This week’s bag has readers ringing in with questions about Jeff Lacy’s fight with Robin Reid over the weekend with others such as our PI readers asking lots of questions to George about Manny Pacquiao. In addition, there are questions about Samuel Peter, Floyd Mayweather, JR and as always, an assorted mix about old school and new.
Brad,
I was quite impressed with Jeff Lacy last night when he decimated Robin Reid. Do you think he will really fight Joe Calzaghe?
Werner
Werner,
I was also impressed with Jeff and think like Jermain Taylor, he is very good for the sport of boxing. Yes, he will fight Joe C hopefully in November and since he is willing to travel to Wales to do so, it’s going to be a big payday for Joe when he gets stopped by Lacy. I also see Lacy making a few more defense of his Super Middleweight belt, then moving up to Light Heavy where there is more money for him to be made.
“Bad” Brad,
Lacy will not beat Joe Calzaghe when they fight. What do you think?
Dermod Wales
Dermod,
As I mentioned in my last response to Werner, I do think Lacy beats him and actually stops him when they do fight. Joe C is a decent fighter, but has never fought the tough guys who are going to bring tons of pressure to him and power. Lacy does both after the third round or so. Once Joe gets a taste of the lefthook and bodywork Jeff will bring, it’s curtains for him and not the ones you have in your kitchen window.
Brad,
I see your writer Jose Antonio Rivera is going to challenge Daniel Santos for his WBO Junior Middleweight Title next month. Without being biased to your friend, who do you think will win?
Brett Thompson, Newton Falls, Ohio
Brett,
Though of course I am rooting for Jose all the way, as a professional writer, I would call the fight like I see it. Meaning if he loses, by say a decision, which it was clear he lost, then it will be reported as such. With that said, I know he is very hungry and training hard since he lost his title to Luis Collazo, a fight that I in fact, scored for Collazo when I saw it on tape. I felt Jose had some great moments, but the time off hurt him. This time around, he faces an even tougher challenge in Daniel Santos, but five months off vice almost 17 months is going to make a world of difference in Jose’s case. Let’s hope for a great fight because his match with Collazo was in deed, a war.
“Bad” Brad,
It’s been said that Wladimir can’t take a good shot on the chin, so with Peters’ power who do you think will win between Samuel Peter and Wladimir Klitschko on September 24?
Steve Misawa, Japan
Steve,
Peter does possess a lot of power, but his boxing skills are suspect at best. Now Wlad is an outstanding boxer with a fragile chin and a shattered ego from the losses he sustained to Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster. With that said, I see Wlad getting stopped within four rounds and this time, Manny Steward telling him it’s time to get out of boxing.
Brad,
I am 18 years old I have been boxing for 2 years. I have 4 wins and no losses. I study the sweet science. I was just wondering why do you think Trinidad performed so sloppy against Winky and who the hell does Floyd Mayweather think he is trying to fight Winky Wright? Winky has nothing to gain from fighting Mayweather I personally think Floyd will get to taste defeat for the 1st time what do u think
Tyson McCracken
Tyson,
It’s simple why Tito lost to Winky in their fight. Trinidad had no Plan B and his Father had no clue what to tell him so he could in fact, try to offset everything that Winky was doing to him. If they fought ten times, I would go with Winky every time after watching that fight. And in my pick, I did go with Tito thinking he could get to Winky’s chin and stop him.
George,
What do you think Pacman chances against the 135 King Pin like the Corrales, Castillo, Freitas and so on. At 130 I do not see anymore good fights for Pacman the only fight is a rematch with Morales and Barrera but just like Larry Merchant said if Pacman and Barrera will fight 100 times Pacman will beat Barrera 100 times. I heard Corrales b4 he fight Castillo he is interesting fighting Pacman. Do you think is suicide for Pacman do mo moved up 135 I am not saying now but in the future maybe 2 years. Thanks I always read your column.
viperv10
Viperv10,
Who knows what fights are in Pacquaio’s future?
Besides, just because Larry Merchant says that, it isn’t etched onto a stone carving that makes it so. Right about now, I’d say all Manny has to do is win one big significant fight; and I can almost guarantee that the cart wagons won’t be large enough to fit everybody.
George,
Who do you think are the most exciting fighters of the world today? Can you rank your top ten?
