Hello folks and welcome back to another week of my bag. I am sorry, but I have to mention it up front. Next week I am going to NY for the weekend to visit friends and family so I will take another week off from the bag, but keep the questions coming. I will still get to them when I return and your answers will be on line the following Monday. At the end of the month July 28th to be exact I am going to Puerto Rico for a USANA business trip and I will do the same thing with your questions for that following Monday. As always, you guys came up with some very good and interesting questions. Actually I think this is one of the better weeks I have seen. I am glad that you guys take the time to stop by RSR and show your support on a daily basis. That is why I take the time to answer all of your questions, which I enjoy. Also, I am not in my intense training yet because I am still waiting to hear when my next fight is going to be so this is a good way for me to stay in touch with my RSR family. Here I go.
WHAT IF?
Yo Champ,
Legal issues, auto accidents, and violence outside the ring have robbed the boxing world of some great athletes who had a world of potential. Who do you consider to be the four or five boxers who had the greatest potential but life outside the ring shortened their career?
Thanks man.
Jack John Son
Pet’Ting-Zu
Jack,
This is a very good question and one that I had to do some research for. I also want to thank my Publisher “Bad” Brad Berkwitt for his assistance as well. Here is my list. First, I think is the best of the list and he would have been an all time great if he was not killed in a car accident is Salvador Sanchez. Sanchez is considered one of the great Mexican fighters and he died at 23 years old. Can you imagine if he didn’t die at such a young age? Even still Sanchez was able to cement his legacy with wins against Danny “Little Red” Lopez 42-3 at the time for the WBC featherweight title. Sanchez defended his featherweight crown 9 times with wins against Robert Castanon 43-1, Ruben Castillo 48-1, Juan Laporte 15-1, Wilfredo Gomez 32-0-1 and Azumah Nelson who was 13-0 at the time. The future looked great for this Mexican warrior, but his time with us was short. Second, I am going with Tony Ayala, JR. Tony had a great future ahead of him, but it seems that the fame had come to him too young. Women seemed to be his weak point and that is why he ended up in jail for rape. Ayala still tried to make a comeback when he got out of jail, but no matter how good he use to be the 17 year lay off that he went through because of his prison stint eroded all of his boxing skills.
I will give you one more. This guy was a young and up and coming prospect who was 14-0, 11KO’s. His name was Billy Collins, JR. It is hard to say that he would have been a great fighter or even a champion, but he had a promising career until he fought Luis Resto in New York’s famous Madison Square Garden in June of 1983. This is what happened. Originally Resto won a Unanimous decision, but the New York State Athletic Commission ordered that the results be changed to a no contest following charges that Resto’s gloves were tampered with before the bout by Resto’s trainer Panama Lewis. In 1986, Resto was convicted of assault, conspiracy and criminal possession of a deadly weapon (his fists). Resto served two and a half years of a three year sentence; both he and Lewis were banned from boxing for life. It is safe to say that Collins was never the same after that brutal fight and then he died at the tender age of 22. I do not think Collins death is the result of the Resto fight. This is three of many, but I will be here all day if I was to keep on. Thanks again for the great and tough question.
A MASTER BOXER
Jose,
Great bag as always and the time you take is just awesome for boxing fans like me who want to learn more everyday. This is my time writing in. I would like to know, how hard is for a fighter to switch up from southpaw to conventional stance? Who were some of the fighters that had this down to an art? Good luck on your next fight and hope to hear an announcement soon on your opponent.
Stan Frazier Little Rock, AK
Stan,
Thank you and it is my pleasure. To answer your question I must tell you that it all depends on the fighter. Switching stances can be very difficult if you hardly or never practice it, but if you work at it all the time in the gym it becomes like second nature to a fighter. To be able to pull this off I think a fighter can call themselves a boxing master. One fighter in particular who was very good at switching was Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Hagler was a natural southpaw, but he had switching up down to a science and the best part was that he would dominate you at either side he fought at. At this moment in time Hagler is the only one that comes to mind. That goes to show you how few of us switch up. I have done it in some fights, but I pick and choose the right time to do it and I have certain reasons for doing it, but by no means am I a master boxer. As soon as I know about my next fight you guys will know also. RSR will be sure to keep you posted.
