Hello and once again to the RSR mailbag, and I would like to thank everyone for their questions and comments this week. So, let’s see what is on your mind people.
SALAMI? DID YOU SAY SALAMI?
Geno,
While some fighters are non-stop talkers, Malignaggi excels in non-stop bragging. He strikes me as very arrogant and I suspect he looks at himself in front of the mirror every night, admiring his headband that he goes to sleep with. He should be named “PAULIE MALIGnant NAGGIng.”
Honestly, Geno, how does MalignantNagging appear to you? Do you think Cotto would make a salami out of him?
Ton
Ton,
Paul Malignaggi is a fighter out of the mold of Hector Camacho. He is an arrogant and confident boxer with little power and speed. He uses reflexes and quick combinations to out-point his opponents. How many people though, stand in front of a mirror and admire a headband? I remember back in the day when I was in high school…1992-ish, and my friend Mike had a baseball hat that had the word “NOT” written upon it. Do you remember how popular that was? You are so cool…NOT! Okay, it was lame, but that was something to admire in a mirror don’t you think?
Okay, make a salami out of him…a salami? What the hell does that mean? I used to work in a video store that rented out adult movies and perhaps my perspective is forever skewed because of it, but if I were to answer this in the manner that I want to, we would no longer be family friendly site. So, I will say that if Cotto makes a salami out of Malignaggi, I don’t want to know about it. I do not consider it boxing-related.
IN THE BANK
Geno,
I enjoyed your interview but am not sold on this guy till he beats a top five guy. Also he would never hold up in the 70s era against any of the top ten. Did you see “Smokin Joe” on ESPN’s FNF? At 62, I think he could beat some of these heavies today.
Jay Fabrino
Jay,
Calvin Brock has a good punch and is undefeated. I am not sold on him yet until he defeats a legitimate top ten heavyweight, but he is an exciting prospect. He got off the canvas to outpoint Jameel McCline and is now stepping up the competition, and will find out shortly where he stands. I would not match him up against the majority of the 70’s heavyweights, but in our current heavyweight division, he has a chance to rule.
I did see “Smokin Joe” hitting that heavybag. Now, he could certainly beat my grandfather and/or grandmother in a boxing match or street fight, but I would not advise him to get back into the ring. I really thought that he was going to have a heart attack and probably would have if the announcer didn’t scream “time!” So, Joe is too old, but Marvis isn’t. Bring back Marvis! The Tyson fight was a fluke!
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY JOHNSON?
Geno,
That was a very interesting top 12 list. I have one comment: Where would you place American Kevin Johnson, 9-0-1, 5 KO’s? I ask because in his 4th fight he drew with Timor Ibragimov.
Michael Richards
Michael,
You have to love the attitude of Kevin Johnson. He is brash and is a very good speaker, but in the ring, he has much to learn. He has a good jab and decent movement, but it is far too early to consider him anything of importance to the division. He is a prospect, but after watching his bout with Robert Hawkins, I wasn’t sold. Granted, not too many guys with only ten fights would take on Hawkins and the fact that he beat him was impressive, but he needs work nonetheless. I do consider him a prospect, but I would not place him anywhere near the top twelve or twenty for the matter.
YOUR TOP 12
Geno,
Reading your top 12 Heavyweights list. Do you really think that Lamon Brewster dropped that much in your mind, to #6? He did have a detached retina; his eyesight was blurred and seeing double. I’m hoping Brewster will find his way back to #1.
Judy
Judy,
I think that Lamon Brewster is the toughest guy in the division, but I don’t see him having a long career. He is taking way too many punches. I did place him at #6 but he is now in a very good position. He is supposed to rematch Lyakhovich for the WBO Title and should win it back, but I was wrong the first time, so you never know. If he does win, a rematch with the new IBF champion, Wladimir Klitschko probably brings the most public demand. I like Brewster and he is surely one of the best fighters in the division. He has the biggest heart and chin and somebody needs to bring a lot of grit and ambition to the ring to beat him. I don’t think that there are many that have the gumption of a Lyakhovich and I would pick Brewster over Wladimir in a rematch. So, his chances of finding his way back to the top of heap are good, but he has to work on that defense. I don’t want to see him turn into another Riddick Bowe.
