I've
gotten a few requests to do a mailbag in recent weeks. Honestly, these really
aren't my forte but hey, ask and you might just receive (just don't expect a
pound-for-pound list anytime soon). Plus, I've always said I have the pleasure
of corresponding with the most intelligent fans around. I guess it's the upside
of not pandering to the lowest common denominator out there. So here we go as I
try and get my Doug Fischer on...
We're not getting Pac-Mayeather, but you
know, these are some pretty good fights.
Pacquiao has looked very good but not especially spectacular since 2009, so
who's to say if he shows up a step slow Bradley can't win that fight?
Bradley's a young undefeated guy in his prime with serious game, who doesn't
like seeing him get a shot like this?
And Marquez-Peterson is pretty fascinating on paper too, and Cotto is still a
real tough out for anyone, Mayweather included. And, needless to say, being a
few weeks from a trip to the hole Mayweather's focus will be tested.
with even decent undercards I've got no gripes with these bouts even if they're
all PPV.
-Shane
I agree. Again, I know it's fashionable
to say that the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight not taking place in May is the
ruination of this business but that's become the latest “black eye for boxing.”
Like I said a few weeks ago, in lieu of that match-up, I want to see fresh, new
fights (http://www.maxboxing.com/news/max-boxing-news/is-this-police-academy).
What I find interesting is this: so many people are deriding the
Pacquiao-Bradley fight. Last I checked, it was the “Desert Storm” who was in
his physical prime and listed on those mythical pound-for-pound rankings while
having the best résumé at junior welterweight (Yeah, yeah, he supposedly ducked
Amir Khan. Personally, I think he ducked his TV packager at the time and it
looks like that decision has been vindicated). This bout will be contested for
Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title but honestly, the “Pac-Man” is really just a
blown-up junior welterweight. I don't see an advantage for either boxer at this
weight limit.
I'll say it right now; Bradley is a very good athlete, deceptively elusive with
good speed. And if the Filipino icon has lost a foot off his fastball, as some
think, I think this is a real fight.
As for Mayweather-Cotto, yeah, in a perfect world, this takes place in 2007 but
as we all know, boxing is not a perfect world. Bob Arum has done a better job
of rehabilitating Cotto than the Betty Ford Clinic could have ever hoped.
Unless the weight really comes into play, I think this is a bad style for
Mayweather- but “Money” is a difficult style for almost anyone he faces.
Just my opinion but Pacquiao-Bradley is the better pure fight. Mayweather-Cotto
will do much better business.
As for a Peterson-Marquez fight, it's interesting. On Twitter (@stevemaxboxing),
I asked the public which fight they preferred: that one or a rematch between
Peterson and Amir Khan. Overwhelmingly, they favored Peterson-Marquez which, if
Arum had his way, would take place in July at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,
Texas.
Steve,
Saw your note on MB about Goody. He was a true boxing guy and as straight a
shooter as they come.
Went to the wake the other night and numerous old pugs from the area paid their
respects. A lot of respect and love for Goody there. He will be missed.
Had tough recent road as he lost his wife of nearly 70 years and brother Pat
within weeks of each other only a few months back.
I really thought he'd still be holding the mitts till he was 100, he was still
so vibrant, but he had great run as is.
Evan
The thing that's amazing about Marvin
Hagler is that, coming from Newark, New Jersey, he had never really
interacted or had a relationship with any Caucasians prior to walking into the
Petronellis’ gym in Brockton, Massachusetts. To me, it really spoke of the type
of people that Marvelous Marvin and the Petronellis were that, over time, their
bond became unbreakable. There aren't a lot of happy endings in this harsh
industry but the fact that they began as strangers at the beginning this long
and illustrious journey and ended it on such good terms in the very end proves they
do exist.
It's a bit of a shame that the Petronellis were basically defined by just one
prizefighter but Hagler's not a bad one to be forever associated with.
Good evening, Mr. Kim,
I've been an avid reader of your boxing
columns on Max Boxing for several years now. Good stuff, many thanks for your
editorials.
I just wrapped up your take on the
Chavez vs. Rubio fight from this weekend past. It continues to astonish me that
various state athletic commissions, seemingly with operating budgets and
regulations, can somehow "forget" to do things like check urine samples
for drugs and monitor hand-wrappings (I'm of course referring to the Texas
Athletic Commission and the California State Athletic Commission). Do promoters
with clout who represent the favorites in any given match-up really have the
kind of power to make tests go away? Or would you chalk this up to some kind of
administrative error?