THE RIVERA FAN CLUB
Champ,
My girl Tina emailed you, so it’s my turn. We are growing in numbers for our personal fanclub for you and love it. Sure we flirt with your hot PR a@# but we also love boxing as well. Here are my questions for you.
My dad loved Tommy Hearns years ago but I saw him being interviewed Saturday on Shobox and I think he is not all there because he was slurring something terrible. If that is true, then why do the boxing commission let him fight on today?
On this note, I read that Evander Holyfield is also coming back against a guy named Jeremy Bates. Don’t get me wrong, we love to see or at least I do that built Vander has but he also slurring and should not be allowed to box. Why is he? I loved him for years growing up but now, this is not the same man for sure.
Finally Manny Pacquiao is something else. Do you see anyone in his weight class that can beat him? Larrios might have lost but he really showed a big heart in a pretty much one sided fight
Thanks sexy man-
Maria
PS I love blue too!
Maria,
Me sexy? Thank you. Welcome to my bag and more great questions by the ladies. Maria I am amazed at the things boxing commissions are allowing today. There is no way on earth that Hearns should still be fighting. The man is 47 years old; come on there has to be some type of age limit. One of the best things that happened to boxing is also the worst thing that happened for boxing and that is when George Foreman won a world title at 45 years old and two months shy of his 46th Birthday. Now every great old fighter thinks he is going to pull a George Foreman miracle and become a champion again. Well, I cannot speak for Hearns, but I know for sure that Holyfield thinks that he is going to be champion again and that is why he keeps fighting. Hearns might be still doing it for the money. Regardless both fighters are damaged from boxing and it is the commission’s responsibility to step up for their safety. I gave my close friends and family members permission to shoot me if I still want to fight way past my prime. Not kill me, but at least maim me so I can never fight again. Honestly I hope I am smart enough to know when I am done because I do not want to get shot. Manny Pacquiao is an unbelievable fighter and no, I see no one in his weight class that can hang with him.
STOP PLAYING GAMES
Jose,
When is the number one pound for pound fighter going to fight a true contender and stop out pricing himself? Floyd Mayweather jr is a bad dude no doubt but he is playing games and should be fighting the likes of Antonio Margarito and others.
Jay
Jay,
I couldn’t agree with you more. When is Mayweather going to step up and sign to fight me for my WBA light middleweight title? Yes, PBF is a bad dude and that is exactly why I want to step in the ring with him. I also agree with you in the fact that if he decides to side step me I would like to see him in a meaningful fight like Antonio Margarito or even Oscar De La Hoya.
MANOS DE PIEDRA
Jose,
I loved Roberto Duran as a kid growing up in the 70s and watched all his fights. Is it true my idol is weighing over 200 pounds today? With this height, that cannot be good for his health. I also heard he was in a bad car accident, do you know if he has any long lasting problems from it?
Thanks
Pedro Ramos
Pedro,
I am also a big Duran fan and I am not 100% sure if he weighs that much now, but when I saw him about two years ago he definitely was close to that if not more. Yes, that is not good for his health. Maybe I should contact him and hook him up with my USANA vitamins. USANA does not only have vitamins, but we also have meal replacements that are very low in glycemic and that should help with his weight also. I know, that was a cheap plug for my nutrition products, but you can’t blame a man for trying. Ok back to Duran. Yes, he was in a bad car accident, but I have not seen any problems that are detectable at least to me to say there he still has problems from the car accident.
Top Secret Info
Jose,
You are very funny about that Top Secret retirement ceremony for your buddy Bad Brad. Were there any other fighters there? I went to the Pentagon once in middle school and I bet it has changed a lot since the mid 80’s. What did you think of the place? What are the chances of you fighting the winner of Karmazin and Spinks?
Neil Tesca Bronx, NY
Neil,
Thank you. Yes, there was another fighter there and three if you count “Bad” Brad’s short amateur career. If you were in Middle School when you went to the Pentagon in the mid 80’s you might be around my age so I am not sure if you heard of a spectacular Light heavyweight by the name of Vonzell Johnson out of Columbus, Ohio. In 1981, Vonzell fought Mathew Saad Muhammad for the WBC world title and later on that year he fought Michael Spinks for the WBA world title. Vonzell ended up losing both of those fights, but back then you had to be a bad dude to fight for the world championships.