JUDAH-MAYWEATHER JR. AFTERMATH
Hello Geno,
Sorry, I like reading your stuff but couldn’t let this pass after reading your take on the 10th round “melee” (everybody’s new favorite word, apparently) in your mailbag column. Judah’s purse is being withheld pending review of his actions in the scuffle…nothing to do with the low blow and subsequent rabbit punch – along with his father and Floyd’s strength coach.
The way you described Judah simply coming to the defense of his father was way off base. Judah clearly sneaks round the side of the small scuffle (at that time) and starts to throw punches at Roger and Ellerby from behind. I have a problem with calling anyone who boxes at that level a coward, but Judah is without a doubt a punk- ass bitch, and this isn’t the first time he’s displayed his pathetic immaturity in the ring.
Roger Mayweather (above all), Yoel, and Ellerby were wrong and all should have been ejected like Roger was, but at least they confronted each other face to face. There is no way in hell that Mayweather thought that the low blow was unintentional, by the way. Give me a break, but you’re right, low blows happen. Trinidad and Judah aren’t the first to use it to bail themselves out of a punch induced fog, and they won’t be the last. Again that is not the issue. Judah’s actions AFTER the low blow are being looked into is this case.
I’m not sure why you’re misrepresenting why Judah’s purse is being withheld, and the facts of his actions and the reasons for those actions in an otherwise seemingly responsible and entertaining column for the most part. This isn’t just a matter of opinion. They are events on tape and statements of record and there’s no way you can’t be aware of them. Other than that, keep up the good work.
Jason
Jason,
I don’t think that melee is my new favorite word. I like it a lot and I’m trying to use it in every article that I put out there now, but to call it my favorite word is surely presumptuous and I take offense at that sir! Judah was boxing and hit Mayweather JR. with a low blow, whether intentional or not. Those are the facts and the entire “melee” can be blamed on Roger Mayweather. I do think that Judah was acting in defense of his father and was planning on laying “The Black Mamba” out when Ellerby made his way in, and all hell broke loose. I know that Judah had a bad moment after his loss to Kostya Tszyu…a really bad moment. He choked out Jay Nady and threw a ring stool at him, but in this day of lawsuits, isn’t it nice to see disagreements handled outside of the courtroom? I’m surprised that the promoters didn’t jump on that: Judah vs. Nady. When Judah attacked him, he didn’t budge. All he did was nonchalantly push Judah’s glove aside and gave him the look that said: “You don’t want any of this.”
Why am I misrepresenting the facts? I’m on the take. Regardless of what the decision is, Roger Mayweather started this and the fight would have went on without a hitch if he didn’t make an idiot out of himself. The problem was Roger, not Judah and whatever happened afterward was a reaction to the initial intrusion. I know that they are currently considering suspension for Zab Judah in regards to his actions, but I don’t think that it’s a correct move. He was in the wrong for participating but with his father facing a former light welterweight champion, he had to intervene. It got out of hand, but when the dust settles, Zab Judah should get his money and be allowed to fight again. I appreciate the compliments that are somewhere in your comments to me, and I agree with you on some points. So keep reading and I’ll try to get it right one of these times…
CHANGE OF PACE
Geno,
I’m old enough to remember when there were a manageable number of weight divisions and boxing associations (remember when the NBA meant something? So that everyone knew who the contenders were in each division, and being Champion really meant something.
My question is about the length of championship fights. At one time, a prelim fight was anything from four rounds to eight, a major attraction fight was ten rounds, and a championship fight was fifteen. Now a championship fight lasts only twelve. Why were they shortened, and what was the reasoning behind it?
I’m sure it was a business decision, influenced by promoters. But, it’s just this type of tinkering with the tradition of the sport that (along with Don King) has brought it closer to the level of wrestling than it was years ago. Ketchel, Ganns, Dempsey, Armstrong, etc., would turn over in their graves.
If you know, I’d sure like to find out. It’s stumped me for quite a while, and no one seems to have the answer.
Thanks.
Larry Marshall (an old Carmen Basilio fan)
Larry,
Back in the day when there were only eight weight divisions and only one champion, boxing had much more credibility. Now, there are 16+ weight classes, five million or so champions and now the idiotic sanctioning bodies have come up with “Super Champions,” giving them an excuse to have two champions per division. It’s disgusting. I would love to see the sport organized and things set up much better, including the return of fifteen round bouts. Now, do you want the real reason why they were reduced to twelve or the one that they told us?