I found the bout itself fairly
entertaining -- and Rubio very gusty to continue to deal with what effectively
was a cruiserweight bearing down on him. However, news of the Chavez camp
fleeing the scene prior to his drug test, coupled with revelations of the
massive weight cut/massive weight gain, really strikes me as suspicious--a
fresh outrage for the sport's avid fans. What do you think of these
events?
More questions/comments:
· If
the Chavez camp in fact fled the test, shouldn't they be fined and/or the
decision be changed to a No Contest?
· How
can it possibly be legal for a fighter to vault so many weight classes by fight
night? The science of rehydration, praised in some editorials as masterful by
fitness gurus like Ariza, seem to be the province of a select group with ample
money, and threatens to kind of turn these events into almost a new sport
entirely -- what a tactical advantage one gains by gaining all this functional
weight?
· You
asked what five current active middleweights one could name who would stand a
chance of beating Chavez Jr. I can potentially name three, and am curious about
your thoughts:
1. Kelly Pavlik: Granted his career has
taken a downward arc. However, if he can rehabilitate it in his new L.A.
environs, I think he might still have enough to defeat Chavez Jr. In many ways,
a fully charged Pavlik should have played the Rubio role, in this recent fight.
Unlike Rubio, he has the length and size to match Chavez Jr. -- could anyone
imagine Julio bodying Pavlik around at will like he did Rubio? Pavlik's right
hand would be the most potent weapon Chavez Jr. has ever had to deal with, and
Chavez is also vulnerable to the jab, which the vintage Pavlik threw well
(Pavlik could also fight inside pretty well, evidenced by the fights with
Miranda and Taylor).
2. Felix Sturm: Likewise the current Sturm
has declined a bit, seemingly, based on his last performances. However, a
motivated, fully charged Sturm (if that's possible, at this point), could
dismantle Chavez Jr. with jabs from long range and inside uppercuts. His
peekaboo defense also remains pretty tight -- no one ever really seems to hit
him flush...they just kind of wobble his upper body and expend themselves on
his shell defense.
3. Finally, Gennady Golovkin: I agree with
your colleaue Doug Fischer that Golovkin would probably put some serious hurt
on Chavez. Rumors exist, possibly first recorded on your web site, that
Golovkin badly embarrassed Chavez during an L.A. sparring session, and that
Chavez's camp pulled the plug on it very quickly. Golovkin I believe did the
same thing to Alfredo Angulo. Too tough, too multi-faceted, too hard a puncher
for Chavez Jr., then and I think now as well. Golovkin might ruin him, even
with his cruiserweight advantage!
Hope you'll write back and share your
thoughts.
Sincerely,
H. MacGregor
I know this is a bit of semantics but
I'm not sure you can avoid something that is never offered and I don't think
Chavez necessarily “fled” as some have stated. Again, there was nothing to run
from as they were never ordered to take a post-fight drug test and Chavez Jr.
and his camp did show up to the post-fight presser at the Alamodome. It's not
as if a getaway car was waiting for them at ringside immediately after the
bout.
That said, what took place between the WBC and Texas was a systemic breakdown,
gross negligence or collusion. There's no excuse for it and while the “blame/non-blame”
game is played by all the parties involved, in my view, this is on the WBC.
After all, it's in their rules and I believe it's ultimately up to them to have
due diligence in working out all the logistics locally. But to say they
don't step on the toes of the local jurisdictions is a spurious claim. I mean,
they certainly have no problems in shoving open-scoring down everyone's throat
in the U.S.; do they?
(I was going to make a few phone calls on this snafu but I couldn't have done a
better job than our own Gabe Montoya did in covering this issue (http://www.maxboxing.com/news/sub-lead/texas-stumbles-into-the-drug-testing-era).
Regarding Chavez Jr., he's been busted before for using diuretics (before hooking
up with Alex Ariza, to be fair). It's my belief that, like in other sports,
athletes who are caught with illicit substances in past competitions should be
subject to mandatory testing (that goes above and beyond the norm) in all
future fights.
