Do like Nell Carter, give Valero a break!
C’mon guys. Give Valero a break. It is just publicity! Catching the big fish is best for business. — JetG
Sunday Edwin Valero made a very public challenge of Juan Manuel Marquez , which I reported. Immediately commenters filled my articleswith support, or put downs of Valero, depending on which side of the Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao debate they stand on.
JetG is right. Valero is fishing for a major fight against Marquez, Pacquiao, or anyone else who can help fatten his bank account. Problem is, Valero has done little, if anything, to merit a fight with any top flight boxer. The Venezuelan slugger is exciting inside the ring, but he needs to do something of significance before being blessed with a big time event, and the money that comes along with it.
Take your fighter of the month and shove it! In my opinion Juan Diaz is a higher-class opponent than Jorge Arce at this point in their careers. Diaz has beaten world-class fighters like Popo Freitas, Julio Diaz and Michael Katsidis before his loss to Campbell, a tight decision. Arce was blown away by Mijares the last time he stepped up and generally avoids world-class comp. His biggest win recently was… Rafael Concepcion? A washed up Singsurat? Diaz was the undisputed #1 contender to JMM’s championship; Arce was not. And Marquez-Diaz was a (much) better fight than Darchinyan-Arce, one in which JMM overcame a much more difficult challenge than Vic did. — Scott
You make an excellent point Scott. My selection of Vic Darchinyan as Fighter of the month for February is debatable, but the manner in which Darchinyan dominated Arce from the opening get go and then stopped him was quite impressive. Marquez’s victory over Diaz was equally eye opening in a high level bout, but I give the nod to The Raging Bull in a tight race for February. Keep in mind Vic did stop Arce, who had not lost a fight by knock-out since 1999 when Michael Carbajal did the deed.
Don’t start with Kellerman give Lennox the axe
Hell with Kellerman – HBO needs to get rid of Lennox Lewis. A great fighter but should not have a microphone in his hand on HBO. he is terrible. — Ben Getty
Since I critiqued Max Kellerman’s post-fight comments for Marquez vs. Diaz, fans have been contacting me in support of my views or in defense of Mad Max. Both Lewis and Kellerman can go away and the HBO telecasts would be a better. Does anyone miss good ole’ George Foreman bantering back and forth with Larry Merchant on Championship Boxing?
Hatton or Diaz?
Who do you suppose would be the favorite if they fought, Juan Diaz or Ricky Hatton? — Speed
Diaz. Many analysts would pick Hatton due to his long tenure at junior welterweight — I am assuming the fight takes place at that weight — but Diaz’s punching volume would probably cause Hatton fits over a twelve round fight. The U.K.’ers stamina would be tested by The Baby Bull and I believe Hatton would break.
Love – Easy come, easy go with the Pacquiao Nation
That’s a great article. I can’t wait Hatton to kiss the canvas. — Maki
They love you, they hate you, they love you again. When I picked Manny to beat Juan Manuel in their second fight, I could do no wrong. The moment I picked Oscar De La Hoya to not only beat Pacquiao, but injure him badly, they turned on me. I say that Marquez is one very close notch below Pacquiao in the pound for pound rankings and a Most Wanted posterwith my face on it appears in downtown Manila. Now that I like Pacman over Ricky Hatton, some have accepted me back into their flock. I wonder when they will turn on me next? I know, when I tell them Floyd Mayweather Junior would wipe the ring with Pacquiao.
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