Greetings boxing fans, and welcome to my boxing mailbag. The much-anticipated Super Six super middleweight tournament kicked off this weekend with a double header. That is the main topic to start off the mailbag this week. Further down I answer emails about Sugar Ray Robinson, Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather, Yuriorkis Gamboa, among other subjects. And, as you know, there is a Manny Pacquiao fight looming so you better believe we touch on Pacquiao as well.
This edition is jam packed so I will jump right into the emails. Please enjoy. I look forward to your reactions.
Super Six Results
Hello Brian,
I just have to get your opinion on the start of this competition. Whooaha! What a start it was. The Arthur Abraham vs. Jermain Taylor fight was spectacular. I was wondering at the end if Abraham was getting tired, cocky or just beat up in his hands after all those shots he took on them from Taylor. I started to think maybe Taylor wore down his opponent for a change even though he was very tired as well. Then Abraham comes with a one punch KO in the last second, in a Rocky movie-like fashion. Man! This couldn’t have started better. Even though I have a hard time seeing Taylor bouncing back and fighting another elite right away. What is your opinion on the fight if it had gone to the scorecard?
As for the Froch vs. Dirrell fight, even though Dirrell was showing some amazing boxing skills and movement, it was very hard not to start hoping he would get knocked out. Some people can stick and move, do some flashy stuff and you root for them example Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali, but you cannot not run away the whole time, jump and clinch (which is illegal, but almost never called upon) when the opponent finally catches up. And no, you shouldn’t start complaining when your opponent fouls back.
Dirrell was always dropping to the floor and bitching and complaining. But in reality, he was the one initiating the fouls. So like I said, he was really getting on my nerve and I really hoped he would get knocked out. Many times when a fighter starts complaining so much or pretends to get low blow it is a sign of him giving up or being on the verge of getting knocked out. So, one can misinterpret his complaining as a weakness and therefore give the other fighter the edge when scoring.
One ref told me (I don’t know if this is a universal opinion) that if one guy fouls and the other one fouls back then you don’t penalize the one fouling back unless he takes it way further (biting an ear off or intentional head butt). I was very happy when the referee finally took a point away from Andre. I think boxing should really start taking these fouls seriously and make people who hold get disqualified much quicker and take a point much faster.
Just like in the NBA first when you hear of a new rule only three seconds in this area or so forth, it stinks you don’t like but you get used to it. And it wouldn’t be a new rule it would just be using an old one better. I think too many boxer have holding as a part of they’re game plan and 99% of the time they get away with it. I think Dirrell should have been disqualified.
I actually had Dirrell winning the fight (since he wasn’t stopped). I felt that he made Froch seem amateurish at times and I had him winning more rounds thus winning the fight even with the point taken. What is your opinion of the fight and the point I am trying to make about holding?.
Just to add, I actually did find entertainment in the Froch/Dirrell fight but the holding really did piss me off.
Well, that’s all for now, have a good weekend. Or in Icelanic “g??a helgi”
-Olafur
Olafur,
I thought Abraham was ahead on the scorecards at the time of the knockout. Taylor, just like he did against Bernard Hopkins in their first fight and a few times since then, came out too fast and was sucking wind by the middle rounds. He is a gutsy and brave guy so he was able to hang on for a few rounds despite being dead tired, but he could not make it the distance. Abraham wisely noticed that Taylor was reluctant to attack because he was running low and started attacking Jermain’s body. He landed some stellar body combinations.
Abraham looked great and I consider him one of the, if not the, front-runner for the Super Six.
The Froch vs. Dirrell fight was too close to call. I didn’t score the fight when I watched it but the decision could have gone either way. I am glad you found enjoyment out of that bout because I didn’t find much.
I agree with you regarding the enforcement of clinching in boxing today. Referees should be stricter against those who hold as a strategy. There was a small movement to try to implement your suggestion around the time that John Ruiz was Heavyweight Champion but nothing ever came of it.
Clinching makes fights boring. Boxing is entertainment so the goal should be to make the product as exciting as possible. A rule change (or like you said, enforcing the current rules) would be welcomed with open arms. If we cut down on clinching in our world title fights, the quality and action in those fights would see a dramatic improvement. Perhaps the competition from the UFC will force boxing to make these kinds of changes.
My Pick For Super Six
Who is your man in the Super Six Tournament? I think Kessler is the best all-round fighter, but I’d like to see Dirrell or Ward win it too. For Taylor, I just don’t know if he can still survive the tournament having been in many consecutive elite fights. I wouldn’t be surprised if Taylor is pretty much done as elite fighter after this thing. A lot of tough fights in a short time for guy who will get hit a lot.
