General Manu In Fight For Life - R.i.p Eric Murray 15.12.2012

[Matulino's Left Shoulder]

Boxing training for his Fight for Life charity bout has brought back Warriors hero Manu Vatuvei's inner "Beast".
The league superstar is taking on Olympic gold medal hero Eric Murray on Saturday night.
Vatuvei has been punished into fighting condition for the match-up by former Warriors and Kiwis hardman, ex-professional boxer Monty Betham.
And Vatuvei - known to fans as "The Beast" for his rampaging runs that leave would-be tacklers in their wake - says Betham's regimen has hardened him mentally and physically after a disappointing NRL season for the giant wing.

Read more at stuff.co.nz

 

[Pete]

 

[Sup42]

In the open Eric has to move to his left Manu is being trained to double up every thing off his left then load the right. When that double jab off Manu's ( which aint that fast coz he's not a fighter.....comes out pawing.....measuring Eric........Eric has to be moving and leading with a Right ( he's not going to out jab Manu ) he might as well counter with a off balancing heavy punch, it's his only defense.

Manu is going to do the same when he cuts down stairs off his jab he throws a right to the body Eric will be forced to drop his left , before Manu gets of the next shot Eric has to Drive an upper cut off his right then tie Manu up before he can finish his sequence.

Circle to the left and load his right , stay off the ropes and if he gets caught there sharp upper cuts and tie up.

Survive till round three then When Manu's power is gone Jab and move Jab and move.

Eric doesn't have punching power and pound for pound Manu is too heavy for him, So he shouldn't waste his time going to the body , Manu is Too thick in the mid section , and he shouldn't try to be quicker because he doesn't have time to develop speed , he just has to be hard to hit ....and Manu is not used to upper cuts.

 

[Sup42]

My Secound favorite fighter. Not as good as Ali because unlike Ali once beaten Tyson couldn't come back and knock the victor out.

Mikes problem is once Cus died he stopped his head movement and his unique low center of gravity attacks. His defense is what made him great, not his power. Power. There are harder punchers in the history of boxing than Tyson an men with better jaws.

 

[Pete]

I think all signs look good for Manu. He seems to have taken to training really hard this year and is setting an example. He will get his heart tested by Eric Murray for that guy will come into the ring ready and in his mind he will think he is invincible (thanks to sport pych training the Olympic guys get). SO win or lose if he battles hard and refuses to be broken it will show Manus mental strength. I think last seasons Manu would have been beaton through the ropes but this year Im picking Murray to take the beating but to keep getting up. Manu to win.

 

[facefacts]

I think all signs look good for Manu. He seems to have taken to training really hard this year and is setting an example. He will get his heart tested by Eric Murray for that guy will come into the ring ready and in his mind he will think he is invincible (thanks to sport pych training the Olympic guys get). SO win or lose if he battles hard and refuses to be broken it will show Manus mental strength. I think last seasons Manu would have been beaton through the ropes but this year Im picking Murray to take the beating but to keep getting up. Manu to win.

I think the biggest advantage Manu will have over Murray is he and his body are used to getting hit....i know getting hit in league and getting hit in boxing are different, but not as different as rowing and boxing.

 

[Hitman82]

Haha yeah... Manu will have taken THOUSANDS of heavy head knocks. Our rowing pal may have copped an occasional stray oar, and maybe the odd rogue seagull...

Also, Manu is Tongan. It's a well-known fact that it's physically impossible to knock Tongans out. Sometimes they may blink after a heavy head knock, but that's it. Chances of Manu hitting the canvas; somewhere between zero and nothing.

 

[mode81]

I think it's a crap idea having a rower fight a league player just my thoughts, I know it's a charity event but the theme is League V Union not League V Rowing! I would have preferred to see Manu up against Nonu, Hosea Gear, or Guildford just to measure himself against an athlete of similar compatibility but I'm pretty sure Manu will annihilate the rower and I know absolutely nothing about boxing.

 

[Sup42]

I gotta a lot of respect for the rower.

None of those Rugby boys, the high profile players took their chance to get in their with Manu.

Eric Murray is a white guy from Pukekohe, Not Remuera. Out there it's not the slightly psychopathic kids standing over u for your Muesli bars and sushi at lunch time , It's the Children of the Mangukaha sharing your peanut butter or marmite on cheese because your their friend lol

He's got nuts.

He put up because he can't go through life being one of the hero worshiping kiss arses........the fullah has a big chip on his shoulders and so far it's taken him to edge. I've seen plenty of people of all colours shapes and sizes go nuts in a fight , ask any cop or prison guard , psychiatric worker, bouncer who's been around awhile and the people they struggle with are the ones with mad streak and nothing to lose.

No Matter what happens to Eric Murray he will forever be the fullah that gets up in the morning and plays by his own rules.

 

[Sup42]

I think the biggest advantage Manu will have over Murray is he and his body are used to getting hit....i know getting hit in league and getting hit in boxing are different, but not as different as rowing and boxing.

Maybe so bro.

I know a a few fullahs and i'm sure other people do that don't play any sport or even box that would take Manu's head off.

 

[bigstu]

everyone thought issac luke would demolish christian cullen how did that fight end up. i think murrey as much chance if not a better chance at winning this bout he's already ten times the athlete manu will ever be.

 

[Pete]

Rowing is a bit like rock climbing in that your strength is pulling towards you so he may clinch and throw big Manu around but the forward punching power wont be naturally there. He wont break a sweat in the fight with his fitness. Should be good to see.

 

[mt.wellington]

I have alot of respect for Eric not only for having the balls to take on Manu but as an athlete. I must admit to being a little annoyed at the presumption by most that Eric will get a pummelling. I think Eric may surprise many. He would certainly have more leg power than Manu with all the rowing he's done. I reckon he'd punch like a horse kicks...

 

[a.c.e]

Damn Manu gotta work on that left! Get 'two guns' Tua to give you some tips.

 

[eX | Machina]

Damn Manu gotta work on that left! Get 'two guns' Tua to give you some tips.

In the words of Don King re: Tua. "You can't come here to take on the champ only with a left hook and a bad hair cut"

 

[Raurimu Massive]

I'm hoping Murray will do well, and there's every chance he will. I know Manu's "The Beast", but Murray's fitness should be phenomenal, he's got to be a hell of a strong bugger and he should have a hell of a good jab with those long arms.

The main thing he'll have going for him (and it does pain me to bring this up) is that he'll have a big mental strength advantage over Manu. This is a guy who's dedicated himself to his sport to the extent that he and his rowing partner are the best the world's ever seen.

Interesting comments in the article (originally in the Sunday News) from Manu about his shortcomings in 2012... fatigue, lack of mental toughness. I find it surprising that a player of his experience could go through the season without taking control of his physical training to help rectify that - something that could be asked of every senior player in the team, really.

 

[SilentOne]

heard he dropped 6kg?

 

[Xt1ncT]

heard he dropped 6kg?

Yep - should do wonders for his speed. He's said that dripping the weight has had huge benefits for his knees as well.

He's at 106 and wants to be at 109 for the season.

 

[mt.wellington]

https://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/15607282/nrl-stars-fear-ko-in-boxing-ring/

 

[Raurimu Massive]

He's said that dripping the weight has had huge benefits for his knees as well.

See, I just don't get how with all of the professional support that's available to guys like Manu, something as basic as dropping weight to relieve sore knees (and therefore extend your career) has to be made clear to him through training for a charity boxing match. Where the hell is the intelligence in managing these players? Surely someone from the club sits down with them and goes over this sort of shit? Surely?