I just saw the preview for Rocky 6: Rocky Balboa, and it looks freaking awesome. I want to see it this very minute, but they are going to make me wait. A lot of people can say that after Rocky 2, the series went downhill, and some will give it a little more credit and say that they were all good except for the fifth, but I believe that the series is one of the best of all time, and all the films are fantastic! Rocky 5 gets a bad shake in the deal. I know that the kid is annoying and I concede that. If I could take out Sage Stallone, I would. That scream at the end: “He took my room,” when Rocky was facing Tommy Gunn in the climax could have been left on the cutting room floor. Where was the ghost of Mickey to say: “Hey Rock, punch your son in the mouth and shut him up so people can enjoy the movie!”
You have to give the series some credit, and especially Stallone for writing and producing these films and keeping interest in a sport that severely needs it. Now we have Rocky Balboa, which is the sixth film in the series where Rocky comes out of retirement to challenge the Heavyweight Champion of the World, Mason Dixon. Antonio Tarver plays Dixon and if his fight with Bernard Hopkins was any indication, I would pick Rocky by late KO. I’m already giving this movie 4 stars…I don’t care if I’ve seen it or not. I remember when I said that Million Dollar Baby was a great movie before it was even released and that is because Dirty Harry was in it! Eastwood knows how to pick his movies, and he delivers. Stallone doesn’t really deliver, but when it comes to the Rocky series, he’s damn good.
Movie review time people. I want to talk about the T.V. Mini Series: The V. It came out in 1983, and stars the unbelievably talented Marc Singer of Beastmaster fame. Well, these enormous alien spaceships invade earth and the visitors initially claim to be our friends, but they want to rape the planet of all its resources. Well, the aliens look human, but underneath their skin, they are lizards! This is the best alien movie of all time and I give it my yet unheard of: Bambino Outstanding Alien Achievement Award. If you have 10 or so hours to blow, sit down and watch the entire thing. It is the bomb!
Okay, onto this mailbag…
PACMAN VS. BARRIOS
Hi dude! I’m a huge fan of the Pacman and an avid reader of your mailbag. And guess what? I’m a Filipino too! You’re becoming popular to us…I guess more popular than trainer Freddie Roach. Smiles! Anyways, after days of checking and reading your mailbag, I decided to try to ask one from you which has been crossing my mind a number of times these past few days. I read from here days before that a Pacman vs Barrios bout would be a big fight to watch. I watched some of Barrios fight. And I can say he is no match for Pacquaio more so if the Pacman can take his punch. I just want to hear if you feel the same way as I do if a fight between them pushes through? Thanks and more power!
Liam
Liam,
What’s up dude? More popular than Freddie Roach? In your face Roach! Okay, I am with you. I don’t see Barrios as the big challenge that many do. His questionable chin and the power of the Pacman would probably make it a quick night. It’s great to hear from you Liam….and I think that using the word “smiles” after a sentence is a great thing. it has to be used properly, as you have, but imagine if somebody didn’t know how to use it! “I’m sorry to report that your grandmother has passed. Smiles.” That would be horribly insensitive, so I will only use it when I am sure that I will not do something so foolish.
MOST ANNOYING
Being the religious reader of your mailbag that I am, I know that Pacman seems to dominate the questions. Usually 5 or more questions per bag. When are people going to run out of questions to ask about this guy. They ask the most hypothetical and silly questions to. Geno: If Pacman fought Barrera in September outdoors wearing his lucky white trunks do you think he would have a better chance than if he fought him in July wearing his red trunks? Seriously, if I even see anything to do with Pac in a question I just skip right by it. So on the subject of annoying it got me to thinking: who are the most annoying figures in boxing. Here is my top 5…Geno let’s hear yours.
5. Buddy McGirt-The fact that this guy manages to get brought in for big fights to train big name fighters is crazy to me. Pretty much if he is the trainer I think it is safe to bet against the fighter. Ettienne against Tyson. Tarver-Johnson and Hopkins. Brewster lost to some loser called the “White Wolf”. Plus many more. And last but not least, who smokes a pipe anymore? Seriously?
