Hello and welcome once again to the RSR email bag where you, the people, get your questions answered. I am, as always, very impressed with the amount and quality of the questions and comments that were sent my way. We receive so many comments complimenting our web site and how we run it in a respectable and professional way, but our readers have proven to be some of the most knowledgeable boxing fans that I’ve encountered. So keep on sending your questions and comments my way and I will keep on answering them. Have fun with it people and the only stupid question is the one that you don’t ask. Now, let’s see what’s on your mind…
THE GREAT WHITE HOPES
Geno,
I am always amazed at the Great White Hopes who go bust. Cooney, Wepner, Quarry, and Morrison are just a few. Even though I enjoyed each, they did not win everything like folks had thought they would. Amuse me if you would. Give me a match up with each one against each other and then the outcome. From there, pick the most dominant one (you think) and match him them against Byrd, Rahman, Brewster and Valuev with an outcome. I know I am asking a lot but I know a guy like you loves these types of questions. By the way, checked out your Xposse site (www.xposse.com) and dug it. Have you ever thought of a making a boxing movie?
Ronald J from Brooklyn, NY
Ronald J.,
Okay, Gerry Cooney, Chuck Wepner, Jerry Quarry, and Tommy Morrison all facing each other in a white guy tournament? Although I detest the term “Great White Hope,” I will play along, but I don’t know why Chuck Wepner is in the mix. I remember when Muhammad Ali was asked at his press conference hyping the mismatch with Wepner and he was asked what he thought about this great white hope. He pointed at the inept challenger and said: “The white people wouldn’t pick him.” I’m not an Ali fan, but that was pretty funny. So, let’s match them up.
Chuck Wepner vs. Gerry Cooney
The gigantic and powerful Cooney would use his size and incredible punch to deliver a beating to Wepner. If this bout isn’t stopped on cuts, we will see a mid-fight knockout for the “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney.
Jerry Quarry vs. Tommy Morrison
Quarry is another man that is known to bleed. He holds wins over Earnie Shavers, Ron Lyle, and Buster Mathis. Although Tommy Morrison is bigger, I would still favor Quarry because he is just much tougher. He has been stopped and knocked out, but I have a feeling that he would survive the Morrison storm and take it in the later rounds. So, a ninth or tenth round knockout victory for Quarry.
Gerry Cooney vs. Jerry Quarry
This is a difficult fight to call, but I like the size of Gerry Cooney. He is enormous, standing six feet, seven inches. That’s a full seven inches taller than Quarry and with the aggression that the smaller man shows, I see a knockout victory for Cooney. Believe it or not, Gerry Cooney was a great fighter that had some personal demons that ruined his career. So, Cooney in five rounds to win this tournament.
Now, you want me to match Cooney against a handful of today’s heavyweights? Okay. Gerry Cooney outpoints Chris Byrd. He knocks out Hasim Rahman and Nikolay Valuev, and the Lamon Brewster bout is a pick’em. I would lean slightly toward Brewster, but if he stayed against the ropes like he did with Meehan, Cooney would definitely win. If the guy that kayoed Golota in one round shows up, we’d be in for an interesting night. It’s a very tough bout to call.
I am very proud of X Posse Productions (www.xposse.com). We have created two movies and our new one “Rise of the Scarecrows” is going to do big things. As for a boxing movie: Yes. I am currently writing a screenplay entitled: “The Root of all Evil.” It is about a boxer that refuses to throw a bout and goes on to win the world championship only to be murdered afterward by the shady promoter. Well, the brother of the boxer, a former cop that was kicked off the force for his own personal demons, investigates and delivers his own justice to the boxing world and seeks revenge for his brother. It’s going to be a gritty, Dirty Harry-type film. Thanks for the interest! Hopefully one day, we’ll be making big screen movies. I can’t do any worse than Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector. Why is Hollywood making these movies?
