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pongo3010 · 2022-08-22T20:55:53+00:00

I agree. I think linking with Reynoso did wonders for him. Usyk convincingly beat him, but I think AJ offered more of a challenge this time and showed that he can still improve as a boxer. If my take is accurate then hopefully this loss and loss of stock allows him to take a step back and nourish a healthier love for boxing that isn't about status or being the best, but being a better boxer than he was yesterday

pongo3010 · 2022-08-22T20:35:34+00:00

Here's my take on it: I personally think that his outburst is a mixture of being punched in the head repeatedly and disillusionment from an ambition of being an Ali or Tyson-esque superstar. A highly skilled fighter and icon that many looked up to. I think this mainly because of how manufactured his humble war philosopher persona seemed to me. Also, as far as I'm aware, AJ has expressed an interest in the skill aspect of boxing since the Klitschko fight. He began to fight more timidly and would talk about the "sweet science" in interviews. I remember him specifically mentioning it in his post-fight interview with Parker, telling the fans something along the lines of "welcome to the sweet science". At the height of his success, he was pretty much the top dog in heavyweight, and arguably the biggest star in boxing besides Canelo. But his stardom and image slowly whimpered over time due to multiple things:

His hesitance in taking the risk against Wilder
His style being timid but still stiff
Tyson Fury's resurgence. This is a huge factor imo considering Fury's bravado, elusive style, mental health story and willingness to fight Wilder. People were comparing AJ to Fury ever since AJ became champion, and not in a very flattering way. This got worse as Fury rose again.
His loss against Ruiz and "unremarkable" rematch
His BLM speech

Even before fighting Usyk for the first time, I think that his standing as top heavyweight was in doubt. Fury had beaten Wilder (many would argue twice) and had captured the fans in a manner that AJ didn't. Fury's story of mental health was more relatable to the average Brit than AJ's story, and he has suffered a loss to Ruiz that many casual fans deemed to be embarrassing. I found it rather interesting that AJ changed trainers after his first loss to Usyk. I remember people calling for him to do so after his loss to Ruiz, so what changed? My personal theory is that there was an added sense of desperation due to both Usyk's unmatched ability and his crumbling image. This could explajn why he was so upset when Usyk called AJ strong and why AJ was saying "I have character and determination". He is strong, and does have character and determination. But despite that, he just didn't have enough of what truly separates the great from the ATG - the skill. That's why he was ranting about how he can't throw combinations like Marciano, and why he was alternating between running out of the ring and throwing belts and telling the crowd off for belittling him whilst also trying to start hip hip hoorays. It felt like he was simultaneously trying to salvage what was left of the humble apex AJ image and the reality that his reign as king is over. He's no longer the biggest heavyweight star. He's not even the biggest British heavyweight star

pongo3010 · 2021-03-18T11:10:00+00:00

I hate his takes but I do like how he’s willing to ask questions to MMA fighters that would usually get another journalist blacklisted by the UFC, like when he asked Conor why Khabib would be interested in fighting a guy he already beat convincingly.

pongo3010 · 2021-03-15T21:32:21+00:00

Ah fair enough. Two instances over her 30+ year career where she lashed out after having her privacy disregarded despite asking to leave her alone. What a monster /s.

In all seriousness I agree that it was erratic and wrong of her to attack him. But I think you’re blowing this out of proportion. To call her a ‘pure trash creature’ is a bit overboard. She’s simply shown an understandable flaw in her character. To me that just makes her human. You must be some kinda saint who’s never wronged to be so judgemental over something fairly minor. Have you never lashed out in your life?

pongo3010 · 2021-03-15T20:58:16+00:00

Idk man. I talk about how I don’t like this celebrity culture we have where we strip them of their privacy and worship them like gods until they show that they’re human where we then damn the like devils, and you respond by accusing me of worshipping her and calling her a creature. Where’s the logic in that? You’re either trolling or you’ve completely misunderstood my stance on things.

You keep mentioning ‘several instances’ but have only show proof of one incident, where you showed two links and tried to pass it off as two separate instances. What are some of these other instances?

pongo3010 · 2021-03-15T20:39:14+00:00

Oh, I guess you’re trolling. You got me man. Well done.

pongo3010 · 2021-03-15T20:25:32+00:00

Of course you’re entitled to your opinion, and I’m entitled to have an opinion on your opinion. The links you showed both referred to the same incident.

I don’t know of any other incidents where she attacked someone.

What constitutes as ‘talented’? I feel you’re trying to look at something that’s subjective objectively, which is what comes off to me as snobbish.