Now, as for fighters blowing up in weight after the weigh-in, well, that's not
against the rules. But what was once a safety precaution has become completely
exploited and now almost a strategic tool to create physical- and dangerous
mismatches. Now the genie is out of the bottle forever. What I would propose is
that, like the IBF, I would stipulate that in 12-round fights, a fighter cannot
put on more than ten pounds by noon on the day of the fight. At least this way,
you have a fair chance to rehydrate and yet still keep some of the integrity of
the weight classes.
As for the guys you listed, I'd love to see all those fights in the future. I
actually saw some technical improvement in Chavez Jr.’s last couple of outings
but again, is that a mirage based on certain advantages in size that he carries
with him into the ring?
Dear Mr Kim, It is with utmost respect
that I respond to your article. As a lifelong participant in the development of
professional fighters I have experienced many difficulties in regard to
integrity. The paragraph you authored on the relationship between the
Petronelli's and Marvelous Marvin Hagler made me reflect a great deal on many
of the issues a manager/promoter faces. It was so inspirational to hear that
there is such a thing as true integrity. I applaud your words and have saved
this article to read with every single fighter first hand. Belief in each other
as a team is what builds World Champions! The greatest fear of anyone kind
enough to develop a fighting spirit in an amateur fighter is the loss of that
fighter to a suitcase full of money. Hearing how Marvin was such a man of
integrity renewed my focus on what I was doing and how special the relationship
can be. Thank you for your insight into how special this relationship was. I
will use it often If you would be so kind in allowing me to do so. Thank you
again. Cooper
I was just a very young child when
Hagler was coming up, facing some of the tough Philadelphia middleweights and
being unquestionably avoided by the champions of that era. But through it all,
Hagler never wavered- even when he was told that to be included in Don King's
ill-fated ABC tournament, he had to leave the Petronellis. That's the type of
guy he was.
Nowadays, young boxers would leave at the drop of a Kangol as an Al Haymon or
the like would dangle the mere offer or a lowered percentage or a chance to immediately
be on television. Hey, I've seen champions like Lamon Brewster do that to Sam
Simon (who loved him like a son). Simon, Executive Producer of “The Simpsons,”
didn't do this for the money. The man is a multimillionaire who just loved
being in this crazy business for whatever reason. But after he was unceremoniously
jettisoned by Brewster, Simon left the sport for good, I think in large part to
a broken heart. It's a shame; we need more guys like Simon in this industry.
I'll never forget the look of pure bliss he had walking into the press room
after Brewster shocked Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO heavyweight title at the
Mandalay Bay. Simon was walking on air that night with that belt draped over
his right shoulder. All the money in the world (and he had plenty) can't buy that
type of euphoria.
Brewster made a choice to become just another name on Haymon's Rolodex, which was
certainly his prerogative- but I wonder if he ever second-guesses himself.
Mr. Cooper, best of luck, but be realistic. Expect to be let down eventually
because they don't make ‘em like Marvin Nathaniel Hagler anymore.
Hey Steve,
The Texas three step is a great article
on why boxing should be held in different venues throughout the country. I
remember not that long ago even the "casino promoter" Gary Shaw drew
a big audience in Nebraska of all places. But i feel as one of the top
hotbeds of boxing, that being the city of Los Angeles, we are
getting shun a little bit as it comes to boxing, sure you can find small cards
here and there at hotel ballrooms in Ontario and Woodland Hills, but there is
no reason for us not having better boxing cards. For example, a card for espn
friday night fights was to be held in Los Angeles, now Delaware? Brandon Rios
v. Gamboa should be held in Los Angeles but now Vegas? Didn't the
slow ticket sales of Ortiz v Berto 2 demonstrate anything? I just don't
get it, we have great venues staples center, home depot center, etc etc. Yet
when i look at the calendar I don't see anything that appeals to me. Will
golden boy bring back hopkins v dawson? Sorry for venting but your article just
furthers the argument on why big boxing events should be held in Los Angeles. I
feel like we are being shun a little bit.
Jorge Casillas
To be fair, Jorge, you have to give
Golden Boy Promotions a lot of credit. To me, they are a big part of why Los
Angeles/Southern California consistently gets big fights at venues like Staples
Center and the Home Depot Center. But as the disastrous promotion featuring
Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson showed, while L.A. is a great boxing market,
you still need geographic common sense in regard to where you stage cards. The
rematch should do much better in Atlantic City on April 28th.