A BIG FAT DISAPPOINTMENT
Geno,
James, what the hell were you thinking? You had THE biggest prize in professional boxing staring you in the ugly mug. You let it slip through your fingers. You weighed in at your heaviest yet, and did you take Hasim seriously? He knocked Lennox Lewis out! I could knock out Lewis If I landed the right punch on the right night, but it wasn’t me! It was a much larger, stronger man who was much hungrier. He came hungry when you fought him too. He out landed you – on the outside, and, *gasp*, on the inside too!!! Next time come in at 217 where you look ripped and in shape. Don’t disappoint us again!!! We’re counting on you to make the heavyweights of today look bad – as BAD as they really are. Oh woe are we… the silly, ignorant fans of yesteryear… Once there was a day when the heavies were not only the flagship of boxing, but also the bearers of talent that the other weight classes of today have. Toney is the last of the old school fighters. He could have made Cus D’Amato and Angelo Dundee proud. Not now. Now he makes us all look like sentimental dumbsh*ts for believing in greatness in the heavyweight division. Please, James, PLEASE prove me wrong next time! That’s all I have to say about that.
Ben
Ben,
Make no mistake, I appreciate your comments and I share your disappointment with Toney’s lack of conditioning for his heavyweight title shot, but you could knock out Lennox Lewis if you landed the right punch on the right night? Mike Tyson, Razor Ruddock, Frank Bruno, Vitali Klitschko, Ray Mercer, and Tommy Morrison apparently didn’t have the right night. I would like to put this theory to the test, but unfortunately I don’t want to be responsible for the death of one of my readers. Just think about this Ben…honestly. You have boxing gloves on and you are standing across the ring from the six foot, five inch, Lennox Lewis. Are you sitting there with your eyes closed and thinking about this? You are? Good. Now go grab a mop to pick up the urine. I don’t know what it is about Lennox Lewis and some people. He was great and, no offense to you Ben, but I would not place my money on you to score the knockout over the great Lewis.
PRETTY GREAT
Geno,
I’m a big fan of Floyd Mayweather for two reasons:
First, he consents to be called Pretty Boy. The guts man…amusing isn’t he? Second, I think he’s one of the most talented fighters ever.
That being said, I still think that he’s too small to be a welterweight, which is fine whenever we think of matching him up at 147 lbs with the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran. His small size could be an equalizing factor against these great boxers.
At 140 lbs I’d also like to get your opinion about a match with Aaron Pryor. What is your opinion about the outcome of these fantasy fights?
Cesar Tordesillas
Manila, Philippines
Cesar,
I am a fan of Floyd Mayweather, JR. and he certainly is great and amusing. I would rather have him use the nickname “Pretty Boy” rather than other boxers. Picture this: “Pretty Boy” Butterbean or what about “Pretty Boy” Gerald Nobles? It doesn’t work. Now, matching PBF up against some all time greats. I can’t see him beating any of the above mentioned fighters except for Roberto Duran. Sugar Ray Leonard had speed, tenacity, timing, power, and heart. Tommy Hearns is far too big for him and would eventually land that right hand in route to a knockout victory. Against Roberto Duran, it’s tough. If Duran can keep PBF on the ropes, which is not out of the question, he should score a KO victory, but I am leaning slightly toward PBF by close decision. Aaron Pryor was a monster, and when he was in his prime, he was unbeatable. Sugar Ray Leonard never wanted any piece of him and for good reason. Unfortunately, Pryor had some personal issues that hindered his career, but if he’s in the zone, he destroys Mayweather, JR.
PRETTY SUPER
Geno,
Really? You really fancy Judah? I’m not convinced, your arguments are solid and I don’t think it’ll be the one sided affair a lot of people are predicting. But Great fighters step up to the Great Fights (case in point Hatton). Now admittedly being from Ireland I haven’t seen a lot of PBF, but all the noise coming from the states leaves little doubt he is a great fighter. I think this night might just be made for him.
If PBF did lose, I presume the Hatton V PBF fight loses all interest and Judah is new target for Team Hatton. I would strongly fancy Ricky in this one, you?
Said it before and I’ll say it again, Great Articles!
