In today?s edition of Ask The Editor (ATE), we look to what lies ahead for lightweight boxing king Juan Manuel Marquez, give applause to Juan Diaz for his performance in defeat and talk more Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao. We contemplate Muhammad Ali?s best win, preview Roy Jones-Omar Sheika, speculate on a Celestino Caballero-Juan Manuel Lopez match, look at boxing?s uncrowned best boxers and much more.
Name : Duma Msongelwa Country : South Africa Your Question : We all know that Juan Manuel Marquez will not fight either Pac-Man or Money Mayweather. How about JM Marquez vs. Miguel Cotto @ welterweight? I don?t think there is any lightweight or junior welterweight in Dinamata?s class at the moment. Another Mexico vs. Puerto Rico dogfight. Top Rank and Golden Boy can make this fight.
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: Yes it?s a fight that can be made but I just think Marquez is too small. You can never say never, but I?d be surprised if this fight came off.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Duma, I like your thoughts on a JM Marquez-Cotto match-up, but Marquez just won the WBO/WBA lightweight belts. I don?t think the Mexican will move up to challenge Cotto at 147 in the immediate future.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Isn?t it interesting how ever since Manny Pacquiao?s jump up in weight to beat Oscar De La Hoya, there is seemingly no limit to speculation on what fights can now be made between stars in different weight classes. I?d say Cotto is a jump too far for Marquez. Besides, there is a battle royal going on at lightweight right now. Look at the matches in Austin on April 4! Line? em up for Marquez ? Valero, Chavez, Katsidis.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: As great as Marquez is, it is hard for me to imagine him fighting a true junior welterweight never mind a 147lbs beast like Cotto. His best bet is a third match against his old foe Pac-Man. If Hatton does the business and beats Pacquiao this May, I?m sure Marquez will get his man.
Name : Russell Anderson Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Just wanted to express my appreciation for Juan Diaz? performance. He may have lost, but he had the balls to take the fight up to the second best boxer in the world today in Marquez. My estimation of Juan has risen now. Where does he go from here?
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: The lightweight division is the hottest in boxing at the moment. Edwin Valero faces Antonio Pitalua and Joan Guzman takes on Yuri Romanov in world title fights in the coming months. I?d like to see him fight the winner of one of these. Or how about Michael Katsidis?
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Russell, no doubt Diaz made a great showing against Marquez ? especially inspired by his hometown fans. I think it?s important that Diaz stays active and doesn?t sit around for nine months getting fat. If he stays in the gym I think good things will happen?resulting in another world title challenge at 135 lbs.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Juan Diaz? performance was the perfect example in boxing that a loss is not always a loss. He may have been defeated by Marquez, but I came away asking myself, when can I see him again.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: After his performance last week, Diaz has surely enhanced his already sparkling appeal to fight fans around the world. I?d love to see a rematch but, with Marquez and Campbell stating their intentions to move up, Diaz is now the man to beat in the division.
Name : James Linley Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Wow! What a weekend. A major classic in Marquez-Diaz, didn?t see that ending coming! I had the fight dead even at that point. Marquez proved his greatness again. A couple of minor classics in Rogan-Skelton and Thaxton-Mezaache. Fair play to Rogan, achieving all of this in 13 fights and at 37 years old. I had Skelton a big favourite going in. My question is: how far can Rogan go? Whilst he isn?t the most technically adept out there, I could see him doing well at British level, with the old guard on the way out and Haye only interested in a world title shot he?s got a few years before Tyson Fury (or someone else) comes up.
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: James, yes I?m pleased for Martin Rogan, he caught Skelton at the right time and now he deserves some decent paydays. There?s no reason why he can?t fight for the European title.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Marquez showed his experience under fire. Withstood Diaz? best and then took him out. A classic performance from the Mexican 35 year-old.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: Rogan is a great story, James. I was not all that surprised that he beat Harrison, but I was shocked that he knocked out Matt Skelton. Good luck to him ? I hope he can make himself a few quid and keep the fairytale going for a while.
