo can ever have. So naturally, there is a lot riding on this and Floyd is willing to take it all down strategically.

Maybe Floyd just wants to make it known Canelo will never have his star power or success on his dates.

#4 Both Guys are Money Hungry

It’s no secret that these guys do what they do for the money. Their love of money will make a businessman look like a philanthropist. While both of them like their respective sports, they both try to maximize the amount of money each outing will give them.

The reason the first fight even happened, is because all parties involved were going to make hundreds of millions of dollars. That said, Mayweather stepping into MMA will result in a much bigger draw than Connor stepping into the ring. This will break all records, which means, even more money than last time, at worst, another 100 million dollar payday.

This is by far the most lucrative fight either fighter, or organization can make.

#5 The Spotlight

Both these guys absolutely love the spotlight. Whether it’s because of their planet sized egos or for the simple fact that it begets them more money. Yet another reason why this fight will go down. McGregor is at the peak of his career and has at least 5 years before retirement is something he has to think about. Mayweather, on the other hand, is at the end of his road and may never get the spotlight he had in his heyday. This is the chance for him to live it one last time, and break some more records.

It’s the Only Fight That Makes Sense

When Mayweather goes to MMA, the only fight that makes sense for him is the McGregor fight. This is the fight with the most money and McGregor is the only guy who might be willing to stand up with him.

Anyone else he fights will take him right down and not waste time trying to get caught by shots. Personally, I think Mayweather has the fight IQ and the reflexes to avoid kicks, but eveng great wrestlers get taken down in the cage. Once a take down happens, Floyd is out of his game and can be submitted pretty easily. That said, if it is a multi fight deal, Floyd better pick guys ballsy enough to stand up with him, at least long enough for him to land the winning shot.

The odds are not in his favor to win, but as I said, if he fights a striker he has a chance. He has proven that he hits much harder than Connor and we all saw what Connor does to people in the cage with his punches. If Floyd lands just a few punches on anyone he will either knock them out or break their jaw. Boxer’s punches are a dangerous thing and that is why most guys in MMA will shoot straight for the take down with Floyd.

Let’s Make it Happen Gentlemen

As much as I want to be a die hard fan of both MMA and Boxing and say things like “Connor should defend his title” or “Mayweather should fight a young boxer” honestly, I’d rather see this. This is really entertaining and will let us know just how big a disparity is between boxers and MMA fighters. We already saw what an old passed his prime boxer did to an MMA fighter who is in his prime and the best striker in the ring. Now let’s see what that same MMA fighter, will do to the boxer in the cage.

Let’s make it happen guys!

The good news is, it’s already happening, and the evidence is in front of us.

Drop me a comment below.

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]]> https://brawlbros.com/mayweather-vs-mcgregor-2-why-mayweather-will-go-to-the-ufc/feed/ 0 Who’s Next After Mayweather? 2018’s Potential Breakout Boxing Stars https://brawlbros.com/whos-next-mayweather/ https://brawlbros.com/whos-next-mayweather/#respond Mon, 01 Jan 2018 23:55:53 +0000 https://www.brawlbros.com/?p=435 The post Who’s Next After Mayweather? 2018’s Potential Breakout Boxing Stars appeared first on BrawlBros.com.

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Every few decades or so, boxing has been blessed with a superstar that seems like has the responsibility to carry the sport’s popularity on his shoulders. Then at the end of that era, there is a void left behind and a large scramble to find the next. Top fighters start actually fighting it out amongst each other. Which is better than just having a target painted on the stars back. So we actually get some good fights, but, no superstar. The superstars tend to come out of nowhere, blasting through all barriers like the Kool-Aide man. This happens with every generation, in different weight classes, from fighters with completely different styles and personalities.