Gerard McLaughlin
Gerard,
I do pick Judah…I don’t know if I fancy him. My wife would probably force me to stop writing if she discovered that I fancied Zab Judah, so we will just say that I like him as a fighter and I am picking him to win this super fight by knockout. Make no mistake, PBF has every right to be favored going into this one and I would not be surprised if he remains undefeated, but I stood out on a limb to pick Judah over Spinks in the rematch and I am standing on that branch again. It is one of those Pay Per Views that is going to be worth it because regardless of the result, it’s going to be exciting.
Ricky Hatton has a tough opponent in Luis Collazo coming up and I’m not sure that he will make it out of that fight undefeated. I fancy Hatton to win that one…I mean I pick him to win. You see what you started?
Geno,
Mayweather-Judah: This in my mind is a big time fight that has long been anticipated in a while. Who do you think has the better skills to win this fight and go on to the next weight class?
Phil Hendricks
Phil,
Considering the talent of both men, I think that either one or both could rule the light middleweight division. PBF has the better skills, mainly in the defense category, which would help him against the stronger guys, but Judah has that explosive power and great timing. What a difficult question you pose, Phil. I am picking Judah to win, but I would lean toward PBF as the better selection to move up because of his superior defense.
Geno,
Ya’ll got it all wrong! Floyd is gonna win by KO in tha 5th.
Ko-Kizzle
Ko-Kizzle,
Thanks for the correction. With a name like Ko-Kizzle, I will certainly have to re-evaluate my prediction. Ko-Kizzle in the hizzle.
Geno,
A bold prediction, but you back it up well.
Jerome
Jerome,
Thanks…yeah, that’s all I have to say about your comment. I wish there was more, but you didn’t give me much to go on. If you said it was a “bold and sassy” prediction, I could have written a great response, but it wasn’t to be. Thanks and keep reading!
Geno,
Since Floyd Mayweather is considered as the best or Number one pound for pound boxer in the world today, what do you think would be his ranking if ever Zab Judah will beat him on their April 8, 2006 fight? PBF is fighting a boxer who is not even included in any of the Top 10 pound for pound boxers in the world. I think some of the elite fighters that I would chose to fight PBF would be Ricky Hatton, Winky Wright, and Antonio Margarito. And should PBF beat those elite fighters, I think Floyd Mayweather would be ready to face Jermain Taylor. Because Taylor did what everybody thought was unthinkable. Beating a boxer whom every one thought was unbeatable and invincible… Bernard Hopkins.
Please give me your thoughts and comments about them Geno. Thanks a lot and more power to you and to your program…
Mr. Leo
Mr. Leo,
If PBF should lose to Judah, he will drop for sure, but I would still rank him in the top five, regardless. Judah is potentially one of the best in the game and has all the tools to be successful on April 8th, so it should be an interesting night. I would love to see Antonio Margarito get a shot and Ricky Hatton is a good match too. Winky Wright may be too big…that’s a big Winky. Jermain Taylor is also too big for PBF. More power to you as well.
Geno,
I totally disagree with you prediction of the PBF vs Judah Super fight. I don’t understand how you choose an average boxer like Judah to out smart, out punch or out fight the p4p king. I feel like people are not looking at why PBF is at the level in boxing that he is. It’s because he is truly a near perfect fighter. Call it “talented passed through generations” yea Super’s family were very involved in boxing but PBF’s family were champions of their time and he has absorbed all from them and is who he is today from all he’s learned. I see Judah KO’d by the 5th.
Happy Boxing
D
D,
Zab Judah is not an average boxer. He is one of the most talented boxers in the game. I completely recognize the talent that PBF has, and his track record is outstanding, but if he’s going to lose, Judah’s going to beat him. I contend that you need speed to beat “Pretty Boy” and that’s what Judah has…and explosive power. We will have to agree to disagree on this one.
ICE ICE BABY
Geno,
John is not only one of the better fighters to come out of New England, but he is also a proper role model. The Iceman has never tasted a single drop of alchohol; no illegal drugs will be discovered in his system, and I have never heard him use any type of foul language. He has certainly brought much more into the game than he ever took out. I am pleased to call him friend.