Name : Andy Crawford Country : USA Your Question : So Ricky Hatton claims he is going to be fighting a different fight against Pacquiao. He has never changed his style in any of the fights I have seen. These two are going head to head. It will be a fantastic battle.
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: You?re right Andy. I really do feel this comes down to speed. It will be a cracking fight, no question, but I feel Hatton?s natural strength will see him home.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Andy, I think Hatton?s claim of a new style is just a ploy to possibly disrupt Pacquiao?s preparation. In fact, Hatton?s style is the right style to give Pac-Man some problems by keeping the fight at close range while utilizing effective clinching.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: I see Hatton still improving. He is more consistent with his punching. I am interested to see what else he can do after another training camp under Floyd Mayweather Sr. Hard to imagine another more interesting partnership than Hatton and Floyd Sr.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: The Ricky Hatton that fought Paul Malignaggi last year was a lot different than the version that fought Mayweather, Tszyu or Maussa. It?s clear that he has been working on developing his boxing skills since the departure of Billy Graham and I think it?ll serve him extremely well against Pacquiao this May.
Name : Kevin Doyle Country : United Kingdom Your Question : How do you see Pac-Man handling Hatton? There is no doubt that Hatton is going to be a lot stronger and fitter than Oscar De La Hoya was?
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: I feel the same, Kevin. Hatton is still in his prime and if he can nullify Pacquiao?s speed he will grind the Filipino down middle to late rounds.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Kevin, Pacquiao will be very effective against Hatton if he utilizes the same movement and quickness that basically paralysed De La Hoya. However, if Ricky can stay at close range and make it a battle of infighting, than we?ve got a great fight on our hands!
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: It is a great fight no matter what happens. Pacquiao?s speed and movement will be the key for his success. Hatton?s strength on the inside and suffocating pressure are his weapons. I can scenarios where both men win. Exactly what makes it such a great match.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS : I agree with you, Kevin. This fight will be a lot different that the De La Hoya debacle in December. Hatton presents a much different and much more difficult challenge than Oscar provided and I think Pacquiao and Roach realize that. He?ll be faster, stronger and more aggressive than De La Hoya was ? as if that?d be hard ? and I?m looking forward to an explosive match-up.
Name : Peter Cronje Country : South Africa Your Question : What was the best win of Muhammad Ali?s great career? I find it hard to choose he had so many important wins?
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS : What a tough question. You?re right Peter, there were so many. But if I had to say two, it would be the eighth round win over George Foreman and the third fight (Thrilla in Manila) against Joe Frazier. Don?t forget the win over Foreman came just nine after the second war with Frazier.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Peter, I think the first win over Sonny Liston in Miami was Ali?s greatest victory considering no one really gave Ali a chance and he had to overcome altered vision for a whole round with Liston stalking him.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: There are three absolutely stand-out Ali wins for me. The first win over Sonny Liston, the knockout of George Foreman and the third fight with Joe Frazier. I?m going to say beating Frazier the third time was Ali?s best win. It was more than just physical. Ali simply willed his way to victory in that war and neither man was the same ever again.
Name : Mike Kelly Country : USA Your Question : In his best fighting days, Roy Jones Junior was unbeatable. Now, he is just trying to win his way back to another big fight. How do you see him going against Omar Sheika?
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS : Mike, I see Jones winning this one and ideally, I?d like to see him retire. But he won?t want to go out on a loss, so let?s not begrudge him a farewell fight in front of his hometown fans? Don?t forget you can see the entire Jones vs. Sheika card plus mixed martial arts LIVE on SecondsOut.TV
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Mike, you gotta like Jones Jr. at home against a carefully selected opponent in Sheika, who?s been extremely inactive in recent years. I say Roy wins by unanimous decision.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Roy Jones Jr is at that stage of his career now when he could lose at anytime. No win can be taken for granted now. On paper, Jones looks like a favourite to beat Sheika, but you never know until the night. Don?t be surprised if something very dramatic happens either way. I?ll certainly be watching.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS : I?m not sure what Jones is trying to achieve now, Mike. He should defeat Sheika pretty handily but it?s clear that his days at the top are finished. I thought his performance against Calzaghe was gutsy and game and really should have been his last fight.