4. John Ruiz-This guy speaks for himself. If I wanted to watch a “hug fest” I would watch a Full House marathon. The day Ruiz stops getting title shots will be a first step in fixing the pathetic division.
3. Zab Judah-Is there a bigger bitch in boxing? First he was Tyson’s groupie. Then he became a rap video groupie. Then he blew a big match up against Mayweather by losing to some bumb the fight before. Then he somehow managed to get the fight against Mayweather anyways even though he was clearly overmatched. Then he touched Mayweathers junk on purpose. I contend that was a grope not a punch. And last but not least he hid like a little bitch when Roger Mayweather came after him, then proceeded to sucker punch the old man in the back of the head when he was turned around and being held.
2. Max Kellerman-I am sure he is a sweet guy, but this idiot speaks for himself as far as annoying goes. I just have a hard time listening to his over analyzing.
And the NUMBER ONE…The undisputed Heavyweight champion of annoying in boxing…really needing no introduction the world over: Tracy Byrd. Anyone who watched Byrd-Klitschko II knows what I am talking about. This brawd needs to learn her place. I understand her extensive boxing background makes her overly qualified to climb up to the corner and give the Heavyweight champion strategic advice. Her shreaking during the fight almost made it unwatchable. The only thing that got be through it was knowing I was going to see Chris(the number 6 most annoying by the way) get his ass knocked out. Her advice was amazing though I will give her that. “Get in there and fight.” Yeah ok @#$@#, you get by the best jab in boxing today, then don’t get hit with an uppercut, then you can tell me to get in there and fight. If I was Chris I would have saved face and been 1 and 1 on the night. The win coming by first round KO of his wife.
Ok Geno…your turn
Jonathan,
Whoa…you’re an irritable guy just like me. As far as the Pacfans go. I think that the love that many have for the Pacman is amazing and it is something that is missing from the United States. It’s the same thing in England with Ricky Hatton. We don’t really have any national heroes anymore, and Pacman and Hatton are almost the equivalent of Muhammad Ali in their respective homelands. In fact, the two are really starting to catch on worldwide. I am a fan of both fighters and I never mind any question or comment because it is what boxing is all about. The support that certain fighters get is the key to bring boxing back to the top of the heap in the sporting world. I am beating a dead horse here, but Nascar is more popular than boxing. Am I the only one that sees something wrong with this? People would rather watch cars driving in circles for hours then to watch two guys facing off in a contest of heart and skill. Amazing!
You said it. Tracy Byrd’s screaming and demanding behavior was disgusting. The guy is fighting an enormous and skilled monster and his wife is shrieking to her husband. I would leave my wife after that. If I was at…oh, I don’t know…let’s say a restaurant and so too was Wladimir Klitschko and he challenged me to a fight because…hmm…why would he challenge me to a fight…I got it! He challenged me to a fight because he is a big fan of the reality show: Nanny 911, and he’s heard that I was very critical of it. He walks up to me and say: “I love Nanny 911 and because of guys like you, they may take it off the air. I’ll be in the parking lot, waiting for you. You will not take away my fat British nannies.” Well, of course, I would not accept this challenge, but if my wife starting calling me a chicken @$#@$ or anything like that, and tried to force me out into that parking lot to take on this guy, I would certainly have to rethink our relationship.
Okay, so let me place Tracy Byrd on my list of annoying boxing-related figures. They are in no particular order, here. I’m just going to pick five. I have one…now I need four more. I would place Norman “Stoney” Stone on the list for his behavior that has been anything, but professional. His insults directed at Randy Neumann during John Ruiz’s WBA Heavyweight Title defense against Andrew Golota was deplorable. When Ruiz lost the title to the gigantic Nikolay Valuev, Stoney snatched the title belt off of the new champ’s shoulder and paraded around the ring. He is a real piece of work and he has hurt the sport…turning it into professional wrestling, when it can be a really noble sport.