Ali was perhaps the biggest star up to that point in boxing history. Everybody knows his name around the globe. Then came Mike Tyson, who was the opposite of everything Ali was, yet still word renowned. Then came guys like Roy Jones, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

While Manny is a star in his own right, the biggest generator of PPV’s and eyeballs was Floyd “Money” Mayweather. So now that the dust settles on his 50th career win against an Irish Ametuer Boxer in his boxing debut, it leaves us asking, who is the next up?

There isn’t a super long list of guys who can take over but the guys that are on the list are formidable.

Before we get into that, what make a superstar?

Boxing Superstar Traits

To be a superstar you have to have the whole package. Its a combination of different attributes. Some the fighter can control, and some that are completely intangible. Here are some things that are required to be a superstar in the sport of boxing.

Be the Best

The first and most important factor of being the star, is you have to be the best. Not just the best in your weight class, but preferably the best pound for pound fighter on the planet. This makes people wants to see you fight off all coming challengers. Even if critics won’t give you #1, you have to be seen as a monster in your fan’s eyes.

Personality

This doesn’t mean trash talking, but you’ve got to have personality. You can’t just say the same scripted thing most fighters say before and after fights. Things like “it will be a great fight” and “I got nothing but respect” won’t get you far. Stars let their personality shine through, they know how to be themselves in the public eye. Manny for example, didn’t trash talk like Floyd, but he knew when to be goofy. Tyson was menacing and he knew he was so he portrayed it. To be a star, you have to show all your colors, the good, the bad and the ferocious.

A Good Team

When I say good team I’m not talking about family and friends. Each superstar has to have good management and a powerful marketing machine behind them. The truth is there is a science that goes into selling fights. The hype, the tune ups, and everything in between are all well thought strategies to get the public to buy into the next fight. If you don’t have a team around you that will build your career in the spotlight, you won’t become a star no matter how good you are.

An Entertaining Style

If you are not fun to watch, you won’t reach the heights of superstardom. While Floyd got criticized for “running” and being too defensive, his style was still fun to watch. It was a masterpiece being painted through fight and everybody tuned in to see this little guy fight off monsters, which he did successfully, every time. Every single star to ever take over boxing, was extremely fun to watch because they each offered something the world has never seen before.

The Intangibles

This is something you can’t get and no one can teach. Yet, each star past and present has had it. Ali for example, had the biggest heart and best chin boxing has ever seen in that ring. On top of that, one of the greatest boxing strategist we have ever seen. Floyd falls into the same category in terms of mental prowess. We see him dissect people in that ring and take away their biggest weapons in the first 4 to 5 rounds before unleashing a one sided beating. And in my opinion, his biggest asset has been the ability to take clean punches that will KO anyone and walk them off. Then there were guys like Tyson and Pacquiao who’s goal was to come out at opening bell and get you out of there as soon as possible. And sometimes be savage enough to take out your ear if things don’t go as planned.

Heart, Mind, and an Iron will.

Now that we know what it takes, let’s jump into our list of potentials. Remember it can be more than just the one guy on the list. Here are my potential boxing superstars that can be the next up after Floyd, the way he was after Roy Jones and Oscar.

I. Anthony Joshua 20-0 (20 ko’s)

Number one on the list is the titan, Anthony Joshua. So far this guy seems to have it all going for him. It’s hard to say that he isn’t a superstar already because he’s packing arenas with 80,000 people that come to see him fight. He’s big, he’s powerful and he’s destroying everyone in his path. All he has to do now is make it in the United States. This kid is the total package. Of the above mentioned traits it takes to be a star, he checks off everything on the list.

Currently he is one of the best heavyweights(we’ll get to Wilder shortly). He definitely has the style that entertains fans with a KO ratio of 100% to prove it. He’s also already passed the ultimate “young lion beats old lion” test that many of today’s boxers have been failing(we’re looking at you Canelo). In the Klitschko fight, he’s proved not just that he here to take the throne, but he showed heart in battling a very game Klitchko who put it all on the line that night. He got up from the canvas, fought bright light jitters and fatigue to end the fight in spectacular fashion. It was a masterful performance and in my opinion, fight of the year. When’s the last time a heavyweight has been a part of a fight of the year?

