Hello and welcome once again to RSR’s weekly email bag, where I answer all of your questions. I’m pleased to see a gradual increase in the amounts of questions and comments each week and I will sit behind my laptop and answer everyone until I’ve gotten to every one. As I’ve said before, if you take the time to write me, I should have the courtesy to reply. So, with no further delay, let’s see what’s on your minds this week…
GIVE THAT MAN AN OSCAR
Geno,
Do you think Don King can lure Trinidad to fight Oscar one more time or is Trinidad is done for good?
Brian
Brian,
Don King is the king of promotions and if anyone can bring Tito back to the game, it’s him. Felix Trinidad has accomplished so much. It’s just a shame that every time that he loses, he retires. It reminds me of this guy that used to play that video game “Virtual Fighter” and was always winning. He was going through the competition like crazy until he ran into me and after I was victorious, he actually punched the machine and stormed away, never to play again. He was a great player, and could have accomplished so much when it came down to Virtual Fighter, but it was never to be. The same thing with our friend, Tito. Oscar De La Hoya can only bring money to Trinidad, but nothing outside of that. Remember, Tito won their first fight and has nothing left to prove by facing “The Golden Boy.” I expect that we will never see this once great warrior in the ring again. I’m happy just sitting back and enjoying his bouts with Vargas, Reid, Carr, and Mayorga. He entertained us all.
Geno,
Personally, De La Hoya should hang up his gloves. He’s not the fighter he once was. He’s not hungry anymore he should let some of the younger fighters get a chance at the title.
John Phillipi
John,
De La Hoya certainly is not the same fighter that he once was, but with the lack of true star power in boxing, he is always welcomed. Even a bad De La Hoya is better than many of the others in the game right now. I have to disagree with you about the hunger too. I think that he is very motivated to win against Mayorga.
Geno,
Is Felix Trinidad coming back anytime soon? If so, do you think he would fight Floyd Mayweather at 154? I think that would be the best fight out there?
DeJon
DeJon,
I don’t’ think that Trinidad is coming back, but if he does, he may come back at 154, but I don’t think that PBF would go after such a big, skilled, guy. Trinidad, if he’s coming back relatively soon would probably fight in the seniors tour against guys like Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley, Ike Quartey, and De La Hoya. I don’t think that we will see him again however.
Geno,
If Oscar De La Hoya trains right and I mean right, he will win by a unanimous decision…a big time unanimous decision.
James
James,
De La Hoya will come into the bout in superb condition. He’s not a fighter to come into a bout out of shape. The question isn’t conditioning so much, it’s mindset. If Oscar lets anger get the best of him, he greatly increases the chances of a Mayorga upset. If he is tempted to go for the knockout because Mayorga is so easy to hit, he could be in for a fall. This is a very dangerous bout for “The Golden Boy” and will certainly give the fans a treat. A unanimous decision for De La Hoya seems to be the most likely, but for twelve rounds, there will be that dangerous puncher looking for the opening to land a power punch. It’s going to be fun.
Geno,
Why would the many flashy punches De La Hoya was landing not be more effective against how many punches Trinidad was throwing? Are you saying that Trinadad’s non-landing harder punches are more effective than De La Hoya’s landing punches?
George Hernandez Jr.
George,
I scored their bout 116-112 for Felix Trinidad and maybe one day, I will break it down if I find the ambition to sit through it again. I thought that De La Hoya was trying to steal the rounds with quick, meaningless combinations that didn’t accomplish anything. Trinidad wanted to fight and kept pushing forward. De La Hoya had his moments but I thought that it was close going into last four rounds of the fight. Trinidad closed the show and won the fight, in my opinion. This surely is one of those debatable decisions as Hagler-Leonard was. By the way, Hagler got jobbed!!! I had Hagler winning that one, but I can live with the Leonard victory. Marvelous Marvin gave away the first four rounds and danced at the end. I have an issue with boxers dancing after a bout, especially Marvin Hagler. He’s too tough to dance. Thank God that Dancing with the Stars wasn’t created back then. Who knows how far Hagler would have taken it?
Geno,
Hey in my opinion I think that the De La Hoya-Mayorga bout is going to be an entertaining fight. It always is whenever Ricardo Mayorga fights. He puts on a good show. Would you think that a fight will ever happen between Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga???