I appreciate your interview and look forward to your review of his book.
Bill
Bill,
Thanks for the comments and I look forward, myself, to reviewing the book. I read more than I write and anytime a boxing book comes along, I always want to give it a gander…
Geno,
Nobody does interviews better than ringsidereport.com. I saw John fight Scott Lopeck back in the day. How do you think Scully would do in his prime today against the top Light Heavies?
PBF in four. Remember I said that!
Jay
Jay,
John “Iceman” Scully would have probably been too small to really be effective against Antonio Tarver and the bigger light heavies. He is an exciting fighter with a great chin and a good punch, but we may be asking too much for him to conquer the bigger men of boxing. It seems that 99.9% of people are picking PBF to win…I’m the only one picking Judah. I can’t wait to be right. It will be so sweet.
Geno,
I just wanted to let you know that the best quality of John Scully is his willingness to help people out. I’ve known John for a few years now and knowing his experience in the sport I would call or e-mail him asking what he knows about a certain guy I was going to fight. He did not get paid for this but did it because he’s just a good guy. He is a tribute to boxing and a good role model.
Chris Mills
Chris,
Thanks for your comments Chris and congrats on your boxing career as well.
THE GOLDEN BET
Geno,
Thanks for the insight and knowledge. We appreciate it. I was wondering what your thoughts were on Mayorga-DLH coming in may- I like Mayorga a bit here, and at + 320 think he goes in with a decent chance to get the job done. Do you think DLH has enough pop left to hold off a hard charging Mayorga, I’m certain Ricardo would like to see a wild slugfest breakout, Thanks Geno. Keep the good word coming!
Nate
Nate,
I don’t think that De La Hoya will be able to stop Mayorga. It would have to be a consistent beating, which is possible, but I don’t see it. I’m getting this gut feeling that there is an upset in the works. Mayorga has really gotten under the skin of De La Hoya, which is good for the underdog. De La Hoya being rusty and getting into stupid exchanges is not out of the question. At +320, if you have the money to blow, go for it. Mayorga definitely has a chance in this one.
CLARIFICATION
Geno,
Now, you made me laugh with that CD joke of yours. Yeah right, who has 300 CDs anyway? Seriously, you really have 300 CD changer??? I wonder how it looks. Maybe like a jukebox or something. You ever listened to grand funk railroad? Trying to look for their CD but to no avail.
Let me ask you a little about boxing, you think Raheem has a chance against popo? I don’t know but I think Popo will win this very technical fight.
Kadyo
Kadyo,
I seriously have a 300 CD disc changer/player in my living room. It sort of looks like a receiver, except slightly bigger. I have no idea why I purchased it because I have never owned that many CDs. If you thought that the disc player was bad, you should take a gander at my old speakers. They are HUGE! I just replaced them with better speakers that are one tenth the size, seriously. The 1980s and early 1990s were all about size. Thank god that I met my wife in the late nineties.
I never did listen to Grand Funk Railroad. Considering that their music is unavailable, my life may never be complete.
Raheem is going to beat Popo. Freitas has bad balance and is unorthodox, but the pure skill of Raheem will overcome the odd picture that he is presented. I am very big on Raheem winning this one by wide decision.
MIDDLEWEIGHT INQUIRY
Geno,
Always enjoy your column. You take that time for readers and I am usually not one to write in with questions for any bag but wanted you to know that.
I do have a question today. You have or I should say Antonio Santiago has an article on Juan Roldan, which I enjoyed. He was one heck of a puncher in his day, and should have been a Champ but we know he lost to Hagler and Hearns. No shame in that. I think today he would have cleaned up the middleweights for the most part. What do you think? Does he remind you of any other fighters?
Richard
Richard,
Thank you very much for your kind words. For you to choose my mailbag to pose your first question means a lot and we certainly appreciate it. I hope that you keep reading and supporting our site.
