This weeks email bag is heavily filled with Manny Pacquiao questions, some pre Hopkins Vs Taylor stuff, and of course, readers always challenging our man, George Diaz Smith. George lives for this stuff, so keep those emails coming in so he can answer them.
Brad:
Before Diego’s fight with Castillo,El terrible was making a lot of noise in fighting Diego, but when Diego won against Castillo, Erik suddenly became so quiet! Why do you think this is? Is it because Erik knows his no match for Diego, that his cojones will be crushed all the way back to Tijuana! Benny A. Antonio
Benny,
That is a funny line, but I don’t think a warrior like Erik Morales is scared of any fighter. I do agree that would be a huge fight between Diego and Erik and one that the fans would love to see.
Hi Bad Brad, Who will be the next opponent of the pacman? I like this fighter a lot, he never quits a fight until it done. Can you say a word for this man?
oldIronSide32
Old Iron Side 32,
I can say many words about Manny, but let’s use Class and warrior as just two. He is an idol for the PI folks and rightfully so. As of right now, he is scheduled to fight Hector Velazquez on September 10, 2005.
Brad,
If the fight of Manny vs. El Famuso pushes through, can you see Pac’ having the power to KO Famuso? Or how about Pac vs. Kevin Kelly? What do u think?
Mcrhoovz
Mr Choovz,
I can see Manny having the chance to knockout anyone in his division if he catches them clean and on the button. As far as Kevin Kelly, Manny would destroy him and to be honest, Kelly should not be fighting anymore. He does a very good job as a boxing commentator and it is a lot safer on him doing that.
George,
If you had to compare the Hopkins Vs Taylor fight, would you say it is like Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns? If not, what fight do you compare it to?
Kerry Thompson
Kerry,
Some people prefer making comparisons after they fight. I have been known to reach into my bag of summoning a few bones before, but never in the capacity of resuscitating classics long gone. Not until they’re over with.
So Kerry its safe to say that to make a comparison to Hopkins Vs Taylor would be unlike any other fight that fits. I’ll keep it as a fight that defies all descriptions.
I have Mass on Sunday, and if my priest knew me as to being clairvoyant, I’d hate to face the penitence.
George,
I am so tired of hearing that Vitali Klitschko is the best heavyweight out there. Overall, I think its Chris Byrd. Who do you think it is and what are your reasons?
Stefano
Stefano,
I know just about everyone that feels the same. But now some writers are even saying Hasim Rahman or Monte Barrett are even more worthy than he is. I don’t get any thrills kicking a man when he’s already down. What I think is that Chris Byrd is the legitimate smaller man’s champ, with another to be announced at a later time for bigger guy honors. It’s been a lot longer time since Lennox Lewis.
George,
Most of the boxing analyst keep saying that Pacquiao is a one dimensional fighter. When I watch the Barrera and the Morales fight against pacman, he doesn’t look one dimensional to me. Although the JMM fight, Pacquiao looks more like one dimensional, maybe that’s because of the injury he suffered during the fight. Anyhow, my question is how can Pacquiao change his fighting style so that he won’t be a one dimensional fighter?
Larcal75
That’s the best question Larcal75 that I’ve heard in a long time, and your observation is well noted from the pure boxing perspective. I do disagree in only one point if I may. Emmanuel Pacquiao wasn’t so one-dimensional as it seemed fighting Marquez from what I’ve seen, and not by what he didn’t do for so much as what Juan Manuel had to do to survive those three knockdowns. These are the resistances that fighters do in the business, recovering, spirit and guts with intelligence, not only a few fancy jabs running about the ring which would’ve turned out to be a pretty boring fight if that had taken place.
I wouldn’t change a thing to satisfy onlookers who don’t see but the litmus test on results, especially in our sport when mostly people who want to make a drastic change fail miserably. I say if the left-hook worked for Joe Frazier, damn the torpedoes and keep doing what works. MP knows everything there is to know.
George,
Why are so high on Miguel Cotto? Floyd knocks him out in seven when the fight
Thomas Julian
Not either high or low on what I’ve seen to be the biggest boxing machine to fight at 140-147 LBS, which still befuddles folks who’re asking.
I have seen quite enough of his thunderous Chango thunder bolts enough to know that when there’re fighting Cotto, they’re not just fighting what appears to be a one-dimensional fighter, but a whole other aptitude and recipe for winning.
