Hey there people. I want to thank all of the readers for the consistent support of this segment and I encourage everyone that has a question or comment to send it my way. I also want to thank all of our readers for staying loyal while we changed servers and had some issues with our message board. I hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend. Now, without any further delay, let’s see what our RSR readers had on their minds?
MY OLD FRIEND GERARD
Geno,
Starting to think of you as an old friend. I see a lot of talk about Pacman moving up to fight Corrales. If this is the ultimate plan, why not move up to the 132 for Morales fight? Surely it would be a natural step towards Corrales. Pac gets the gloves and Morales gets the weight, and just want to say couldn’t agree more with George of Surigao City, who summed it up last week. Its 1 – 1 lets enjoy the third. And to clear up something when I asked if you fancied Judah, there was no hint of innuendo, its how we Irish say um…pick Judah in PBF Fight (good call by the way :D). E.G. I fancy Judah to get win?I fancy a beer tonight etc. Cheers Geno, a pleasure as always.
Gerard McLaughlin
Gerard,
My old friend?how are you doing? I am of the belief that a pound or two more or less won’t make a difference with these two. The Morales-Pacquiao story is still incomplete. Just because the Pacman decisively won the second encounter doesn’t mean that there is no intrigue in a third encounter. Morales cannot be underestimated. He will be motivated to avenge this defeat and will try to revert back to the form he was in prior to the Raheem loss. He wants to stand on the outside and control the action, and the question has to be: If he can do this and stick with it, will the Pacman be able to repeat his last performance? Morales’ back is against the wall and will do his best. Will it be good enough? I don’t think so, but I’ve been wrong before. So, I will agree with you and George there: it’s 1-1?let’s enjoy the third!
I’m glad that you cleared up the “fancy” thing. Now that I know what it really means, I have been using it left and right. Right now, I fancy the Sasquatch. I don’t know how it is in Ireland, but here in the states, they are going through a Bigfoot frenzy. There are all sorts of specials about the mysterious man-ape and I am a sucker for programming like this. If it weren’t for boxing, I would dedicate my life to tracking down the Yeti and proving that it exists. Then again, after watching the movie “Deliverance,” I don’t know if I would have the heart to track deep into the woods.
JUDAH-MAYWEATHER JR. AFTERMATH
Geno,
I believe that the referee made the right call. How can you disqualify Mayweather JR., a person that received two illegal shots? As for Zab’s claims of being choked: look at the replay when he went after Roger Mayweather clear as day. Granted, Roger should not be in the ring?the right call was made by the ref!
Erik
Erik,
The rules are there for a reason and they clearly state that they “may” disqualify a fighter for a corner’s actions, which leaves enough wiggle room for Mayweather JR. to remain undefeated. I was thoroughly disgusted by the actions of “The Black Mamba,” and if you watch the replay, Zab attacked Roger in defense of his father. Initially, Roger stormed into the ring to confront Zab, prompting Yoel Judah to protect his son. A physical altercation was breaking out between the two and Zab came to his dad’s defense. That’s when all hell broke loose and some of the thugs that Mayweather JR. brought with him elected to attack Judah. If Zab Judah was getting choked out, which happened, it’s not fair. I was for a No Contest, all things considered. Under the circumstances though, Richard Steele did a good job. He has almost redeemed himself for Taylor-Chavez and Tyson-Ruddock.
Geno,
I agree that Judah lost, but he got screwed out of a knockdown and that stunt Roger Mayweather did was plain wrong.
What do you think will happen to Roger? I think the corner should have been DQ’d.
Arce is the man and look for some big things from this kid.
Jay
Jay,
I had Mayweather JR. winning 115-113, unlike Glen Hamada that scored it 119-109 and apparently hasn’t seen a boxing match before. I have done some research, but unfortunately I cannot prove my theory that Hamada is the president of the Floyd Mayweather JR. fan club. I was watching the replay of the bout on HBO and Hamada had PBF winning every round up until the tenth, when he said to himself: “I’d better give Zab a round sometime soon, or they are going to question me?” I am more disgusted by that score than I was by Roger Mayweather’s actions. I like the fact that they fined “The Black Mamba” $200,000 and banned him for a year, which will hopefully tell the rest of the Norman Stone-type idiots out there that you cannot turn this sport into professional wrestling.
