Well, it is good to be back again this week with my email bag. As I told you last week I was taking a week off because I was in Washington DC attending “Bad” Brad’s Retirement ceremony at the Pentagon. I have to tell you it was a great ceremony and very touching. However, I cannot tell you much more because it’s Classified and Top Secret. That is how things are run at the Pentagon so get use to it. On a serious note, I see that I have some very interesting questions to answer from last week, so let me get started.
EL GALLO & QUICKIE PRODUCTIONS
Hey Champ,
It’s me again. Thanks for posting my mail last time, I feel very honored to have my questions answered. You even commented that I should become a boxing promoter, whew very interesting job. I tell you what, when you finally want to retire your career as a boxer and thought of becoming one, you can have me as your assistant promoter (if there’s such a thing, if there’s none then I’d gladly be the lucky first one to ever become an assistant promoter huh. What do you say? Oh man, educate me I really don’t know what I’m talking about).
Well anyway, again, I really feel very honored. By the way, I also asked Geno the same questions I asked you in my last mail. Quite interesting because you both had different views in predicting such match-ups. Just for instance, Geno predicted a TKO Win in the 3rd round for Valero over Mosquera but you, you said it would go to the distance favoring Mosquera. This makes this match up very very interesting now. Oh what the heck am I doing? I’m starting to become a promoter now.
One more thing champ: You didn’t answer my last question in that mail as to “Who is the best boxer among those names I mentioned?”. Now, whoever your choice shall be, I just wanna ask how would you predict a match up between your choice and the Pacman? By the way, Geno’s choice was Valero. He has not reply yet though to the question as to who would win between his choice and Pacman.
Lastly, you asked why my name is Mr. Quickie. Quickie could mean a lot of things, for a boxer: it could mean quickie hands/puncher or quickie to be knocked out he he. In my case, I’m afraid you guessed it right, naah. I just thought of a catchy name something that would catch a reader’s attention. Well what a surprise because I think it worked he he. That would be all champ, hope to see this one again on your next mailbag.
Thanks.
Mr. Quickie
Mr. Quickie,
Well, if I become a boxing promoter when I retire from boxing I might have just found myself a partner. That’s right, we can call it El Gallo & Quickie Productions. How does that sound to you? In fact, we might just have to work on that name thing, but it is not out of the ordinary for two guys or a group to become promoters. Look at De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Productions which looks like it is run by Oscar, Bernard Hopkins and Shane Mosley who is also part of the team. The only thing is they do not use the word assistant promoter, but we will let that slide.
Now I am very interested to see the results of the Vincent Mosquera vs. Edwin Valero fight. This is what boxing is all about; it is not out of the ordinary to get two guys who know about boxing to disagree on an outcome of a fight. It does not mean that one knows more than the other. It just means that they have a difference of opinion. For example Geno feels that Valero is the best fighter of the bunch, at least that is what you told me, but I feel he is the strongest, but not the best. I am going to go with Jorge Barrios as the best of the bunch right now. I think that Barrios and Pacman will be a great fight and I hope it really materializes, but I think the Pacman comes out on top. Just to save all the Pacman fans some time I am going to tell you now that I feel there is no one at 130 lbs and under right now that can beat him, so I hope that answers all of your future questions about how do I think the Pacman will do against certain opponents. Yes, Mr. Quickie you have a very catchy name and I never even thought to use it in boxing terms, but I hope you have fast hands to go with that name because you are going to get teased.
THE RIVERA FAN CLUB AND I LIKE IT!
Jose,
In keep tradition now in a couple of your email bags, my network of girls who we call the Jose Antonio Rivera Fan Club are going to take turns writing your hot butt every week. We do love boxing and always want to learn more.
My questions are these:
How good was Muhammad Ali and how would he do today?
Is Oscar going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and why do you think he deserves to?
What is your favor color?
Thanks and hope to see me in your bag
Tina
Tina,
Me hot butt? I am blushing. Thank you though. I appreciate the compliments and support. I am very happy to hear that you gals love boxing and I hope I can be of help to give you a little more boxing knowledge. As part of being in the Rivera fan club I have to meet with all of you and we can have dinner and talk. Hey, I have to keep my fans happy! (Smile)
Muhammad Ali was the best heavyweight in his time. There were some very good heavyweights and competition when Ali was Champion, but Ali was better in my opinion. If you notice, Ali avenged all of his losses except for his last two fights when he was over the hill and lost to Larry Holmes (who ended up ruling the division after he beat Ali) and Trevor Berbick in his final fight. If Ali was fighting today, I think he would be the Undisputed Super Duper Champion of the World. That’s what they will have to call him because he would have every title that exists in boxing today. When Ali was fighting they only had the WBA and WBC world titles. Most challengers that Ali faced back then would be World Champions today as well
Oscar is going to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Why do I think he deserves it? Well, let me start by saying that he is a 9x World Champion. Yes, I said nine times, that’s if you count all of the world titles De La Hoya has won since winning the WBO 130 lb. title back in 1994. Included in that is the WBO & IBF 135 lb title, WBC 140 lb. title, WBC 147 lb. title, WBC & WBA 154 lb. title, WBO 160 lb. title and then again the WBC 154 lb. title when De La Hoya beat Ricardo Mayorga last month.