First, they told us that they reduced them because of the risk to the health of the fighters. A boxer can take punches to the head for thirty six minutes straight, but not forty five minutes…that could be deadly!!! The actual reason why they were reduced was because of network demand. This is why we have more divisions and more championship belts. The networks weren’t interested in bouts that didn’t have the championship belt hanging in the balance. Boxing is a money sport…has been, and always will be, and if the networks provide more of a cash flow, the promoters and sanctioning bodies will do what they want. Thank god that they didn’t implement the headgear that they were pushing for about ten years ago. Why can’t they leave well enough alone?
I absolutely love boxing, but it’s been against the ropes for years and now Nascar is more popular! Nascar…a sport where cars go round and round in a circle for hours has more fans than pugilism. I don’t understand it. Then again, I don’t understand a lot of things like big belt buckles, cowboy hats, and wearing leather chaps for the heck of it. I’m a northern boy, so chalk it up to that.
So, Larry you now have your answer my friend. Thanks for the comments and take care.
WHO’S THE MAN?
Geno,
Wlad’s performance against Byrd proves that he is not all garbage. What do you think of these matches for the new champ?
Wlad vs. Brewster 2
Wlad vs. Rahman
Wlad vs. Toney
Wlad vs. Lyakhovich
Wlad vs. Valuev
Wlad vs. Brock
Let me know what you think…more power to you.
Calvin
Calvin,
Wladimir Klitschko is not all garbage for sure. He is one of the best boxers in the game and has power and size going for him, along with a lot of skill. He may be the best thing going but I have my reservations.
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. LAMON BREWSTER II
With Wlad winning and Brewster losing recently, many are quick to point out that if Lyakhovich can do that to the former WBO Heavyweight Champion, Klitschko will easily avenge this defeat. I think that the Lyakhovich showed Brewster’s best asset: Toughness. He refuses to be stopped and that is what hurt Wlad in their first bout. Brewster will attack again and put the pressure on the new IBF Champ, who will try to grab more than he did in the first bout and land his punches from the outside. Although I think that Klitschko will last longer than he did last time, I can’t see him holding Brewster off for twelve rounds. Now, before you say: “Geno, he went the distance with Sam Peter and he hits harder!!! So there!” Peter isn’t as effective as Brewster is. He doesn’t have the skill. Brewster stops Wlad in eight rounds.
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. HASIM RAHMAN
Can Wladimir get his shots out there without getting hit by Rahman’s right hand is the big question going into this bout. I think that Wlad is more skilled, but Rahman is tougher. I would lean toward Rahman in this fight who does well against bigger opponents and will be too tough for the IBF Champion. I would not be surprised if the big man pulled it off, but I would make him the underdog. Rahman’s right hand ends it in the fifth round.
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. JAMES TONEY
This bout is all Wladimir. Toney will be able to go the distance but he is too small to win this fight. He has all the skill in the world, but he will be facing the same problems that Byrd faced. Wlad by UD.
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. SERGUEI LYAKHOVICH
The new WBO Heavyweight Champion got off the canvas to beat Lamon Brewster to a pulp and capture the title, but he has also had off nights that he’s looked mediocre. The skill of Wlad would be too much for the “White Wolf” and I have a feeling that this could be a very quick fight. Wlad by KO in two rounds.
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. NIKOLAY VALUEV
A battle of the giants, but Valuev is basically an overprotected paper champion that will be exposed when he faces somebody with a pulse. He’s big, and strong, and there isn’t a security guard in the world that can beat him in a fight, but in the world of boxing, Wlad would have to be heavily favored to chop down that big tree and score a KO late in the fight. Wlad by KO in ten rounds.
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. CALVIN BROCK
This bout is winnable for Brock, but his defense isn’t as good as it needs to be. For him to win it, he will have to charge and hope for the best. I see the holes in Brock’s defense as an impossible obstacle to overcome. Barring a big punch dropping the IBF Heavyweight Champion to the ground, I see a systematic beating with the referee eventually calling it and giving Wlad the win in six rounds.
More power to you as well Calvin.
Okay people, send your questions and comments to me for next week’s RSR mailbag and I will gladly answer them.