Antonio Santiago is an exceptional writer and I am a fan of our site and our writers as well as the Lead US Writer. Santiago’s take on the career of Juan Roldan was great like the rest of his articles. I am very impressed with our team and our readers. Anyway, Juan Roldan would definitely give the middleweights of today a tough go and would defeat the majority if not all of them. He was such a strong fighter and his strength more than anything reminds me of Jose Luis Castillo a great deal. It was just the way that he would impose himself and match his will against his opponent’s. He was a very strong boxer and, as you said, losing to Hagler and Hearns is not an unforgivable sin. He was a great fighter and I’m glad that Antonio Santiago honored him with the article.
SHOULD’VE BEEN CHAMPION…
Geno,
How many black fighters could (and should) have been champ before the Joe Louis period?
Speaking of the one who did make it, though he had to travel to Australia to finally get his chance, do you know anything about the campaign to get Jack Johnson a pardon from the President? I came across a website posted by a boxers’ union but saw no method to add my signature to the petition.
Pedro
Pedro,
I will start with Peter Jackson who was a logical challenger to John L. Sullivan for the Heavyweight Title, back when African Americans weren’t even allowed to fight for the title. Sullivan refused to put the title on the line against a black fighter, stating at one time that if a black man was to hold it, that it would forever taint it. I know that he is a legend, but let me go on record and say that Sullivan was an idiot. How can you talk about race when you have a ridiculous mustache like that, seriously? What a clown.
Jack Dempsey ducked Sam Langford and Harry Wills, and both had a very good chance to take the title, but Dempsey took the same stance that Sullivan had. It was a sign of the times in one sense. The promoters were catering to white America and a white champion was demanded and you can keep the people happy without chancing anything. Dempsey is considered one of the all time greats, and that’s all well and good, but it’s a difficult thing to determine when certain races were automatically disqualified. Dempsey is really part hype and part substance, and his reluctance to avoid black challengers was as much his promoter’s decision as it was his own.
I heard that George W. Bush was pushing for a presidential pardon of Jack Johnson. He died sixty years ago, but better late than never, I guess. I haven’t heard if it went through or not, but I don’t see what it solves. It’s merely a political move and probably has very little to do with Jack Johnson. One thing on Jack Johnson that I would like to say: If you haven’t seen the documentary “Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson,” buy it or rent it. It is truly one of the most interesting and memorable documentaries that I have ever seen.
HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY
Geno,
In your honest opinion, who won in Morales-Barrera 3?
Philbert
Philbert,
Honestly, I had Morales by two points in that third encounter, but so many of the rounds were tough to score. Those two boxers are always going to have close fights that can go either way because they are both active and aggressive fighters that have great chins. I wasn’t upset with the verdict. It was a relatively even bout.
SOME RSR COMMENTARY
Geno,
I just wanted to drop you a line to express my gratitude at such an excellent job on the website!
We need more people to fall in love with boxing again if it is to ever see even a fraction of the popularity it once had. There is also a big need for the current fans of the sport to have a forum to voice their thoughts and opinions. You have helped RSR provide just that. It’s been such a big part of my life (30 years in September), and I still try to bring others into the fold. Thanks for bringing your insight and your “I call ’em as I see ’em” opinions. It makes for an interesting, and more entertaining reading experience.
By the way… Priest is my favorite. Thanks again, for your time, Geno!
Ben
Ben,
Thank you very much for the comments and we are here to serve, and the fact that we are growing at a rapid pace shows that the real boxing fans out there are gravitating toward our site. We make it a point not to be negative intentionally just to be seen as tough guys. We put out an honest product. If you like it, great. If not, great. There’s nothing worse than being wishy-washy. There’s no better term than “wishy-washy.” I would use the term more if it didn’t have so many negative connotations. I do appreciate the recognition and I’m glad that you are enjoying our site and what it has to offer.
Also, Judas Priest is fantastic. Breaking the Law is such a great tune.
COME BACK DR. IRON FIST!
