Hello RSR readers and welcome once again to “Ask Geno,” our mailbag. As always, we appreciate all questions and comments.
PAPER CHAMPIONS
Geno,
Since Floyd has been criticized for fighting two paper champs back-to-back, why isn’t anyone talking about the paper champ in 154: MAYORGA! The person De La Hoya wants to beat to retire as a champion.
Ant Boogie
Ant Boogie,
Just a little off topic here. I hate that song “Electric Slide” by Marcia Griffiths. Your name there just got me thinking about that song. You can’t feel it. It’s electric, boogie woogie woogie. I don’t know why it was so popular and I have an issue with disco in general, particularly the Bee Gees. They started off so well and sang normally and then they must have had some horse riding accident that made them sing so high. Well, Ant Boogie, I could sit here all day and talk about disco and perhaps you would like that, but this is a boxing site and I will now answer your boxing question.
Ricardo Mayorga did win a vacant title against a questionable opponent, and he has been exposed as a one-dimensional brawler, but I still have to commend De La Hoya for facing a puncher with a good chance of beating him instead of a guy that he would definitely beat. Let’s face it. De La Hoya sells no matter who he fights and he could have picked anyone…let’s say Yory Boy Campus and claim that it is “the rematch that you want to see” and casual boxing fans will be like: “De La Hoya is fighting this weekend? Sweet! I know him! I cannot wait to see him fight this Campus guy again. It’s going to be the cat’s pajamas!” Any boxing fan that uses the term: “the cat’s pajamas” obviously doesn’t know pugilism.
THE KING WAS ROBBED OF HIS CROWN
Geno,
I just finished watching the Raheem-Freitas on HBO. The fight wasn’t even close and even the commentator, Max Kellerman had the fight for Raheem. He was robbed because two of the judges that were apparently watching another fight. It’s really upsetting as a boxing fan to see fighters work hard and take that bodily harm and then have it taken away by three people that have never even tried on boxing gloves. The boxing commission should really take a look at how the judges are selected in the future so that boxers can get the results that they deserve instead what the “business” needs to make the almighty dollar.
Perry Shealy
Perry,
I was sitting at press row for the bout and it was difficult to score. It was an ugly bout, but I had Freitas winning: 117-112. It just seemed that he was landing the more telling punches and Raheem was out of game and contributed to the grappling ugly fight. I guess I now must be part of the conspiracy with those other two judges. Oh, how we plotted to rob Raheem of that crown. I really wanted to leave Foxwoods wearing that crown, while screaming: “I am the king of the conspiracies!” Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.
I do agree that boxing is plagued with bad decisions and the promoters may have their hands in the pants of the judges. By the term “in the pants” I certainly mean in a monetary way…not the other way…I don’t think. I have tried on boxing gloves, just in case you want to hit me with that. I was the backyard boxing champion of my entire backyard, and I would defend my title against anyone. (Note: There are some people that are not eligible to challenge: people that can actually box, people under the age of sixty, and people that are over sixty but have boxed.) You see, I have plenty of room to talk and judge the greatest sport of all time.
DAMIANI MANIA IS RUNNING WILD
Geno Bambino,
You are the man for sure out there. I like your bag and most of your picks. Is there a white or Italian heavyweight on the rise? I know about Mesi but don’t think he is going to fight much longer.
Whatever happened to Francesco Damiani? I know he lost to Mercer but disappeared.
Diesel
Diesel,
I am the man? For sure? AWESOME! I can’t wait to tell my wife. I appreciate the compliments man and I appreciate you reading the stuff that I’m throwing out there. Okay, white or Italian heavyweight on the rise… The white heavyweights that I would recommend watching: Tye Fields, 36-1, 33 KO’s, Sultan Ibragimov, 19-0, 16 KO’s, Brian Minto, 24-1, 14 KO’s. The only Italian heavyweight Paolo Vidoz, 21-2, 12 KO’s, has put together some decent wins and is leading the pack as for Italian heavies, but there is “The New Italian Heavyweight” Michael Marrone, 14-0, 11 KO’s, but I don’t think that he is going to be a top heavyweight. When he steps up, I think that he will be knocked down, but he was worth mentioning.
Francesco Damiani? I thought that I was his only fan. I’m the president of the “Damiani Maniacs,” a fan club that I started in the early nineties that has, up to date, one member, but I’m optimistic. He was skilled and unfortunately had a missed opportunity when he was injured prior to a heavyweight title bout with Evander Holyfield. To add insult to injury, HBO’s commentators trashed the “Damiani Maniac” during the broadcast, saying that if he and Holyfield fought on the flight to the arena that they still wouldn’t have had as much action as they did with Bert Cooper, who ended up taking his place.
He retired after his loss to Oliver McCall, and never really made a peep in the division outside of that one loss to Ray Mercer, when he was completely dominating until the perfect shot landed and broke his nose. Many may dismiss him as an average or worse heavyweight, but he had skill and heart and could have given Holyfield trouble if he had the chance.
