In this week’s Ask the Editors, we talk about the best available opposition for Manny Pacquiao, hear two very different opinions on the Urango w pts 12 Rabah controversy, ask what’s eating Winky Wright and more.
WHAT NEXT FOR PAC-MAN? First Name : D Last Name : Jones Country : Australia Your Question : I thought Pac-Man looked great Sunday but what next for him? I for one have no interest in seeing him murder Erik Morales but, with Barrera still avoiding him, what else is out there for Manny? How would you guys handle his career moves?
BEN COHEN ANSWERS: Pacquiao should fight someone like Jorge Barrios or Acelino Fretias. Those would be the most explosive fights in boxing, and one where Pacquiao would not necessarily be an overwhelming favourite.
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: Good question. Apart from Morales and Barrera there does not seem to be a big name at featherweight. Juan Diaz perhaps or Jesus Chavez. I understand Pacquiao will face Morales in a rubber match in Las Vegas on Nov 18.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: It is a good question. If Morales wants the fight, I think he deserves a rematch with Pacquiao for all that he has achieved. You may be right. Manny might well blast him out of the water. But at least we will know for sure. If he wins, he can then issue a final invitation to Barrera, offering him a rematch. It would be interesting to see Marco’s response. As for what lies ahead for him in 2007, anyone for Pacquiao vs. Corrales?
ANT EVANS ANSWERS: I’m just not interested in seeing Morales fight again, period. He looked shop-worn against Barrera in the third fight, and shot against Raheem and Pacquiao. I’d never presume to tell a fighter when to quit but I want Erik to retire with his facilities intact. I’d be much more interested in Pac-Man against Barrios, who deserves a big fight.
**** BEST OF THE BOYS First Name : Adam Last Name : Wilkes Country : USA Your Question : Sorry, but I didn’t see anything to get excited by on Showtime’s night of the spawn Saturday night. McGirt Junior was competent, no more. Witherspoon just isn’t a fighter and Hearns is in his late 20s and doesn’t even have the fundamentals down yet…
ANT EVANS ANSWERS: I didn’t see anything special, either. Just a bunch of competent pros.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: It will be interesting to see if any of these ‘name’ fighters get further opportunities on television. If this is one way of connecting with our greats of the past, then I’m all for it. Better them being in the corner than competing in the ring.
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RABAH CONTROVERSEY First Name : James Last Name : Strafela Country : Australia Your Question : Ben Rabah got screwed against Juan Urango. How can that Florida Boxing Commission allow a decision like that to happen? One judge scores it 117-111 for Urango? What a joke. These sort of decisions ruin the credibilty of boxing. I wanna know what u guys reckon (if there is any!) a way to stop these decisions continually happening? It’s bad enough having 4 champs in each division when you can probably name at least 1 champ within those 4 that got a lucky decision somewhere in the last year. No wonder other combat sports are getting more interest recently. At least ESPN told the truth.117-111 Rabah!
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: The wackiest thing about the Rabah robbery James, was that the judge with the 117-111 score was from Australia! It comes back to quality control on the judges. I want to think that the problem is a lack of experience and understanding of scoring, as opposed to anything more sinister. When scoring a fight, it is easy to be fooled by aggression and hard punching that is not affective. It is not easy to judge a fight at ringside. There is immense pressure and so many split second events which can change the perception of each round. The most important thing to watch is which punches are landing. You have to look very closely. So many times you will see one fighter throw a spectacular combination which looks great from a distance, but where the punches are blocked. I don’t think there is any easy answer. There will always be controversy because scoring a boxing match is subjective. If the fight goes to the cards, there is no clear cut goal, touch down, try or basket for everyone to see. It comes back to quality control on judges, more training and universal standards for scoring.
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: First off, James the judges were appointed by the IBF. I have not seen the fight so cannot comment first hand but from what I’ve read and heard from people that did see the fight, it seems the judges were way off the mark. If that is the case then the IBF should hold an immediate inquiry and if they find the judges to be inept then the appropriate action should be taken. And I agree decisions like these do nothing to enhance the credibility of our sport. Maybe all genuine boxing fans that read this ATE, should write a letter of complaint to the IBF? If you send them in to [email protected] I’ll happily forward all letters to the IBF.