Jorge Arce is fantastic. His two bouts with Hussein Hussein were great. I expect nothing less than greatness from this guy.
Geno,
Zab’s loss to PBF was not so devastating in terms of physical damage. Zab is still a force to reckon with in his division. But his drawing power would greatly be diminished and popularity tarnished. Now, up and coming fighters, including contenders in his weight won’t take any chances challenging Zab because there’s everything to lose and nothing to gain. Do you think Zab will take the title of Juan Manuel Marquez as “The Avoided One”?
What’s your take on Zab’s future as a fighter? Do you think he will figure in yet another big marquee?
Toti Dimalanta
Toti,
I still consider Zab Judah a great fighter. Look at the facts: he knocked down PBF and made it a close, competitive bout regardless of what one idiot judge said. Had the KD counted, my card would have been 114-113 for PBF and you cannot get much closer than that. Down the stretch, PBF was winning without question and he may have scored a KO if his idiot uncle didn’t raise hell. Zab Judah is a dangerous and talented fighter that will be a handful for Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, or anyone else that they line up. I don’t think that Margarito would avoid anyone though. He is out to prove himself and doesn’t seem to duck anyone. He is more of the “avoided one” than anyone else. For Zab to return to main event status, he has to score a big win over one of these up and comers that plan to use him as a stepping stone, or one of these guys that try to quickly stop him to send a message to PBF. Whatever the case, I’m not ready to say that Judah is completely out of the championship picture.
FEARLESS FORECASTS
Geno,
How about some predictions for these upcoming bouts?
Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko
Acelino Freitas vs. Zahir Raheem
Ricardo Mayorga vs. Oscar De La Hoya
Luis Collazo vs. Ricky Hatton
Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo 3
Antonio Tarver vs. Bernard Hopkins
Jermain Taylor vs. Winky Wright
“Sugar” Shane Mosley vs. Fernando Vargas 2
Carlos Balodimir vs. Arturo Gatti
Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales 3
EM
EM,
Congratulations. You got the Geno Bambino Question of the Week. This is quite a handful, but I will sort my way through it and give you my predictions, for what they’re worth. I had quite a streak going, until the Brewster-Lyakhovich bout jinxed me. Now I’m 0-2 in the last two bouts and I may be in a downward spiral when it comes to boxing predictions. Well, here is my chance for redemption.
Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko
I’m not really confident about this prediction, but I am leaning toward the big man to hold on and win a relatively close UD. I do think that Byrd has a knockout on his mind, and wants this bout more than people know. The people that I have talked to constantly say that Byrd took the fight for the money and doesn’t think that he can win. I completely disagree. This is more than money. This is a chance to shut up all the critics that have had a field day at his expense over the course of his title reign. So, I am reluctantly picking Wlad by UD.
Acelino Freitas vs. Zahir Raheem
The awkward Freitas will present problems for Raheem, but I am picking Raheem to run away with this one. I thought that Joel Casamayor defeated Freitas and when you put a true boxer against an unorthodox brawler, the skill will overcome. Raheem by WIDE UD.
Ricardo Mayorga vs. Oscar De La Hoya
I give the powerful Mayorga one heck of a shot, but De La Hoya has always been a thinking man’s fighter and I think that he will do the right thing and out-box the heavy-handed crazy man over the course of twelve rounds. I can’t see Oscar stopping Mayorga, but I think that he can certainly out-box him. De La Hoya by UD.
Ricky Hatton vs. Luis Collazo
Okay. I’m out on a limb again. I am picking Luis Collazo to upset the Englishman by decision. You have to give Hatton credit for beating Tszyu in a street fight and coming back to beat Carlos Maussa, but Luis Collazo is not to be underrated and is a southpaw with quick hands and good reflexes. He will try to keep this bout in the center of the ring and if this goes the way that I think it will, I believe that Hatton may be stopped on cuts or lose a decision. Hatton will be aggressive and if Collazo isn’t terrified, he should win a UD. Do you like how I left myself an out? If he loses, I will just tell everyone that “he was obviously scared.”
Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo 3
I am a huge fan of Corrales, but Castillo discovered the trick the last time out: left hook, left hook, left hook. Corrales has always been open for the punch and if Castillo concentrates on that, which he probably will, I believe that we will see a knockout victory for Castillo in the 8th round. Corrales knows what Castillo has planned, but can he maintain his defense against it for twelve rounds? I think not. Castillo wins.
Antonio Tarver vs. Bernard Hopkins
Am I asleep yet? This borefest will cure insomnia. HBO could make a bundle if they sold the “Cure of Insomnia PPV” instead of the Hopkins-Tarver headliner. Forget all this talk of a Tarver KO. For a KO to happen, you usually need two willing people, and Hopkins is simply cashing in on this one. You will see the same tentative boxer that you saw in the two Taylor bouts. Antonio Tarver will be equally reluctant, but will control it enough to win a UD. Bad fight and not worthy of a pay per view for sure.
Jermain Taylor vs. Winky Wright
Jermain Taylor will try to impose his strength on Winky Wright, but I don’t see it being the deciding factor. Wright is incredibly skilled and this bout will be determined on the jab. I am leaning toward Taylor by close decision, but this one is so difficult to call. It won’t be terribly exciting, but when the dust settles, I am picking Taylor by close decision.
Shane Mosley vs. Fernando Vargas II
The first fight was stopped prematurely on a swelling to Vargas’ eye, but a PPV rematch was in order? I won’t rent it, but I think that we will see a decision going to Mosley. He knows that Vargas is a sucker for the right hand and Shane will throw them all night, perhaps winning exactly the same way. This one is a question of who is less shot. Shane by UD.
Carlos Baldomir vs. Arturo Gatti
I’m out on that limb again. I am picking Baldomir to win a decision over Gatti, and perhaps even a stoppage win. Gatti is a great warrior, but over the course of his career, he has been overrated and over-hyped. Most experts believe that Gatti will box and move and win an easy decision, but the strength of Baldomir will prove to the difference. Remember, Baldomir hasn’t lost in eight years! This is not a guy that will go into this bout with a lack of confidence. He will impose himself and Gatti has never boxed and moved an entire fight. He will have exchanges and will pay for it. Baldomir by decision.
Pacman vs. Erik Morales III
Even though Morales will probably bring more to the table in this third fight than he did the last time. I still don’t think that it will be enough. I see the Pacman’s pressure being too much again and we will see Morales stopped again late in the fight. Pacman by 11th round stoppage.
OSCAR DUCKED MY WINKY
Geno,
I disagree with you when you say Oscar never ducked anyone. Winky Wright tried numerous times to get a unification bout with him in which Oscar refused.
Chris Jones
Chris,
I think that the majority of the boxers in the spotlight didn’t want to risk anything against the once unknown, Winky Wright. I think that a De La Hoya-Wright bout would be fantastic, but the money just wasn’t there and the risk was high. I guess in a way you could say that Oscar ducked your Winky, but I think that it was a monetary deal. For instance, if I got 500 dollars to face one of my buddies in a fight, I would probably say yes, but if they offered me 1000 dollars to face the old guy that walks his dog up and down my street every day, I’d opt for that bout. Considering the dog poop that I have to clean up daily that he neglects to pick up, I would probably take that bout for free. That freaking old man and his freaking dachshund! So, did you follow where I was going with that? If you got that Oscar De La Hoya would rather face an elderly man that walks a dog that poops in his yard every day, instead of one of my buddies, you are?right, I think. I can’t wait to tell my friends that the “Golden Boy” is afraid of them! My friend Steve will probably throw a party.
THE PAC SACK
Geno,
Hey bro, that damn Alvarez is all talk and no substance at all. I won’t force the issue of Raheem-Freitas and will just wait for the fight night. Hey you think this Pac-Morales rubber match has any chance of happening at all? I mean Eric insisting of 132 while Pac says the fight is only happening at 130. Maybe Eric is looking for an excuse but I maybe wrong. More power to you my friend.
Kadyo
Kadyo,
That’s not fair to say that about Alvarez. You go into a about completely out of shape and try to win?it’s nearly impossible! As for the Pacman-Morales rubber match: Rubber match? Why the heck do they call it a “rubber match?” If I was at a bar and a guy challenged me to a rubber match, I would be terrified. I’ll fight you, but keep your rubbers, I may say. But a rubber match, for one reason or another, means a third encounter when the count is one to one will happen, unless Morales is talked out of it by his family. I think that Morales needs to know if he was beaten by a better man, or if he was a victim of circumstance. A third encounter has to occur because they are tied one to one and nobody really knows what will happen if they should fight again. I would be eager to see what Morales can do to reverse what happened to him the last time.
