“The last time I fought a person with a CD…I won the fight”…”the clash is jeopardized because the local commission refuses to honor existing agreements”…all recent comments made by some of the biggest names in the sport. Looking back at this week’s key quotes of note, Boxing Scribe Vivek Wallace offers his own unique perspective, giving fight fans “a little something to think about”. Check it out!
“The last time I fought a person with a CD was when I fought Oscar in 2000, and he came out with a CD and he came in the ring with the CD and I won the fight.” – Shane Mosley on the release of Pacquiao’s new CD single
Perspective: First, Mosley spoke of the fact that his trainer, Naazim Richardson, has never lost to a Top Rank fighter. Now, we hear of the fact that the last time Mosley fought an opponent who entered the ring on the heels of a music recording release, it resulted in victory. Heading into this showdown, seems all the ‘luck’ is on Mosley’s side. Guess it would only be appropriate to also remember that Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach was also recently quoted saying that “it’s good that Mosley feels lucky…he’s gonna need it!”
Of all these intriguing excerpts tossed out recently, I’d go on record in saying the most important quote of them all actually came from Pacquiao himself. Mosley seems to be interested in the luck aspect of Pacquiao releasing a CD, but the name of the song itself, “When We Touch”, will be most relevant. “Iron” Mike Tyson once told us, “Everyone has a plan until they get hit,” and no question, it’ll be interesting to see who’s plan falls by the wayside when the first big bomb lands flush.
Throughout the weeks leading up to this fight, I’ve touched on the two men, mainly who has the best chances of stopping the other, and how soon such a feat could be accomplished. Of all the quotes we’ve heard and surveyed over the last few months building up to this fight, when these two men begin to finally “touch” one another, all questions will be answered once and for all. We’ve seen the betting odds drop from 10 to 1, to 6 to 1, and almost all trending reports say we can expect to see them fall even more between now and fight night.
As Pacquiao prepares to sing “Touch” on Jimmy Kimmel Live Thursday night, the operative question is will Mosley’s “Touch” have him singing the blues by the end of next Saturday night? Just something to think about…
“King Arthur is more than happy to challenge Ward in his backyard, but we demand neutral officials as agreed on. We have learned our lesson from the Kessler-Ward fight. It’s a shame the clash is jeopardized because the local commission refuses to honor existing agreements and basic rules of fair play!” – Wilifred Sauerland speaking to Boxingscene.com on the possibility of Ward-Abraham being called off
Perspective: The case of Andre Ward is becoming more and more intriguing by the day. For quite a while, I’ve personally felt that aside from an active Floyd Mayweather jr., there is no man in the sport to display a better set of pure fundamental skills than Andre Ward. Perfect amateur career since 1997, perfect Olympic career, resulting in a Gold Medal, and a perfect pro career thus far with some pretty credible names on the resume. When you look at all that, you have to ask yourself where lies the weakness, as no man is perfect.
On the surface, it would appear that the weakness lies solely in (what appears to be a possible) fear of fighting on the road. When you look at the outcome of fights like Andrade/Bute 1, Hopkins/Pascal, and beyond, it only makes sense that some fighters would feel this way. To take it a step further, the Super Six Tournament itself has failed to produce a winner on the road with rare exception, so clearly, one can understand where this fear could be born from.
Where the problem lies is that his fear is also the fear of his opponent, so what gives him the right to act on it, yet remove the ability to do so from the man who he’ll face who ultimately bears the same fear? No question he’s the most decorated of the fighters in the tournament, but my personal opinion is that fair is fair, and as much as he has accomplished, he’s not exempt to this measure. One could argue that for fiscal purposes, the fight is better served in it’s current California based venue, but insistence of the local commission to have not only a California based referee, but apparently more than one California based judge as well doesn’t bode too well.
It remains to be seen how this will all unfold, but looking ahead, Bute is an opponent I’d love to see him face, and you have to wonder who would be willing to concede in that encounter and subsequently give up home-court advantage? Bute’s homeland would actually be the better fiscal option, but clearly it’s a location known to give results opposite of what most witness, as evidenced in the case of referee Marlon B. Wright (Andrade/Bute), who was clearly wrong in his well documented actions. Abraham will either have to take the hand dealt to him or withdraw, which may or may not be a bad thing for him…..or maybe it is!
At the end of the day, Ward will probably have his way again when the smoke finally clears, but what does it say about him and the unwavering support coming from those local officials in the state that surrounds him? Just something to think about…
(Vivek Wallace can also be reached at [email protected], Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEKWALLACE747), Skype (VITO-BOXING), Facbook, and Myspace)