He’s definitely got a good team doing his matchmaking, promoting him. Most importantly, he’s got the personality and the look. He’s a guy girls like and guys want to be like. He doesn’t imitate any of the greats before him and instead gives us a humble man, but with a ferocity of a fighter that gets frustrated when other fighters talk down on him. It’ll be exciting to see how reacts to loud and boisterous types.

Heart, good chin, punching power, personality and ability to sell out arenas, Joshua has what it takes, but he needs to make it in the states.

If I had to gamble who will be the one to carry the sport for the next few decades, it would be AJ. However, you can’t mention AJ without mentioning his # 1 rival…

Instagram:@anthony_joshua

II. Deontay Wilder 39-0 (38 ko’s)

Finally an American heavyweight who is in shape, can fight and has a hug personality. He gets a lot of criticism but in my opinion he has the potential to become the next Tyson, the next Ali. The only reason he gets put as number 2 on this list is his marketing team. This guy should already be at the point of selling out arenas. He has the most entertaining style in boxing today. Every time he steps in that ring its to take the other guys head off and it’s exactly what boxing is supposed to be. He is not a fighter who goes in to win the contest, he wants to win the FIGHT. Its between him and the other guy.

On top of a being a fighter at heart, he has a huge personality that is the most entertaining in boxing today. He radiates an aura of ridiculous confidence and when you hear him talk you start thinking that no one can touch this man. And when he fights, he fights like a man possessed.

The only downfall with him is his promotion company isn’t doing a great job getting him to sell out, which comes with good matchmaking. Speaking of which, he hasn’t quite had a test in his career yet, which i know he’ll pass, but it makes for more marketable matchups.

He’s demonstrated heart, a good chin, and a willingness to entertain on all levels. He’s stopped every man to step in the ring with him and is looking to become the undisputed champ. If he can do that, he can carry the sport.

Instagram: @BronzeBomber

III. Vasyl “HI Tech” Lomachenko – 11-1 (8 ko’s)

It’s hard not to mention this guy with the hype train that is behind him. The most obvious choice for most people is Vasyl because of what he’s demonstrated to us so far. Lomachenko has passed his biggest test in Guillermo and most people are saying that he is absolutely unstoppable, despite having a loss on his record. Which most people feel he received because he jumped into a title fight too early in his career (2nd fight).

Loma has a lot of potential to become a star. Despite being a great defensive fighter he has a come forward style with a lot of flash, reminiscent of Roy Jones at times (minus the brutal power). He has a fan friendly personality but needs to learn a little more english so he can let it shine through. I couldn’t exclude Loma in this list but he does have some work cut out for him if he is to carry the sport. That includes good matchmaking and self promotion. He’s only 11 fights in so the sky’s the limit but despite being the P4P #1 he still is far from the #1 most recognized fighter in the world. It takes more than winning fights to be a star, and Loma needs to get to work on it and so does his team.

What will determine that is if he pass the biggest test, which seems to be on the horizon…

Instagram: @lomachenkovasiliy

IV. Gervonta “Tank” Davis – 19-0 (18 ko’s)

Gervonta Davis boxing Star

This guy is just plain scary, that’s his appeal. He’s a mean man and once he lets that part of him shine through, he will become an extremely popular fighter. For now, he is still young and humble, but once he opens up to the bright lights, I have no doubt we will see a Mike Tyson like personality emerge. Gervonta has made everyone he fights look weak and confused in that ring. He makes pros look like guys who were picked off the street and he puts their lights out.

He has the knockout power to entertain, he looks mean, and he punches mean. He gets in the ring to annihilate but shows incredible boxing prowess so he isn’t just a “puncher.” He brings a lot to the table and there is a reason the Money Team is behind him.

