McCline / Briggs

[TheShrimp]

Jameel "Big Time" McCline (27-2) is the up and comer, who might be getting a shot with another big win or two. He gets to fight a guy with a recognizable name in this one and should be hungry. His last fight he beat Lance Mount Goofi Whatever Whittaker in a small upset.

Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs (36-3) had his shot at Lewis a while ago and has basically fought chumps since. I don't know if he is just staying in the game to get some coin and because he doesn't have anything else to do, or if he really wants another shot at the title. I suspect its the former. He did get a decision against "The White Buffalo" but hasnt' fought much of anyone lately.

I think these two fighters are heading in different directions. McCline is the bigger man by a couple inches. They've both gone the distance. McCline can knock you out and he looked professional against the bigger and more popular Whittaker. He's a heavy favorite, forcing you to lay about -280. I was hoping it would be less than that, so I'm not going to put much on it. But here's a 1.5 units on "Big Time".

They're both from NY/NJ area and the fight is at MSG so I don't see that being an advantage either way.

This is on HBO tomorrow night.

TheShrimp

 

[parlayinn]

any thoughts on tapia/medina?

 

[TheShrimp]

Did not read till this morning. . .

I barely watched the Tapia/Medina fight, but from the sounds of the HBO guys after the fight, medina wuz robbed. I would not have been much help on that one anyway.

Anyway, McCline looked decent. I gave the first round to Briggs, and every other round to McCline, including a 10-8 in the knockdown round, for a 99-90 card. Lederman had Briggs winning the eighth or something, which I didn't understand. McCline connected several times in that round.

I think McCline is legit. I'd like to see him fight Klitchsko and the winner of that should get a monster fight. You could see that other fighters might be savvier than McCline due to his small amount of amateur experience. Even Briggs was able to come over the top of his jab and if he lets Lewis or Klitchsko (both taller than Briggs by inches) do that, he'll get wasted.

I liked his accuracy against Briggs, but even the knockdown was due in part to Briggs being off balance. The right caught him flush, but the left was not a knockdown blow. He looked like he was pounding Goofi, too, but couldn't knock him out. That's kind of a concern. He threw a lot that Briggs was easily able to slip, too, but that's also because he was at his range instead of Brigg's range.

Defensively, I think he's fundamentally sound. I haven't seen his ability to really slip a punch (like Tyson), but he keeps his hands in good position -- his left is across his mid section, but a lot of guys do that now.

I don't know what the canadian guy, Byrd, is up too right now, but between Byrd, McCline, and Klit., one of them should get a shot after Lewis/Tyson.

TheShrimp.

 

[parlayinn]

thanks for the reply...good to hear your thoughts even though i just saw this