Geno,
Enjoy this forum quite a bit. My question has to do with the elder Klitschko brother. Now that he failed in his bid to enter Ukranian politics, and this is about the time that his body should be healthy, do you think there’s a chance he’ll return to the boxing ring? Have there been any rumors about this? My opinion is that it would generate some great buzz for the heavyweight division, and because only he and Brewster seem to knock people out on a consistent basis, this type of buzz is much needed. After watching the Rahman-Toney fight, it’s hard to believe that Vitali wouldn’t have won against either of those fighters.
Keith
Keith,
I’m glad that you enjoy our message board. Vitali Klitschko is probably waiting for the division to get things together. When there is a unified champion, and depending who it is, he may throw down the challenge. I don’t think that Vitali would beat Rahman. Vitali loves when his opponent boxes him like Larry Donald and Vaughn Bean did, or attack sloppily like Danny Williams and Kirk Johnson did. He does not want to fight a skillful big man with a big right hand, and that’s Hasim Rahman. I was really looking forward to the Rahman-Klitschko bout for the longest time and I knew that this was the match that would prove that the big man was for real or that he was a fraud. Sadly, his reluctance to enter the ring with this opponent may prove the latter. If Toney should come up with the title after the Rahman-Maskaev bout, you will probably see Vitali throw down the challenge then. Toney is small and doesn’t have much of a punch, which will be hard to resist for Dr. Iron Fist.
THE PAC SACK
Geno,
I’m just wondering! Is there a reason why Mexican fighters don’t have the muscular body as boxers from different countries? Does it have something to do with the way Mexicans fighters are made. Just to point out, African-American and other black fighters have tremendous muscle definitions while most (if not all) the Mexican fighters I’ve watched are not.
I’m a Manny Pacquiao fan and I really don’t think that Larios has a chance against the Pacman. Well, simply put, Pacman is the stronger and quicker of the two. Also Larios likes to mix it up and that will certainly bad for him.
Thanks for posting my question and more power.
Joji the pogi
Joji the pogi,
I really want to tip toe around this first part of the question. I will say that genetics has everything to do with everything. For instance, if you were to go to my family reunions, you would think that you had just stepped into a Richard Simmons video. All my relatives are fat, fat, fatty-fat. It’s the only time that I go anywhere and say to myself: “Wow, I’m in pretty good shape!” So, diet and genetics and training are everything, right? I don’t know how they train Mexican boxers…never seen it done, but many of them seem to concentrate on endurance rather than brute strength. Julio Cesar Chavez would outlast anyone in his prime. So my final answer to your first question is: I have no idea.
Larios is going to have his hands completely full with the Pacman for sure. He’s a tough fighter, but to stand in front of the Pacman is suicide. More power to you as well my friend.
Geno,
I would say that you are an institution in the boxing world, Can you share with me your personal forecast on Pacman-Morales 3…
Many thanks,
Philbert
Philbert,
I sincerely appreciate the compliment. An institution. I can’t wait to tell my wife! Anyway, I just watched the two bouts between these two warriors and the biggest issue that I see facing Erik Morales is the fact that he cannot hurt the Pacman. He can certainly put him on the defensive, but can he cannot keep him off. The way that Morales holds his gloves and is stationary, he still presents an easy target for the Pacman. I will say that they are tied 1-1 and Morales has the right to know if he’s the better man and that the rematch was just a situation where he was not himself. I still go with the Pacman big time, but remember, Erik Morales is an exceptional fighter and will not go into the bout to lose. He is too proud for that. My forecast is however, Pacman by KO in less than eight rounds.
Geno,
Do you think PAC can rule 135lbs. in the near future? Do you think PACMAN vs CORRALES will be a better fight at 135lbs?
Pacfans
Pacfans,
I think that Pacman is too small to challenge the likes of Diego Corrales, who is enormous by comparison. Of course, Pac would have the puncher’s chance, but he is better off staying at the super featherweight limit. He’s moved up once before and it’s been proven over the course of history that great fighters can move up too far and lose the greatness that they once had. He shouldn’t go after Corrales, although a fight fan’s dream, it would be too much of a challenge in my opinion.