Hmm. Okay, let me throw Evander Holyfield on the list. He cannot bow out gracefully and his interviews annoy the hell out of me. I have nothing against a person being really religious, but to continually imply that God favors him in the ring is amazing. “I want to thank God for this victory and I want to thank him for having my opponent carried out on a stretcher.” I was a big fan of Holyfield, but his insistence on chasing the world title at this stage of his career annoys me. Give somebody else a chance “Real Deal!” He has also turned into a really dirty fighter, using his head as a battering ram against his opponent.
So I have three and I need two more…okay. Stephen A. Smith from ESPN’s Quite Frankly. This guy has boxers on all the time, and he really has the softest interviews that I have ever heard. He is the new Arsenio Hall, and for him to ask Antonio Tarver about his suit instead of his fight preparation is amazing to me. The second that I see him on screen, I change the channel. I can’t handle that show at all. Finally, I would place Roy Jones, JR., on the list, although I don’t find him nearly as annoying as I once did. His rap videos and the fact that he talks about himself in third person ALL OF THE TIME, annoys me.
I want to also say that Max Kellerman is a pretty good commentator, and I think that he’s been dealt a bad hand with HBO’s Boxing After Dark. He’s the only one out of the three that knows what he’s doing, and he knows the sport. I also wouldn’t consider “The White Wolf” a loser. He impressed me with his gutsy performance against Brewster. “The brawd really needs to know her place” is a phrase that I certainly disagree with. Jackie Kallen is a big player in boxing and I am not one of these guys that think that the women belong in the kitchen. I want to apologize to all the ladies that read RSR for Jonathan’s comment. Geno Bambino certainly does not agree. Wait a minute! I’m talking about myself in third person! Put me on my list too!
AN INTERESTING NICKNAME FOR SURE
Hey Geno “The MagnifiCock” McGahee,
Who do you think are the top trainers, managers, promoters, judges, and referees in the sport today?
Thanks!
El Torero
El Torero,
Now when you say: “Magnifi,” does it stand for (a) magnificent or are you saying that (b) I need a magnifying glass? If you are referring to choice (a), then I thank you kindly. If you are talking about choice (b), then go @#$#@ yourself. Okay, the top trainers, managers…and so on and so forth. I would say that the best trainers in boxing are Freddie Roach and Emanuel Steward. The best managers are Shelly Finkel and Oscar De La Hoya…the guy manages himself, and makes money hand over fist. De La Hoya is also a promoter to be dealt with…although I disagree with many of his practices. Judges…I’ve mentioned Teddy Atlas and Harold Lederman before and dammit, I’m mentioning them again, and finally, Jay Nady, Steve Smoger, and Randy Neumann come to mind. There you go.
JOSE ANTONIO RIVERA IS THE MAN
Cory Spinks’ manager, Kevin Cunningham, was interviewed for a boxing website today where he was talking about Cory’s options and future and when someone mentioned possibly fighting to unify their two titles against Jose he made it out like fighting him would be a step backward for them, like they are these big superstars now, and what they really want is to fight Oscar De La hoya or Floyd Mayweather. I have news for Kevin, though. Cory is two steps backwards for Oscar at his point. And Mayweather just convincingly beat the guy that stopped Cory in his previous fight so… you know? I think fans of this boxing world would certainly agree when I say there is absolutely no way in this world you would ever see Jose Antonio Rivera run around the ring for the entire last round of a fight that was razor close on the score cards like Cory did against Karmazin the other day. He didn’t even do it when he was in the 12th and way ahead on points against a dangerous guy like Terra Garcia, did he?
Boxing on huge networks like Showtime and HBO is all about the entertainment value that you bring and, believe me, the average fan is not really enjoying a guy coming into the ring with a four minute ring walk while dancing with a rapper only to turn around and literally run for the entire last round of a close fight. I actually like Cory’s boxing skills and think he is an exceptional boxer but I think they are seriously overestimating the value of his win last weekend over Roman Karmazin. Cunningham called Karmazin “the best 154 pounder in the world.” Better than Oscar? Quartey? Vernon Forrest? Mosley? Ahh… I don’t know about that, my man. In any event, Jose is more than willing to go to St. Louis and risk his title against Spinks there and as long as the judge isn’t working our fight that somehow, inexplicably, gave Spinks the last round of his fight with Karmazin, saving the fight for him instead of it letting it be what it was supposed to be: a draw.