Abraham Nunez
Abraham,
I agree. De La Hoya and Mayorga should be a good show and it may prove to be a memorable night. I am really looking forward to it and I suspect a few bumps in the road for “The Golden Boy” along the way before he goes on to win a decision, but I would not be surprised if we see an upset. Remember, De La Hoya has not had a definitive win since 2003 when he stopped a zombie by the name of Yory Boy Campus. So, it’s difficult to gage just how much De La Hoya has left and he may just be a name going in there to be disposed of by a hard-hitting, gutsy warrior.
A bout with Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga would be a fight fan’s dream and I would favor Vargas slightly, but he’s nearly shot and may just walking into a minefield should he take on Mayorga. I would like to see it happen…not on PPV though.
THE CANNON
Geno,
Padding? I think he may have surrounded himself with 3 feet of bubble wrap (the big bubbles, not the better-known little guys). I remember the night that he fought Lewis. Briefly, he had Lewis in trouble. – I believe he had Lewis out on his feet. Lewis lashed out instinctively and floored Briggs (again). I vaguely remember Lewis asking somebody after the fight: “What happened” Huh, a good night. I hated Lewis at the time and Briggs as well. My love of a boxer has to be earned. Again with the rambling… It seems I always write in when it’s bedtime, and I’m on the verge of both physical and mental collapse. One day I’ll write when I can be more coherent.
Ben
Ben,
I appreciate the email, but the thought of a man lying in bed with me on their mind is, well, flattering…I mean disturbing! Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs is an active heavyweight beating average competition, but does have charisma, and a huge punch. His knockout of Dicky Ryan was terrifying. I played it in slow motion to make sure that Ryan still had a head because I thought that it was launched into the audience. Briggs’ bout with Lennox Lewis was a good effort and he did stun the champion with his speed more than anything. He is a reasonably good heavyweight and would be a good match for one of the young guns like Samuel Peter or Calvin Brock.
My love for a boxer has to be earned to. (Note: My love is not earned with flowers…just in case there is some misunderstanding, boxers) Ben, I’m a rambling man too. It’s not something that you can control.
WHY WON’T YOU PICK MY POPO’S?
Geno,
Wow that was quite a prediction there. I still say it’s Popo who will win this rather boring fight. Don’t get me wrong. I know boxing purists will say that boxing is a sweet science and a war of strategies. It’s just that Pacman spoiled me by dishing out one electrifying fight after the other, win or lose.
I think the Arce- Alvarez fight is better than the main event where we know that PBF will surely dominate Zab. I find this guy Jorge very entertaining and also very exciting.
Kadyo
Kadyo,
I think that Raheem-Freitas is going to be a great bout and I’m so happy that I’m going to be there, covering it for RSR. Popo is going to press because he has to, and Raheem is going to try to keep him away with skill and I think that it’s going to be great! Pacman is fantastic and exciting. Arce-Alvarez, on paper, was a great fight going in, but Alvarez came into the bout out of shape and unprepared.
SUCH A PRETTY BOY
Geno,
I totally agree with the article saying that Zab is like a trapped animal. If Zab wins I think it will be via knockout. However if Floyd wins I think it will be by a split decision because Floyd will land more punches but with less power.
I hate Floyd Mayweather and he said that he wanted to fight Wright but Wright priced himself out. Wright would murder Floyd because of his sheer size. However if Floyd was naturally bigger he could pose a threat.
I think if Mayweather fought Hatton he would kill Hatton because Hatton doesn’t seem to have much defense. He would walk forward and Mayweather would keep hitting him. However, I think Margarito is like a faster Hatton with better footwork. I think Margarito is the best of the fighters around this weight out of Cotto, Hatton, Judah, Mayweather…etc. What do you think?
Mark
Mark,
Zab really redeemed himself with his performance over the weekend. He stood up to vicious punishment and tried his best against a boxer that just seems to improve every time out. As for Floyd’s proposed bout with Winky Wright: I would surely favor Wright for the size differential, but you can never count out the pound for pound king. He may just use his timing and reflexes to defeat Wright. Remember, Wright had issues with Sam Soliman and Fernando Vargas. They both out-worked him and put him into a shell. PBF is the smartest boxer in the game. He may just figure out a way to pull it off.
Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton is attractive, but I don’t think that the Englishman can win. He would apply the pressure, but the great counterpunching by PBF would pick him apart. The only hope for Hatton would be to outwork Floyd and hopefully grab a decision, but I would certainly pick “Pretty Boy” big time to win by a wide margin on the cards. I would love to see Ricky Hatton take on Miguel Cotto. It would be two freight trains crashing into each other. Antonio Margarito is surely the most avoided boxer in the game and for good reason. He’s huge and carries a big punch. I don’t know if he could beat Floyd, but he is a better challenge than Cotto or Hatton.
Geno,
Please correct me if I am wrong, Geno. I read somewhere that PBF was once a super featherweight fighter with MAB and El Terrible also in that division until PBF moved up. Who’s ruling that division during that time? Just wondering how come these 3 never cross-path? I also read that MAB and El Terrible avoided PBF and that is why PBF was cheering for the Pacman in The Battle.
Lastly, during PBF’s campaign at super featherweight which division the Pacman was in? Thanks Geno and keep well…
Emmanuel D Mallari JR.
Emmanuel,
PBF did start off as a super featherweight and I don’t think that MAB or EM wanted any piece of him. At that time, there was no real money in it, which is probably part of the reason why neither went out of their way to take him on. They were also super bantamweights at the time and didn’t see a reason to move up and take a beating. Floyd has always sought respect and wants to defeat the most highly regarded boxers and MAB and EM were certainly that. At the time, the Pacman was a flyweight…a mere 112 pounds. I hope that you keep well as well.
Geno,
Finally, someone who agrees with my prediction of this fight! Judah will be to fast and to strong for Mayweather to handle! Mayweather is so used to being so much faster than everyone he fights that I think he won’t handle Judah’s hand speed too well. Plus, the fact that Judah’s a southpaw will make it that much tougher for Mayweather to deal with. Take nothing away from Mayweather. He is a dynamite fighter but styles make fights and this is a bad match up style wise for Mayweather. I predict Judah will stop him in 10, but it will be one helluva fight!
Jmac
Jmac,
It was one helluva fight and both men proved that they are at the top of their division. I, like you, thought that Judah was going to take this one because of the speed that he possessed, but he wasn’t able to put enough punishment on PBF to neutralize him in the later rounds. I thought that it was a close fight with the definite nod going to Mayweather JR., but I think that a lot of people are reconsidering Zab Judah.
Geno,
Great article. It’s nice to see someone shedding light on the PPV for a change. I love both and I agree with you that it should be a great fight and Judah can pull of the upset
Darryl
Darryl,
Thanks for the props. The amount of horrible articles concerning this bout and disrespectful comments from the guys that consider themselves writers all over the net turns my stomach. It’s one thing to say that you don’t consider Zab Judah much of a challenge, but to call him a piece of sh*t, which one idiot writer did is incredibly unprofessional. It’s a sign of the times, where the writers think that they have to have a gimmick. If the boxers can be thugs, why can’t the people that write about them follow suit? If this disturbing trend continues, we may just witness Larry Merchant using the F word during interviews and perhaps he would even claim that he and Lampley are “thuggin and buggin.” I don’t think that HBO would stand for it, but some websites certainly do.
Geno,
The best thing to ever happened to Zab was his loss that he had at his last fight. That loss pushed his back to the wall and he knows this might be his last chance, So I believe he will be at his best for this fight, and even though the writer suggest PBF has fought the best opposition, I disagree. Diego Corrales had to move up in weight if am not mistaken. PBF lost the 1st fight against Castillo, so I think the level opposition is about the same. But one thing for sure this will be great a fight.
Wale
Wale,
I agree that the loss to Carlos Baldomir was the best thing that could have happened to him because it opened his eyes and made him realize that he had to give his best in the bout with PBF and he did. You are mistaken about Diego Corrales moving up in weight to take on Floyd. He began his career at 130+ and faced PBF at super featherweight. In the first bout with Jose Luis Castillo is debatable, but I thought that PBF won both bouts. I do rate Mayweather’s competition higher than Zab’s without question.
Geno,
How do you see these match ups:
Floyd Mayweather JR. vs Ricky Hatton? Manny Pacquiao vs Diego Corrales?
Are they possible to happen?
