Boxing Scribe Vivek Wallace brings his Left-Hook Lounge mailbag to FightHype.com, answering questions for fans and giving his own unique perspective on all the latest current events in boxing. This week, check out his response to fans as they discuss Timothy Bradley’s chances against Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto’s chances against Floyd Mayweather, the recent performances of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Nontito Donaire, and much more.
Haskell H. (Atlanta, GA): I think we’ve seen a gradual decline in Pacquiao, and Bradley may be getting him at the right time. Do you think he has what it takes to defeat Manny (Pacquiao)?
Vivek W.: Many have recently applied the “fading” tag to Pacquiao, but I can’t say I totally subscribe to that theory. I think the closest opinion I have to that one is the theory my fellow radio show co-host Danny Howard offered, in that Pacquiao’s mileage is perhaps starting to catch up with him a little. But that being said, I think the recent poor performances we’ve gotten out of Pacquiao had more to do with opposition.
Mosley was clearly out-gunned, but Naazim Richardson equipped him with a good enough game plan to arrest the attributes that have made Pacquiao effective. The circling technique Mosley used was about the only thing he did proper in that fight, but nonetheless, it was effective. In the case of Marquez, he’s simply a perennial talent that Pacquiao can’t seem to figure out.
These two men offered Pacquiao a puzzle that wasn’t quite as easy as the typical come-straight-ahead fighters, like Margarito, Hatton, Oscar, and to a far lesser degree, Cotto. This stylistic variation is what made Pacquiao look less effective in my book. Bradley likes to bang, but he does at least try to box.
If he can combine the “circling” technique, sound precision punching, and avoid the ever effective Pacquiao flurry, this could be an interesting night. Trouble is, I’m just not too sure he can. He’s never faced the likes of Pacquiao and there’s no fighter he can employ in camp to simulate him. It’s totally different when the shots start to fly down range! I hope for a good fight and think we’ll get one early, but I do see a Pacquiao stoppage anywhere beyond the 7th round. Too much heat….too much pressure.
Armando N. (Oakland, CA): A friend of mine pointed out your FaceBook comments and I think your view of Nonito Donaire was very disgraceful. What is it about his style that you think is lacking?
Vivek W.: Despite the several words I used to express my thoughts on Donaire’s performance, one in particular probably stuck the most and that was the term “unimpressed”. This was his second fight in a row where I truly felt his performance was not very strong. Viewing across the same FaceBook page of mine that you referenced, there seemed to be many who echoed the same sentiment.
I think the true problem lies in the fact that when a media personality has the “stones” to come out publicly and speak in a not-so-favorable fashion regarding certain fighters, the perception is that that person doesn’t like the fighter. I have always touted Nonito Donaire and viewed him to be a rising star, even one point shouting about why his technical ability makes him a more intriguing figure, athletically, than the great Manny Pacquiao himself.
That being said, for two fights in a row now, I’ve been far less than impressed, and it happened to be against two men who didn’t come straight at him, but instead tried to actually box him. Seeing him against this type of talent has given me a reason to reevaluate my position on him. The latest assessment is that he’s simply not as good as I thought. His speed is exceptional, but his stamina midway through the fight seemed very questionable, and he was touched up far more than I’d like to see.
He has too much technical skill to look the way I’ve seen him now twice in a row. Yes he went up in weight, but it was clear who the bigger man in the ring was. Bottomline, it’s time to put the top 5 P4P stuff to bed….atleast for now. I wish him the best of luck, but I’m afraid at this point, he isn’t what I personally thought he was. There’s still work to be done. But that’s just my take.
Andre D. (Chicago, IL): Freddie Roach recently stated that he thinks Cotto could be a very difficult fight for Mayweather, and on FightHypeRadio last week I noticed you were the only one on the panel that felt that way, too. What do you see that makes you think that way going in?
Vivek W.: I can’t speak for Roach, specifically, but my sentiment was based on the fact that Cotto, at this stage, is still a very dangerous fighter. Playing devils advocate, I think you can place two asterisks next to his only career losses, which means the Clottey fight aside, where some would argue a draw or close loss, he really hasn’t been decisively beaten.
With Margarito, there’s the looming question about the handwraps, and with Pacquiao, you have the critics who point to potential enhancements, and even if that isn’t true, you have to acknowledge the weight reduction required by Team Pacquiao. I’ve always felt Pacquiao would have defeated him without it, yet it was implemented, so you have to take it into consideration.
All that considered, plus the implementation of Cotto’s new trainer, who seems to have effectively fine-tuned him, and suddenly, the plot thickens. One thing I can tell you about Cotto is that he’s truly a warrior. The guy has a ton of heart, he has a strong will, and here’s another one for good measure: if Margarito was loaded on the night of the fight, this means it took 11 rounds to finally break Cotto….and that was loaded. Mayweather has good pop, but clearly isn’t a power puncher.
That being said, Cotto will be in his face for the duration. At this time, I guess it’s safe to say I lay somewhere in the middle. I don’t lean Mayweather as much as the opening 5-1 odds seem to, but I do think this will be the toughest, most physical fight we’ve seen Floyd in since Castillo (first fight), equipped with the heavy body work and all. Stay tuned…..I can promise you it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!
Jesus S. (Reseda, CA): Julio C. Chavez Jr. stated that he’s ready for Martinez, Kirkland, and Cotto. After seeing him again, do you think he wins any of those challenges?
Vivek W.: Short answer….no. To elaborate, Martinez is too skilled, too strong, and too good. Chavez Jr. showed us two things in this latest ring episode, and one more before he ever stepped foot in the ring. I think while in the ring, we learned that he can be hit, and that stamina remains a challenge. What we learned prior to him entering the ring was that his heart is no longer into elevating his status in the sport, and now it’s simply a cheese hunt for the biggest money fights he can get.
This was an easy conclusion to draw after learning of not only his struggles to make weight, but also the early A.M. drunken driving case that placed him behind bars. Has there ever been a more visible sign displaying lack of interest in a fighter? His chin isn’t bad, but beyond that, I’ve never felt the kid was too talented, and when you pair limited talent with limited will to succeed, you get limited success.
At this stage, it’s safe to say we’ve seen the “limit” to his success, and I’m afraid this elevator won’t be going to the top floor. Cotto is too skilled, and although Kirkland is probably the best possibility of victory for him, under the tutelage of Ann Wolfe, even Kirkland would have viewers yelling “Timber”, as late in the fight those rib shots and uppercuts would chop him down. Chavez Jr. has succeeded at carrying on the family name in the sport, but I’m afraid the kudo’s stop there. Just my opinion.
Vivek “Vito” Wallace can be reached at [email protected], Youtube (Vivek1251), Twitter (VivekWallace747), Skype (Vito-Boxing), and Facebook).