Name : John Tearney Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Lets be honest here, David Haye fights the same way as Nigel Benn, Carl Thompson and Thomas Hearns, they took risks, had a hell of a punch, great heart, great to watch for the fans, yes they lost some fights, when if they?d just boxed safety first they would of won the fight, but they give the fans just what the fans want wars. Haye is going to be the same the way he fights, he?s going to KO them or get KO?d. I tell you what I would rather see that, then safety first fighters like Vitali Klitschko who hides behind his jab because he is to frightened to trade with fighters till he feels safe enough to, give me an exiting fighter like Haye than the safety boys any day of the week. Remember Carl Thompson, one of the most underrated British fighters, yes he is only man to beat David Haye, and also beat Eubank but he had some great wars as well, yes he lost some but excitement every time, wore his heart on his sleeve, he was just like Evander Holyfield a true warrior and one of my favourite fighters, anyone know what he?s up to, a true warrior, would have been great to see him and Dennis Andries fight – that would of been worth paying for
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS : I?m with you on this, John. Dennis Andries is my all time favourite British boxer. Crude as you like, but strong and as game as you like as well. Haye is an exciting fighter as well, but I have to be honest and say he has not earned the right to face either Klitschko brother.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: John, I?m thrilled to have a brash guy like Haye come in and attempt to clean out the heavyweight division. My question is, once he wins one of the belts will he have the durability for a five or six year run while fighting with that ?Benn, Thompson, Hearns? style? I hope so?it would be good for boxing.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: I?m glad Haye is around at heavyweight. Give me him anytime over some of the snoozers we have seen over the last few years. Maybe Haye won?t beat either Klitschko, but I want to see how he goes. It is sure to be entertaining.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS : Haye could be the boost of energy that heavyweight boxing needs right now. With that said, I don?t think he has the overall skills to beat either Klitschko brother but he has the puncher?s chance that makes people tune in. That?s a good thing for the struggling division.
Name : Nick Wyatt Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Great site guys, keep up the good work. Just been talking to a mate about what fights we?d like to see this year and we came up with Caballero vs. Juanma Lopez to battle it out for super bantamweight supremacy. Who do you think would win this one and what is the likelihood of it happening?
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Great fight! It is not a fight I am aware is on the radar at this time. Hopefully it is a fight that can be made. Right now, I?m leaning towards Caballero, but in a year?s time, Lopez might be ready to take him.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS : Oh, man. This would be an exciting fight. A few months ago I would have said that Juan Manuel Lopez would be much too explosive for the Panamanian but after seeing what Caballero did to Steve Molitor late last year, I?m not so sure. If I had a naked flame held to my foot and had to choose, I would still pick Juanma but it would be a closely fought contest.
Name : Thomas Peak Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Hi guys. My question is this – Who do you believe is the best fighter to never have won a world title? I think the obvious choice of Sam Langford is a good one. Purely because of the colour of his skin he was discriminated against and underrated. I?m sure the Klitschko?s can empathise as they would receive a lot more credit if they were black fighters or American. Stanley Ketchel is another good candidate I think, and although he was comfortably beaten by Jack Johnson, by all accounts, if had not been shot dead at 24 do you think he could have gone on to win middle or light heavy titles?
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Thomas, your choice of Sam Langford is excellent. I would also include Harry Wills as a possible candidate. For the record, Ketchel DID win a world title at middleweight.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Sam Langford, yes. How about Bennie Briscoe, Herol Graham, Harry Wills, George Godfrey and Jerry Quarry.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS : Good question, Thomas but Stanley Ketchel held the middleweight world title so he is out of the equation. Langford is a great choice as the greatest fighter never to win a world title, but I would probably choose Charley Burley the great and ridiculously avoided American welterweight and middleweight fighter of the 1940?s.