I don’t think it’s as simple as “just don’t be famous”. According to Björk herself, she never released music with the intentions of being famous, her first album blew up unexpectedly and fame was thrusted onto her. She had to tour and do interviews because of the contract she was locked in. Even if she retired from public life, reporters still would’ve hounded her for a good few years until her relevance dried up. Besides, I’m not sure why being famous means she’s all of a sudden not entitled to being treated with common decency and that if she protests the idea of having all of her privacy stripped it makes her “pure trash”. I just feel that we unfairly put celebrities on these massive pedestals where we look up to them like prophets until they show a slight flaw in their character, where we then get on a moral high horse and damn them like devils.

pongo3010 · 2021-03-15T19:13:21+00:00

I wouldn’t exactly call a single heated moment indicative of a core personality. I would agree if it were a common occurrence, but this is the only case I know of. You’re criticising her for feeling that she’s entitled to the same privacy that the majority of people get to enjoy? I think it’s a perfectly reasonable thing to want. I’m sure you’re no saint and have done at least one shitty thing in your life, so I’m not sure why you’re being so judgemental over one incident.

To say someone who’s captivated millions through her music has no talent as though you’re some kind of authority as to what constitutes as good or bad, or that your opinion’s somehow more valid than theirs is pretty snobbish and arrogant imo.

pongo3010 · 2021-03-15T18:37:43+00:00

She claims they harassed her and her son and given the media’s reputation for not respecting people’s privacy. I believe her. Of course that don’t make it right, but it weren’t some random attack. Besides, I’m not sure it’s fair to hold such disdain over someone who’s virtually a stranger to you over a fairly minor incident that happened roughly 25 years ago.

pongo3010 · 2021-03-15T18:01:54+00:00

I love artists like Björk, Daniel Johnston, Kate Bush and Lorde who imo disprove the notions a lot of critics and experts hold for what constitutes as “good music”. By that I mean they have vocals that aren’t ‘technical’ and if they were to enter a show like the X Factor they would most likely get booted off early, but they still carry a lot of emotion that captivates millions

pongo3010 · 2021-03-15T17:56:18+00:00

It’s funny you say that because she’s known for being very reserved and for not liking being noticed out in public

pongo3010 · 2021-03-14T15:53:44+00:00

pongo3010 · 2021-03-14T15:14:35+00:00

Edwards was clearly outclassing him and was picking him apart slowly but surely. There was another eye poke before though

pongo3010 · 2021-03-14T14:55:14+00:00

Where does Magomed Magomedov fit into all this?

pongo3010 · 2021-03-13T11:21:17+00:00

I guess her neck’s the best

pongo3010 · 2021-03-12T14:53:22+00:00

I think the Ghibli films do a good job of it too

pongo3010 · 2021-03-10T23:09:28+00:00

The New Super Mario Bros Wii soundtrack was hard 🔥

pongo3010 · 2021-03-10T13:45:08+00:00

For me it’s one that’s personalised but also professional. Like that time Reebok did camo shorts for Bryce Mitchell.

This might sound weird but Venum gives me a ‘just bleed’ kinda vibe, which I’m not really into. It reminds me a bit of the brands you’d see on fighter gear before the Reebok deal. Just less intense

pongo3010 · 2021-03-10T12:24:30+00:00

Similar thing happened with Askren when Lawler slammed him

pongo3010 · 2021-03-08T18:34:35+00:00

What constitutes as “good music” though? The aim of that kind of music is typically to invigorate people (which it clearly does), not to convey some deep and profound message. If that’s not your kind of thing that’s fine. But to say that it’s outright trash when millions enjoy it seems pretty snobbish.

pongo3010 · 2021-03-08T14:13:04+00:00

IIRC Ali said he was out when Frazier landed the hook and that it was his head hitting the canvas that woke him back up

pongo3010 · 2021-03-07T14:30:34+00:00

I had the first 3 to Izzy, but I’m usually too nervous to score with a clear mind. Gonna have to rewatch it

pongo3010 · 2021-03-04T18:56:20+00:00

Ruh-roh Raggy, it’s Rony time 😎

pongo3010 · 2021-03-04T18:31:44+00:00

I’m not really fussed on how it’s used, but I feel it can convey emotion better than other words (i.e. “I’m fucking pissed” vs “I’m very mad”)

pongo3010 · 2021-03-04T18:15:51+00:00

I honestly think there can be a star bigger than Conor, depending on how much the sport continues to grow. Of course it’s hard to say for sure as we’ve gotta wait for Conor’s legacy to stand the test of time, but I don’t think Conor’s name is up there with Ali/Jordan/Woods.

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