He has a good management team behind him, it’s the same one Floyd had after all. He has the killer mentality, all he needs to do is get some good fights under his belt and start saying what’s on his mind during these press conferences. Which is most likely something along the lines of “I’m going to kill this guy.”

With Loma blatantly calling him out, a victory over the hype train would easily catapult him into a platform of superstardom. A win over Lomachenko will make him seem unstoppable and everyone will tune in to see him dismantle guys.

Instagram: @Gervontaa

V. Ryan Garcia – 13-0 (12 ko’s)

Ryan Garcia Left Hook 2018

I may get some criticism for mentioning this kid so early but I know a star when I see one. Ryan Garcia has been demolishing the super featherweight division and I’m sure he is on every fighters radar. This kid has an impressive amateur career and looks like a scary force at super featherweight. He has a unique combination of speed, power and technique which is rare in a these weight classes. He’s like a young De La Hoya but with bricks in his hands. I’m willing to gamble this kid goes on to do great things in boxing and will give fans the fights the fights they want to see.

He is aggressive every time he steps through the ropes, has golden boy behind him and already has a following on social media. He definitely has a unique personality that boxing hasn’t seen and with his sense of humour can make for some fun build ups in the future.

2018 should be a breakthrough year for “King” and I’m willing to bet he emerges as one of the sports top fighters soon. Whether or not he can carry the sport will be up to him. To do so he will have to continue to let his personality shine through and keep fighting the way he’s fighting. If you haven’t seen this kid, tune into his next fight.

Instagram: @kingryang

Replacing Greatness Isn’t Easy

Much like those before him, Floyd Mayweather wont be easy to replace, but it is far from impossible. People have been saying boxing is dead for the last 50 years and yet, it continues to break all records. Because every time someone comes around that breaks the mold, does something new, and gets the fans excited about watching them fight. The more the story of the fighter builds, the more exciting it gets. Ali brought something no one ever has to the sport, then came Tyson, then came Oscar, Jones, Pacquiao and Mayweather. Each very different from the other and yet garnering the same attention. Each had a story that was unique to them. The audience loves stories, and there isn’t one more exciting than boxing.

Drop a comment below, tell me who you think the next up is?

Brawl all day!

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]]> https://brawlbros.com/whos-next-mayweather/feed/ 0 What We Learned from Mayweather vs McGregor https://brawlbros.com/what-we-learned-from-mayweather-vs-mcgregor/ https://brawlbros.com/what-we-learned-from-mayweather-vs-mcgregor/#respond Mon, 01 Jan 2018 11:06:18 +0000 https://www.brawlbros.com/?p=325 The post What We Learned from Mayweather vs McGregor appeared first on BrawlBros.com.

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Mayweather is arguably one of the best boxers of all time. McGregor is definitely the most popular MMA fighter to ever live. These two have a lot more in common than different and yet this fight created a split like no other.

It was Boxing vs MMA, Mayweather fan vs McGregor fan, friendships were lost, families were ruined, the spectacle took place and it was exactly what those against the fight said it’d be: pointless. Not that it wasn’t entertaining,it was definitely one of the more fun, emotion filled Mayweather fights we have seen in awhile. It’s just that, nothing really came of it. Boxing didn’t get its win and MMA didn’t get its respect, but what did happen is a lot of learning took place. Now that the dust has settled and all the pre fight emotions out of the way, here are X things we learned from Mayweather – McGregor.

#1: McGregor is Better Than We Thought

This was evident immediately when McGregor landed a huge left uppercut/ right hook combination on Floyd in the first round. It had many boxing fans nervous that their worst nightmare can come true. It is definitely not a shot an MMA fighter should be able to land on the best defensive fighter of all time. “But Floyd was just carrying…!” we’ll get to that later. This shot proved that despite lacking ring experience, one thing Connor did have is fight IQ going into the fight.