Geno,
Your absolutely correct Mr. Geno. MAB at this point in his career is making decisions at the business point of view. Not really to fight the best there is in his division. Because if he does, he knows he won’t have any chance at all. So, MAB might as well make the most out of it business wise…..fighting patsies like Fana and Peden.
Ramrod25
Ramrod25,
Thanks. Boxing is a business and this in unfortunately a side effect of the game. Remember when Mike Tyson came back from prison and nobody questioned that he was the best in the game, although he was fighting Peter McNeeley, and Buster Mathis JR. He could have boxed inept opponents for the rest of his career and you would have still had the fans calling him the greatest thing since sliced bread. Greatest thing since sliced bread? Is sliced bread even that great? I mean, it’s good, but great? I think that the computer is better than sliced bread. There are many things better than sliced bread. I’m sorry, I’m rambling. MAB can go the rest of his career fighting very winnable fights and never be questioned by the majority of the fans, and I think that he’s okay with it.
Geno,
If the Pacman fights Barrera without any title at stake then its a meaningless fight and only for the money. The only reason Manny will fight Barrera is to try to get those belts we believe wrongly placed on his waist.
Pacquiao is statistically the champion and those belts on Barrera’s were placed by circumstances. The rematch must be a title fight and it will go down in history as one of the greatest and dramatic fights we’ve ever seen.
Ultimate Boxing Fan
Ultimate Boxing Fan,
Titles aren’t completely meaningless at this point, but with the many belts that are floating around out there, they are not what they used to be. If they were to fight with nothing on the line except the question of who the better fighter truly is, will be enough to sell the bout in my eyes and I will take it!
Geno,
Two or three years ago, many, if not all, boxing greats, experts, analysts, writers and enthusiasts described Manny Pacquiao as a one-dimensional fighter. Yet Manny demolished most, if not all, of his opponents left and right in spectacular fashion, and that included beating to a pulp Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. Nowadays, the same experts are one in saying that Pacquiao has transformed himself into a multi-dimensional fighter, adding a lot of weapons to his arsenal, as can be seen in his fantastic 10th round KO victory over another Mexican icon, Erik Morales (Barrera was not able to do what Pacquiao did to Morales. Barrera’s wins against Morales were even questionable). If Pacquiao was able to pulverize all of his opponents, including Barrera, when he was still a one-dimensional fighter, how in the world can Barrera withstand the onslaught of the now complete fighting machine in Manny Pacquiao? Very simple analysis! Guys, you don’t have to ask Oscar De La Hoya to understand that!
PACQUIAO VS. BARRERA II WILL JUST BE A REPLAY OF THE PACQUIAO VS. BARRERA I EXCEPT THAT THIS TIME, PACQUIAO WILL KNOCK BARRERA OUT IN ROUND 6. GUYS, MARK MY WORD!
Neil Papas
Neil,
I think that Pacman has added to his arsenal. He’s improved on his right hook and body attack. He is exceptional, but there are people that always jump on the bandwagon. It’s a fact of life. People love a winner and Pacman is a winner.
Geno,
I know, another Pacman question!
After the second fight everyone has said that Pacman is the better fighter and seem to discount Morales completely, a real warrior and my all time boxing hero (hence the bias). Everyone says MAB is avoiding Pacman but it seems to me that Pacman doesn’t want Morales III. For the second fight Morales gave Pacman back his gloves and fought at a weight Morales finds tough to get too – puts his body under a lot of pressure. So if Pacman can destroy anyone why not take the third DECISIVE fight? (its still 1-1 on the scorecard). Would the extra weight really mean that much?
I would actually like to see El Terrible retire, he’s done enough but the press and forums are all one way at the moment. Morales -v- Pacman III is not the cut and dried affair everyone seems to think so (Not your goodself ofcourse).
Cheers Geno, love the site.