I really like Froch (He will not disappoint you). I think he had a mixture of natural confidence and resentment – he really feels he isn’t getting the recognition he deserves in Britain, which is good motivator. I think Froch is getting painted as someone who can’t box, who’s slow, and while he’s no master craftsman or a speedster, he’s not so bad in either category. Taylor was beating him early, but he wasn’t stomping him. It was a fight, even before Taylor started slowing down. So I think that despite Dirrell’s technical advantages, Froch will work hard at dominating the pace and overcoming the kid in the later rounds. I just think that Froch is an intelligent brawler just like Pacquiao in early days of his career.
I think Dirrell has the most striking raw talent in this tournament and he has the potential. Still, I think Froch’s critics are etching too one-dimensional a portrait. This match up is a must see.
Taylor vs. Abraham; I have to say, I have Taylor for this one. I just think he’ll be too fast for Abraham and he’ll be using his height/reach advantage all night. I actually think this might be a slow fight to watch, with Taylor having a few shaky moments but inevitably cruising to a UD. I think he might make Abraham look ordinary, really (and I am certainly a fan of Abe). Am I right that Abraham has just fought once in Super Middleweight? And just coming lately from middleweight? Then he is the smaller man. Overall in my biased opinion, Froch will win the tournament. He is my man honestly. I hope you have the same biased opinion for Froch. I need a betting partner Brian.
Thanks, -Sam
Sam,
Froch vs. Dirrell turned out to be kind of a stinker and a bit controversial. Many people who feel that Dirrell was unjustly penalized and should have won the decision. Others, like Olafur above thought the penalty was fair. Neither man was particularly impressive in my opinion. This was a huge step up and a great learning experience for Dirrell though and maybe he will grow up in front of our eyes during this tournament.
I feel bad for Jermain Taylor getting stopped at the very end again. Taylor is a great fighter for 10 rounds and then falls off of the map.
My two front runners for this tournament are Mikkel Kessler and Arthur Abraham. I think they are the best all around boxers and have plenty of big fight experience. One of them will win the tournament. If you forced me to pick between the two I would go with Abraham, reluctantly. You are correct that Abraham has just recently moved up from middleweight but he looks solid at that weight. Middleweight to super middleweight has historically not been a difficult transition.
I am not as high on Carl Froch as you, however I respect him as a worthy contestant in this tournament.
Unlucky Number Twelve
Haha Brian, my boy Froch won. I hope I convinced you to be my betting partner eh? The fight was pretty rough and hard to call but after the fight, well let me think? Froch had brought ring generalship? Aggressiveness? Hmmmmm maybe the latter was what made him win. Dirrell boxed nice, I have the fight a draw (I don’t even know how to score it, sometimes boxing is confusing. LOL)
I was wrong with my prediction with Jermain Taylor getting a unanimous decision over Arthur Abraham. I haven’t seen the fight but with the 12th round KO, surely Abraham was the one with the bad intentions. Is Taylor having a bad luck with no. 12?
-Sam
Sam,
Yes Froch won, but he won unconvincingly and did do anything to make me have a better opinion of him. Froch will make the final four of this tournament but that is as far as he will go.
Getting knocked out in the twelve round in back to back fights was not unlucky for Taylor. That is a trend, not luck. The trend is exposing Jermain’s poor stamina. He expends too much energy early on and then has nothing left in the final rounds. He is a ten round fighter. At this point, I don’t think that there is anything that Taylor can do to change this. Because all of the super six fights are scheduled for 12 rounds, Jermain is the weakest link in this tournament. In fact, I don’t even know if Taylor will be able to continue as he remains hospitalized with a concussion. I’ve heard a rumor that Allan Green could replace Taylor for the rest of the way.
Referee for Pacquiao vs. Cotto
Good day Mr. Wilbur,
My Compadres and I had a brief discussion about the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight last night and had an argument about who’s the best referee to handle the fight. We mentioned Vic Drakulich, Kenny Bayless, and Tony Weeks. Who do you think is well-suited for the job?
Keep up the good job, thanks and God Bless.
-Jake Robles
Jake,
Kenny Bayless was announced as the referee for that fight recently. Any of those guys who you mentioned would have been fine. Pacquiao and Cotto are relatively clean fighters who don’t like to clinch or play dirty. I don’t think the ref is going to be a major factor. I do like Tony Weeks as a referee though. He always does a good, fair job.