**** GLAD HE GOT ROBBED First Name : Patrick Last Name : Wiseman Country : UK Your Question : hah-hah Ben Rabah lost! Serves him right. He had no business fighting for a world title and to think that he and the IBF forced Ricky Hatton to give up the title because he ‘avoided’ this BUM is hilarious. Rabah robbed Ricky of his title and now it was his turn to get robbed! Ha ha ha! Serves you right, pal. And by the way, FYI Graham Houston – the best judge of boxing currently writing today – said that the fight was close anyway.
ANT EVANS ANSWERS: I know where you are coming from Patrick, even if you may be a little cruel! Graham is one of the best readers of a fight in the game, but then so is Paul and Paul thinks it was a robbery. I haven’t watched the fight – nor do I intent to, it sounds like a bore-fest – but if the IBF want to devalue their titles by taking them off the likes of Hatton and Mayweather and having jabroni’s like Rabah and Urango fight for their belts instead then they are asking for this kind of farce.
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: Come on Patrick, if you’re a genuine fan you will know that Rabah’s team were only looking out for their fighter. Rabah was the No.1 contender with the IBF and was entitled to his shot. Hatton would have been happy to accommodate Rabah but HBO, Hatton’s paymasters, flatly refused to accept Rabah as an opponent. So you see Rabah was in innocent party.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: It’s a bit harsh to blame Rabah for the IBF’s decision Patrick. The IBF were just following their rules, right or wrong. That’s not his fault. If you were the IBF No.1 contender, you’d want your shot at the title holder too. Graham Houston is entitled to his opinion, but Rabah was robbed. As clear as day. I have watched the fight three times and he won 8 rounds. Urango 4 rounds. Anyone who tries to say otherwise is using an incorrect method to determine the winner of a fight. It’s easy to make a joke of it, but if you were Rabah, had trained your whole life for this moment and fought a good fight to win, but were robbed like that, you wouldn’t find it very funny at all.
**** WINKY REFUSES FIGHT First Name : Q Last Name : Park Country : USA Your Question : Ant, Looks like Winky did in fact get an offer for $4 million to fight Margarito…which he refused. He seems to have other options…I guess
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Most people want to see Wright in a rematch with Taylor. Winky feels he won their first fight and I can understand why he is unhappy. Margarito would have been a good fight for him. Will it be Wright vs. Calzaghe? Would Winky come to the UK for it?
ANT EVANS ANSWERS: I think Wright is looking at Calzaghe. As for Margarito, who are the three fighters he’s beaten to suggest he should be mixing it with Wright and Mayweather? Daniel Santos?
**** TIME FOR FLOYD TO PUT UP
First Name : Nick Last Name : Watkins Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Hello to all the editors, congratulations on a great site. My question is regarding Floyd Mayweather Jr. I am getting a bit sick and tired of hearing quotes from him saying he is this and that. He needs to realise that you cant just showcase your skills against limited fighters and then talk a great game afterwards if he wants to be known as the best around. I think he is a great fighter but for my money he really needs to be fighting Hatton, Cotto or Margarito. People have their own opinions about who would win these bouts but I would have more respect for the guy if he fought these guys and maybe lost, rather than fight another Sharmba Mitchell for example. What do you guys think? Is he going down the same road as RJJ, will we question little Floyd’s legacy in 5 years time because he didn’t fight the names in his era?
ANT EVANS ANSWERS: All I know is the fact that we get this question – or one just like it – every week suggests that Mayweather is losing credibility with the hardcore fan base.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: I think I asked that same question in ATE last week Nick. There are a lot of similarities between the way Floyd is going and what path Roy Jones Jr took. Both received great credit for winning world titles in multiple weight classes, as opposed to a series of wins over great fighters. I give Roy a lot of credit for beating John Ruiz. I think we can see now that Roy dropping back down in weight to fight Tarver affected him. Just as Tarver had trouble getting back down from over 200lbs to face Hopkins. Floyd has speed and skills. No doubt they are superior to most. But let’s see him in with the best talent. Over the next two years I want Floyd in against Margarito, Hatton, Cotto, De La Hoya, Mosley and Tszyu. If he wins all those fights, I think people will be universally satisfied.
BEN COHEN ANSWERS: It would seem that as soon as fighters get big contracts with HBO, they stop facing serious competition untill they really have to. RJ fought serious competition early on in his career, then went to HBO and fought 2nd class fighters for the most part. Its a money making scam that they can get away with. But the fans and critics seem less and less willing to accept this, and HBO is beginning to realise they cannot get away with it. I dont think Mayweather is particularly avoiding anyone, but if he is getting paid to fight 2nd rate contenders, then why make a fuss? Lets hope that with enough people making a fuss, the powers that be will listen, and get Mayweather a fight with someone credible.
