This weeks bag has yet, another mix of questions from picks for the top 130 LB fighters over the last several years, Manny Pacquiao, Kostya Tszyu’s loss and future, Miguel Cotto, Mike Tyson questions prior to the fight, and Laila Ali as well.
Hey Brad,
I was wondering if I could get your list of all-time top 130lbers?
Mike Samuels
Mike,
You have asked a very good question, but to be fair to the fighters and me, I can only talk about the ones I have seen since 1975 and on. Though we all have some knowledge on older fighters through tapes and books, I don’t like to speak on something unless I really know about. Max Kellerman is great for the guys from way back and I have told him that many times.
I will give you my top five.
Roberto Duran Alexis Arguello Julio Cesar Chavez Pernell Whitaker Hector Camacho, SR.
Hi Brad,
I’m here again! I’m just really not happy with the developments in Tszyu’s camp today!
What is your opinion on Tszyu firing not just his trainer but his old friend too? News says that it was Johnny Lewis (his trainer) who suggested to stop the fight. A great champion he was for years, he should have showed his big fighting heart. The fighter has the final decision not the trainer, he knows what he can still do, right? Or maybe he was really hurt and Hatton was to much for him? What do you think?
The scores were close on the two scorecards and the result should have been a majority decision or at most a draw (not a TKO) if Tszyu had answered the bell for the final round and try to dominate it.
Juncay
Juncay,
Yes, I see you are back again. Normally I would agree with you that the fighter makes the final call, but that is what the trainer is paid for and sees things that the fighter doesn’t. Tszyu is a professional fighter and one of the best the 140 pounders have ever seen. He knows his body better than anyone else, and who are we to judge if he was really hurt or not? He did take a rough beating by Hatton who I give big props too. I think Kostya was shocked that Ricky dominated him, but we all get old and in this fight, Kostya surely did. That is why many are saying Hopkins may be next against Taylor.
Brad,
First the fight was on with Manny Pacquiao and Robbie Peden. But now, they say it’s not to be. What is the deal?
Richard
Rich,
Until the contracts are signed and then, you see them in the ring, no fight is on. I am sure before the end of the year, Manny will fight again, but the opponent is TBA at this time.
George,
How that Hatton is the new champion, how do you see him doing against Vivian Harris, Miguel Cotto and Gatti when he gets by Pretty Boy?
Samuel
Well, if all goes well for the newly crowned IBF Junior Welterweight Champion, he’d be a sure thing going up against Harris. Against WBO champion Cotto I think it would be the better battle from the sheer respect Hatton showed (Hatton being a Cotto fan) him, so that wasn’t staged at all. Gatti and Hatton would be a bloodbath, and a strong runner up to Alexis Arguello-Alfredo Escalera I.
Mayweather would present Hatton with the largest nearest biggest payday (aside from Cotto), so it would depend on whom Hatton prefers first to be true.
Ironically the boxing business is about generating the most revenue for the processes of time, not the other way around. Dilemma. I think of it as the chicken and the egg theory myself. Interesting to note Samuel you hadn’t mentioned Super Zab Judah somewhere in there in the mix who picked Kostya Tszyu to beat him, as most of us became perplexed (including I) on the recent turn of events.
George,
With Harrison’s win over Brodie, where you to place him in the featherweight division?
Steven Arbarso San Diego CA
Steve,
He’s above average in that weight class. What I liked about him in the fight you mentioned was his total undeniable relentlessness for adjusting what Michael Brodie did beforehand in the third round. Harrison completely changed gears in the next… and went exclusively to the body. That separated two totally diverse strategies, and it overwhelmed Brodie. Killer instinct.
I’d place Scott Harrison as today’s featherweight to beat in saying something. So he’d rate highly inside that category.
George,
I read your piece on Wilfredo Gomez and is true that he now walks around over 200 LBS?
Hector
That’s what they say, but closer reality bares water retentive for that extra-additional gained weight there. Here’s hoping he loses some.
George,
I think Mike Tyson is going to destroy Kevin McBride in one round. What do you think? If he does win, who do you think would be some good opponents for Tyson?
Leon Johnson Detroit, MI
I think it’ll be in lesser than seven rounds Leon, but nonetheless we agree on those same results. If Tyson blows him so quick, it would summon more writers to spew and talk garbage, if not hurt the PPV industry for the mismatching.
I think that Mike Tyson should just go for the best titleholder there is, Chris Byrd. (Note Tyson did not come out for the seventh round)
George,
If Tyson wins, who should he fight next?
Luciano Victorsoa
Good question. You know I still say James Toney, followed up with a Vitali Klitschko championship match. Mike Tyson certainly doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone anymore. He’s taken all the certifiable journeys.
I know it might sound contrite to some for saying, but Mike knows exactly who he is and where he came from, which is to say being poor all his life does not change him. It certainly does little in the body of evidence to convince me to believing he cares about money at all. In that real sense Tyson should thrive exceedingly beyond everybody’s expectation. I for one am happy for him. (Note Tyson did not come out for the seventh round)
George,
Is Lalia Ali as good or better then Anne Wolfe?
Lisa Timmons
As good would incline for me to think she’s just as good. So yes they’re equal in that sense of the word. Lisa I’d be lying if I told you that I thought Laila didn’t possess sounder contemporary skills, which she does have. Anne Wolfe has the determination working… but I’m not so sure if that alone is quite enough at Ali’s overall grade level though.
Boxing at these stages surely anything can happen in there, but what could benefit more from fighting the best at the end of the day is to have your strongest showing that sticks out most in the publics mind. (Note Ali destroyed Toughill in three rounds)
