At Boxingconfidential.com, the customer is always right and, lately, the customer is always writing. So let?s take a hip trip though the Marley Mailbag and see what?s happening:
Q: Michael Marley, we would highly appreciate it if you could kindly forward our letter to Freddy Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer. You can also publish this letter if it’s needed.
Dear Freddy,
On behalf of Paclanders, we would like to congratulate you on a job well done for transforming Manny Pacquiao into a much well rounded fighter. Despite his win against Barrera, I’m pretty sure you noticed as we’ve noticed that Pacquiao needs a little more consistency in his offensive and defensive arsenals particularly his continued reluctance of using his right jab and the predictable use of his left hand on the recent Barrera fight. Nonetheless, it was a slight improvement but it could have been way much better.
There are 3 reasons why Manny Pacquiao is what he is today:
1. Pacquiao’s aggressiveness in the ring. 2. Freddy Roach 3. And us, the fans.
The latter is the most important. Pacquiao’s superstar status will continue to shine even brighter if you let us fans decide or make a big contribution in terms of who Manny Pacquiao should fight next. It is clearly obvious that the people’s mandate picks Goldenboy’s Juan Manuel Marquez ONLY if he wins against Rocky Juarez, otherwise forget it.
We don’t want to see Pacquiao fighting a loser. Don’t you think that it’s high time Pacquiao earns a legit championship belt to secure his supremacy and leave no stones unturned? Don’t let him move up to lightweight without holding a championship belt first. Then, we want him to fight the winner of Guzman and Soto to establish his reign of terror in the 130-pound division.
Let Edwin Valero jump into the fray. Remember Coach Freddy, people pay for this kind of fight and it’s what the fans around the world want to see. The Pay-Per-View earnings mirror the people’s interest in every fight BUT if the match-up isn’t good enough, then everyone involved including the promoters are at a loss.
Since you guys plan to have 3 fights next year, why not give-in to what the people wants. Juan Manuel Marquez, Soto/Guzman and Edwin Valero before letting Pacquiao move up to lightweight? After all, Manny Pacquiao is what he is today largely because of us-who continue to patronize each of his fight.
We are hoping that this universal request doesn’t fall on deaf ears. It’s what the people wants to see, it what they pay for in the first place.
Thank you and more power! Paclanders
A: Certainly well-reasoned and well-stated, sir. For some reason I?m reminded of the old Chi-Lites song, ?(For God?s Sake) You?ve Got To Give More Power To The People.? Choosing Pacman foes should not be a tug-of-war between co-promoters Uncle Bob and Uncle Oscar. They should choose the most qualified opponent because, as the old boxing maxim goes, the better the opponent, the better Manny Pacquaio will look. You might want to know I just spoke to an HBO exec who told me that they ?are more than satisfied? with the solid PPV numbers produced by Pacman-Barrera II. His future is so bright that?s why Megamanny always wears shades.
Dear Michael,
I chose to interact directly to your article ” What Would Or Should Manny Pacquiao Do Next “. You’ve hit the nail’s head right on. Manny would find some of your ten points hard to swallow. For one, though, I find your Number 1 take as the smartest move, a Manny Pacquiao ascent to the Lightweight division would ignite an exodus of juniors to that class thereby neutralizing the equation on relative power as one boxer moves up to a heavier class while leaving still the hungry wolf pack interested in Manny’s guts quite in tact with the likes of Valero, Guzman, Marquez, et al, as this throng of challengers follows the Box-Office Master.
Cheers, EDUARD LABADIA, JERSEY CITY, NJ
Hello Ed: I know there is a large and loyal Pacman fan base in Jersey City. Where do you guys hang out to watch your hero? You are correct in saying that, if Pacman moves to lightweight, there will be many boxers jumping up to 135 pounds like kangaroos. Speaking of box-office masters, can you imagine the numbers Paxquaio-Ricky Hatton would do? Wow.
Hey: So what’s the deal with the “fighter founded” promotional companies? I’ve read here and there about Mayweather Promotions, Winky Promotions (even with Trinidad as Winky Promotions Puerto Rico), Left Hook Promotions, Vargas Entertainment Promotions, Cotto Promotions, etc..
I do know that in Mexico Erik Morales and Jose Luis Castillo have tried and pretty much failed in signing and developing fighters in their quest to establish promotional companies. It’s clear that the only real fighter promotional company is GBP. I was reminded of this issue now that I read that Lacy has been signed with GBP.
I have yet to see a show promoted by any of those companies mentioned above or fighters signed to those companies or any progress for that matter as far as talent signing and development. What are your thoughts about the formation of these ‘companies’? I’ve also read that they’re front companies for TV networks to deal directly with the fighter and stuff like that but I’m not sure. JMH
A: Anybody can form a promotional company. That?s merely applications, paperwork and paying some fees. Hiring competent people, signing fighters who can fight, dealing with the TV suits and actually running shows?that?s where all but Golden Boy have failed. If you?re Antonio Tarver and you say you are your own promoter, fine. But you?re heading for financial pain unless you make the smart type of move ?Magic Man? has made which is to bring a boxing all-around man (Big Gary Shaw) to run the show while you?re training. As far as networks dealing directly with fighters, that?s a subject for another day because there are numerous legal and ethical issues involved. I just think it?s become fashionable for top fighters to say they promote their own fights.
