In this week?s edition of Ask The Editor (ATE), we look at the reasons why Manny Pacquiao may have turned down Oscar De La Hoya?s fight offer, investigate whether the older name boxers are taking up valuable pay-per-view fight space from our younger stars and we check the crystal ball on the future of Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto. We comment on the future big fights for Vic Darchinyan, look into the Ricky Hatton-Billy Graham split and much more.
Name : Robert Burns Country : USA Your Question : It has been reported that Manny Pacquiao has turned down a fight with Oscar De La Hoya because he wanted 10% more of the promotion, his 40 to Oscar?s 60. It still would have been his biggest career payday by millions and millions of dollars. Why would he do this?
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: Robert, Manny and his promoter Bob Arum may well have thought they deserve a 50/50 split. The other reason could be that if Oscar promoted the card, Bob Arum would have to be compensated financially and that would have diminished Manny?s purse. Manny and Oscar are two of the biggest office attractions and Manny wants equal recompense.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Robert, there are huge egos involved in these types of negotiations and I?m sure Pacquiao feels he deserves (and probably so) at least a 50/50 split.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: It does seem crazy. These two guys see themselves as the biggest names out and want what they think is their fair share. Pacquiao brings a lot to the table, most notably his pound for pound No.1 ranking. I?m thinking that Oscar would love to be able to retire upon beating the best boxer in the world today. He couldn?t do it with Floyd Mayweather Jr. I give him a better chance against the Pacman. You would think if that is what De La Hoya wants so much, he would be prepared to pay a little more for the chance to do it?
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: This would be an extremely dangerous fight for Pacquiao and his team probably feels that the existing offer does not merit the risk. I can see why. Pacquiao is an incredible fighter but he?s too small to battle Oscar and, if he does agree to fight the Golden Boy, he wants to get paid.
Name : Ruairi O?Connor Country : USA Your Question : Hey guys. I boxed for many years myself and I still love the sport very much but lately I am getting very frustrated with it. I honestly do not know how many more times I can put up with the ?mega fights? being between over the hill guys who have supposedly earned the right to a huge payday by fighting great 10 years ago. I respect great fighters but some of these fights are not even between greats. If I have to listen to Mayorga rant and rave before losing AGAIN for example, I think I will go nuts. Does he not realise that no one is scared of him. What I don?t get is that he is selling. There are loads more examples. Step aside Bernard Hopkins and everyone else that keeps clogging up the sport. Roy Jones Jr (one of my all time faves), take a bow, you?re done. It frustrates me that a generation of kids is really missing out on a chance to develop into greats because fighters with names can ?earn? a world title shot with a phone call. I think boxers over thirty five should have to fight in an over thirty five division. I think that for a world title fight you should have to have won 80% of your last 5 fights, all against top fifteen opposition. If you lose twice, you have to restart. We are driving people away from the sport in our silly attempt to hang on to glory. Fresh young hungry fighters will top any MMA or pride event with ease. Let?s see a few of them. Do any of you agree?
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: Interesting question, Ruairi. You do make some valid points. It really is the older generation that are still attracting PPV buys and still winning. I?m with you. Lets bring these young fighters on by featuring them. As long as the likes of HBO and Showtime see a profit in the De La Hoya, Hopkins and Mayorga?s of this world, I?m afraid the old boys will continue to get wheeled out. And lets face it. It is us the fans that are still buying these fights.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Ruairi, sometimes the older guys “hanging on” do make for some interesting fights, but I agree, the sport needs fresh, young talent. And, these new potential stars need exposure on network television. Unfortunately, we may have seen the last of boxing on free television in the USA.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: You make some excellent points. I don?t necessarily agree with trying to overregulate the sport. One of the things I love about boxing most is the often bizarre and wacky things that happen within it from time to time. The core point you make is that fans shouldn?t be putting their money up for fights that aren?t pay-per-view worthy. That is the quickest way to get your point across to the promoters and television networks.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: I agree with you about Mayorga, Ruairi. If there is one fight I will not be shelling out 50 bucks for this year it is Mayorga vs. Mosley (but I probably will at the last minute). Roy and Bernard are different. They are bonafide legends of the sport and have shown (especially Hopkins), that they can still compete at a high level. Hopkins has a great chance against Pavlik and, whilst I believe that Jones Jr will come up way short against Calzaghe, there is massive interest there and I?m not upset with that match being made.
