Hello RSR readers and welcome to another session of the: Ask the Champ mailbag. I took a week off because I was being paraded around Puerto Rico like I was some kind of celebrity or something. I have to admit, it was an amazing feeling and something that I will share with my Grandchildren someday. Look at me talk about grandchildren. My son is 13 years old and my daughter is only 4 months old and believe me, I am not rushing either of them. It was nice to have former champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad to come and show his support for my title winning effort. All in all it was a great weekend and some much needed rest and relaxation time. Now back to the gym on Monday because I have a lot of hungry opponents out there trying to take my title. Now, let’s get on to answering your great questions once again.
CAN I GET A SIX PACK?
Jose,
What’s the best conditioning method to solidify your abs and midsection? I’m willing to work at it. Many thanks!
Fred Talbott
Fred,
The best method that has worked for me is roadwork and a lot and I mean a lot of sit ups and crunches. Before I use to do 500 a day, but for my last fight I wanted to step it up to another level so I started doing 1,000 a day. After my last performance and winning the title, I cannot do less then a 1,000 now.
COULD THE GREATEST BEND IRON?
Champ,
If Ali and Tyson were around on the same time during their prime, who do you think would pull this one down? The Greatest or the Iron? “The Rock” (Rundown) said, Tyson has the power but Ali would knock him down before Tyson land his upper cuts. What do you think?
Dennis
Dennis,
Tyson, in his prime was unstoppable and Ali in his prime was unbeatable. So you add those two mixtures together and you get one hell of a fight. I think that Tyson was stronger then Frazier so the knock out factor is a possibility, but Ali had the moves, speed and intelligence to frustrate Tyson and that is how you beat Tyson. In my opinion I could see a trilogy with this match up like the one Ali had with Frazier and I also see the same result, Ali winning two out of the three.
TO KICK BUTT OR NOT TO KICK BUTT
Hey Champ,
When is your next fight? I would love to see you kick Mayorga’s butt.
Rjay
Rjay,
Thank you. I am going back to the gym on Monday and I will contact my promoter DKP and see what they have in mind for me. As of right now, I don’t have an opponent or date for my first title defense. I do know it will not be Mayorga because he is going to be suspended for a little while for testing positive for a banned substance in his last fight with Oscar De La Hoya.
TITLES, TITLES AND MORE TITLES
Jose,
This is my first time writing to Ask the Champ, but I am excited because I enjoy your bag and RSR. My question is this. Why does boxing have so many titles in each division? In my Grandpa’s days, there were less belts and the champions from what he says, were widely recognized. Thanks for answering my question and it was nice to see a human being such as yourself win the belt and get recognized as well in your hometown.
Nevin Jacobs
Albany, New York
Nevin,
Thank you for your kind words and welcome to my email bag. What it all comes down to is money. Like any business out there if you are doing well and making money you will have a competitor trying to do the same thing. I honestly wish there was only one World Champion because like your Grandpa told you the champ would be more recognized and boxing would be more mainstream with the public. Look at wrestling for example. Wrestling is fake and everybody, but a 5 year old knows it. But it’s entertaining like boxing is sometimes and they only have one World Champion. I bet you can tell me who the Wrestling Champion is rather then one of the three Heavyweight Champions around today.
TRULY FUNNY!
Jose,
This is Boom Boom and I am the champ of Fordham Road in New York. I think I might be able to take you and wondered if you come to the Bronx, would you face me in a three round match in front of my homeboys with headgear on and a homie being the referee?
Tony Boom Boom Campani
Tony,
You had me on the floor with this question. Listen; at this point of my career, I only fight in ten or twelve round fights. Also, I have to get paid a minimum of 150,000 now that I am the Champion again. So if you can come up with that money taking a collection up from your boys, and I can least bring the referee then we are on. Do we have a deal?
ANY DUCKING GOING ON HERE?
Jose,
Do you think Floyd Mayweather will fight Antonio Margarito? What will be the outcome? I think Floyd is ducking him. Would you ever think of moving up to super middle before you retire?
Trent
Trent,
I do not know if he will fight Margarito, but I do know that if they meet it will be a tough fight for Mayweather, JR. I would not say Floyd is ducking him; it is just that he is not in a hurry to fight Margarito with a big fight with De La Hoya on the horizon. I think Mayweather and Margarito will meet if there is a demand from the public and right now for Mayweather; the demand is a fight with De La Hoya. With all of that said, I think PBF will win by decision.