Now, as for Ortiz-Berto II, yeah, I know; there was a reason why the MGM Grand
was offering its players free room and tickets for the fight originally scheduled for this weekend. I don't think this
fight does any better on the rescheduled date of June 30th (and
everyone in the business tells me that the summer months are a tough pull for
Vegas) at the Mandalay Bay. In fact, this only ensures there are fewer empty
seats that night as the Mandalay Bay Events Center is a smaller room.
Honestly, this bout belongs somewhere in SoCal but since Berto’s handlers did
nothing to build him into any sort of attraction, they will make sure to
penalize Ortiz for his ability to actually draw a little bit. Such is the
business in the new millennium. Those who should have no leverage are given it
based on influence and not merit.
Hey, Steve - you know, I'm actually
really interested in Cotto/Mayweather (at 154 for Cotto's strap, you already
know how I feel about all the catchweight nonsense), especially if Cotto mixes
in those sledgehammer body shots that he seems to have abandoned lately in
favor of better footwork and counter-punching. I know that Floyd has already
stated that he views Cotto as Manny's "leftovers," but that sounds to
me like a cop out in order to justify taking an easier fight with Alvarez (in
my eyes, anyway). It's hardly arguable that Cotto's career has been on the up,
and Money didn't seem to mind taking the following fights in the past:
Zab Judah (immediately following a loss
to Baldomir)
Chop Chop Corley (immediately following
a loss to Judah)
Sharmba Mitchell (one fight removed from
getting absolutely drilled by Tszyu, who Floyd never seemed all that interested
in fighting)
The funny thing is, regardless of how I
feel about Floyd's choices in opposition, I would have picked him against all
the guys I wish he had fought (Casamayor, Tszyu, Freitas, Cotto, Johnston,
Margarito, et al). Shane at 135 might have been a freakin' nightmare for him,
though; I did have Floyd even up with Castillo across two fights, after
all.
Take care, sorry to send you what must
have been the 1,000th Mayweather e-mail you've gotten in the past few days.
Wilson
DC
Wilson, my hope is that Cotto fights a
bit more like he did during his glory days at 140, which is to be that guy who
bangs hard to the body with his left hook and imposes his strength on the inside.
The “new” Cotto who boxes and moves will get picked apart by Mayweather. He
isn't going to outbox the master boxer.
As for Mayweather, watch the fight with Ortiz again and you'll see a guy who is
much more stationary than the reputation he has and one willing to stay in the
pocket. At the end of the day, I think Mayweather has much more hand speed and
is the fresher fighter.
Hi
Steve,
How about the Salinas kid
Alejandro Perez? Isn't he always exciting to watch? I'm from
Salinas and every time Alejandro fights he keeps us on the edge of our seat
with his brawling style and punching power. I don't know what you
think but I don't feel like his team is managing correctly or at
least not matching him as they should at this point in his
career. He is still young with outstanding skills but if you look back at
his last three or four fights he's been thrown in with some of the best up and
comers in his division and has lost a couple of them. On the
other hand you have our other hometown Perez (Eloy) and they way he's been
carefully matched, as you know this month he will be fighting for a
world championship on HBO. Don't get me wrong I love Alejandro's style
and it's very fan friendly but I would like to see him have a long career
and treat us to many more happy moments like the one on Saturday night.
His trainers should work on polishing his defensive skills since he does get
hit more then he should.
Credit
to that kid from Florida Derrick Wilson, man he was tough.
As
always I enjoy your pieces, thanks Steve and take care.
JM Hernandez
I thought Perez was really
good on Saturday night in taking apart a faster, quicker guy in Wilson. Early
on, it looked like he'd have problems getting off but he did a textbook job on
smothering and closing the gap and letting both hands go to the body before mixing
in power shots upstairs. And I agree with you. If you look at his last four
bouts (Rico Ramos, Antonio Escalante, Diego Magdaleno and now Wilson), Perez
isn't being done any favors. There comes a point in time where you have to pump
the brakes a bit and not look to get your guy in World War III every single
time out. There's an art, a craft to developing a fighter. Anyone can just make
fights- but doesn't this guy (who works his tail off at the Wild Card Gym. I
mean, invariably, he's always back in the gym within a week or two of all his
fights) deserve a chance to build a career where he can make some real money?
As you noted, look at Eloy
Perez, who was adroitly managed by the Garcia family up there and taken care of.