M
M,
Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton: I see Hatton putting on the pressure and pushing PBF to the ropes and trying to work the body and head. Floyd would counterpunch effectively and chop away at the Englishman, eventually leading to a stoppage on cuts or a wide decision victory.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Diego Corrales: I cannot find a scenario that Pacman can win this bout. He’s got a big punch, but Corrales is the much bigger man and I think that he could absorb it and remain on his feet. “Chico” also has great timing, which will help him with the herky-jerky Pacman and I would pick Corrales to stop him in three to four rounds. Pacman is great, but you can only push yourself so far. Now, he may surprise me and land that straight left hand, sending Corrales to the canvas and scoring a KO win. When he faced MAB, he was considered too small by many and he utterly destroyed him. So, we will have to see.
They are both very possible at this time. I know that Freddie Roach has stated that Corrales is a possibility, which would be a big money fight and money runs the sport. So, I think that it’s definitely possible, just as Mayweather taking on the popular Ricky Hatton.
FROM THE UKRAIN WITH LOVE
Geno,
Your analysis is right on and Wladimir should be victorious. Size does matter in this instance, also IQ (Byrd is bright too). The Ukrainian is just too big and too smart to drop this one; also, he won’t be drugged!!!
Dr. Raeder Anderson
Doctor,
Thanks for saying that my analysis was right on. Right on Doctor! That’s a pretty old saying from the seventies, I believe. Right on! Like all other good things, it will return, and hopefully at a professional level. At my next job interview, I want the boss to say: “Geno, I read your r?sum? and all I have to say is: Right on!” That would rock! Size does matter and it’s going to be a big obstacle for Chris Byrd to overcome. I do give Byrd a better chance than most because of the fragile chin and lack of endurance that the big man has proven to have, but I see Wlad walking away as the champ. He does have a good excuse though if he loses… “I was drugged again.” I thought that that was a lame excuse for the Brewster defeat and it was only put out there to save face, but you’re the doctor, you tell me.
POPULARITY CONTEST
Geno,
Who do you think is the most popular boxer in the world today? And please give me a short list of fights, which you think would be very much interesting and exciting to see. Thanks a lot! Take care and God Bless!
Leonard
Leonard,
I think that the most popular boxer in the world today has to be Oscar De La Hoya, and it will be proven when he returns against Ricardo Mayorga. Win or lose, “The Golden Boy” sells fights like nobody else. The fights that I would like to see would be: PBF vs. Antonio Margarito, Pacman vs. MAB 2, Hatton vs. Cotto, O’Neil Bell vs. Vassiliy Jirov, Antonio Tarver vs. O’Neil Bell, Edison Miranda vs. Jermain Taylor, and the heavyweight title unified one way or another.
THE BOXER FORMERLY KNOWN AS PRINCE
Geno,
I want to know what happen to Prince Hamed.
Felix Avendano
Felix,
The Prince, Naseem Hamed was great and I really enjoyed his bouts and his cockiness. A great boxer is considered great by coming back from defeat, and re-establishing themselves as a true champion. Hamed’s loss to MAB ruined him as a fighter, even though he returned with a victory afterward. I don’t think that his heart is in it anymore, but there has been talk of a return. Many want to see Pacman and the Prince go head to head and it does seem like an attractive bout until the facts are presented. Hamed hasn’t fought in four years and his bout with Kevin Kelley that we all remember was in 1997. I think he was a shooting star…burning out quickly, but entertaining us along the way.
IN A FLASH
Geno,
Just to let you know enjoy reading your column very much. Please help me find articles on the great Flash Elorde. In my book, he the best boxer to come out of the Philippines. I’d love to watch his old fights on tape or DVD if there one for sale. Thanks a lot.
Mike C. Castro
Mike,
Flash Elorde retired with a record of, 87-27-2, 33 KO’s, winning the WBA/WBC Super Featherweight Title along the way. He was at his best in the mid-sixties and was really a dominant force. I punched in his name in the yahoo search bar and several articles came up. So, you can find several good articles on this great boxer there. I have found several places that you could purchase bouts of Elorde on DVD/Video, but I have purchased bouts on DVD with the quality level of an 8/10 and it was garbage. So, I’m not going to recommend anyone or steer you anywhere because I don’t want you to get burnt and say: “Geno recommended these guys. I hate Geno now. Geno is an idiot and I’m going to find him and beat him to a pulp, Flash Elorde style.” I do not want to get beaten to a pulp.