Welterweight Round Robin
Dood day Brian! Thank you for being around in the boxing writing industry. I have you as the greatest boxing writer I have ever seen! You are almost equivalent to Freddie Roach, not Floyd Mayweather Sr. if making an analogy to a boxing trainer.
I just want to know, if the top ten active welterweights, and Jr. welterweights and Jr. middleweights who can fight as welterweights, fought each other, what would be the result?
-Kelv
Kelv,
Thank you for the compliments and for reading my column!
I look at the current welterweight rankings to get the participants:
1. Shane Mosley 2. Manny Pacquiao 3. Floyd Mayweather 4. Miguel Cotto 5. Andre Berto 6. Joshua Clottey
To round out the top 10, I will pull Paul Williams from junior middleweight and pull Timothy Bradley, Ricky Hatton, and Amir Khan from junior welterweight.
If these 10 fighters fought in a round robin, the ones who walk away with the most wins would be Paul Williams and Floyd Mayweather. Williams, especially against the smaller guys like Pacquiao and Berto, would have such a large height and reach advantage that he represents an extremely difficult style to contend against.
Mayweather, of course, is an extremely skilled fighter. His defense is outstanding, rendering even the most effective offenses useless.
The big wildcard though is Manny Pacquiao. He is undersized so I have him as the underdog in many of these fights, but he has shown a very impressive ability to overcome a weight disparity. And great fighters such as him tend to do well when faced with adversity.
Gamboa vs. Juanma and More
Who do you think would win between Yuriorkis Gamboa and Juanma Lopez? How about Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Chris John? Edwin Valero vs. Juan Manuel Marquez?
-Vinjo
Vinjo,
I still think Juanma Lopez wins that fight despite Lopez’s rough outing last time. Yuriorkis Gamboa is too wild I think. He takes so many unnecessary chances, as proven by his early knockdowns, that someone like Juanma would pick him apart. Lopez would be ecstatic if Gamboa came out aggressive, gunning for the knockout, because the openings would be plentiful. And if Lopez hits you clean, you are done.
Gamboa vs. Chris John – This is a very intriguing match up. I don’t know if John has the punching power to keep Gamboa honest or keep him away. An aggressive volume/power puncher like Gamboa is probably the exact formula to take down the slick, fundamentally sound John. And unlike Ricardo Mayorga, Gamboa has some skill and technique behind his aggression. I’ll take Gamboa by mid round TKO.
Valero vs. JMM – I like Marquez because he has shown that he has the ability to get up from a knockdown and win a fight if he needs to. Fundamentally Marquez is superior and his counterpunching is the perfect style to out box and do damage against an aggressive puncher like Valero. Marquez by SD after surviving a couple knockdowns. Marquez in his prime and well prepared would probably not even be knocked down.
Is Shane Mosley Overrated?
Hey Brian,
Do you think Mosley is a little overrated since he beat Margarito (and beat him bad)? By my observation he beat Margarito because Antonio’s style was perfect for him: come-forward with no defense. And as we all know, Mosley has an iron-chin and Tony’s punches must’ve felt like paper by then because there was no more cement inside.
You’ve said in previous mailbags that Tony didn’t have that kind of KO power before and you suspected he must’ve started loading those gloves around the time he fought Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis.
I ask because when you look at Mosley’s last few fights before Margarito he didn’t look too great, especially the one against an old Mayorga).
-Vinjo
Vinjo,
Yes, I do think Mosley is overrated right now. You are right that Mosley had the right style, approach, and game plan to take out someone like Antonio Margarito. However before the fight Margarito was a huge favorite despite the poor style match up. The reason was that his punch output and punching power looked so devastating going in that people figured he would easily overwhelm the old man Mosley.
Mosley kicked his ass leaving everyone to wonder how much the cement hand wraps had to do with the outcome. I want to see Mosley in his next fight in order to make a final judgment on the Margarito performance. It is possible that the hand wraps were a moot point and for whatever reason Mosley had a resurgence in his raw ability? Did that, in turn, cause him to have a complete resurgence in his career? That has happened a few times previously that I can think of (see Evander Holyfield for one example of this).
But yes, as of right now I am hesitant about rating Mosley so high if you are talking about pure ability. He has earned the right to be called the true Welterweight Champion and to be ranked number one, but there are a handful of guys I would favor over him.
Tired of Pacquiao Questions
I’m tired of Pacquiao and his fans. Haven’t you got tired of answering questions from these guys who ask how great Pac is? Who will win if he fights someone? Or making prediction bla bla bla on how Pacman will defeat an opponent (example, Mayweather – haven’t they realized how good is this guy? Let them bet their house!). Then, obviously concluding Pacman is unbeatable.
