“If [Pacquiao] wants to explore Judah, I’ll explore Judah”…”For over 4 years, Donaire would not agree for a rematch”…”I’m gonna knock him out in four rounds”…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!
“I cannot talk to [Bradley] because he is still under contract to Gary Shaw, even if he is unhappy. His contract allegedly runs out at a certain point soon, but not yet. So I’m not going to go there. I could make a deal with [Main Events promoter] Kathy Duva for a Judah fight in five minutes, but that is not my plan. If [Pacquiao] wants to explore Judah, I’ll explore Judah.” – Bob Arum on Pacquiao’s potential future opponents
Perspective: Headlines across the sport have placed Marquez in the drivers seat for the Pacquiao sweepstakes, but truth be told, this matter is far from over. Only days ago, there was a lot of not-so-positive press about Pacquiao’s performance against Mosley, and although many blamed Mosley for the dull affair, few spared Pacquiao, as many viewed the effort as his most lackluster in quite some time. When you consider this truth, one can’t help but to realize that despite what the headlines read, this story may be far from over.
Arum also noted to Rafael that Schaefer and the GBP crew don’t plan to “interfere”, but there’s far more to this story than meets the eye. There is no certainty in my plight, but for the record, on an underground level, it has been common knowledge that Bradley was the man Arum would most prefer. Marquez is an intriguing offer, but Marquez brings a well chronicled history with Pacquiao and a lengthy resume, which is great in one sense, but it also gives him a little leverage at the negotiating table as it relates to money and other intricacies.
That seems harmless, but consider this: Marquez has proven a bad stylistic matchup for Pacquiao, so coming off a now questioned effort, does Top Rank really want to risk placing him in against Marquez and potentially leverage in an eventual Mayweather clash? That’s a risky proposition when Arum can wait another 30 days, let Bradley’s offer with Shaw expire, pay Timothy Bradley half the money promised to Marquez, which would be more than Bradley has ever come close to receiving in a fight, and put Pacquiao in with a young gun who may be a tad bit too inexperienced to handle what he offers, while also fulfilling the “young slick black fighter” quota.
To some, this is critical thinking, but in the mind of a business man, it leaves more money on the Pacquiao side of the ‘pie’, and it gives much better leverage than facing a 38-year-old fighter who presents a lose/lose situation. If Pacquiao defeats Marquez, critics will say he was too old and too heavy. If he looks bad, they’ll say Pacquiao lost negotiating leverage and lost a few steps in his game in the process. There’s very little upside for a man (Pacquiao) who doesn’t plan on going down any time soon. Just a little something to think about……Stay tuned ladies and gents!
“For over 4 years, Donaire would not agree for a rematch. I want to show him what I’m capable of, yet I can’t get him to agree. I even offered to let him have my fee in exchange for a match.” – Vic Darchinyan speaking to Boxingscene.com about a rematch with Nonito Donaire
Perspective: Very intriguing words from Vic Darchinyan here, and what’s even more intriguing is whether or not the man he wants to face will be available to face him any time soon? Donaire has done a great job silencing his critics and stating his case to the world with regards to why he belongs on the mythical P4P list, but due to the well chronicled issues with Top Rank, the operative question isn’t “can he defeat Darchinyan again?” The operative question at this particular time is more like “will he be in the ring any time soon to defeat anyone again?”
Unfortunately for him, there was no silver lining in his brief jump to Golden Boy, and in the aftermath, there have been nothing but headaches to follow as he and the promoter still apparently have no effective plan in place to help restore or resume his once thriving career. I’d stop short of saying his progress is a complete arrested development, but every passing day brings more rust to shake off, and more opportunities that lose lust. A rematch with Darchinyan would not only be good for him, but in many ways, it would be good for boxing.
These two ‘little guys’ have done big things and most would argue that they have effectively put the smaller weight classes on the map in this era. It would be awesome to see them square off again, but in reality, opponent doesn’t matter; it would be nice to simply see Donaire back in the ring…..period. When you consider that the potential window of opportunity could be narrow in this division, one would expect the young Donaire to put his pride aside and settle things with Arum so he can get back in the ring again soon.
If such is the case, who knows? Darchinyan may get that nod. They always said be careful what you ask for….as sometimes you just might get it. Darchinyan seems primed to seize the moment, but is it money motivated, or is it legacy substantiated? For his sake, I hope he’s driven by both, because in the end, neither one alone may be enough to get him over the hump. Or will it? Just something to think about…
“Bernard Hopkins said I’m a four-round fighter and this is it; I’m gonna knock him out in four rounds.” – Jean Pascal regarding his pending matchup with Bernard Hopkins
Perspective: Canadian based boxer Jean Pascal surprised many of us in December 2010 when he dropped the legendary Bernard Hopkins, but that effort pales in comparison to what he says we’ll see him do this weekend when the two square off in what should be a very intriguing rematch. According to Pascal, Hopkins won’t only touch the canvas within the first four rounds again, but this time, he’ll fall without getting up! Big words for a man who let 12 other far less defensive fighters off the hook in his 6-year career.
To many, Pascal remains a relatively unknown commodity, and the outcome of this Saturday’s showdown could cement a pattern one way or the other. Both men have vowed to knock the other out, but Hopkins hasn’t stopped anyone since 2004 (De La Hoya), and Pascal’s KO percentage is a slight 3 percentage points greater than his (57% Pascal/54% Hopkins), which doesn’t make him a world beater either!
One good thing about this talk is that it appears certain that both men seem to be ready to roll and give the fans their money’s worth. Two weeks ago, we saw two men do this same thing and blow the call tremendously. Last week, the action picked back up with the Ward/Abraham card. For Bernard Hopkins, a piece of history looms as one of the many subplots, while for Pascal, it’s simply another day at the office for a young lion.
With the stakes high and both men weary about being the one to actually fall short in the end, is it possible we could be in for another cautious snoozefest? I would hope not, but considering the past of these two men, it’s clearly something to think about!
(Vivek Wallace can also be reached at [email protected], Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEKWALLACE747), Skype (VITO-BOXING), Facbook, and Myspace)