DREAM FIGHTS
Geno,
Great breakdown of the old school guys in Ask Geno. I love that type of stuff and going to throw mine in.
Dream Matches:
Salvador Sanchez vs. a more seasoned Azumah Nelson
Tony Tubbs vs. Chris Byrd
Mike Tyson in his prime vs. Muhammad Ali
Tommy Hearns at welterweight vs. Sugar Ray Robinson
James
James,
You have the: Geno Bambino Question of the Week. This is an award that you should treasure because I only give it out once a week.
Salvador Sanchez vs. Azumah Nelson
Salvador Sanchez only lost one fight in his career and that was by split decision. He was able to knockout Azumah Nelson, which is no small feat. Now, Nelson had only thirteen bouts in their encounter and for him to go fifteen rounds with Sanchez at this point in his career was amazing. I would lean toward Nelson winning a decision in a rematch, but sadly, Sanchez died in a car accident shortly after their bout and it was never to be. I see a quick pace with “The Professor” winning a close, but unanimous decision.
Tony “TNT” Tubbs vs. Chris Byrd
I am a big Tony Tubbs fan and I think that if he didn’t have some personal problems, he would have gone farther in the sport. Perhaps his last name “Tubbs” was part of the problem. Tubby chubby. You know what I’m saying? A focused Tony Tubbs clearly outpoints Chris Byrd over twelve or fifteen rounds. His speed was something else, and really amazing considering his size. He was a fat heavyweight, but he had middleweight speed. I remember when he faced Mike Tyson and came into bout really out of shape, but was really doing well in the first round. Had he been in shape, he may have given Tyson a real go.
Mike Tyson vs. Muhammad Ali
Are you guys ready to get mad at me? Okay, Ali was great, but I believe that he is overrated. Because of his outside of ring accomplishments, his inside the ring accomplishments have added up to more than they were. I will say that robbing him of the best three years of his boxing career was a huge black eye for our Government and they have many. Ali should have been allowed to fight. Now, recently people have re-evaluated Mike Tyson’s career and have determined that since he lost to Kevin McBride and Danny Williams, that he wasn’t that great to begin with. I place Iron Mike in my top ten of all time greats and in his prime, he would be a handful for everyone, including and especially Muhammad Ali. Ali was susceptible for the left hook as displayed by Joe Frazier and Henry Cooper. Mike Tyson would rush Ali and “The Greatest” would move, but timing is what matters here. Tyson, at his best, could time these movers very well and I believe that he would catch Ali and stop him in the middle rounds. Styles make fights. I believe that George Foreman would beat Mike Tyson and of course, Ali had Foreman’s number. So Tyson wins and I’m awaiting the hate mail.
Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns vs. Sugar Ray Robinson
As much respect for Hearns that I have and I do, I would lean toward Ray Robinson to score a late stoppage. It would be similar to the Leonard-Hearns bout, where Hearns is boxing from the outside and controlling, but as the rounds go on, Robinson would find his openings and with his reflexes, you have to assume that he would find the fragile chin of Hearns and end it. So, I will say Robinson by ninth round stoppage.
NATE CAMPBELL AND ROBBIE PEDEN’S PROSPECTS
Geno,
How good is Nate Campbell? Do you think Robbie Peden will be back and a force?
Steven
Steven,
Nate Campbell is good…not great. His recent loss against Isaac Hlatshwayo on national television is a big set back in his career, which is a shame considering that he had a lot of momentum when he scored a knockout win over the popular Kid Diamond. Robbie Peden is a force, but he’s just a notch underneath the kings of the division. He can get to the big fight, but just can’t win it.
THE PAC SACK
Geno,
There are a lot of news saying that Manny Pacquiao is a great boxer and one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. But there are also a lot of critics saying that Manny is without a belt or without a legitimate World Championship title, therefore how can you consider him a great pound for pound fighter? My question is, how important is the world championship title? Is the quality of opponents, or world popularity more important than winning a world championship title? What would it take to be considered a great fighter? Would it mean like winning at least three world championships titles in three different weight divisions as what Marco Antonio Barrera and Eric Morales did?