James Jacob
James,
Off the top I’ll list some, but that doesn’t mean it’ll remain the same after eight weeks are up.
These aren’t the best of times for p4p as many know, and with the heavyweights still in chaos, but I’ll try.
1. Jermain Taylor 2. Floyd Mayweather, JR. 3. Erik Morales 4. Lamon Brewster 5. Antonio Tarver 6. Jeff Lacy 7. Miguel Cotto 8. Manny Pacquaio 9. Samuel Peter 10. Martin Castillo & Chris Byrd (tied)
George,
I have recently watched the K-1 tournament in Hawaii and Tyson was challenged by that South Korean giant. my question is this can Mr. Tyson do any better in K-1 since he cannot go beyond 4 rounds at least at this stage of his career and who do u think will win if ever Tyson vs. Mighty Mo?
Shuji Onoda
Shuji,
As much as it pains me to watch Tyson in matches like that, it’ll only continue putting seven figures on the table. It might sound like four rounds to a walk around the corner to the bank for some, but these matches are absolutely grueling to take on the physical body. I am not sure whether he will beat Mighty Mo or not. If Tyson maintains, this might be his antidote to fighting by definition again in the sport of boxing.
George,
Is it true that in the article I have read, Edwin Valero caused blood on Erik’s nose in their sparring in preparation of Erik’s fight with PACMAN? If this really happened, then Edwin Valero is really a tough and potential guy in the lightweight championship soon.
Sharon Pakaron – Samar City
Sharon,
I hadn’t heard about Valero making Erik’s’ nose bleed, but it’s quite possible. He is speedy, and a left-handed fighter. It has been known to happen before in sparring with southpaws to have them trickle some blood onto their sparring mates noses before, but what’s even more surprising about Valero is his penchant for knocking his opponents out in 1st round stanzas. He gets good grades as an impending lightweight candidate.
George,
In a fight between Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather and Vernon Forrest, at his best, or Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley, who would be victorious and why?
JOAB LOPEZ
Joab,
Right now, PBF would beat these guys pretty handedly.
Mosley at his best as a lightweight would’ve given Floyd a run for his money back then. Sugar Shane was a powerful punching machine off of his movement. Those earlier rounds in which Floyd would have to stay clear of danger would be to slip punches and throw his shoulder in to deter most of Mosley’s offense to make him tire late.
Don’t forget Floyd’s speed was blinding, with his footwork dazzling as a lightweight. I think these even matched guys would have had fought twice. However, I think Sugar Shane would have at best came up with a draw in one of two fights, with PBF the victor in the other one.
Vernon Forrest as a welterweight would’ve presented Floyd with some earlier excitement, but PBF more then likely could throw Forrest off his game carrying a fierce pace.
So I’d lean toward Floyd Mayweather, JR. winning by majority decision in a pretty hot contested fight.
George,
Was Leon Spinks the first person to start in the Cruiserweight Division? If so, what year, and if not who was and what year was it?
Tawana
Tawana,
Many have asked this question before. Actually a fighter who had Native American roots by the name of Marvin Camel was the selected entrant to the cruiser division. They looked for a junior heavyweight to be very honestly back in the late ’70’s, without much success.
On December 8th 1979 at a Yugoslavia location, Marvin fought Mate Parlov to a split-decision draw NC for the WBC vacant newly created strap.
Dear George,
I enjoy reading your articles and thank you for replying to my mail regarding Winky against Hopkins match up. I know we all like to speculate whenever two good fighters fight and many times we lean towards a fighter we like most. I can NOT imagine Miguel giving Floyd trouble if they were to fight. I believe Floyd will destroy him like he did Gatti. Speed is the biggest factor here and needless to say Floyd is more talented.
However, I would like to hear your opinion on Tarver-Jones III. I love Roy so I have to stick with him.
Thank you
Khalid
Khalid,
As for PBF goes, it is more about who is the next available fighter. Whatever figures into gains for profit will have a viable and steadfast contender up for him to meet. People will tell you that an Arturo Gatti plan didn’t get off the starting gates against Floyd, so in real fairness to readers out there one couldn’t say that about Miguel Cotto not having fought him. That remains to be seen to be let known.
I’m not opinionating on Roy’s comeback either way because that’s his own decision he’s made. I just wish him luck.
