RailwayRowdy

I don't see Rooney getting a Premier League job, unless Lampard gets the boot at Everton. So that lot down the road are as good as Shrek is likely to get.

Rooney - possibility Potter - highly unlikely Benitez - no chance Wilder - very doubtful Big Sam - maybe. Dyche, unfortunately, would be a good fit.

Brook has not been the fighter he was for a few years now, mainly due to the injuries. But the night he beat undefeated Shawn Porter in Vegas was one of the finest displays I can remember from a Brit on the other side of the pond. Nothing was in his favour that night, apart from having a heart like a lion and a steely Sheffield determination to win. As mentioned above, the time is now probably right to hang up the gloves.

Just looking through the card for tomorrow's opening day of the Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket and noticed a familiar name running in the 3.35. MILDENBERGER! To the more longstanding fight fan, Karl will be remembered as one of very few German heavyweights to grace the ring. A rustic fighter who held the European Heavyweight title in the 60's who allegedly hurt Ali in their World title fight. Think I'll have a tenner on it, even if just for old times sake!

On a similar tack, wasn’t Johnny Nelson rumoured to be coming out of retirement ? Thankfully, nothing seems to have come of it. Whilst on the subject of Johnny Nelson, I have to say what an excellent show he and Adam Smith have on Sky. Top drawer stuff !

Sad to hear of the passing of former middleweight world champion Alan Minter. Minter became an household name in 1972 when winning a bronze medal at the Munich Olympics, which were made famous by American swimmer Mark Spitz’s 7 golds. Minter went on to become World Middleweight Champion, but his reign was brief after being destroyed by “Marvellous” Marvin Hagler in only his second defence in 1980. Maybe not the most talented British boxing champ, but a dedicated pro who made the most of his attributes. Another sporting hero from my youth, who is sadly no longer with us.

Lockdown boredom set in again, so just took another look at the famous “rope a dope” bout again. Two things I had forgotten about this classic ; 1. Despite Ali’s approach, he was still ahead on all 3 judges cards and 2 What a finish from Ali !

Checked out the stats for that 1st round. Hagler landed 50 from 82 and Hearns 56 from 83 ! First time I remember seeing “Marvellous Marvin” was sometime in the mid 70’s when he dismantled Alan Minter to claim the Brits WBA & WBC titles. Excellent at the dark arts of the game and one tough cookie !

With not much action on the horizon due to the current situation I was trawling YouTube and come across this fantastic opening round from the ‘85 Hagler v Hearns fight. Wow ! Slugfest at its best !

Or possibly under the roof at the millennium ? That would create some noise and atmosphere ! But one thing is for certain this fight has to happen, especially being an all Brit affair. We’ve been robbed of AJ v Wilder for 2 years. Don’t let AJ v Fury slip by ! But if Fury/Wilder III does happen, where does that leave Joshua for 2020 ?

Sensational performance from Fury ! I think we’re all aware that the Brit is the better boxer, but I never expected him to take the fight to Wilder in such a dramatic way and put him on his backside so early in the fight. Tyson dominated from the first bell and this is one of the most complete performances I’ve seen for quite some time. He was out of sight on the scorecard and for the American’s corner to throw the towel in with nearly have the fight to go is incredible ! Especially when Wilder’s punching prowess may still have turned the bout around. But Wilder was outboxed, outfought, out thought and overpowered. I don’t think I have missed anything have I ? Sublime performance. What will AJ think watching that ?

Rumours over here are that Brook may face Liam Smith of the Liverpool fighting dynasty in his next fight. Although Smith has had a decent career, he is pretty much a “yesterday’s child” and I cannot see the same clamour for tickets as there would be for a bout against Khan. Wilder v Fury ? I feel Tyson has to stop Wilder to win. It’s going to be awfully difficult to beat the American on home canvas, as was proven in the first fight. Bring it on !

As has been mentioned previously, speedway is an extremely dangerous sport. One of the most haunting experiences I have ever witnessed was at Newcastle sometime in the 80’s. The fantastic Joe Owen (brother of ex Stoke captain Tom) had recently been paralysed when riding in a meeting for Ellesmere Port. I was at a meeting ( maybe v Stoke) at Brough Park when he was a guest at his old Diamonds club and was being interviewed whilst wheelchair bound on the centre green. Joe (and Tom) was a legend at Newcastle. During the interview Joe broke down in tears and the whole crowd fell deadly silent. Here was a giant of the sport brought to tears. Then you realise what these guys put on the line for our entertainment. Speedway is a fantastic sport and I never fail to admire the riders for what they do. They deserve all the plaudits they get.

The forgotten man of British boxing steps back into ring on Saturday for the first time in over a year. Kell Brook takes on American Mark DeLuca (24-1) and says a defeat will take him into retirement. His fantastic performance when beating Shawn Porter to take the IBF title now seems a long, long time ago. Is this just an attempt to arouse interest in a final pay day against Amir Khan, a man he avoided like the plague when both were in their pomp, or a serious attempt to resurrect a once glittering career ? Either way, I always enjoyed watching Kell’s ring craft, but he possibly lacked the power to back that artistry up. Let’s just hope that he is in good shape for Saturdays bout following his recent spell of inactivity. No one wishes to see him as a shadow of his former self.

Hi Capirex ! Great to talk to fellow speedway enthusiasts ! Out of interest, is Owlerton now the fastest track in Britain ? I was brought up on speedway at the pacey Earle St circuit in Crewe and my favourite ever rider Phil Crump ! Boy that was a fast track ! Exeter was a fast track (like Crewe) but few away riders could ride either of them due to the steep and intimidating banking. Imagine lining up at Exeter with home track advantage and looking to your left and seeing Ivan Mauger in red ! Good luck for the new season !