I assumed most of these mailers are not first timers in your mailbag but are asking the same questions again and again LOL. I guess they are just sweet lemoning and sour graping most of their questions and expecting a positive answer from your mailbag that will arouse their consciousness. I just feel Pacmaniacs have the most prejudiced reasonings.
-Sam
Sam,
Pacquiao is a huge superstar and there are many people who want to read about Pacquiao, Pacquiao, and more Pacquiao. They can’t get enough of him. I hear what you are saying though. I wouldn’t say that I am tired of it but it can get a tad repetitive. I enjoy talking about boxing in general though, whether it be about Pacquiao or anything else. Pacquiao fans need a place to go because other boxing websites snub the Pacquiao community. I welcome them and give them their fix every week by featuring Pacman questions.
Is Mayweather Really That Great?
Time and time again, I can always read on reports that according to Floyd Mayweather Jr., he is the best boxer that has ever lived. He is not satisfied comparing himself with the great Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. He is even quoted saying he is greater than these two great fighters. If he is really that great, based on your analysis, if these fights were to take place on the peak of their careers, whom do you think will prevail and in what manner?
1. Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Floyd Jr. @ welterweight
2. Thomas Hearns vs. Floyd Jr. @ welterweight
3. Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Floyd Jr. @ welterweight
4. Roberto Duran vs. Floyd Jr. @ lightweight or junior welterweight
Thanks and more power.
-Ronald
Ronald,
Reports of Floyd Mayweather’s greatness have been greatly exaggerated. Maybe Mayweather is among the best ever, physically and talent wise, however, he has not accomplished enough to prove it. He has not defeated enough great opponents to be considered with the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson.
1. Robinson takes a few rounds to figure out the defensive wizard but then cruises to an easy decision starting from round 5 and on. Robinson by decision.
2. This is a really tough one. Hearns had such amazing power. However I liken him to a better Diego Corrales and Corrales got smoked by Mayweather. If they fought a few times Hearns would not get shut out, but in one fight I would favor Mayweather, probably by decision.
3. Leonard by decision. His aggression would carry him through.
4. If Jose Luis Castillo could rough up Mayweather, Duran could possibly knock him out. I take Duran by decision, but would not be surprised if he wore him out and won by late round TKO.
Who Beats Sugar Ray Robinson?
Hi Brian,
I know that Sugar Ray Robinson is the greatest boxer of all time no arguments about that. I just want to know your opinion about who can beat Robinson if you look at the history of boxing greats?
What percentage chance of winning would you give these guys against Robinson:
1. Manny Pacquiao 2. Floyd Mayweather Jr. 3. Erik Morales 4. Oscar Delahoya 5. Myke Tyson (if they will fight at the same weight) 6. Rocky Marciano (if they will fight at the same weight)
If the above fighters are not enough, who do you think has a best chance of winning against Robinson? Thank you and more power to your mailbag.
-Rab
Rab,
If you are talking pound for pound there are fighters in history who I would give a decent shot to beat Sugar Ray Robinson. All of the guys who you mentioned (except De La Hoya) are naturally smaller than Robinson, so in addition of having less skill, they would be undersized too. That is why I have their chances so low.
1 – Manny Pacquiao – 10% 2 – Floyd Mayweather – 20% 3 – Erik Morales – .05% 4 – Oscar De La Hoya – 15%
Robinson in his prime was nearly unbeatable at welterweight. Jake LaMotta, an all time great and hall of famer in his own right, was the only one to beat him at welterweight. LaMotta however, lost 5 times to Robinson, putting his percentage rightly at 20%. Looking over all of the all time great welterweights, that is probably the best chance I would give anyone at defeating Ray Robinson at welterweight. Others who I would give about a 20% chance would be Mickey Walker, Emile Griffith, Carmen Basilio, Pernell Whitaker and Kid Gavilan. Perhaps old timer Joe Walcott would give Ray Robinson a tough fight too.
Testing Greatness With Mythical Match Ups
Hi Brian,
This is my second time to write you, it’s my pleasure having some of my questions answered in your mailbag. My new questions are, in your opinion, how do you see these matches going?
