You’ve been burning the proverbial midnight oil in getting back on all the Mailbags and doing your thing in trying to set up meaningful fights for fans and keeping us informed on all the goings on in the Boxing world. This is what B-Talk does and does well and when you got this thing of yours running on all cylinders, man there is no equal anywhere. Hope you continue to stay in the mix consistently. I just want to comment on one of the letters I saw in the mailbag the other day. The brother was saying something along the lines of the rest of the B-Talk crew could not carry the site without you. Of course I respect everyone’s opinion and my man is entitled to his, but I think that a better way of putting it is pretty much saying that the site is more enhanced when you’re presence is more visible (as you are now), but during your absence the site is very well carried and still the place to come for Boxing news. Bread and the rest of the crew have been holding it down big time and I think have now pretty much become an extension of Yourself and the site in general. Case in point, how many B-Talk readers after reading your info and mailbags also look to see what Bread has put out and are disappointed when they don’t see anything on that particular visit to the site. If folks are being honest, I’m willing to bet quite a large number. Bottom line, the BoxingTalk site, though originally built around you has transcended and that in it self is a result of incredible hard work, perception and being able to deliver when others can’t. That is certainly the recipe for success. Keep holding it down B-Talk. Respect. Sincerely, Peter (The Brady Avenue Kid) Rivera Bronx, NY
Leon’s Response: You’ve always been a loyal Boxingtalker Peter and I’m happy to see that you’re still pleased with the content we’ve been providing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Bread is the truth, Benny Henderson is a monster when he’s on his grind. Scott Shaffer defines dilligence and everyone else contributes when they can. Keep reading Petey, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Damian from Australia here. It is getting frustrating , ‘as nauseum’ to read of the constant talk of Manny Pacquiao and his ALLEGED PED use. As to potential use of any illegal stubstance, personally I don’t believe he has used it, but the thing that bothers me most is the number of people writing in or on forums who seem to think you take a pill and wake up the next morning able to absorb a heavy punch or knock someone out. I’m sure you have some idea of the different substances on the market, and their benefits. This letter is not a pro / against Pacman or steroids, it’s aimed at the ignorance of the people who seem to think a few pills or injections and you become some worldbeater. As a fan of Marco A. Barrera, Erik Morales, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, I looked to see Manny get beat. Add in his wins over Oscar De la Hoya and Ricky Hatton, and close as they were, the fights with Juan Manuel Marquez, and for me Manny is one of those fighters of the like some generations never have the privelege to witness. Man, I didn’t appreciate Ray Leonard until long after he retired. Just a quick one for the uneducated, the body builder who gets on the gear, puts weight on yes, then he has to eat more, train harder and sleep longer to fully benefit from the substances he has taken, it’s no short cut if anything a harderer period in his training. And for all those bench press, deadlifts and bicep curls… his chin is no more sturdy! Keep up the good work!!
Leon’s Response: Manny is innoncent until proven guilty. Personally I believe Tomasz Adamek’s middle-aged “puberty” burst is WAY more suspicious than anything surrounding Pacquiao. Have you guys seen his arms and head lately? Looks like a different Adamek from the one Chad Dawson fought, that’s for sure. Manny is a specimen the likes of which I’ve never seen and I for one, am enjoying him while we’ve got him.