Please give me your opinion about these Geno. Thanks a lot! More power to you and to your program…
Leonard
Leonard,
Unfortunately the world championships have become nearly meaningless because there are too many weight divisions and too many sanctioning bodies. Having four world Heavyweight Champions is ridiculous, but it’s a sign of the times. The sanctioning bodies want money and that’s why we have champions and then super champions. I would like to kick the guy that came up with the idea of a super champion square in the grapes. It completely waters down the title and is only there for one reason and that reason is to line the pockets of the fat cats that run the sanctioning bodies. So, Manny Pacquiao defeating MAB and EM places him on the pound for pound list regardless of titles. Boxing needs to be reformed and we need one champion per division, and the titles need to be cemented together infinitely. I would like to see 15 round championship bouts return and one champion per division. It’s not going to happen, but we can dream.
Geno,
I appreciate your column and answers. One thing I would like to ask is, who do you think will likely fight Pacquiao? I’m Filipino, but I tip my hat to Mexican fighters in giving Pacman a big challenge and that his name becomes more prominent here in American soil. There are lots of good fighters yet the break they needed isn’t on their side for now. He is truly a Filipino Phenom. Thanks again and more power to your column.
Rey Estocada
Rey,
I think that Erik Morales wants one more go at the Pacman to find out if he lost the last fight to a better man, or due to outside interferences that took his mind out of the bout and allowed Pacquiao to roll over him. It’s like the Rocky 3 film with Rocky losing to Clubber Lang for all the wrong reasons. He came back, trained hard, wore half shirts for some reason, and got revenge. Morales wants to do the same, minus the half shirts. They are 1-1 right now and a third bout will settle it. The hopeful bout, of course, is a rematch with MAB.
Geno,
Pacman’s recent success has opened doors for other Filipino boxers and has helped expose the world to the abilities of Filipino boxers. Recently, Golden Boy Promotions signed two promising young boxers in Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and Z “the Dream” Gorres. My question is, have seen Bautista or Gorres fight? If so, what do you think of them or other promising Filipino boxers(like Brian Viloria) that you may have seen in action.
Mark
Mark,
I have yet to see Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, 19-0, 14 KO’s, or Z “The Dream” Gorres, 23-1, 12 KO’s, but it’s nice to see them coming to the states. I have seen “The Hawaiian Punch” a few times and I was impressed.
Geno,
Can I ask your prediction on the Pacman-Larios fight? Thanks.
Jem Buenafe
Jem,
You can ask me anything. My prediction for Pacman vs. Larios is a quick night for Pacquiao. This is not so much a mismatch as it is a bad match up in style. You don’t walk straight into a tank and Larios will and he will end up floor. So, Pacman by KO in 2 rounds.
Geno,
I know that this question was asked many times.
Do you think that MP was afraid of EM? I want to comment to the post of Mr. Gerard McLaughlin: Why would Pac agree with the 132Lbs when the rematch clause is 130? Is he stupid enough to give Eric an advantage? Eric won the first fight, and I know that he gave Pac a rematch at 130 because he knew that he can beat Pac again, unfortunately he lost, a devastating loss. Now that he knows that he will have a hard time beating Pac again, he wants to fight Pac at 132? Yeah I understand EM, he lost at 135, he lost at 130, maybe he has a chance at 132, why not 132.5? BTW, I really like the way you answer questions Geno. Keep it up!
Eric
Eric,
I don’t think that Pacman was afraid of EM, but I do think that he wants to give himself the best chance to win and so too does EM. Boxers will always argue over the petty things. Sometimes it’s just a ploy to get more money or to mentally mess with their future opponent. I don’t think that a pound or two is going to make much of a difference if they meet again. Whomever is going to win is the person that is going to win. Thanks for the compliments and I will keep on answering as long as I get questions.
Geno,
I’m a new fan of boxing and frankly I’ve never been interested in it until I’ve heard the name Pacquiao from a friend of mine and being a Filipino like myself this made me even more curious. Nowadays given the situation in the old country, I guess there isn’t really that much I could be proud of until an obscure boxer named Pacquiao came on the scene. But not to get off on the wrong subject, the real reason why I’m writing to you is perhaps you could help me with some of the boxing lingos. Here they are:
1) What does pound for pound mean?
2) What is unifying the division?