McGregor only came up short on the physical side of things, his speed, power, and stamina just weren’t enough for a boxing ring, but his fight IQ proved to be respectable. His timing was impeccable, he threw Floyd off with different looks more than once. Considering that Lomachenko, a two time Olympian, lost a fight he shouldn’t have lost because he rushed into the top ranks too early, Connor did well. Way better than some boxing “analyst” expected he would.

Mcgregor Punches Floyd

#2: Boxing Shouldn’t Be Underestimated

Many MMA fans and casual fight fans alike think that MMA fighters are boxers who know how to do everything else. There is a huge difference between knowing how to throw a proper punch and boxing. Boxing is more like chess than it is high speed checkers. It’s a thinking game as much as it is a physical one and so much goes into it that anyone who hasn’t spent years in that ring just doesn’t see. You learn to read certain situations, you learn to see when your opponent is going to make a mistake throw lazily. Often times you can even read your opponent trying to set up a shot and you learnt to bluff like it’s working to set that trap. This isn’t something you can teach a fighter.

One thing that a lot of MMA fans did is underestimate what boxers can do and it didn’t just have to do with the mental part. One of the biggest things people don’t realize is boxers hit harder…WAY harder than MMA fighters. Any MMA fighter who has been in a real boxing gym will attest to this. It’s only natural that when you focus on one thing you will be better at it than someone who has to focus on multiple things. If you watch the fight you can see Mayweather landing the much harder blows and being unphased by McGregor’s shots, where as in MMA he was putting guys to sleep left and right. Boxers take, and give punches better.

For those reasons, boxers should not be underestimated. You put a boxer in MMA gloves, and you have a dangerous man. In fact, part of what makes McGregor so good in the cage, is his boxing background.

If you don’t agree, consider this: a superior striker in the MMA, arguably in his prime, was stopped by 40 year old boxer, coming off a two year layoff, who hasn’t had a real knockout in over 7 years.

#3: The Public Loves Connor No Matter What

Whether we are talking build up or post fight, Connor Mcgregor can do no wrong. During the build up of his career and the fight, everything Mayweather did was arrogant and off putting. Yet in his career, McGregor has taken similar tactics and yet has become more likable. Without speculating the reason, this was an obvious reality after the fight finished.

Despite not delivering any promise he made in the pre fight hype, his fans still adored him. The same fans who claimed he would knock Floyd out in two, chanted “he did better than people thought.” And while he did do better, he wasn’t exactly “picking Floyd off” as he says he was.

Yet, love him or hate him, Connor Mcgregor has possibly the most supportive fans of any star to walk this earth.

#4: We Paid for an Exhibition Match

This isn’t to say McGregor didn’t do better than expected, and more than held his own in there, but the truth is, we paid $100 per television for an exhibition match. If McGregor entered boxing properly, with a few fights under his belt and worked his way up to twelve round fights, then maybe we could’ve called this fair game. But we took a guy out of his sport and put him against one of the most tactical boxers of all time and expected anything less than what transpired. Did anyone actually think Floyd wouldn’t be strategic for this fight and not wait for Connor to gas?

Floyd Punches Mcgregor

#5: We Prefer Everyone Stick to What They’re Good At

One of the biggest things I learned from this event is that I prefer everyone stick to their respective crafts. We love seeing McGregor demolishing guys in the cage and we love seeing guys outsmart younger fighters who are supposed to dethrone him. But the truth will always be this:

An MMA fighter belongs in the ring as much as Boxer belongs in the cage.

Its two different sports, two different ball games. Connor needs to go back and give us some great events, and Floyd, who looked like age was catching up in his last outing, needs to retire.

Thank You to Both Fighters

Thank you Connor for showing the world what balls look like. Stepping into another fight sport and challenging the best fighter there is.

Thank you Floyd for finding creative ways to keep boxing alive and always taking on all comers that call you out.

Thank you both for an entertaining night for fight fans.

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