As if that is not enough let me add a little more Oscar info for you. Oscar has fought some good and very good competition and I am only going to give you the very good competition that he has beaten: John John Molina, Hector Camacho,SR., Pernell Whitaker, Julio Cesar Chavez, Ike Quartey and Fernando Vargas. Now just incase you are not familiar with any of those names I can tell you that all of them will be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York when their careers are over in my opinion.
Just to make sure you understand what a great career Oscar has had I am going to give you the names he has lost to: Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley (twice) and Bernard Hopkins. These guys are Hall of Fame locks as well, so in closing De La Hoya has had a Hall of Fame career. Don’t you agree? Now will somebody tell him to get off the couch and head to the gym and give me a chance to fight his Hall of Fame butt Oh yes, my favorite color is Blue.
THE PACSAC (COURTESY OF ASK GENO)
Jose,
You really answer the PI emails about our beloved Manny and you are always honest. With that honesty, what do you see as flaws in his boxing skills that he can improve on? What do you think Bobby Pacquiao can do with the top fighters?
Pac Fever
Pac Fever,
Honestly I tell you that all fighters have some kind of flaw and I do not care whether they are a Champion or not. As far as Pacman goes I think his consistency could improve. At times he is a world beater and at times he lets his opponents get in their rhythm. Manny should never let his opponents breathe without feeling a punch hitting them. Also he needs to get in the gym in time to train for whoever he is facing, not just if it is a huge fight. Consistency, remember that word because that is what made him a Champion.
Bobby impressed me in his last couple of fights. I would like to see him fight a Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera or Erik Morales to see how he fights against them. I wouldn’t count him out in those fights, but at this time I cannot pick him either.
YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK
Jose,
Good day & more power to one of the RSR founders. Here’s my question: since you’ve been known as a popular boxer, who do you think made the most money in the years 70s-80’s-90’s& 2000 bracket…can you name them? That you consider them as a mega blockbuster income for a single fight for that time?
Thanks
DHONGKOY R-ROCK of
Davao City…(Kusog kaayo imong RSR dinhi sa amoang lugar)…
Dhongkoy,
I will answer this question like this. I think in the early 70’s through the late 70’s it would have to be Muhammad Ali. In the late 70’s until the late 80’s it was Sugar Ray Leonard and Larry Holmes. In the middle 80’s until the late 90’s it was Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. From the middle 90’s until now it is the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. I would say that Tyson and Holyfield definitely have grossed more millions then everyone else on the list, but they didn’t manage their money like Larry Holmes did who seems to own Easton, Pennsylvania. I think the smartest of the bunch and certainly down the road is going to be the top money man is Oscar De La Hoya who has turned his image and likeness in the form of a promotional firm called Golden Boy Promotions, meaning that while he is retired from boxing he is still going to be raking in the millions by just being Oscar the promoter, Only in America.
A TRUE BOXING FAN
Champ,
I guessed your site became more popular to Filipinos because it the Pacman site always link your site on that web site. Well give credit to that. But with due respect to this site, it is very obvious that you always give an intelligent and fair comments. Boxing is a very bloody sport and in spite of that it should be done in a very sportsmanlike attitude. That should be the real essence of any sport. And sportswriters and commentators (and the fans too) should be always be fair when it comes to comments and predictions to earn a respect from listeners and readers. And we should always adhere to that. Amen
WINSTON
Winston,
We at RSR appreciate the love we get from the Filipinos. I thank you and I cannot stress enough how important it is to be upfront and honest with the fans, especially the ones who appreciate it like yourself. Yes, boxing is a very bloody and rough sport, but that does not mean we the fighters have to act like barbarians. It is important for (us) fighters to realize how our behavior in and out of the ring can have a negative effect on our careers and give boxing a bad name. As far as commentators, reporters and fans go well that is a whole other story. I can go on and on how I think some fighters get treated poorly by them, but I guess those are some of the things (us) athletes have to put up with if we want to follow our dreams and pursue successful careers. Like they say in the sport of boxing it is important for us to grow some very thick skin.
REMATCH CLAUSE?
Pacster
Champ of all champs,
Loved your performance on Showtime last month. Do you think after the beating you gave Garcia, he will ever be the same? Did he have a rematch clause in the contract? Have you ever been in a fight that had one?
Jordan
Jordan,
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed my performance against the hard hitting Mexican Alejandro Garcia. I am just glad that I was able to put on that kind of performance on my SHOWTIME debut. Every fighter is different, so I do not know how Garcia will respond to getting knocked down five times and losing his WBA Super Welterweight Title. Some fighters respond well after a loss and some fighters are never the same. I did not have a rematch clause with Garcia and I never had a rematch clause in any of my other fights.
