Even though it’s been a while since my last trip, my mind is never far from the world of boxing. Much of the past couple of weeks has been spent inside the Home Office, transferring old VHS tapes to DVD and thinking about my favorite sport’s past and present. For better or worse (that’s for you to decide) here are some items that piqued my interest:
Mayweather-Marquez Questions and Answers
Following a frustrating and often tragic summer, boxing is ready to shift into high gear and I couldn’t be happier about it. In terms of quality and quantity, the slate for September, November and December rivals that of 2007’s gauntlet and this weekend’s showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez offers plenty of grist for discussion.
The questions are almost endless. On Mayweather’s side, they include the following: How will the nearly two-year layoff affect his skills? How will the numerous out-of-the-ring distractions affect his focus and execution? Will the naturally bigger, stronger and faster Mayweather try to make a statement by overpowering the smaller Marquez or will he resort to his reliable defense-first formula? Does mending fences with his father counterbalance any anxiety he feels from the issues currently enveloping him? And if he wins in style, would he dare fight the winner of Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto or will he veer off in a less challenging direction?
The queries concerning Marquez are just as compelling. At age 36 and with plenty of hard-earned miles on his odometer will he have the right stuff to remove the precious “0” from Mayweather’s loss column? Will he weigh close to the 144-pound limit or will be closer to 140 to maximize his speed and mobility? Will the shorter Marquez press the fight or will he put on his counter-puncher’s cap and force Mayweather into the unfamiliar role of aggressor? Should he win, will he get that treasured rubber match with Pacquiao? Finally, was he really drinking his own urine?
Here are my answers:
* I don’t think the hiatus will affect Mayweather that much physically because he stays in exquisite condition between fights. Boxing has been a major part of his life since his days in the crib – meaning the one he sat in as a baby – and habits formed over a quarter century are tough to break. Based on the 24/7 footage, Floyd’s hands are still quick and his timing appears to be intact. Ninety percent of “The Pretty Boy” is still too much for nearly all the world’s best fighters and remember this, Mayweather is four years younger, two inches taller and light years fresher than Marquez.
* The distractions won’t be a factor because Mayweather is an intensely proud and focused individual. Besides, “Money” is no stranger to chaos and one has reason to believe he thrives on it. During various parts of his career his father and uncle were sitting in jail cells and whatever stresses he felt had no bearing on those performances. With uncle and father joining forces, Floyd should be just fine.
* My guess is that Mayweather will box Marquez like he has everyone else. His best showings have come against come-forward fighters and one must believe that Marquez’s lack of height and brittle scar tissue will dictate both men’s strategies. Though Nacho Beristain has reviewed the films of the first Mayweather-Castillo match, Marquez doesn’t have the height, reach or strength to emulate “El Temible.” Also, while Marquez has the acumen to change strategies on the fly, Mayweather is well equipped to respond just as swiftly.
* The reconciliation between father and son is a welcome development and one must think that this will help Little Floyd’s general state of mind. While the issues concerning the IRS, the linkage of his car to a shooting and his uncle’s legal problems are intense, they are temporary in nature and won’t have to be dealt with until after the fight. Reconnecting with Floyd Sr., however, is something that runs much deeper and thus will produce a far more positive mindset should all continue to go well.
* If Mayweather wins, the prospects of fights with either Cotto or Pacquiao will ride on who wins and how. If Pacquiao blows away Cotto the way he had David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton, the purses for each man may set all-time records and will ensure boxing a much-needed injection of mainstream mania. As cautious as Mayweather has been in choosing opponents, the cash will be too big to ignore and the prospect of taking back his “pound for pound” crown from his successor will be too tempting.
Should Cotto win the picture gets murkier. Cotto’s star, bright as it is, is not nearly as brilliant as Pacquiao’s, especially with casual sports fans. Therefore the pot won’t be nearly as large and Mayweather might opt to go in a different direction – if not opt out altogether. Cotto’s immense physical strength and unquestioned power will give Floyd two more reasons to avoid him, as well as nightmarish flashbacks to the first Castillo fight. Don’t be surprised if Mayweather re-retires in the wake of a Cotto victory.
