Welcome back to my Ask the Champ mailbag. This week I was hit with some very interesting questions and some very tough ones as well. Like always, you the fans, have very good insight on what’s going on in boxing today. Next week I will be on the Island of Puerto Rico spending time with my family and looking forward to seeing the war between Castillo vs. Corrales and I know that we will be talking about it in the bag next week for sure. So until then, see you on the beach! I mean, talk to you next week.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH ALL OF THIS CONTROVERSY?
Jose,
What’s happening Champ. Hope all is well. I was wondering if you watched the Barrera vs Juarez fight this past weekend, and if so who did you have winning? I had Barrera for sure, but not by a land slide. I was shocked to hear how many people thought Juarez won. I think some judges and fans score the blood and not the actual fight. While Barrera did look worse for wear, it doesn’t mean he lost the fight. Some people swell/bleed easier than others. For example, you can stare at Gatti’s left eye and make it bleed, but that doesn’t mean he lost the fights he was cut in!
I scored the fight like this:
This is how I scored it:
Barrera—–Juarez
1. 10 – 9
2. 10 – 9
3. 9 – 10
4. 10 – 9
5. 10 – 9
6. 10 – 9
7. 10 – 9
8. 9 – 10
9. 9 – 10**** think this one could of been 10-10
10. 9 – 10
11. 10 – 9
12. 10 – 9
116 – 112
I just don’t see it being a controversy that Barrera got the W.
Also I was wondering if you have another fight in the works yet? I know it is still very soon after your last brilliant performance, and to be honest with you I watch that fight with you and Garcia damn near every other day. It was just that exciting and fun to watch. You are a true asest to the boxing world and I look forward to seeing you in the ring again. Thanks for taking time out of your day for us fans.
Mr Sweet Science
Mr. Sweet Science,
This fight is controversial because of how the decision and outcome was changed, not on who won the fight. I think the fight was close and Juarez showed a lot of determination and heart, but I also feel that Barrera won. I had the fight closer then you and Harold Lederman had it. Yes, it is easy to look at a fighter and see him bleeding and think he is losing, even fighters when they get a little banged up start to doubt themselves whether they are doing good or not. This is why our corner men play such an important role in the fight. Barrera took the early rounds and his experience helped him win the close rounds in my opinion. I think most people are accustom to seeing Barrera being dominant and explosive and his not up to par performance made the people wonder what is wrong with Barrera. The best positive thing Barrera can take from this fight is the fact that he had an off night, and still was able to win. Any fighter will tell you that to be able to win on an off night, is huge. Nothing yet on what is next for me. I will give it about another month or so to see how the other junior middleweights do and also to see in which direction De La Hoya decides he wants to go in. I trust that DKP Productions will be in touch with me as soon as they have something good to go over with me. I am glad that you found my fight exciting and I look forward to giving the fans more exciting fights.
A GREAT IDEA THAT BOXING WILL NOT USE
Jose,
IS IT POSSIBLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE THAT JUDGES SCORES IN BOXING BE MADE TRANSPARENT FOR TV AUDIENCE JUST LIKE IN MOST SPORTS.
RODNELL
Rodnell,
I like your idea. Boxing has experimented before with how they are going to score the fights, but never came to a better conclusion then the system they have today. The closest they came to what you suggested was when they had a light in each fighter’s corner and when the round was over the red or blue light would go on between the break showing who won that round. They did this so the live audience and the TV audience will know who is winning. The problem was that the fighters and their corners knew as well and well let’s just say it made for not so exciting endings. Sometimes you will have fighters playing it too safe when they had a good lead, but there had to be other reasons why it didn’t stick.
FIGHTER’S GETTING THE SHORT END OF THE STICK
Champ,
I am so sick and tired of the commissions not allowing fighters to wear ads on their backs and I think they fined the guy who fought Barrios Saturday night for it. What do you think about this? The promoters can have beer on the ring aprons, corner bumpers and other stuff but you guys get the short end of the stick.
Jake
Jake,
You are not in the minority. Yes, he did get fined and that is wrong. It seems that only the promoters can make money on advertisement. People have to understand that our boxing trunks can only fit so much and if we have to use our backs to make some extra money, why does the commission care? This is another reason why the fighters should form a union, but there is too much greed in the sport of boxing for that to ever happen.
HISTORIC MATCHUP’S
Jose,
I have read some of your other Ask the Champ and always like to see mythical bouts. Let me throw some out at you.
Pryor vs Mancini
Hagler vs Hopkins
Whittaker vs Castillo
Rosario vs Corrales
Thanks
Roberto
Roberto,
You have given me some tough ones, but I am up for the task. I do have to say that even though I do not like to compare myself to past fighters I sure do not mind comparing others. I don’t know call me crazy, but it’s a fun thing for me to do.
Pryor vs. Mancini:
I will say that most people will agree that Pryor will get the best in this bout. Pryor would’ve been to fast and too strong for the tough and durable Mancini. Pryor by TKO.