Let’s not forget that both Spinks and Muhammad are both in the International Boxing Hall of Fame today. This was actually my first time in the Pentagon, but I know it has had to change some, especially since 9/11, but don’t quote me on it. My chances of fighting the Winner of the Karmazin vs. Spinks fight is very good seeing that we are all promoted by Don King. I need you and all the fans to start screaming and hollering for King to make that fight to unify the titles and make sure we get a big payday.
CLASSIC MATCHUPS
Jose,
Between you and Geno you have the corner marketed on these email bags. You guys are really funny and know your stuff. Here are my questions:
Ray Robinson vs Roy Jones at middleweight Tommy Hearns vs Floyd Mayweather at welterweight Roberto Duran vs Manny Pacquiao at lightweight Samuel Peter vs Earnie Shavers My crazy Aunt Josie vs my nutsy neighbor Louie
Have fun
Ralph Jefferies
Ralph,
Thank you! Geno has the corner marketed on email bags and I am just enjoying the ride. I like these matches even though I think one of them is really unfair and you may be surprised to find out which one I am talking about.
Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Roy Jones, JR. – I am going to give Robinson the nod over Jones, JR. Robinson is not considered the best fighter pound for pound for nothing. Besides one of the key factors that has made Robinson so great was the fact that he took chances and fought anyone and that is something I cannot say about Jones, JR. RJJ was a great fighter, but was notorious for not taking chances.
Tommy Hearns vs. Floyd Mayweather, JR. – This is the fight that I say is not fair. One Mayweather is not a solid welterweight, but let’s say he is. There is no way he does not get laid out by Hearns. Hearns would’ve been too big and too strong for Mayweather, period!
Roberto Duran vs. Manny Pacquiao – Actually this fight is not fair either. Duran was a beast at lightweight and Pacquiao has not fought at 135 pounds yet. At lightweight, Duran compiled a record of 12-0, 11 KO’s in championship fights alone. That is why they called him “Hands of Stone”. Duran eventually moved up and was able to capture world titles in 3 different weight classes moving up as high as 168 lbs. I do not think we will ever see Pacquiao fighting at 140 or 147, he just does not have the frame to be fighting the big guys and at 135 Duran would’ve of been too big for Pacquiao.
Samuel Peters vs. Earnie Shavers – These two fighters are mirror images in of their careers. They start off with a bang and knock out most of their opponents, but once they step up for a world title fight they can’t pull it off. They seem to be world beaters against B class opponents. It is still too early to tell in Peter’s case because his career is really just beginning, but let see how he fairs against James Toney who is really not a heavyweight, but should give Peter a good test. I say this fight is a draw, even though in the heavyweight division especially with power guys like these two, all it takes is one punch.
Crazy Aunt Josie vs. Nutsy neighbor Louie – After speaking with whacky Jerome who told me that crazy Josie put it on him one day because he didn’t return her bra back and after my extensive research on both these combatants, I have come to the conclusion that your nutsy neighbor Louie has absolutely nothing on your crazy Aunt Josie. I would rather fight a nutsy person any day, but crazy, hell no. In life, it is important to pick your battles and I know your neighbor is nutsy, but somebody better tell him to stay away from crazy Aunt Josie.
CELEBS IN THE HOUSE
Jose,
I am always intrigued at the celebrities that come out the big boxing matches and you can see them ringside. Have you ever had any at your fights and met them? What were they like?
Tony the Tuna
Tony,
I have never seen a celebrity at one of my fights. All of the celebrities that I have met have been at other people’s fights, what’s up with that? For the celebrities that I have met I would say that they were very friendly and nice. Come to think about it I have absolutely no celebrity friends. I mean I know a few, but you think they would come out and support me. That’s it I am making a few phone calls as soon as I am done with this bag to Hollywood, California.
STYLES MAKE FIGHTS
Champ,
I think your next fight is against Cory Spinks who beats Roman Karmazin Saturday night. Would you fight each one differently if you faced them?
Bob Stephens Tulsa, OK
Bob,
You could be right. I might be fighting Spinks, at least that is the word that I am hearing, but I have heard so much that I do not know what to believe. Most definitely I would have to fight each one of them differently because they both have different styles.