Geno,
I hope that you are all well?
I’d like to ask you:
1. Pacman is now also into the boxing promotions business. Is this good or can this somehow led to a short reign as one of the best p4p-der.?
2. It looks to me as PBF was wearing bigger gloves than Zab. Was this the case? Is it allowed as long as they weigh equal to the opponent’s gloves?
Thanks for your enlightening replies and more power!!!
Boyaxstuv
Boyaxstuv,
1. It all depends on how he deals with distractions. I think that he’s just paving the way for the future. Perhaps with boxers like De La Hoya and Pacman taking over promotions, boxing won’t be as dirty. Then again, I doubt it.
2. PBF and Zab both had the same weight gloves on?just different brands. The gloves of PBF were apparently larger. As of now, it is legal to use two different brands as long as they weigh the same. I’ve heard rumblings that it may change sometime soon however. We’ll have to wait and see.
Thanks for the comments and more power to you as well.
Geno,
What would you think of a Manny Pacquiao and Juan Diaz fight at lightweight? I think Pacquiao is too small to challenge the likes of a Diego Corrales or a Jose Luis Castillo, but I do believe that Jaun Diaz is beatable. Come to think of it, why hasn’t a Juan Diaz and Diego Corrales bout been planned? Anyway, with both Pacquiao and Juan Diaz about the same size, I believe the Pacman can eke out a victory over the Baby Bull. Your thoughts on this?
Mark
Mark,
You have to respect Juan Diaz. His recent win over Jose Miguel Cotto was a sign of his maturity as a boxer and he is now prime to face a Jose Luis Castillo or Diego Corrales. Can he defeat either one? Probably not, but he deserves the chance. A bout with “The Baby Bull” and Pacman would be a safe bout for Pacquiao in a way because Diaz doesn’t hit that hard, although he is an active fighter and may be too big for Manny. I don’t like the prospects of a heavier Pacquiao. He should probably stay where he is. He’s already moved up several times, and the higher you move up, the less effective you usually become. Look at Vassiliy Jirov. So, I would pick Diaz to beat Pacman by a decision due mostly to the size and heart of Diaz.
Hi there, Geno!
Great to the point answers. The questions and your answers educate and inspire us boxing fans no doubt. Tabulating mentally the topics that involved Pacquiao, it seems to me that he easily dominated the questions at least 60% in your today’s column. Beside boxing skills, there must be something else in his personality. Charisma? What do you think? Thanks.
Mike
Mike,
Thanks for the props and I am here to serve. Manny Pacquiao is extremely popular for many reasons. First and foremost, he is an explosive puncher with a big heart that has destroyed boxers that have been labeled indestructible in EM and MAB. He does have a lot of charisma because of his style and power. He seems very reserved and everyone loves a humble champion. I remember seeing this bout at Foxwoods and this boxer won this bout by knockout on a devastating left hook. Well, while the losing boxer was carried out on a stretcher, this guy began dancing?not the guy on the stretcher. A guy on a stretcher dancing is absurd. I think that he could have been more humble and just waved at the crowd and went to the dressing room. So the attitude, power, and impressive wins over top-notch competition make him a fan favorite as evident by the Pacman fever that my mailbag gets every week.
HEY EL MEXICANO?THIS IS FOR YOU
Geno,
I hope this message reaches El Mexicano. I think he needs to analyze the situation. He described Pacman as an incomplete fighter and that Barrera is a great puncher (no doubt in that). But He must think also that Pacman has not reached his peak yet. He’s still gaining, but even managed to drop MAB, EM.
Peace be with us boxing fans
Dan
Dan,
I think that Pacman has flaws like every other fighter, but he is one of the best things going today. MAB and EM have ran their course and now it’s Pacman’s time to dominate he division. The fact that Pacman has accomplished so much is certainly a testament to his skill.
Thanks to all and I look forward to next week’s “Ask Geno.”