Mike Marley,: Way too much water has traveled under the bridge since we last talked or were even in the same vicinity?remember our odyssey to Fallon, NV? Sheriff Wayne Love? Berro, Marley & Mentaberry in Victor Volkswagen?
Mike, I was visiting with Bill Marioni yesterday in Sonoma CA, your name came up in conversation, Bill is in the Public Defenders office there and we’ve remained close over the years. I am reaching out to you for any support or direction you might lend for a young middleweight, Joey Gilbert and the issues he faces with the Nevada Athletic Commission. I can give you details but a number of boxing websites have followed the developments and I’m sure you can get up to speed on the issues very quickly.
Suffice it to say Gilbert is very close to our family and has found his life turned upside down. I would very much like to visit with you and discuss the situation.
I look forward to first of all hearing from you after nearly 40 years & getting your read on the situation.
Sincerely, Michael P. Mentaberry Broker/Salesman Dickson Realty, Reno, NV 89523
Hey Double MM: You and I were on the Nevada-Reno Wolf Pack boxing team together under the marvelous coach-mentor Jimmy Olivas?Memories are flooding back of you, Jay Nady, Emory Chapman, Jim Berro, Alex and Lou Doyle, slick Joe Pedrojetti, Bert Serrano, puncher Pete Wisecarver, of couse smooth Bill Marioni, Bill Harland and so many others. It seemed like the great Mills Lane reffed all our home gym bouts. I was the first UNR fighter to wear the Ali style white shoes as I floated like a butterfly and stung like a moth.
I remember knocking out some stud from archrival Chico State with a looping overhand right and getting level in the Reno newspaper the next day by Jimmy O, who said ?Marley ought to work for Western Union, the way he telegraphs his punches.? Ouch! Give my regards to the two guys keeping Jimmy O?s fistic flame light at my alma mater, ex-Pack sluggers Patrick Schellin and Michael Martino!
I know Joey Gilbert, lawyer and boxer and a real leader in Northern Nevada. We had him at a Sycuan Ringside show at Camp Pendleton and he impressed all the top brass with his intelligence and good manners. I know that Joey has some powerful, influential friends all over the great state of Nevada, including in Las Vegas, and I know they will all go to bat for him with the NSAC.
I don?t know the facts, only the allegations here. But I join you in wishing Joey the best of luck in this tough situation. If he made a mistake, I am sure Joey will pay his dues and come back to boxing as a fighter and/or as a promoter stronger and better than ever.
Hey Marley: Re Manny Steward, man that dude is stupid if he honestly think pacquiao would fade away he is crazy!…maybe he should look at his own fighter…let say…JERMAIN TAYLOR!!!!!!!…fuck that dumb ass!
ADRIAN RAMILO
A: You?ve got to let Manny (Steward) be Manny. Those criticisms were made last January and I believe Steward now looks at Pacquaio quite differently. Pacman has improved in many ways under No Joke Coach Roach?s tutelage.
Q. (Re my Columbus Day Greatest Italian Boxers List) What, no Charlie Fusari? No Carl “The Count” Duva? No Tony Alongi? Next time you post a list do your fucking homework.
GREG MAROTTTA, Paterson, NJ
A: Good to hear from you. How?s the vodka IV working out for you? Btw, I hear you?re off the Permanent 86 List at Elaine?s now that my pal, Tommy Carney, is retired and no longer behind the stick. I understand you?re giving Boxingconfidential readers free movie tickets to ?American Gangster? right?
Q, (Re Steward on Pacman) Maybe he’s right,maybe wrong….but Pacquiao is a gym addict,he lives in the gym sweating in perfecting his craft with the guidance of a better trainer than him.
LANDER BLANDA
A: I wouldn?t say Roach is better or worse than Manny Steward as a trainer. I?d say they are equals but Freddie is able to focus completely on training while Manny has his HBO commentary gig to work on also. Two of the best around, no doubt. Steward?s track record is impeccable.
Dear Mr. Marley: I really liked your advice to Manny Pacquaio. I am a Filipino but I appreciate and respect your comments and write-ups. Keep it up.
JUN BAUTISTA
A: I appreciate that. Me, Ricky Lois and John Chavez?we enjoying covering Pacman for Manny, Manny reasons. I?m looking forward to my November visit to your great country. Mabuhay!
Q. Re Duran?s weight problems compared to Manny?s?Just read it…nice note on the comparison. But I gotta say, it’s cool to read about how you covered this in ’77 and covered that in ’79…it reminds me not to really consider myself a boxing know-it-all…I was born in ’79…Keep up the good work!
JUAN 0912
A. You?re becoming a constant correspondent. Thanks a lot. I?m so old my high school yearbook was The Bible.
Q. Mike, (re possible upset by Barrera) that’s the beauty of boxing. If it’s so predictable, it wouldn’t be as exciting. Right now Pac is riding high and seems invincible. The shock will bring Filipinos back to reality. Ton from Philippines (ARIEL DIMALANTA)
A: Marco came to survive, not to win and his corner was complicent in his lack of effort. His effort was not what becomes a legend most but does not diminish his overall resume which is brilliant. Adios and mucho suerte, MAB!