Consider all of the fighters in their primes:
1. Rocky Marciano vs. Mike Tyson 2. Rocky Marciano vs. Muhammad Ali 3. Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Floyd Mayweather Sr. (I really want to see your answer in this one 4. Pernell Whitaker vs. Manny Pacquiao (Assuming their both fighting at the same weight) 5. Roberto Duran vs. Flash Elorde (Assuming their both fighting at the same weight) 6. Jake LaMotta vs. Floyd Mayweather jr. (Assuming their both fighting at the same weight) 7. Jake LaMotta vs. Manny Pacquiao (Assuming their both fighting at the same weight) 8. Jake LaMotta vs. Sugar Ray Leonard (Assuming their both fighting at the same weight) 9. Jake LaMotta vs. Roberto Duran (Assuming their both fighting at the same weight) 10. Undefeated Cotto vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Please, give your opinion.
Best Regards and Merry Christmas in advanced!!
-Rab
Rab,
Thanks for emailing me again. Here are my quick picks:
1. Tyson by KO. Marciano was susceptible to early round knockdowns. That spells disaster against Tyson
2. Ali by decision. Marciano would rough him up and make it difficult though.
3. Junior by TKO. Far superior fighter, no contest.
4. I’m going against the grain to say Pacquiao by split decision here.
5. Duran by decision.
6. LaMotta by unanimous decision
7. LaMotta by decision. He had similar skills to Juan Manual Marquez so a bad styles match up for Pacquiao.
8. Leonard by decision. Sugar Ray could squeeze by on his amazing athleticism.
9. Duran by split decision. Too much talent in one ring makes my head explode!
10. Mayweather outboxes him and maybe even takes him out late.
Boom Boom Shaky In Comeback
After losses to De Leon and Ruiz, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista was sidelined and they say it’s due to a rotten bone. He was back last Friday and winning by TKO for the vacant WBC International Featherweight Title against Marbun of Indonesia in Cebu City. I think he was rusty. He was hurt many times by right crosses and was on the verge of going down. No way he could have survived if it was against a good fighter. What do you think of his performance? I think he doesn’t have the factor to be a world champion.
-Mosende Endrina
Mosende,
Unfortunately I did not see Bautista’s comeback performance. I probably won’t pay much attention to him unless he works his way closer to contention and relevancy. I doubt he will ever get to that level again. I agree with you in that Boom Boom just doesn’t quite have what it takes to be a champion.
Defending my Donaire vs. Vazquez Stance
Sir Brian,
Greetings! I’ve read about your take last week on an Israel Vasquez vs. Nonito Donaire fight and I just can’t help but disagree to it. I also think Sam’s (the one who sent you the question) observation that Marquez is tougher than Donaire is a bit unfounded. The record speaks for itself – since losing his first professional fight, Donaire has been unbeaten and never was knocked down so Sam can’t possibly conclude that Marquez is tougher. Having a high knockout rate (34 in 38 wins with 5losses) doesn’t necessarily translate as being tough.
Going back to main issue…
Vasquez is 5′4?″/164cm with a reach of 66?″/169cm compared to Donaire’s height of 5’7″ and 73″ reach. I’ve also watched a couple of fights from both fighters and all I could find was that Vasquez’s style is tailor-fit for Donaire’s.
I agree with you though that there is a similarity in a Vazquez vs. Jhonny Gonzalez with that vs. Donaire. However, my agreement is merely on how Gonzalez controlled the match but ends at him being careless and paying dearly for it. In my opinion, Donaire is too slick for Vasquez and the previous record tells me that he has the chin to be able take the latter’s power (if he lands one).
Be it known though that I truly (and I say that with utmost sincerity) respect your opinion as well as that of Sam’s. I just hope that a Vasquez vs. Donaire fight will materialize so we will find out who made the right take on this one.
More power and GOD bless!
-Reagan Loberternos
Reagan,
I think Sam was saying that Donaire’s toughness is in question because it has never been tested yet. Marquez is battle tested and proven that he can handle a rough moment. Donaire has had smooth sailing so far and could very well wilt under duress. We will have to wait and see.
You list Donaire and Vazquez’s measurements but what really matters is weight and how comfortable a boxer is at that weight. Donaire has never fought above bantamweight and he would have to jump up to super bantamweight to make this fight happen. He would be going against one of the hardest punching and strongest super bantamweights in recent memory to boot. That is too much for him to handle in my estimation. If he moves up and has some lesser fights in order to get used to the weight class then this would be a different story.
I respect your opinion however. Donaire certainly has a shot against Vazquez. Israel is not the best technical boxer and is susceptible to being out boxed. Nonito, if he fought very carefully, could pull the trick. But for now, I am sticking with my pick of Vazquez by late round TKO or decision.
Alright y’all, that wraps up this edition. Come back next week for more boxing mailbag fun. And be sure to send me your emails. Take care!