BRING BACK THE GOOD OLD DAYS
Jose,
I read your site all the time and like all of the stuff but really like the articles that look back on the fighters from the old days of boxing. Can you do some to? I would enjoy seeing pieces on fighters you liked growing up and stuff.
Lonnie Johnson Spokane, WA
Lonnie,
I am glad to hear you enjoy our old school segment that RSR prides itself on. I have done some in the past, but my crazy schedule has kept me from writing lately. I just get enough time to make sure I answer all of the fans questions, but I do have some old school stories to do and when time allows, I will be hitting the keys and sending my stories into our Publisher. Thanks again for asking.
IS THERE UNIFICATION IN THE FUTURE?
Jose,
Who do you think Wlad will fight next? When are these damn heavyweight champions going to unify the belt? King no longer owns the but I heard just small share of that giant Valuev. I bet he owns his sac.
Sean Timmers
Sean,
Rumor has it that Wlad is going to fight Shannon Briggs in November at Madison Square Garden. I do not see any unification fights anytime soon because it seems that Don King is out of the heavyweight loop. Yes, King owns a piece of Valuev, but I do not know how much of a piece and for how long. I guess in the meantime the heavyweight divisions will be in a sad state of affairs.
FANS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Jose-
I really enjoyed your last fight. Unfortunately, I had never seen you fight before but now I can say you’re definitely in my “don’t miss the next fight list”! I was wondering what’s next for you. Also, Showtime’s piece on you before the fight was inspirational. There are few guys like you left in boxing, a real throwback. Best of luck in the future.
Your newest fan,
Kevin K
from the Poconos
Kevin,
I am glad you enjoyed my last fight. You are not in the minority because a lot of people out there have not seen me fight before. I am also glad that you enjoy my style of fighting. I like to give the fans exciting fights and I proved that in my last fight against Alejandro Garcia. Garcia was the WBA Champion and he came into my hometown to defend his title. Even though I was at home I knew I had to go out there and take the title from him. In the last round, I was up big and all I had to do was stay away from his power, but no, that is not me. I didn’t want there to be any excuses after the fight, so I made sure the title stayed home with me and because I didn’t play it safe I ended up dropping him again for the fifth time in the last round. It was a great feeling; it was like an exclamation point on my performance. I do not know what is next for me as of now, but I am hoping to land a big name. I want to fight De La Hoya, but so does everybody and their mother and since I know he is waiting for a fight with Floyd Mayweather, JR. in May of next year, I have to set my eyes on someone else. I wouldn’t mind fighting PBF, Antonio Margarito, Fernando Vargas or Shane Mosley, a fight that is going to get me on SHOWTIME again or even HBO. A fight that will get me a huge payday is always welcomed. I am hoping my promoter Don King really steps up for me and gets me a huge payday. He has done everything else he said he was going to do, but now I am hoping my time has come. I have been taking my USANA Vitamins every day and I am feeling the great results that you can as well so check them out by visiting my website below. Sure this is a plug, but hey, we are always trying to sell something. In fact, Donald Trump taught me we are all our biggest promoters, so I am promoting. If anybody out there reading this bag and has any connections with HBO or SHOWTIME throw in a plug for me and let them know I will fight anybody they throw in the ring with me and I mean anybody. Look at me! I feel like one of those people who stand on the street corners with signs that read, “Will Work for Food”. Well, in all honesty, I do work for food and I would love to have Surf and Turf vice Spam, so call those networks now folks! Thanks for the support and I hope you will be able to see me fight again soon.
THE IRISH EXPRESS IS COMING
Champ,
I’ve been reading a lot about you working out at “camp Fitzy”. Is Sean Fitzgerald, AKA “The Irish Express” in your corner now ??? and if so, in what capacity? I know that he has a middle weight working out there named Palau. Is Fitzy a good trainer and how do you think that this kid Palau will do in his weight class ?
Kim
Kim,
Yes, I workout at Camp Fitzy’s in Worcester, MA every once in a while. My main training is being done in Windsor Connecticut with John Scully and at the Boys and Girls Club where it all started for me with Carlos Garcia. I brought Sean in to the team to help when Carlos and Scully were either busy or not around. Sean works great with the pads and is very knowledgeable in the boxing game, plus Sean and I go way back since 1989 and there is that comfort factor and yes, I think he is a good trainer. Enrique Palau who Sean is currently training is now 4-0, 4 KO’s and is going to be very good. RSR readers need to look out for this young man. In fact, RSR has covered Palau since he was 1-0 and will continue to bring you updates on his progress. Just to clarify Palau fights at light middleweight and sometime next year look for him to be getting some TV exposure so you can get a chance to see what he is all about.
RSR readers yet another great week of questions and I look forward to more next 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.