Hagler vs. Hopkins:
Man I do not care how many title defenses Hopkins has had, my main man Hagler (he does not know it) would’ve beaten Hopkins. I will say by decision. You have to respect what Hopkins was able to accomplish even if it was not against the same caliber of opponents that Hagler faced.
Whitaker vs. Castillo:
No disrespect to Castillo, but Whitaker would’ve of been too smart, slick and fast for Castillo. Whitaker by decision.
Rosario vs. Corrales:
Well, this one is tough very tough, but looking at the fighters styles and heart, I am going to say it would’ve been a draw. What do I mean by a draw? Well, I think these fighters match up just like Castillo vs. Corrales and we have already seen them fight twice, with each fighter winning by TKO. I think the same could’ve happened if Corrales could have fought Rosario. The reason I feel this is when Rosario was on his game, there was no stopping him. His great performances have shown that, but then again, he was beaten by lesser fighters than Corrales as well.
THE PAC SAC (COURTESY OF GENO M.)
Jose,
With the Pac-Man fighting with El Terrible this October, what is the chance of Morales? Can he come back from the brutal loss he sufferred in their 2nd fight?
Kian of Manila
Kian,
If I was Pac-man, I would concentrate on Larios before worrying about Morales in October. To answer your question, I will never count Morales out even though I think Pacquiao has his number also.
Jose,
Manny is loved by us and we will always love him. Do you think he can go into the hall of fame on his first try when he retires? You meet Freddie Roach? Is he a nice guy?
Pacman Fever
Pacman Fever,
Yes, he can, but that doesn’t mean he will though. I have not met Freddie Roach yet, so I can’t really comment on him.
Mr Rivera,
Rumors are crazy over here about Manny training. I think he is fine and stops Larrios by five round. Do you think he really fights Morales or maybe MAB? Do you think his brother Bobby can ever be as good as him?
Binky
Binky,
Yes, I have heard a lot of those same rumors, but nothing to go crazy about. After all they are just rumors right? I think you should hook up with Lindsay about getting the Pacman scoop because Lindsay seems to be up to date on the Pacman news. I do not know who he will fight next, but I will wait to see what happens after the Larios fight and you might hear it from him, who he chooses or his team does to fight next. I think a good business move is to fight a rematch with Barrera because he is ripe for the taking. No, I do not see Bobby being as good as Manny.
Jose,
I’m from the Philippines and one of Pacman fans but as you know, I also am a mexican boxers fan specially EM. Too bad though, I still had to pick PAC the last time they fought. But I’m just wondering, Where in the world is JMM right now? I mean, After he lost to Chris John in Indonesia, I’ve never heard anything from his camp.. Is he still wants to fight to regain his lost glory? I mean, he was once the best fighter in feather weight. What do you think?
Dennis
Dennis,
I am going to tell you take a deep breath wait a few seconds and now release. There how do you feel? Well I hope after I tell you that Marquez is do to fight this August 8th in Las Vegas against 24-1 Terdsak Jandeang from Bangkok Thailand for the WBO interim title you will feel much better. Don’t worry he has not disappeared and you can look for him to become a world champion again, he is too good not too.
Jose,
Well the rumors that the pacman wasn’t training isn’t a rumor anymore. Pacquiao only left the Philippines this May 14th to train at the wild card gym and started going to the gym on the 16th because Freddie says its not good to train when you have a jetlag. And yes the pacman did not train while he was in the Philippines. I hope he has enough time to train for his fight with Larios who has a two week head start in training.
Lindsay
Lindsay,
Yes, it’s true that Pacman did not leave until the 14th, but believe me he was training in the Philippines until he got to the Wild Card Gym. Maybe not full and hard intense training, but nonetheless he was doing some kind of work in the gym. I cannot believe Pacquiao will not at least be in the gym doing some maintenance work like 95% of the top fighters do. Fighters do not just train when they have a fight, they take some time off and then head back to the gym to keep the juices flowing until it is time to step it up. That is how Manny has been able to be so successful in his career and I do not see him getting away from that now. Lindsay, I hope you are wrong and I am right because if Pacquiao takes Larios lightly it can have an effect on the outcome of the fight.
BOXING NEED SOME CHANGES AND HERE IS ONE OF THEM
Jose,
After I saw the Barrera-Juarez fight and the scoring mistakes that Happened I remembered the fight of Pacquiao and Marquez with Marquez squeezing out a draw… I think that scoring should be automatic on knock downs. Are the judges just using a paper and pencil type of scoring? If they are I think it’s time to change that way.
Quickmelt
Quickmelt,
Yes, I said the same thing in my last mailbag. I think they should have a better efficient scoring instead of the old paper and pen. Something like a hand held computer type that they can use to punch in the numbers as to whom they felt won that round and then at the end of the fight have the computer punch up the sheet with the totals. I think this way you can avoid mistakes. Let’s see if the commissions are reading my mailbag and want to bring boxing up to the 21st century standards that the sport badly needs.