Name : Maximiliano Herrera Country : Costa Rica Your Question : Hello. I was impressed today in this amazing fight between these TRUE warriors Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto. This was a fight, a true fight, amongst the best I have ever seen. Cotto was incredibly brave and resisted until his legs physically didn?t stand his body weight anymore. Margarito was impressive: since the first bell to the end he has never taken a step back, not a single one, despite having been hit by clean and strong bombs by Cotto in the early rounds. I am impressed, I am wordless, I am breathless and I take my hat off in front of these two champions. What?s next for Margarito? 1. A rematch with Paul Williams is due. Williams brutally avenged his only loss and he has to concede a rematch to Antonio (who felt robbed in their first match). 2. If Hatton beats Malignaggi, I would love to see Hatton-Margarito. It would be another fantastic war between two guys who never step back. Williams may be more complicated for Margarito because of his long arms and his speed, he will use his jab to prevent Margarito from coming close (Margarito at close distance is devastating!). Hatton is different: he is going to fight eye to eye, body to body. Well, I have a dream, the chance of number 3. 3. Margarito provokes Floyd Mayweather Jr by saying ?Pretty Boy? has always ducked him. ?Pretty Boy? gets angry and comes back from his retirement and beats Margarito with class and to show once for all, he is retiring simply because nobody can stay at his level. Which of the three would you like to see?
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: 1. That?s a pick ?em fight and the rematch will probably happen sometime next year. 2. If Cotto couldn?t stand up to Margarito?s pressure what makes you think Hatton could? Margarito would probably demolish the much smaller Hitman. 3. If Mayweather is to un-retire, the only scenario that I can think of is a 2009 rematch with De La Hoya. Margarito is just too risky for Floyd.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Some worthy praise in your email for Margarito and Cotto. I think the Margarito-Williams rematch is the most likely scenario. It makes sense after their recent wins and losses. I see Margarito as being too big and strong for Hatton. A Margarito-Mayweather fight sounds good, but I can?t see Floyd coming back for what would be a tough fight for much less money than he made against De La Hoya.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Maximiliano, you know your boxing. I would most like to see Margarito-Mayweather.
Name : James Hill Country : United Kingdom Your Question : What a fight Cotto vs. Margarito turned out to be. Ever since it was made me, like just about ever other fan I?d imagine, had been waiting and waiting for this one. Most of the press coverage I?d read pointed to Cotto being favourite, but I read with great interest the results of your online poll as to who the fans thought would win, with the majority going for a Margarito win by KO. I myself had it going that way also, although it sounds easy for me to say that now. So what next for Cotto and Margarito? Two of boxing?s best talents. I?m sure Cotto will be back, but where does he start the rebuilding? He says he will take a long break and think what to do next, but right now, I?m not sure where he goes from here? As for Margarito, does another crack at Williams make sense? Does he try talking Mayweather out of “retirement”? I think Margarito may be the victim of his own recent success, I don?t think many fighters at welterweight will want anything to do with him. I was quite surprised by no mention of a rematch, or if there was, I?ve obviously missed it, what are your thoughts on that? If a rematch was to happen, I can?t help thinking it would only end up the same way, but who knows. Massive respect to Cotto for taking defeat like a champion, as I think most would agree, its how you come back from adversity that makes boxers great not talent alone.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: I think Cotto can come back successfully against any welterweight not named Margarito, but he?ll probably have a couple of tune-ups before reloading for a title fight. As for Margarito, you?ll probably see him in a rematch with Joshua Clottey in the U.S fall.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: James, I?m not sure what will happen next for Cotto. I wouldn?t be surprised if Margarito ends up fighting De La Hoya.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: When Cotto looks at the tape of his loss to Margarito, he was doing a lot of good things in the first six rounds. There were times were Margarito looked one-dimensional plodding along after Cotto whose combinations were slick. The only problem was that Margarito wasn?t being visibly hurt. His chin looked rock solid and when he finally caught up to Cotto, he cracked him with the left hook. Either Cotto needs to find a way to make Margarito more reluctant to come forward so willingly or he has to be able to out box him for the full twelve rounds without getting nailed himself. While Margarito is currently getting all of the praise, I don?t think Cotto is that far behind him. Remember, it wasn?t that long ago that some people were questioning Margarito after his loss to Paul Williams. But he came back and got the win over Cotto. I?d like to see Margarito versus either Williams or Joshua Clottey. Then throw Cotto back into the mix with one of them after he retools.