Gerard McLaughlin
Gerard,
Thanks for the comments my friend. I don’t think that the weight would make that much of a difference and as you have seen, Morales didn’t look that devastating heavier against Raheem. I don’t know why that would be a problem… I agree that the result of a third encounter is a foregone conclusion. I would never write Erik Morales off. Cheers to you as well and I’m glad that you enjoy the site. We appreciate you as a reader.
Geno,
Do you see Manny Pacquiao vs Edwin Valero will clash in the future? Who do think will win?
More power,
Noy Hitalia
Noy,
Edwin Valero, 19-0, 19 KO’s, with 18 first round knockouts, is certainly a man to watch, but is yet to be tested. We know he can punch, for certain, and I can’t wait for him to make his way onto American television. If he maintains this trend, he will be a huge superstar. Right now it’s far too early to predict the outcome, but I will say that somebody is going to get knocked out.
Geno,
I would like to stress one overlooked but important aspect of boxing; that is, moving up in weight. Pacman took the challenge of two of the best fighters today without hesitation, and moving up in weight on both occasions, and surprised many by eventually beating both, not just beating but knocking them out – two fighters many considered not KO’able (one even hadn’t been KO’d in his entire career). Many boxing fans don’t know what it entails to move up in weight as a boxer, but all boxers know that it’s no joke moving up to fight a bigger boxers who are used to that weight. He automatically loses whatever advantage he may have had once he goes up; he suddenly becomes small. The great thereto undefeated, perfect knock-out fighters like Wilfredo Gomez and Carlos Zarate, both hall of famers, met their fate on their first major attempt to move up, both tasting their first defeat, and with a KO at that, and forced to return to their old weight to be competitive again. Pacman did that in two rapid successions and eventually won in unprecedented way on both occasions. That’s what many boxing fans fail to appreciate or understand. Maybe that’s the reason why the great Wilfredo Gomez singled out Pacman as his idol among all the present day boxers, without a shadow of doubt. (those are some big words) About a month ago – because he appreciates Pacman’s supreme sacrifice in moving up to fight bigger, possible future hall of fame, fighters, something even many of the greatest boxers failed to do. What do you think about this point, Geno?
Jo
Jo,
You said a mouthful. The fact that the Pacman knocked out MAB and EM and beat JMM to a pulp shows his greatness. It should be noted however, that both EM and MAB have been through many wars before they met the Pacman. I’m not taking anything away from Pacquiao, but he’s acting like the force that is sending these proud, battle-tested, warriors into retirement. Forget the fact that they are past their primes, the fact that Pacman was able to dominate and stop them is remarkable. I think that when the dust settles, Pacman will be in the hall of fame without question.
COMMENTS FOR EL MEXICANO
Yeah right El Mexicano,
Pacman is a power puncher but I object that he is a one dimensional fighter. Did you watch how he demolished Erik “el terrible no more” Morales. Pacman is a hard worker and he always improved his style. He knows that he can’t beat EM in a short route so he just fight and improved his defense since EM is a very good counter puncher. So if you’re Barrera is not choosing his opponent, come on! BRING HIM ON! Face the PACMAN, don’t fight meaningless fights! Mabuhay Pilipinas!
Jonas
This is for El Mexicano,
For your information, Pacquiao suffered a hand and foot injury during his fight with JMM that is why he could not finish him off, but that will not happen when they face again. Also in my opinion JMM is scared of the Pacman because he turned down $750,000 to fight him again, only to accept $30,000 to fight an indonesian fighter who he thinks he can handle well (But he lost). He did this because he knew the next time they fight that he wouldn’t survive Pacquiao’s power. MAB is also scared of the Pacman because like EM he had a rematch clause in their contract but he decided not to use it to avoid another beating. EM is one of the bravest fighters in Mexico’s history because he doesn’t avoid or duck anybody, not even the man who gave him a beating.
Lindsay
Jonas and Lindsay,
You’ve stated your points well and I appreciate the comments. So, everyone, keep those questions and comments coming my way. Tell your friends, ask me anything and have fun with it.