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: Time will tell about Mayweather’s legacy but I agree, he should fight the three men you mention. I’m sure he will at some point. I for one do not question Roy Jnr’s legacy. We’ve been through this before on ATE and Roy never ducked anyone as far as I’m concerned. Ok he did not go to Germany to face Dariusz Michalczewski but that was just as much the Pole’s fault as his.
**** COMPARE HATTON TO MR WRIGHT
First Name : Joe Last Name : G. Country : USA Your Question : Wow, it is getting hot in here! Chris, makes some valid points, and everyone has an opinion about boxing, and that is part of the appeal for me. First, lets put Winky Wright’s recent record against Hatton’s. Winky has fought quality opponents most every time out, and I’d consider Soliman the weak link, but he is definitely a “quality” opponent. Concerning PBF recent opposition, yes it sucks. No argument. The difference between him, and Hatton, and RJJ for that matter, is that he has fought many quality opponents including Castillo (twice), Coralles, Jesus Chavez, and both Hernandez’, and tough contenders like Phillip Ndou. I think his body of work is what causes such disdain now, because he showed such greatness, and now takes on easy opponents. Not many fighters have as many quality opponents on their resume, regardless of how long ago. RJJ has Toney and Hopkins, and that’s it. The point I was making with the list of British fighters in my last post, was that they were highly touted in the UK. Maybe it was only the US media that hyped them, (the late Johnny Owens being the exception) I could be wrong. Yes, Lacy, McClellan, and Curry, where highly touted, but that’s pretty much it? But you’re right Chris, so what? I’ve said good things about Hatton in every one of my posts, but comparing PBFs lack of punching power as equivalent to lacking a jab doesn’t add up. A jab is a basic skill in boxing, and only a rare few succeed on an elite level without one. Those with exceptional power, and/or speed (RJJ) can consistently be successful without the basics. That was my point. Ali, Pep, Wright, Holmes, Benitez, etc. have had HOF careers without power.
ANT EVANS ANSWERS: Interesting that you chose Wright as a foil for Hatton, Joe. Winky didn’t fight the biggest names or best fighter for much of his career, just like Hatton. Of course, Winky was avoided while Hatton’s former management seemed reluctant to put him in with top stars but, I would argue, that Mosley, Soliman and Taylor are not vastly superior opposition to Tszyu, Maussa and Collazo. And, finally, I doubt Ricky would turn down two career-best purses in two weeks like Wright has done when offered fights with Taylor and Margarito.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: It is interesting when you look at Floyd’s record. He beat Genaro Hernardez in his 18th fight. From that point on, bigger and bigger things were expected of him. It is something very hard to do. He has had a series of good wins and world title belts in four weight classes, but there is no career defining fight yet. What has been his best win so far. Castillo? Corrales? Carlos Hernandez? Jesus Chavez? Gatti? Mitchell? Judah? It might be Corrales, so dominant was Floyd. These are all good wins, but great? In saying that, I still have Floyd as my pound for pound No.1, but Pacman is closing fast.
**** DUDDY – WHAT’S THE DEAL?
First Name : Chris Last Name : Ellis Country : United Kingdom Your Question : What are your thoughts on the career of John Duddy? The guy seems to get enormous publicity for a relative novice. Is he really something special, without having seen him yet I feel reluctant to judge. A friend of mine sparred with him at Gleesons gym in New York and said he was a good fighter, but he was surprised at how popular and well known he had become in such a short time.
ANT EVANS ANSWERS: I think Duddy is improving and will become a world class fighter within the next 12-18months.
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: First of all, unless you’re a De La Hoya, Mayweather or Pacquiao, boxers seldom receive much publicity in the main stream press so don’t knock Duddy’s team for marketing their man excellently? I like Duddy, he has great potential and his career is going in the right direction so far.