About me fighting as a super middleweight: I walk around like one, but I will not fight as one. The biggest class I would fight in is middleweight and that would have to be a huge fight where I am making lots of money. Honestly, I feel fine right where I am.
CAN STALLONE DO IT AGAIN?
Jose,
Enjoy your bag and have to say, RSR rules the net. You and that Geno Bambino are bringing the readers into the fold and always taking the time for us. Too cool man. My question is do you think this season of the Contender will be as good as last year? Do you have any inside scoop on it? Do you think once Sergio Mora last years champ finally steps up against real competition he will win? I thought Peter Manfredo won that last fight in my book. What do you think?
Big Al
Big Al,
Thank you! Geno (Genius) really cracks me up with his bag. I kid you not; I look forward to going on my break from work and head to the library so I can see what he comes up with next in his bag. It kind of re-energizes me for the rest of the day. As far as this years: The Contender, I have absolutely no insight on any aspect of it. I do know that they went with a lighter weight class for season two because I was chosen as one of the finalists to go compete, but I ended up telling them thank you, but I cannot make 147 anymore. Actually they give the fighters up to 150 or 151 pounds, but I cannot make that either. I would’ve had to walk around 154 or 155 just to make their required weight. I can make that weight for the weigh in the night before the fight, but that’s it. I walk around at 172 pounds. Shhhh, don’t tell my trainers!!
Anyways The Contender is all in the past now and I love being the WBA Super Welterweight Champion of the World instead. I do not think Mora is ready to step up just yet. Yes, he is very good in 5 round fights against so-so competition, but it is a different story when he is facing the likes of Jermain Taylor or Winky Wright. I say give him another year or so and he has the potential of becoming a World Champion. Remember I said potential. I thought Peter Manfredo, JR. won the last meeting between him and Mora. Seeing that ESPN is doing The Contender show now I would give it a good chance of it being good, so stay tuned and watch, I know I will.
CAN I GET THE HOOKUP?
Hey Champ,
Is Lalia Ali who by the way, I think is fine as a good wine going to fight again? Do you see any challenges out there for her? Hey, I hear she got divorced. Do you have her number for a big fan of hers? I promise I will buy ten packs of your vitamins if you hook a cat up. LOL
Johnny T. Brooklyn,
New York and proud of it
Johnny,
You’re one crazy dude, but very funny. Even with ten packs of the USANA Vitamins I do not think you can hang with Laila, but hey, you can try it. Seriously though I have not heard anything about her lately or when her next fight is going to be, but if it is true that she is going through a divorce/just divorced then that might have something to do with it.
COLD SHOWER IS A MUST
Jose,
I see I am not the first lady to hit your bag up but I am for sure the biggest fan of yours. You are one sexy PR man. Too bad you are married but big respect to your wife. I cried when you lost to Collazo but cried even harder when you beat the crap out of Garcia and won. Hey, I am allowed to cry, I am a girl after all and we are good for that. I would like to ask if you cannot get the Golden Goose Oscar “Not as sexy as you” in the ring, who would you like to fight next? When can your fans expect you to fight again even if the opponent is not known at this time? Best of luck to you and you looked hot at that City Hall thing I read from your hometown. OK, I am going to take a cold shower. ..smile I hope my questions make your bag next week.
Risa Flores
Risa,
Thank you, I am blushing. It is not everyday I get these compliments so I am going to enjoy it if you do not mind. Ok I am getting the redness out my cheeks over here at the keyboard and ready to answer your questions. I personally want a big fight and when I say big I mean financially and with a big name attached to it. Yes, Oscar is my first choice because I would like to get a 2 million dollar pay day like Mayorga got when he fought Oscar, but also because he is the WBC World Champion and I would absolutely love to unify the titles.
Then you have names like Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas, Ike Quartey, Vernon Forrest, Kassim Ouma and Roman Karmazin. These all make big fights and they should be big pay days, but I just have to wait and see which one of them is going to agree to fight me for my WBA title. Hey, how was the shower? (Laughing hard over here)
CAN THE THUNDER STRIKE AGAIN?