WHO SAYS THERE IS NO FAVORITISM
Hey Champ,
I do agree with you about these commentators from HBO. Why cant this people cant be just fair enough for both fighters. I think each one deserves to be positively heard on all the viewers. What do you think?
Jun
Jun,
Yes, I agree, but you have to understand the commentators work for the networks that cover the fights. I am not making an excuse for them because if you are not being neutral, than you are not being fair. I am not talking about all of the networks because ESPN and SHOWTIME to name a few do not promote fighters so it is easier for them to be fair and just cover the fights. But when a network has a fighter under contract than the commentators that work for them have to talk him up to give them the maximum exposure for the networks money. I remember I did a favor for a friend and I was a special commentator for a fight. They asked me not to be too bias, but to make sure that the promoters fighter looked good. So from personal experience I know it happens.
LOOK OUT FOR THE NEW BOOM BOOM
Jose,
What are your thoughts about the young Filipino phenom Rey “boom boom” Bautista?
Marius
Marius,
I think he is fast, strong and good, but I want to see him against top fighters now in his division because I think he is ready. He is definitely world championship material.
LOOK OUT FOR THE NEW HOT TRAINER
Hi Champ,
Congratulations on a great win. I was a trainer myself. I watched the fight with my long time friend the great Ron Lyle. We were both very impressed with the way you kept hands up and caught so many punches on your gloves. I really dont think you gave the Iceman enough credit for the wonderful job he did in your corner. I consider him the finest young trainer in boxing today!!
THANKS,
DENNY NELSON
Denny,
Thank you, but believe me Scully knows that I give him credit for all of the wonderful things he has been working with me on. I have been with Carlos Garcia my other trainer since I was sixteen years old and I have appointed Scully as my Head Trainer for a good reason. We have only been together for almost a year now and Scully has me doing things I have never done before. The performance you saw on May 6th against Alejandro Garcia for the WBA Super Welterweight Championship was achieved because of the hard work that Scully and I put together along with Carlos and my personal trainer. I agree with you 100% Scully is the new hot trainer coming up and that is why I am happy he is working with me.
IS BARRIOS THE NEW MAYORGA?
Jose,
Where the heck did this monster Jorge Barrios come from? I had never heard from before Saturday night. They said he lost to Freitas in a fight that was a war. I would love to see them do it again soon. Who would you go with this time around? What do you think of this kid? He is like a Ricardo Mayoraga but not as bigmouthed.
Anthony
Anthony,
The Frietas vs. Barrios fight was a very good fight until Barrios got stopped in the last round. Barrios dropped Frietas in the 8th and 11th round and Barrios got dropped in the 11th and 12th. Since their fight, Barrios has fought seven times and in his last fight you witnessed him stopping Janos Nagy in the first round to successfully defend his WBO Super Featherweight Title for the first time. Frietas, well he has not been as sharp since beating Barrios, he has fought five times and one of those was a TKO loss to Diego Corrales. In his last fight with a lackluster performance Frietas won the WBO Lightweight Title. It would be great to see these two fighters going at it again, but I think the outcome will be in Barrios’ favor this time around.
IS MAYORGA STILL FIGHTING?
Jose,
I have to say you looked hot in your last fight. Great win and keep them coming. I wanted to know since Mayorga punked out of your fight, would you fight him again? Where would you fight him and what would the outcome if you finally did fight him?
Lisa Rosario
Lisa,
First of all thank you. Yes, I would definitely give Mayorga a crack at my title. I would fight him anywhere Don King decides is the best place to host the fight, even though I think Madison Square Garden in New York would be the ideal place seeing that was where we was supposed to meet before. I feel I would have won then and I feel the same way now. Everybody says that De La Hoya exposed Mayorga and that is wrong. I saw Cory Spinks make Mayorga look like an amateur and then I saw Trinidad blow him away. I had a great game plan to defeat the big mouth, but I will not give it away just in case the fight ever materializes. Lisa, don’t hold your breath Mayorga will be out of boxing for a little while because of his suspension for testing positive for a banned substance after the De La Hoya fight and he might decide to retire after his embarrassing performance against DLH as well.
POWER OR NO POWER?
Jose,
I consider Oscar De La Hoya a power puncher, my friend Randy disagrees. What do you think?
George Vazquez
George,
I would like to say that you are both correct, but let me explain a little better. De La Hoya really is not a power puncher, but the way he throws his combinations with speed makes him I guess you can say powerful. The snap at the end of his punches together with the fact that his opponent at times, does not have time to prepare for them hurts them more then if he was to hit them flush with a hard punch that they saw coming. De La Hoya is no Julian Jackson or no Mike Tyson, but you do not get 30 KO’s in 42 fights if you have no power. So it’s a Draw between you and Randy!
RSR readers, in addition to sending in your questions each week, I also encourage you to check out the RSR Message Board where you can talk about the sport we both love and have an atmosphere, where you can feel comfortable with stating your opinions. Until next week, have a great one.