**** CRYSTAL BALL TIME First Name : Dean Last Name : Griffiths Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Hey Guys, just a few predictions that I’d like to share with y’all Okay, number one Arturo ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ Gatti will lose heroically in his bid to claim the WBC Welterweight Title against Baldomir. Such will be his performance that his Box-Office appeal will sky rocket to heights uncharted and he will go global. In his next fight he will take on a Russian Bear in a catch weight contest. For the first half of the fight he will take the Bear to school with his underrated boxing skills but by the midway stage his machismo will kick in and he’ll go toe to toe with the hairy beast, which will result in him having his face ripped off by a crude left hook. 2 James ‘Pass Me The Butter’ Toney will shock the world by dumping his current nutritionist Ronald ‘Big M?c’ McDonald in his bid to win the Heavyweight Gold. As a result McDonald’s profits will crash by 70% forcing them to sell up to Burger King (Otherwise known as ‘Big’ George Foreman) 3 A confused Evander ‘Mad Dog’ Holyfield will reminisce on Oprah about the time he beat up George Formby. He will go into detail about the tactics he used to eliminate the veterans ukulele. The men in white coats will be waiting in the wings but Holyfield will mistake them for angels and see it as further proof that he’s on a holy mission. Number 4 Riddick Bowe will attempt to enlist in the Salvation Army but fail the physical Number Five… John Ruiz will get his rematch with Valuev and become the first man to beat the Giant, stopping him with a fifth round STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) Number 6 Mike Tyson’s after-dinner speaking career will be cut short by a stint in an English prison when he misunderstands a waitress asking him if he wants a fork.
BEN COHEN ANSWERS: That’s the funniest email on ATE I have ever seen. Keep ’em coming!!!
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: The crazy thing is that some of those screnarios could actually happen Dean. Only in boxing!
**** FLOYD NEEDS TO GET IN GEAR
First Name : Steve Last Name : Crozier Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Floyd Mayweather Jr!Just wanted your views on Pretty Boy. Personally i think the last 4 years he has achieved no more than most, sure he beat Gatti (big deal) and a fragile Judah (big deal).His talent is not under scrutiny but for me his ambition is. He has a $8 dollar offer on the table to fight Margarito and he aint taking it. That is the fight that would shut all critics like me up once and for all. Why wont he take it? It’s a career high purse. He has shit it as far as i am concerned and any future P4P lists should not have Floyd anywhere near #1.To be the #1 you have to fight the best around you. Something Floyd has no interest in doing! He wants low risk high reward fights but he aint taking this fan for a mug. If he bottles the Margarito offer he loses all credibility. Am I being harsh guys?
BEN COHEN ANSWERS: I dont think Mayweather is a real Welterweight, so I can’t criticise him too much for not wanting to fight Margarito. The guy is an absolute monster at 147, and a very dangerous fight. I think Mayweather would actually handle him pretty well due to his speed, but its a high risk fight for not much reward. Margarito needs better PR so that people can see how dangerous he is, then maybe a fight against Mayweather would be viable. Mayweather is willing to take risks, but they have to enhance his reputation (and bank account obviously). If he beat Margarito, the same questions would remain. Fans would simply start asking whether Margarito was over hyped in the first place. If Margarito beats someone big, like Cotto or Hatton for example, then a fight with Mayweather could well happen.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: It is interesting that the Margarito fight has seemed to be such an obstacle for Floyd. Of course, he was planning on the De La Hoya fight in September. But now that is off, I think the Margarito fight is the most obvious to be made for him. By winning that, it sure would shut a lot of his critics up. Maybe Mayweather’s team see it as a harder fight with Margarito like a larger version of Jose Luis Castillo?
**** AUDLEY TO GO DANCING (AGAIN) First Name : Dean Last Name : Griff Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Some gossip from the grapevine….I heard the other day, from my source (who cannot be named for legal reasons) that Audley ‘Hepburn’ Harrison is to be featured in next seasons Come Dancing Special. Apparently the producers of the show were more than impressed with his two audition performances with dancing partners Guinn and Williams. No news yet as to who his partner will be on the show but the whispers are that John Ruiz will join him in the waltz. Remember you heard it here first!
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: And theres me thinking no else knew about it!
BEN COHEN ANSWERS: I heard the same, but apparently Ruiz wouldn’t take part after Audley admitted taking ‘dancing juice’…
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: The producers could always import Morrade Hakkar?
**** SUPER-FIGHTER???
First Name : michael Last Name : ryan Country : Australia Your Question : How is the Superfighter Heavyweight tournament going, that you announced for Melbourne July 8?
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: The tournament has been put back to October Michael. The eight heavyweight competitors are being finalised. We’ll have all the details here as soon as everything is confirmed.