* I believe Marquez should weigh closer to 140, even in the high 130s, because he’s not going to out-strength Mayweather. His stock and trade is hand speed, counter-punching, defense, angles and combination punching and he must maintain a high work rate to offset Mayweather’s incredible efficiency.
* Marquez’s strategy will be totally dependent on what Mayweather does since the bigger “Money” has the tools to dictate range and geometry. If Mayweather boxes and spins his web on the ropes, Marquez will be forced to attack and eat Floyd’s counters. If Mayweather somehow opts to come forward, Marquez must seize upon whatever few holes develop. As stated earlier, Marquez must unsettle Mayweather with volume, especially early, to build momentum and plant doubts in Mayweather’s mind. If Marquez allows the American to become comfortable enough to rely on muscle memory he is doomed.
* If Marquez beats Mayweather and Pacquiao derails Cotto, a rubber match between the sport’s unquestioned top two pound-for-pound entries is almost inevitable because they are fighters who relish and pursue challenges. Given their history for close action-packed fights – and controversial decisions – this contest would be the next logical step. The only questions would be the agreed-upon weight limit and the purse split because both would have reason to believe they are the sport’s pre-eminent fighter. If I had my druthers – and I don’t – make the fight at 140 pounds, split the purse 50-50 and get it on in the spring.
* Unfortunately, as Sugar Ray Leonard said in his first retirement speech in 1982, Pacquiao-Marquez III – at least under this preamble – will never happen. For all of the doubts 24/7 wants to plant in our collective minds, first impressions are usually the correct ones. From the start I believed that Marquez was a carefully chosen opponent – a big enough name to create the lucrative purse needed to address Mayweather’s financial problems but not enough of a threat in terms of size, age and ring-wear to present an overwhelming challenge. On top of all that, the fight is taking place in Mayweather’s hometown. All these factors add up to a Mayweather victory over a thoroughly sliced up Marquez.
* We didn’t see Marquez pee in the cup – not that we’d want to – but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was drinking apple juice or cider. Maybe Marquez was angling for a Scope sponsorship or perhaps he was trying to convince Mayweather he’s a little bit crazy, but all that will do is give “Money” more taunting material (“I’m going to beat the piss out of you.”). Tell you what, though: If Marquez mixed in some vinegar with that piss we might have a terrific fight on our hands.
Seriously though, the urine episode will forever color (pun intended) how Marquez is perceived. The hard cores have always respected his talent and intelligence but now he will be widely known as the “urine drinking guy” just as some people think of Ted Williams as the “frozen guy” instead of the greatest pure hitter baseball has ever seen. That’s a disservice to Marquez and his accomplishments, but for better or worse he has broken through the noise and created an indelible image with the public at large. Now that Marquez had gotten their attention it is up to him to capitalize by beating Mayweather – the guy “they” already know as the “Dancing With the Stars” guy.
By the way, Mayweather is not above using HBO’s cameras to send a message. He doesn’t allow 24/7 to show the sparring sessions but he permits them to show the bloody aftermath. I thought it interesting that Floyd’s most recent victim looked into the camera and declared that the blood was real. Two questions: Were there any allegations of fakery before? And if not, why have the guy confirm the blood was genuine at all?
Will Mayweather send a message to boxing Saturday night – “I’m back!” – or will Marquez make history and deal “Money” a crushing and everlasting blow to his psyche by making him 39-1? There’s one thing for sure: I’ll pay for the privilege of finding out.
Sugar Shane On Ice
Lost in the Mayweather-Marquez/Cotto-Pacquiao hoopla is Sugar Shane Mosley – the man many consider the King of the Welterweights. One would have thought that Mosley would be riding high in the wake of his destruction of the disgraced Antonio Margarito but for whatever reason the future Hall of Famer has been withering on the vine ever since.
Nearly nine months after quelling the “Tijuana Tornado” nobody know for certain when Mosley will fight again. Will it be against WBC champ Andre Berto or recent title challenger Joshua Clottey and will it take place December 5 or the day after Christmas? This is hardly the treatment befitting a fighter of his stature.