3) What is making the weight, does it mean if a boxer is over or under the weight limit he is disqualified?
I know these questions might sound too bonehead but I would appreciate if you would take the time to give me the explanations. Thanks and more power to you and more power to Pacman.
Rob
Rob,
I would like to welcome you to boxing. It is a great sport and it’s easy to get addicted to it. I’m a boxing junkie. If anyone can get you into the sport, it’s an exciting boxer like the Pacman. For me, it was Mike Tyson. Now to answer your questions:
1. Pound for Pound describes the best fighter in the sport, period. It basically is a promotional tool used to hype up bouts. It also gives the super champions something to aspire for, although, overall, it’s meaningless.
2. Unifying the division is winning all of the titles of that particular weight class. For instance, if Nicolay Valuev, the WBA Heavyweight Champion, were to beat Chris Byrd, the IBF Heavyweight Champion, and Hasim Rahman, the WBC Heavyweight Champion, they would be the unified champion of the world. You could unify in part a division. If you have two belts, you are still a unified champion, but to unify an entire division, you have to have them all.
3. Each division has a certain weight restriction that all boxers must abide by in order to be eligible for that title. If you do not meet the requirement, you cannot win the title. A boxer can come into a bout under the weight limit without problem. Only when they are over is there a problem.
More power to you as well.
Geno,
Morales is truly a great warrior and that’s the whole truth and let us give him a chance. We have to wait for the third match to prove for himself. Yes Geno, the fact that they have tied already at 1-1. So let’s see and enjoy the third encounter of these two great warriors on this era.
George of Surigao City, Philippines
George,
You said it all. I thank you for your comments and keep reading!
Geno,
Good day BOXING GURU, PAC is a 28yr old guy. He’s not that young…not that old, but do you think he can still be able to upgrade to a LIGHTWEIGHT and beat some top names in this division.
What can you say about…
FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS RICKY HATTON??
Pacfan
Pacfan,
I don’t think that he’s strong enough to take on guys like Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales, but he does have the speed and power to at least test it out and see where it takes him. He and Corrales would be a huge draw and the money alone would make it worth it. He may have to move up considering the fact that he is clearing out the super featherweight division. Boxing Guru? I like that. It’s much better than most of the nicknames that people have given me over the years. As for Hatton-Mayweather…just scroll up. I think that I answered it a couple of times already.
Geno,
I’m a big fan of boxing and Pacman is one of my favorite boxers and I just can’t understand why do I always hear the question if Pacman was really 130 pound fighter. He beat the likes of MAB and EM that are considered best fighters of the 130 pound division. Can you enlighten me as to when do they consider a fighter as a 130 pound fighter?
Denzel
Denzel,
I think the reason that Pacman isn’t considered a true 130 pound boxer is the fact that he started boxing as a flyweight. I don’t think that anything negative is meant by the statement. Just as James Toney has been called a blown up middleweight…nothing negative meant by it. When Jim Lampley called him a “fat tub of goo,” that was negative. Does he even know what goo is?
Geno,
I just want to give my opinion, about to Pacman moving up to 135lbs to challenge Diego Corrales. In my analysis Pacman can easily beat Corrales because Pacman knows how to handle fighters bigger than him, even if he weighs less than 135lbs, because he has the SPEED and POWER that Corrales cannot afford to handle.
And I’m excited to see it, in the near future.
Rick
Rick,
Everyone seems to be talking about this dream match up of Diego Corrales and Pacman and it is a very intriguing bout, but I have to go with “Chico.” Corrales is just so big for his weight and he’s got great timing. It would be a great bout and the more emails that I’m getting regarding it, the more exciting it is. The question should be: Can Pacman take the Corrales punch? Diego hits very hard.
Geno,
Nice site…been reading all comments for quite a long time… Edwin Valero was a power punch, but not yet tested. I don’t think he can mix it up with the Pacman…experience was a big factor there…we should see Valero fight with great fighters not the patsy ones…and I don’t see him knocking out Pacman even though he’s a powerful puncher. In your opinion, can Valero land a bomb on Pacman? As we know Pacman posseses super speed and a powerful arsenal. I don’t think Valero can beat Pacman. What do you think? Thanks, have a good day fellah!