I read the back & forth between andre berto and kermit cintron and I feel that berto doesn’t want to fight him. I’m not saying he is scared of him but you can tell that he doesn’t want to fight him. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not a cintron fan mostly due to his antics in the ring like when he cried & layed down after his win over feliciano & then claimed it was because of his hand injury but I call them like I see them & I could tell that he started crying because he was on the verge of giving up mentally when the stoppage came & was just so damned relieved that it came because he knows that he was going to quit & claim it was his hand. That’s why he cried, straight up! Cintron hits hard, is athletic, & tall but he lacks something in the psychological department & Manny Steward picked up on it that’s why he bounced because he can see what I can see about his psyche, that he’s not a born fighter with the mentality to really really fight, kind of reminds me of Victor Ortiz mentally. Now berto on the other hand seems a little more composed because when shit got tough for him against Collazo he fought back with determination to try & win the fight not just survive or look for a way out with a built in excuse but since the Collazo fight berto really hasnt done shit, yeah I know he fought Steve Forbes & Juan Urango but come on homie you’re supposed to be a titleholder, fight some tougher guys. at least real welterweights. To me it seems like berto is scared of getting his clock rung by cintrons right hand & he would rather downplay the fight like it ain’t shit but to be honest with you cintron is right berto needs to fight him especially since he’s making berto look like he’s scared to face him. Berto knows that cintron can fuck up his little privileged position he’s in (hbo overpaying him to fight people that aren’t really a threat) so hes trying to avoid a fight with him because cintron can punch & that’s the sole reason. I’ve read that boxers often read boxingtalk to get some insight as to how the fans feel well here’s hoping that thats true………………Berto please just fight Cintron because although Cintron is mentally weak he’s making you look like you are scared of him, real talk! -L0S from CALI
Leon’s Response: It’s like I said yesterday, Berto is a businessman and he seems to be calling his own shots. Once he and the Cintron representation get a number from HBO, perhaps a fight could be made, but Berto would be a fool to agree to a fight on Boxingtalk now and then have to back out later because he feels HBO isn’t coming correct or is offering the same money for a far easier fight. Let’s enjoy the show and see what happens when the network becomes involved.
I’d like to say this about Miguel Cotto vs Ricardo Mayorga (which isn’t 100% official, but is more or less done from what I read) Why does Mayorga get a shot at Cotto? I mean, he got knocked out viciously by Mosley, didn’t fight in 2 years, and comes back and wins vs a journeyman, and gets a crack at Cotto!? I think it’s sickening tbh. None the less, I feel Cotto Is gonna stop him within 8 rounds. Mayorga is gonna have trouble making the 154 limit, and I feel he’ll come in at 156 or even 157. Who do you have winning this, and how? Also, do you feel this is gonna be a good throwdown?—Elton from NYC
Leon’s Response: I wish more fighters talked it up like Mayorga. With the exception of his remarks before fighting Cory Spinks [joking about his dead mother], he’s been an AWESOME self promtoer. As somebody that’s spent time with Mayorga outside the ring, he’s a real character. Does he deserve a fight with Cotto? Hell no. But it’s going to be a decent fight with press conferences you won’t want to miss. I want to see if Cotto is able to keep his cool after listening to Mayorga’s mouth for a few days in a row.
Greg, I am a big fan and this is the first time I write to you. I?ve been reading the Berto / Cintron interviews and Berto is the reason I am writing. We (Puerto Ricans) love boxing as much as our brothers in the north love the NFL, that?s the best way that I can describe it. It?s just part of our culture and life. Puerto Ricans do support Cintron, we do like Cintron and have as much respect for him as we have respect for any other fighter who has the cojones to step up in a ring, represents our flag and give his best. I personally love the Cintron that?s calling out Berto like you actually told him over the interview. I really like and respect Berto as well but in this case, Cintron is right with his arguments. If you take what Cintron is saying and compare it to what Berto is responding I see that Cintron is making some valuable comments while Berto is just using excuses for not fighting. Why is it so hard for Berto to simply say, ?You want it, you got it? and just coordinate to make the necessary movements to put together the fight along side with HBO, promoters, etc etc? As a boxing fan I would respect Berto a little more if he would call his team and order to make the necessary steps to fight Cintron vs just making excuses for not even try to make the fight happen. Cintron is worthy of that fight and if he brings his A game I can see him give Berto some trouble and by the way Berto, this message is for you? an impressive win over Cintron will be YOUR BEST WIN SO FAR in your resume!! Although Berto is in the A side of the coin in this case, his resume needs a name that people can perceive as a legitimate challenge, so in my eyes? He needs Cintron too. Keep up the good work Greg! Gandul from San Juan
Leon’s Response: Obviously Puerto Ricans support all Puerto Rican fighters, but I also believe that Ricans born on the Island are more embraced that AmeRicans. I also think that home grown Boricuas who never learn English are even more revered to the people.