He’s the man with the master plan that Bob Arum already brought along progressively yesterday. PPV records show Cotto packs not only a KO on Pacific and the East coast friendly, but puts them in their Vegas seats too.
Floyd doesn’t do it when some people who’ll write take spirited jabs at him to say he’s slowed down later, so why wait?
Do you think a tune-up is what PacMan need at this moment or should he take on an immediate rematch with Morales? Pls answer this George.
Paul Estevez
Paul,
Men who fight regularly stay active. Manny knows what’s best since he’s the one taking all comers. I’d only be guessing at this point to say one-way or another if he should or shouldn’t. On a realistic business level taking any tune-ups for people to watch him is part of the selling product, and a great void to fill for hot networks to display him with. I’d be remised not to mention that this is imperative to the fans packing people in their seats. Nobody needs to tell us Pac Man Pacquiao isn’t a viable commodity in the market – “When he is just that.”
I think your other latter part of the question you posed about could be better relayed to in asking Erik the same thing that by no means slows the eventuality for a significant Super Showdown.
Do you think there would be a chance for Many Pacquiao to meet Injin Chi in the future? Who’s your bet?
Black Mantra
Black Mantra,
Chi is a fine fighter. There are always chances about possible matches that can be made. If they did fight, I’d have to go with Manny.
George, Where do you think Manny Pacquiao went wrong in his fight with Morales? And if ever there would be a rematch is there any chance for Manny to beat him? Roach said there were too many distractions for Manny prior to the fight. Do you agree with this or is Morales just too big and technically superior than Pacman? Thanks! Merlin
Merlin,
That could be interpreted several ways. When you’re a winner everyone looks for your next agenda, which’s next in line. It’s strength and can be a weakness too. What an opponent who’s about to meet someone like that has to have in mind is that he has got to fight him like he stole something from him, like he mugged his mama, stole her purse. So in regards to that best little man Vs the better bigger man theory can go out the window.
Erik Morales is a giant of a fighter who has conquered three titles in diverse weight classes at present, and is looking for a fourth to surpass the great Julio Cesar Chavez from my understanding.
Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter also in his own demeanor and shouldn’t be regarded as a smaller guy with his punching power; which is to say that he not only can take you out…but also have the boxing skills to make or break you. Meaning exposing and exploring gaps that he does so well and they’re really each in equal parity as far as I could tell. What went on with Erik and Manny before was an attrition war that played into their strengths. You have to remember this is what fighters do is fight. I believe a rematch would be warranted somewhere down that road, and may in fact be a better one. I won’t speak for Freddie Roach, so I’ll have to take what he’s said as the next to best thing to being there since he’s worked along sides of Manny.
We only realize the blessing of another encounter to make much history today.
George, How well do you think JMM will do if he goes up to 130? Can he beat Eric Morales? Thanks Aiza
Aiza, I’ll take the last portion first. He has about as much chance in beating Erik as he had in facing the three knockdowns at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, with the only exception being that Morales wouldn’t give him that many chances to get up.
I found Juan Manuel Marquez to feel bothered at the press conference we made with RSR when he fought Victor Polo in Vegas. That told me he hadn’t exactly gotten rid of Manny Pacquiao out of his system… and why am I making you guys filthy rich reading these picks in the first place anyhow?
George, How about a fight between PACQUIAO and GARY ST. CLAIRE? This guy has been chasing MANNY. I think it’s about time to lay a beating on this guy! It should be a good one also. Way better than Kevin Kelly fight.
Vic
Vic,
A road horse like St. Claire actually did well beating a boxing cutie like Shamir Reyes who’s been featured on SHO Box The Next Generation telecasts. Trouble is he wasn’t seen here doing it. Gary has also been to the top of the heap twice, having gone the distance with Diego Corrales late ’98, and again against Vivian Harris the following year in December 1999 both losing decisions. I know some fighters who would like nothing better then to have just one single golden opportunity against either one of those guys.
If you’re a real fan of St. Claire’s you should ask him if he’d engage more here in that States so that he could be considered in the running of the Pac Man Manny Pacquiao Sweepstakes for accommodation. If a 57-year old semi-retired former WBC Junior Welterweight Champion of the world could tour the four corners of the universe with NOT so much as a tourist Visa problem in getting there finding fights; there shouldn’t be any remote impossibility for an Australian citizen to find some work here. Good luck.