The path that led to this strange career twist is puzzling to say the least. At first glance, Mosley is a freshly minted 38-year-old who is encased in rust after having just four fights since July 2006. Instead of seizing on Mosley’s inactivity, many rival managers still see the Sugar Man as a fighter who still has many of the skills that made him a three-division champion. They include comet-like hand speed, brilliant combinations, a thirst for pounding the body, a steel-like chin, an indomitable work ethic and an unyielding will.
For all of his wondrous assets, they are canceled out by the perception that he can’t generate enough pay-per-view buys as the “A-side” to justify the considerable risk despite his fan-friendly style and pleasant personality. In short, business always comes before pleasure in sport and at the negotiating table that means that if you can’t bring the business the power brokers desire, the fans won’t be given the pleasure of seeing you against their man. That’s why Mosley – despite his frequent call-outs to Pacquiao, Cotto and Mayweather – will most likely end up fighting Clottey, another “hard man” who has had his share of hard luck getting big dates and winning close decisions.
In sizing up the fight the result will turn on one factor – the ability to drive oneself toward greatness when the opportunity presents itself. Time and again Mosley has risen to the challenge as he produced garrison finishes against Wilfredo Rivera, Oscar de la Hoya (twice), Fernando Vargas, Miguel Cotto (in a losing effort) and Ricardo Mayorga. Conversely, Clottey had a chance to lift himself into another sphere after 10 rounds against Cotto but instead of stepping on the Puerto Rican’s throat and crushing his windpipe he decelerated just enough for Cotto to escape with a split decision.
Will Clottey channel the bitter lessons of the Cotto fight into a more determined performance against Mosley or is his hesitancy an irreversible part of his nature? The Ghanaian is a match for Mosley in terms of physical strength and at 32 he is six years younger. But intangibles such as attitude, composure and “want-to” have just as much to do with the result as gym work. Character plays a huge role in boxing and I believe Mosley still has enough stuff to produce another gut-check victory. Will that convince the “A-listers” to grant him an audience? If the Margarito performance wasn’t enough to open their eyes, I’m not sure what will. I do hope that I’m wrong because Mosley against just about everyone is a guaranteed must-see.
The Saturday Night Shuffle
There were no less than five cards available to record this past Saturday – WAPA America’s rebroadcast of the world amateur boxing championships, the weekly card on Argentina’s TyC channel, the Showtime doubleheader and a pair of pay-per-views. The big problem was that the original airings were to take place within an hour of one another and I had to figure out a way to get all the action.
Thank goodness for multiple satellite receivers, pay-per-view replays, a pair of hard-drive units and fortunate timing. I ended up getting everything and here’s how:
On the hard drive in the Home Office I recorded the amateur fights from 9 to 10:45 p.m. and the replay of the Calderon-Mayol II card from Puerto Rico at 1:30 a.m. Meanwhile, I set the timer on the hard drive unit downstairs from 8:55 p.m. to 2:24 a.m. to catch the fights on Showtime and TyC and from 2:25 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. to ensure I got all of the Chavez Jr.-LeHoullier broadcast, which began at 2:30. Because the Kessler-Perdomo and Ward-Pudwill fights lasted just over an hour, I was able to catch the very beginning of the TyC broadcast.
The great thing about hard drives is that one can lop off excess footage with a few clicks of the remote control, and the lack of commercials on Showtime and the PPV cards made the editing process considerably easier. That, and the fact that WAPA saved the ads for between fights.
Between all the fight action and the transferring of old footage, my collection has swelled to 2,230 DVDs and more than 8,000 fights – and it continues to grow daily. What a wonderful hobby this is.
A First Rate Undercard
Finally, I recently transferred to DVD a fight card that aired July 9, 1991 on USA’s “Tuesday Night Fights” from the historic Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. In the main event Frankie Mitchell knocked out Kenny Vice in two rounds but the undercard – at least in hindsight – featured plenty of star power. Alfred Kotey (a future WBO bantamweight champion), Arturo Gatti and Bernard Hopkins all scored first round knockouts and – irony of ironies – Gatti’s 19-second destruction of Luis Melendez didn’t make TV.
Of the 54 scheduled rounds spread over eight fights only 20 were fought and the six fights that aired had just 13 rounds of action. Shakespeare once said “brevity is the soul of wit,” but then again the Bard never saw a boxing card.