Now he's in position where he's facing Adrien Broner for the WBO super
featherweight title on February 25th on HBO and I guarantee he
doesn't have nearly the wear-and-tear his namesake has.
Alejandro- who is one of the
nicest individuals I have ever covered- is just 25 years old, so there's still
plenty of time. However, I do cringe a bit at how much and how hard he spars between
fights.
Perez proves that, while it is
about the thoroughbred, the jockeys steering him are also important.
Maybe Im in
the minority and am missing the big deal, but....
Why the F does anyone give a sh*t about who Robert Guerrero is fighting next? I
mean hes mentioned for every fighter north of 135 and south of 154, as if his
next fight is in high demand by the public.
You mean to tell me anyone cares to see a guy who:
1) Has ZERO defining wins IMO
2) Has ZERO wins at all above 135
3) Touched the canvas and was taken the distance by young lions Casamayor and
Katsisdis
4) Quit in his homecoming fight
5) Questionable health coming off major surgery
Enough about this f**king guy
Matt Swider
Whoa, whoa, whoa, Swider-Man. “The Ghost”
is coming off an impressive win over the summer in San Jose versus Marcos
Maidana…uh, wait…he isn't. That's right. Yeah, I know; they are acting as if
they are on the heels of this great victory instead of a rotator cuff injury which
left Guerrero sidelined since his conquest over Michael Katsidis last April.
But I think it's part of today's internet culture existing in boxing where
instead of just focusing in on your career and building a résumé, you just take
to the Worldwide Web and call out the biggest names possible. It's not so much
prizefighting as it is panhandling.
I give them some credit, though. I haven't seen anyone in recent memory get
this much mileage out of really accomplishing nothing as Guerrero. He's an
honorary Kardashian in that regard. I mean, imagine how much he'd be talked
about if- oh, I don't know- he would've actually performed inside the ring over
the last eight months.
But I hope they get a fight soon. I can't take anymore press releases from
Guerrero’s publicist, Mario Serrano. Right now, I look forward to emails from
Nigerian princes telling me that they have a half-million dollars waiting to
share with me if I just give them my bank information.
steve, am i nuts for
thinking chavez would have a great chance to beat martinez?
sergio supposedly weighed in at 165
fighttime against williams. yeah he is a good mover and a good
boxer. but does he have enough to dent junior, whose 180+lb
body seems totally unphased by firepower coming across the ring from his
smaller opponents? i feel like the prince of mexico will bull his
weight forward, without losing steam all night. the dude threw 71 punches
in the last round against rubio, compared to only 24 and 42 in round 1 and 2,
respectively. this would leave maravilla no choice but to run around
the ring doing his best amir khan impersonation, and losing a close
decision. of course it would be really sad if this happened, but i think
its very much a possibility.
boris
Uh, yeah, I think you'd be called “Mr.
Planters” by most boxing fans.
But I could see the weight becoming a factor, considering that Martinez might
really be a 154-pounder masquerading as a middleweight and has spoke of his
willingness to get down to 150 pounds for a crack at Pacquiao or Mayweather.
Realistically, Chavez Jr. and Top Rank may never pull the trigger on this fight
for a very simple reason: they may not have to. Yeah, I know Lou DiBella will
scream bloody murder and state that the WBC had mandated they fight. But based
on the events of this past weekend in San Antonio, who do you think Jose
Sulaiman will protect? Guess what? If push comes to shove, they can just vacate
that belt because I'm not really sure that the huge Chavez fan base really cares
if he has that strap or not (I can just see Dean Chance, the old right-hander,
being called out of the bullpen to dust off the IBA belt- once dubbed “It’s Bob
Arum’s” by Michael Katz- and going with that for the time being. Or just merely
moving up in weight).
Chavez Jr. is like the Lady Gaga of boxing. Yeah, the critics and
traditionalists may pan him but the bottom line is he is a legitimate
attraction. He drew over 14,000 fans (with a gate of over a million dollars) on
a weekend when the Spurs played in their hometown AT&T Center against the
OKC Thunder and Kevin Durant. It's the reason why Arum is already talking about
bringing him back here to Texas on June 2nd against Andy Lee. Lady
Gaga may not be the most talented artist/musician but she plays to the masses.
The numbers do not lie.
The same applies to Junior.
(I just can't wait for Guerrero to challenge him to a fight in an upcoming
press release.)
.