Name : Michael Broad Country : USA Your Question : IBF super flyweight world champion Vic Darchinyan is incredible! He is the type of boxer I want to see again as soon as possible. What?s going to happen with title unification for him at 115 pounds?
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: Vic is as menacing as they come in the lighter weight divisions and I?m sure he?s chomping at the bit to get after WBA and WBC junior bantamweight world champion Christian Mijares. With his power and unorthodox, stalking style, Darchinyan has the tools to beat anybody, but Mijares is an excellent boxer and I would favor the Mexican to out-box Darchinyan in an entertaining contest.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Michael, Darchinyan?s most high-profile unifier would most likely be a bout with WBA/WBC champion Christian Mijares.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: Vic just wants to knock you out. He has some much confidence and brings excitement to the ring. You are right, he is the sort of boxer who after watching him in action, you walk away asking when you can see him again. Darchinyan wants to be undisputed world champion at 115lbs and is happy to walk through Cristian Mijares and Fernando Montiel to do it. With the Showtime network?s support, I don?t think it will be too long before with see Darchinyan in a big fight and the best thing about it, regardless of the result, it will be entertaining to watch.
Name : Garry Ohare Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Just wanted to know your opinions on Ricky Hatton parting company with Billy Graham. 1. Why do you feel Ricky has decided to split with Billy in the first place? 2. Who do you think would be the ideal replacement for the ?Preacher?? 3. What is Ricky looking to change about his boxing at this stage of his career and in your expert opinion, do you feel he is making the right decision.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: I will say that their parting surprises me greatly. Watching them working together up close, I got the impression they were very tight and had great respect for each other. It is most likely a decision by Hatton that suggests he has not been happy with his recent performances. Quite often a boxer/trainer relationship can become stale after working together for so many years. Not as people, but in boxing terms. Maybe Graham told Hatton some truths about his recent fights that he was not prepared to accept. Graham has publicly stated that he wanted to ensure that Hatton did not fight on past his best years. Maybe he tried to do that? That is only speculation. If Graham does believe that Hatton?s best days are behind him, a fighter doesn?t want to hear that. He wants someone in his corner who believes he can be better. I can see both sides of the argument. If he is not happy, Hatton is better off with someone fresh to his team. The trainer would need to be able to improve Hatton?s boxing skills, but also be able to tap into his passionate, physical fighting style as well, that made the Brit such a success. You can?t make Ricky Hatton into a stick and move boxer working on the outside. You have to let him do what he does best, with some technical adjustments.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: Hatton probably feels that he needs to work on his boxing a little bit more and maybe that he has gone as far as he can with Graham. As for who will replace The Preacher ? anyone who can teach Hatton to stop lunging in with his left hand from about three feet out would be good.