Jo-Ara
Jo-Ara,
Anyone with 19 wins and all of them by knockout has to be considered a serious prospect, but at this time, it is far too early to match him with the Pacman. If he continues to win his bouts by knockout, he will be in line for a shot with one of the big men of the game. At this point, I would say that Valero is too green and would be an underdog in a match with Pacman.
Geno,
Some people seem to think that going up 2 pounds in weight is a big issue in boxing. I mean, when Pacman trained for the Morales II fight, he didn’t have to do any extraordinary measures to reach 130 lbs. In fact at the weigh-in he came in at 128-1/2 pounds, 1-1/2 short of the limit, while Morales clipped the 130 pound exactly. Does that mean that Pacman will be at a disadvantage if the fight is staged at 132 pounds? Why do you think 2 pounds is an issue?
Ton
Ton,
In my opinion, the weight isn’t going to make a difference one way or another. I don’t think that 2 pounds makes any sort of difference.
Geno,
I appreciate your comments that the facts that Manny Pacquiao dominates MAB, get even with EM and draw with JMM shows his greatness. MAB and EM are past their primes and Pacman is in his prime years. That’s it.
Andrew
Andrew,
Without question, time is on Pacman’s side and MAB and EM are beyond their better days. That’s it for you? That’s it for me.
Geno,
This is the second time I’m writing to you regarding the question if Pacman was a real 130lbs. fighter. I’m getting sick and tired of these commentators and analysts asking the same questions repeatedly if Pacman was a real 130pounder fighter. Can you enlighten me up as to when a fighter considered a 130lbs fighter. I love boxing and these people make me sick every time they raise that question about the Pacman. Does MAB and EM was not enough proof to prove to them that Pacman belongs to 130lbs. category. Please reply on this matter. Your only reply will make me have some peace of mind. God Bless and more power to you.
Jonathan
Jonathan,
Welcome back my friend. First and foremost, bless you and more power to you as well. I think that the fact that Pacman was once a flyweight, people cling on to that and can’t get beyond that. He may not be as physically strong as some, but there are many elements in boxing and the Pacman has speed, timing, and power. That can bring him a long way and to many titles and perhaps to even higher weight classes. I consider him a legitimate 130 pounder at this time in his career. He knocked out MAB and EM…can’t get much better than that.
Geno,
Good day man. In the occasion Barrera loses his belt and still goes to a rematch with Pacman, don’t you think they should fight at the featherweight limit of 126lbs? I think Barrera should beat Pacman only in this weight to really achieve redemption. Nevertheless, I don’t think Barrera can ever beat the Pacman even if they fight barehanded. Go Manny “The Baby-Faced Assassin Assassin” Pacquiao!!!
Rommel Bernabe, #1 Pacfan
Tanay, Rizal Philippines
Rommel,
“The baby faced assassin assassin?” That’s pretty funny. I don’t really think that weight matters. If they fight at 126 or 130 or 135, I don’t think that the outcome is going to be different. If MAB wins at any weight, it’s redemption, but I haven’t seen many boxers come back from such a beating to conquer the man that defeated them the first time around. If MAB wins in a rematch, even bare-handed or as heavyweights would be a major accomplishment.
Geno,
Should PACMAN worry after the news recently revealed EM reunited to his former trainer (his father). Do you think EM looking to all possible help he can get? What do you think will be the outcome of coming III fight?
PACMAN vs Barrios?
VILLORIA vs Arce?
HATTON vs PBF? PACMAN vs Jesus Chavez?
More power to you BOXING GURU, thanks for posting this one…
EM
EM,
Pacman has every right to be concerned about EM because he has nothing to lose. I would lean toward Pacman to win via stoppage in five or six rounds in a rematch, but EM cannot be taken lightly.
Pacman vs. Barrios: Pacman would have to be favored by knockout in this one, although Barrios is a very good fighter with a decent chin and a lot of heat.
Villoria vs. Arce: This bout would be fantastic, but I have a hard time going against Jorge Arce. Arce by knockout in eight rounds.
Hatton vs. PBF: Pretty Boy by UD.
Pacman vs. Jesus Chavez: Pacman, big time. Chavez would not be able to stand up to the power punches coming his way. Pacman in 6 rounds.
More power to you as well.
Okay, people, this wraps it up for this week and I hope that you all received the answers that you sought. Take care and I will talk to you next week.