WOMEN’S BOXING
Jose,
I am 22 years old and want to get into women’s boxing as an amateur. Where should I start? In High School I did gymnastics. Do you think that can help me in the ring as far as movement?
Lisa Taylor
Lisa,
Do you know of any gyms, clubs or recreation centers near your area that have a boxing program? That would be a good place to start looking. Your experience in gymnastics is going to be a big help for you if you get into boxing. I did a little gymnastics myself and when I say little I mean a little, but you can learn so much from gymnastics like developing balance, which is very key in boxing and you develop core strength. Let me tell you if you develop core strength you are going to be someone to be reckoned with. Many fighters today focus on weights and other avenues to get strong, but the key is to work on your core strength and that is something that gymnastics helps develop. Good luck.
THE PAC SAC (Courtesy of Ask Geno)
Champ,
Manny Pacquiao won big again over here and just wondered what do you think he would have done at featherweight against the great Willie Pep?
Jinky
Jinky,
I like your line of thinking here. A masterful defensive wizard like Willie Pep, and an explosive offensive machine in Pacquiao. In other sports you can win championships with defense and also in boxing, but Pacquiao’s offense would have been a bit much for Pep to handle in my opinion.
Hey champ,
how are ya? I’m still quite new to this site and I don’t know you that much since I’ve been only following Pacman’s weight-level/class but you are the real deal being a champ as the website says coz i guess you really know your stuff.
My question is in your opinion who’d win if they fight each other in their primes: Ali vs. Lennox Lewis, Ali vs. Tyson, L.Lewis vs. Tyson. Thanks and keep beatin’ them champ!Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Allen
Allen,
Thank you. I think I have answered this one before, but since you are new to RSR I will answer it again. I say in his prime Tyson beats both Lewis and Ali. Too much power and bad intentions coming at them for 12 rounds. Also, if Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman knocked out Lewis what do you think Tyson would have done to him in his prime?. On the flip side I think Ali would have exacted his revenge on Tyson in the rematch because you know there would have been a rematch. Ali always exacted his revenge when he lost except for his last two fights that he shouldn’t have been fighting anyways. Ali beats Lewis hands down.
Jose,
We keep hearing our idol Manny Pacquiao is going to fight Morales and Barerra but can you throw out a name that folks are not talking about him fighting and you think could make for a very exciting fight for him? Why do you think that?
Teddy
Teddy,
Jorge Rodrigo Barrios is the name and the fight will be fireworks and explosions. Barrios is very impressive and he can bang which will make the fight with Pacquiao that more exciting. My money will still be on Pacquiao, but it will give the fans an opportunity to see an exciting fight that does not involve any of the guys that Pacquiao has already beaten.
Jose,
Were you surprised that Manny won the fight with Larrios with very little effort?
Ronald
Ronald,
No, I am not surprised that Pacquiao won so easy. I have been saying all along that there is no one out there in Pacquiao’s weight class that can hang with him.
Jose,
I read your press release today calling out all of the big name fighters. Do you think you have the Chris Byrd syndrome where they feel the risk is not worth the reward? Hope you get any one of those guys because you are a guy who deserves it. You used to write a P4P list and would like to see how you rate the top 12 in boxing today in article on Ringside Report.
Thanks-
Justin
Justin,
Thank you and to answer your question yes, I do not have the big name that lures a big money fight, but I can fight and I am what you consider a dangerous opponent. Therefore the big name fighters do not want to risk losing to me if they are not getting paid for it and when I say getting paid I mean they are not getting 1 million and up. What happens to fighters like me is it does not give us an opportunity to get that big payday either. Chris Byrd has earned his millions so I am going to keep hoping my time will come. I am going to give you my P4P list right now just because you asked, so here it is.
1. Floyd Mayweather, JR.
2. Manny Pacquiao
3. Joe Calzaghe
4. Winky Wright
5. Marco Antonio Barrera
6. Jermain Taylor
7. Oscar De La Hoya
8. Diego Corrales
9. Ricky Hatton
10. Ivan Calderon
11. Rafael Marquez
12. Jorge Arce
RSR readers yet another great week of questions and I look forward to more this week. In the meantime, make sure to sign up on our RSR Message Board and join in on the great discussions we have about the sport we all love called Boxing.
