GRADES: TIM TSZYU, BRIAN MENDOZA, JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY & MORE

By: Jay Calderon

A few "fights" in Manchester, a big time fight down under, and a couple of decent scraps Stateside as well this busy weekend.

First, we saw Tommy Fury struggle with YouTuber KSI. Then, in Texas, Janibek Alimkhanuly made quick work of Vincenzo Gualtieri to partially unify Middleweight.

Then, on Saturday/Sunday, in Australia, Jr. Middleweight titlist Tim Tszyu made his first defense of the gold against the very tough Brian Mendoza.

So, tons of action. And without much more ado, let's hand out these Grades:

JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY

GRADE: A

RESULT: DEF. VINCENZO GUALTIERI, 6TKO (MIDDLEWEIGHT)

It's difficult to find much fault with what Janibek Alimkhanuly did against now former titlist Vincenzo Gualtieri in their unification bout on Saturday.

If anything, you could argue Janibek might have wanted to get rid of the very apprehensive Gualtieri a bit earlier. But, truthfully, that's knit-picking. Janibek looked serious, lethal, and like the best 160 pound fighter on the planet.

And he now has two portions of the gold to back up such a claim at Middleweight.

VINCENZO GUALTIERI

GRADE: D+

RESULT: LOSS TO JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY, 6TKO (MIDDLEWEIGHT)

To be honest, I didn't expect much from Vincenzo Gualtieri, so grading him so harshly seems (almost) unfair. That being said, you hope to see fighters fight up to the moment.

This was the biggest moment of Gualtieri's young career, but he seemed settled on the notion that Janibek Alimkhanuly was destined to win this encounter. It seemed only a matter of time, and Gualtieri didn't put up much resistance.

Having watched a few Gualtieri fights, he's better than he showed. But being better doesn't substitute for actually showing up and giving it a go.

KEYSHAWN DAVIS

GRADE: C

RESULT: DEF. NAHIR ALBRIGHT, 10MD (LIGHTWEIGHT)

With Keyshawn Davis, I always get the sense that he can do more in the ring. Against Nahir Albright, that feeling didn't change much at all.

While I feel Davis did more than enough to win, I don't feel Keyshawn did enough to really impress. The subtly of Davis' skills will certainly lead to many victories, but it doesn't always feel as though the American gets through the gears as he should.

True, Albright was solid and deserves credit of his own. But if Davis is to be the star Top Rank hopes they are building, he'll need to add some more wrinkles to his game, and become more clinical in his finishing.

TOMMY FURY

GRADE: D-

RESULT: DEF. KSI, 6UD (CRUISERWEIGHT)

Tommy Fury (apparently) did just enough to keep his undefeated record in tact when he earned a narrow unanimous decision over KSI in Manchester.

That's right, the decision was incorrectly called a majority decision for Fury, but was corrected to a UD for Fury after the fact. They wanted to make sure KSI knew he lost.

Fury was one dimensional on the night and couldn't ever seem to get going. When KSI didn't come across as intent on folding, Fury sinply ran out of ideas.

Ultimately, Fury gets the low grade because you just have to do better against a relative novice when you've been "fighting since you were 6", as the Furys claim.

DILLON DANIS

GRADE: F

RESULT: LOSS TO LOGAN PAUL, 6DQ (HEAVYWEIGHT)

Trash.

TIM TSZYU

GRADE: A

RESULT: DEF. BRIAN MENDOZA, 12UD (JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT)

Time and again, I keep hearing people say that Tim Tszyu isn't all that good, and that this upcoming challenge will be the one to derail the proverbial hype train.

And time and again, I see Tszyu step up to the plate and deliver.

Make no mistake about it: Brian Mendoza was a quality test and gave Tim some things to figure out in the ring. However, as is becoming customary, Tszyu found a way and got the big win.

BRIAN MENDOZA

GRADE: B-

RESULT: LOSS TO TIM TSZYU, 12UD (JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT)

No one (and I mean, no one) will ever question the chin of Brian Mendoza. Against Tim Tszyu, the American was hit with some tremendous shots and (mostly) took them in stride.

You must also credit Mendoza with starting off so well, as he seemed to be giving Tszyu something to ponder early on.

The issue for Mendoza is that he just ran into a better fighter on the night, not that he isn't a solid contender himself. Still, I'm never going to give too harsh a grade when you show that kind of heart.
 

SAM GOODMAN

GRADE: B+

RESULT: DEF. MIGUEL FLORES, 12UD (125 POUNDS)

I'm a big fan of Sam Goodman. I'm not saying the Aussie is going to become pound-for-pound number one, but he's a skilled operator that also has some spite to him.

The slight dip for the grade is really due to the quality of the opponent (though, Miguel Flores is a tough bastard) and the fact that Goodman is so willing to engage and trade. That won't always be a great idea.

Still, very solid, fun performance from Goodman.

LINKS:

- SCHEDULE & ODDS

- RESULTS

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