Hey Champ,
Congratulations on the win, a very entertaining one at that. Just wanted to get your opinion on a Gatti-Hatton fight were it to happen. I feel that after watching Hatton’s last fight, as well as Gatti’s, that Gatti would have a good chance to win. Hatton did not have Collazo hurt once, and Collozo known more as a slick boxer than a power punch rocked Hatton in round 12 and nearly knocked him out. Gatti although not the most skilled fighter, looks like Mayweather skill-wise when compared to Hattons lack of. Gatti boxed nicely against Damgaard, who comes straight ahead like Hatton. I see the same result in a fight vs. Hatton. Gatti by a late round KO. Gatti’s jab and punching power would be to much for Hatton’s John Ruiz type(hit, hit, and hold)offense. Of course if Gatti can’t get by Baldomir this point is moot. What do you think? Take care.
Jake Liimatta
Jake,
Thank you. Well, I have to say let’s see if Gatti gets by Baldomir first, but I cannot help to notice that you are a big Gatti fan if you think he has any comparisons to Mayweather, JR. as far as boxing skills go, I am sorry, but you are incorrect. I know that you mean if he faces Hatton, but I do not care who Gatti has in front of him he cannot help himself. Gatti will always end up brawling with his opponents, which is why he has been in so many exciting fights. Damgaard has no business being compared to Hatton. Damgaard is slower and has never faced the kind of competition Hatton has been in against. Gatti picked the perfect opponent to go up against in his second welterweight debut. Let me remind you that Damgaard turned down a fight against me when he was the number 1 contender for the WBA Welterweight Title because he was only getting paid about $60,000 and then we found out he was fighting Gatti for no title for $500,000. Now that is a smart business move, because Damgaard’s people knew he had no chance at winning a world title. Sorry I went off on a tangent here, but needed to vent on that one.
I think Hatton beats Gatti because Arturo in my opinion will not be able to keep up with Hatton’s offense and explosive energy. Yes, Collazo gave Hatton trouble, but Gatti cannot move like Collazo. Collazo is a slick southpaw and even though he is not known for having a power punch it is his slick moves and odd angles that give him that pop in his punches. Every fighter that has been hurt, knocked down or knocked out will tell you that it was the punch that they didn’t see that hurt them.
Speed kills fighters like Hatton and last I checked Gatti has no speed, but has a whole lot of heart and you cannot discount heart. I think it will be an exciting fight between Gatti and Hatton, but in the end. I think Hatton wins.
THROWING STONES AT STONEY
Jose,
Since you are close to John Ruiz in where you live and also being of Hispanic descent, do you hang with him? What do you think of finally firing that loud mouth nut Norman Stone? He was a thorn in John’s size in my thoughts.
Paul
Paul,
No, Ruiz and I do not hang out. John and I have known each other since the amateurs, but at this moment in time, he lives in Vegas with his family. Honestly, I do not have any thoughts or opinion on John firing Stone. Obviously there was something brewing there because John is a very loyal person and he been with Stone for a long time, so for him to finally let him go makes me think he was not happy with something going on. A lot of people felt the same way you did, but as crazy as Stone acted at times he always had Ruiz best interest at heart; even though I agree he got carried away at times.
HEY CHAMP, WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Champ,
This is my first time writing in to: Ask THE Champ. You probably have heard this a 1000 times now, but that was a great fight against Garcia. I like the cover you got on RSR and their photo gallery had behind the scenes stuff. My question is that few seconds before your ring walk, what goes through your mind? And then when you touch up the gloves.
Steven Joseph
Steven,
Thank you for the kind words. Welcome to my email bag. Yes, I feel RSR did a wonderful job covering my fight and I have to give credit to the men behind the scenes; Lead Writer Geno McGahee, Publisher “Bad” Brad Berkwitt and RSR Photographer Cedric Howard, for the wonderful coverage they did on my fight.
Right before I am getting ready to walk in the ring all that is in my mind is that it is Showtime. I am ready, pumped and anxious to get the fight over with. Actually, once I wake up in the morning I start to feel that way. The reason I feel like that and confident is because of all the hard work and sacrifices that I put myself through during my training camp.
WHAT TO EAT AND NOT EAT
Jose,
What kind of food do you eat getting ready for a fight? Also, how many fights should I have to turn pro give me a number?