SALAMI…I JUST GOTTA SAY SALAMI AGAIN
Geno,
Looks like you don’t buy those things at grocery stores. Haven’t you heard of Cotto Salami? I’m referring to that. I’m not sure what figure of speech I was using. But I meant Cotto Salami.
Thanks for allowing me to explain.
Su amigo,
Tony
Tony,
There has to be a connection. There is Cotto Salami and Genoa Salami, and that’s as close to my salami as you can get…it’s only an A too much. I want a Geno Salami. Please write your local salami companies and demand it please. I now see what you mean and no, I don’t do salami. I don’t like bologna either. When it comes to the Deli, give me some roasted turkey or some roast beef, or anything with “roast” in front of it.
JUST ASKING GENO
Geno,
Greetings to you Geno and all the hard-core lovers of boxing around the world! This is my second letter to you. First and foremost I would like to say that the fight between Floyd and Judah is quite disappointing, maybe because of the injury of PBF’s hand, so on and so forth. Floyd is one of the finest boxers in the world despite the booboos in that fight. One thing I noticed though is that Floyd’s performance is going a level down each fight. It just did not show in his latest fight but even those before. Gone were the really sleek moves that turn opponents dizzy. He is still sleek now but if you have seen his other fights way back, you know what I’m talking about. Gone also are the lightning volume of punches. I think that for now, he reserves his best performances against sensational opponents, e.g. Arturo Gatti. But of course he has to sharpen up if he wants to stay commendable to be placed at the top of the pound for pound list. But still 36-0 milestone in this type of sport is worthy of praise…but on the top of the P4P?
Well Geno, what do you think? Hey, was it Mayweather on the ringside last January 21 during the Pacquiao-Morales match rooting for Manny and jumped and stood on his chair, really looked jubilant when Morales was knocked out? I just want to have a confirmation. Thanks!
Powerpac
Powerpac,
Great to hear from you again. I think that PBF could easily outbox the entire world at once, but he wants money and recognition and nothing gets that better than knockouts. He is putting himself at risk more so now because he wants to impress and win the people over. So, I don’t think that his performances are worse than before…just different. His win over Arturo Gatti was spectacular, but it was such a mismatch, it wasn’t funny. I think that he is the #1 pound for pound guy without question. Who else deserves it more? Winky Wright? Antonio Tarver? The fact that PBF is moving up weight class after weight class and winning with ease tells me that he is the man of the moment. He’s no Pernell Whitaker, but he is highly skilled and a defensive whiz. His Judah bout was a disappointment. I expected a much more hotly contested bout, but Judah’s focus, as usual, betrayed him.
I didn’t see Floyd in the crowd, but I heard about it. I think that there are some sour grapes between PBF and Morales because the fight was never made. This may not be much confirmation…sort of like a guy that says he saw Bigfoot. It’s second hand my friend…so take it for what it’s worth. By the way, with so many people seeing the Sasquatch, don’t you think that there must be one? Just one? My uncle said that he saw one once, but if you saw his wife, you would probably understand his confusion.
THE PAC SACK
Geno,
What do you think the outcome of Pacquiao vs. Morales III? Does Erik the same fighter again after absorbing a brutal beating from Pacquiao?
Jan Mendoza
Jan,
I don’t think that Morales is the same fighter that he was five years ago. He just got old and I think that Pacman destroyed a spent force. This is not to take away from the Pacquiao win, but it’s reality. The fact that Pacman beat him so thoroughly along with Barrera and Marquez (who he should have beaten by UD) puts him on the P4P list for certain. The outcome of the third encounter should be interesting because Morales wants to avenge the loss and has beaten Pacman before. He will try to use his jab and strength to win, but I can’t go against the man of the hour on this one. Pacman wins by mid-round KO.
Hey Mr. Best!!!
I’m an avid Pacman fan. I played boxing in my time (amateur 6 rounder) also a southpaw, never being beaten. As far as I know, Pacman is too busy nowadays promoting so many things. What’s your idea on his Larios fight? I hope he can manage Larios, but there is tension on the fan side. It seems to me that he is taking Larios lightly. What do you think?
Jun
Jun,
I heavily favor the Pacman to make quick work of Larios, but it is possible that he is taking him lightly because it seems that this is a bout that he cannot lose. I think that he will get by Larios and Morales, eventually leading to a super showdown with Diego Corrales. Also, thanks for the “Mr. Best” nickname. I’ll take it!
Geno,
What do you think about the motivation of Pacman now that he has a lot of money? Do you think that he can still repulse the brave Mexicans?
Ryu
Ryu,
I remember when Cyndi Lauper sang that tune: “Money Changes Everything” and it’s true. It’s not a very good song, but she was part of the “Rock and Wrestling Connection” and I can’t disrespect that. I think that it is difficult to maintain hunger when you have a zillion dollars in the bank. Perhaps he won’t be as aggressive and as well conditioned in the future, but I doubt it. Pacman always comes into his bouts conditioned and motivated. The sport of it is the motivation, I think. Do I think that he can still repulse the brave Mexicans? Sure. The Mexican boxers in the Chavez mold are custom made for the Pacman.
Well thank you one and all and I encourage you to write to me and ask me something. I am here for you people!