Name : Thomas Peak Country : United Kingdom Your Question : Hi guys, firstly I have to disagree with a comment Clive made on the last ATE when justifying Hopkins vs. Pavlik with the comment that ?who else is there? for Pavlik to fight with for top money right now? Well its obvious – Arthur Abrahams. Try as I might, I just cant pick a winner between the middleweight champion and the German. I believe it could easily be an all time great fight however, with two massive punchers both of whom are strong, aggressive and courageous, it is set up perfectly. I?m not overly down on the Pavlik vs. Hopkins set to however. I think Hopkins will be a good name on the Pavlik C.V despite the fact that inevitably it will be a boring foul fest as we all expect from the geriatric ex-champion whose mouth is unfortunately a far more potent weapon than his fists these days. Secondly, following on from the last ATE where I defended the under fire heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, I would like to suggest his next three adversaries; Peter (W.KO. 8ish), Valuev/Chagaev (W.KO with ease) and David Haye (W.KO.9). If Klitschko fights and wins against these guys or a similar combination of valid contenders, will he then finally gain your respect?
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: Hi Thomas. I can see your point where Pavlik vs. Abraham is concerned but I still stand by my original opinion and I?ll explain why. Abraham looked the business against Miranda in his U.S debut but I feel he needs another couple of good wins in the U.S for the American public to buy into a Pavlik fight. Therefore, Hopkins remains the big money fight right now.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Thomas, I wouldn?t mind seeing Pavlik fight Abraham either, but I?m okay with Pavlik vs. Hopkins for now. I give David Haye a good chance to beat Klitschko.
PAUL UPHAM ANSWERS: After some initial comments that Pavlik vs. Abraham could happen this year, the fight seems to have gone very cold again. It is possible that one side or both have gone off the idea. Maybe the German promoters of Abraham wanted too much money to take him to the USA to fight Pavlik. There is no one Bob Arum would take Pavlik to Germany. Pavlik has said he wanted to win Abraham?s IBF middleweight title. Maybe he couldn?t get the money he wanted for the fight. If they both stay at middleweight and continue to win, you would expect that they would meet at some stage. The reality is that Arum will always find alternatives for Pavlik. Abraham needs to put his foot down and urge his team to make the fight in the USA. I like Klitschko against all four boxers you mentioned, but I am intrigued by what David Haye can do if he doesn?t put on too much weight, stays around 220lbs and let his hands go against Wladimir. Klitschko-Haye is definitely one fight I really want to see in 2009.
MICHAEL NORBY ANSWERS: Abraham vs. Pavlik would be an incredible match-up. Pavlik looks determined to ensure a fight with Calzaghe in 2009 so I think Abraham will have to look elsewhere. It is possible that Hopkins will upset Pavlik and if he does then a fight with Abraham could happen. I agree that Klitschko defeats Valuev and Haye but Peter would give him all he could handle.
Name : Barnaby Chesterman Country : Italy Your Question : I?d like to know what you think about this Alexander Povetkin character. I like what I?ve seen of him but do you think he?ll be able to knock over big Wladimir Klitschko? He?s not the biggest himself – although unlike ?Fraudley?, he didn?t fluke his Olympic gold. Also, what?s happened to Solis-Botha? That sounded like a really interesting match-up, particularly to see how Solis is progressing. And what do you think about this match-up: Haye-Toney. If he wants to show he?s the man at heavyweight, can Haye have a better fight than that?
CLIVE BERNATH ANSWERS: I like Povetkin, but I feel he is a couple of fights away from being ready for Klitschko. Solis vs. Botha has been scheduled a couple of times but fallen through. There was talk Botha just did not fancy the job but then accepted. Now it appears the fight is off again. I like Haye vs. Toney. I?m not sure Team Haye feel the same.
GREG JUCKETT ANSWERS: Barnaby, Povetkin does have some decent skills. It will be interesting to see how the Russian does against Klitschko. I would be surprised if Toney fought Haye at this point in Toney?s career, but that?s not to say Toney wouldn?t be willing if the money was right.