Fredrick
Fredrick,
This is a very important question that all fighters should know the answer to. The best way I can answer your question is to tell you what not to eat. The reason being is because there are so many fighters all over the world who come from all kinds of nationalities that everyone has there own specialty foods that they like that I might not even know about, but junk food is international and every fighter should stay away from junk food. Hey, I am not trying to spoil the fun, but it is what it is. Stay away from Cakes, (damn, I have a sweet tooth too) potato chips, ice cream, (man I love ice cream) candy bars, fried foods, soda, Juices, most juices are high in fructose and sugar, if they are not 100% stay away. Stay away from all fast food restaurants. If you are a fighter that has to really get down in weight then you really have to be extra careful you do not cheat with any of the things I mentioned. Also, stay away from foods that are high in sodium because sodium retains water. All salty food retains water and if you are trying to make weight then that is not good. As far as how many fights you should have is not the main factor to determine when you are ready to turn pro. I can tell you the more amateur fights you have the more experienced you will be, but also just like the pros as far as caliber opponents, what kind of amateur fights you have will help prepare you for the pressure you will be facing in the pros. For example, I was amateur for four years; one of those years I spent just training and honing my skills.
I did not fight for that whole year, but when I finally did fight I looked like a seasoned amateur. I fought two novice fights and my trainer Carlos Garcia put me an open class right away. Not every fighter is ready for that kind of test. It was not that I was very good either it was just simply that my trainer knew that I trained hard and I would not get seriously hurt by fighting more experienced fighters then myself. I didn’t have a very good amateur record either I was like 30-10, but I lost to fighters in the National Golden Gloves, National PAL, National Junior Tournament, New England finals etc. etc. In my third amateur fight I beat the guy who won the Western Mass Golden Gloves open division and then I went on to win the Golden Gloves later on that year. Simply put, I turned pro when I was 19 years old because I thought I was ready and it was something I wanted all of my life. You will know when you are ready, but it is very important to have good people you can trust behind you. If they feel you are not ready than trust that too. The most important thing you will need when you turn pro is no matter what you need to believe in yourself. Once you have that everything will fall into place. Good luck.
The Pac Sac (Courtesy of Ask Geno)
NOT GETTING OFF THIS TRAIN
Champ,
Do you think Manny will ever leave Freddie Roach? I don’t think he can learn anymore and would be making a big mistake if he did. What do you think?
Pacman Fever Guy
Mr. Fever,
I disagree that he cannot learn anything new if he leaves Freddie Roach, but I do agree that it will be a mistake if he left him because he has had so much success with Roach as his trainer. I think you do not need to worry because Freddie is not going anywhere.
HOW FAR CAN PACMAN CHOMP AWAY?
Jose,
Manny Pacquiao is my favorite fighter in the world. Do you see Larios beating him? Can Manny move up and beat Diego Corrales? How about Acelino Freitas?
Jinky
Jinky,
No, I do not see Larios beating him, but remember that is just my opinion. I can see Manny moving up and having success against Freitas, but not Corrales.
CAN LITTLE BROTHER BE LIKE BIG BROTHER?
Jose,
What are your thoughts about Bobby Pacquiao? Will he follow the footsteps of his brother Manny? What will be the outcome of the bout between Bobby and Kevin Kelley?
Howard
Howard,
I do not think Bobby Pacquiao will turn out to be another Manny, but that does not mean that Bobby is not good, it just means that Manny is better. I am very interested in seeing this fight. Bobby, has been able to get back to back wins against good opposition, like when he beat Carlos Navarro and Carlos Hernandez, but Kevin Kelly has the edge in experience even though he is going to turn 39 later this month. This fight is more important for Bobby because if he is able to get by Kelly then he can move on to some big fights and a world title shot down the line seeing he is only 25 years old. Kelly, on the other hand is rushing against time and if he is able to win he made need that title shot like now! I like the way Pacquiao has reinvented himself and is taking his career seriously and that may not bode to well for Kelly. So to answer your question, I think Pacquiao has the edge and may win on points, but I wouldn’t count Kelly out.
RSR readers yet another great week of questions and I look forward to more this week. In the meantime, make sure to sign up on our RSR Message Board and join in on the great discussions we have about the sport we all love called Boxing.