With fair and competent judging we are discussing an interview right now with Karmazin’s manager instead of Cunningham.
Iceman John Scully (Trainer of Jose Antonio Rivera)
Iceman,
Kevin Cunningham is trying to maneuver his fighter into a big payday, but I can’t see anyone paying for a PPV with Cory Spinks involved in the main event. Then again, they have been putting many horrible pay per views out there lately. To say that they would be taking a backward step by facing Rivera is true. When you lose, that is a backward step. There is no way that Cory Spinks beats Jose Rivera, and they know this and that is why this fight will not happen. Spinks showed against Karmazin that he has skill and can fight upon occasion, but he doesn’t have the endurance to keep a guy like Rivera off. Hopefully Don King will make this match happen.
Look at these match ups: Spinks vs. De La Hoya Spinks vs. Mayweather, JR. Spinks vs. Mosley
They all are snoozers for sure, but if you replace Spinks’ name with Rivera’s, you are going to be in for an exciting night. To refer to Karmazin as the greatest fighter in that division is crazy. He is very limited and he forgot to fight for the first six rounds of his bout with Spinks, who, by the way, should stop that dancing to the ring nonsense. It is ridiculous and it is especially ridiculous when he isn’t a true force in the ring. He doesn’t knock people out and he doesn’t dominate them either. What the hell is he dancing about? Is it supposed to be entertaining?
After watching the 12 rounds of that fight, it reinforced my opinion that we need 15 round championship bouts back. Spinks ran for dear life and now his manager is talking like he conquered the world. When Rivera won the title, he dominated from start to finish. I’m with you on the scoring of the final round. What was the judge on? Spinks ran the entire time and did not win that round. I don’t know how somebody can justify giving him that round on the cards.
So, I hope that a Spinks-Rivera bout is made…better yet, how about a Rivera-Mosley or Rivera-De La Hoya. Jose has a world title and won it in dominant fashion. When he lost to Luis Collazo, it was the fight of the year. He deserves a big fight.
THEY STILL CALL ME BRUCE
Hey Geno,
do you know that Gahee (ga-hi) in our language is “hard” in english ? so basically, Geno McGahee translates to : Geno, Son(Mc) of Hard
I got a new nickname for you, man : I christen thee Geno “Son of Hard” McGahee.
Speaking of Hard, that guy bruce lee was some thing else..as the legend goes. It was said he could punch a heavy bag out of the window and all the way to the front lawn !!
being a student of martial arts, he studied boxing as well. great hand speed, tremendous power for a little guy ( 5’7″ , 126 lbs ), unmatched ferocity, great focus and heart, cat-quick reflexes..
how do you think he would have done as a pro boxer ?
why didnt he become a boxer, by the way?
Megget
Megget,
Son of Hard? I’m sure that my mother would disagree. She always said that she dumped my father because he “wasn’t hip to Viagra,” whatever that means. Okay, she never said that… Now for Bruce Lee: I am not a fan of martial arts films for the most part, but I am not questioning the charisma and talent of this man. I also think that Brandon was the bomb in “The Crow.” Both of them died way too early.
Now, there is Bruce Lee and there is the Bruce Lee Legend. There is also Geno Bambino and the Geno Bambino Legend. Oh, how I love the legend. Did you know that I saved hundreds of people from a burning building, and beat up 10 Ninjas at once? That is part of the legend…but, sadly, it is all nonsense. I have a hard time believing that he hit a heavy bag so hard that it was launched into orbit or whatever. Much of the myth is myth and take it all with a grain of salt.
Now, as far as becoming a professional boxer…who knows, but I would say that he would not have been successful. Just as boxers aren’t the best at kickboxing and the UFC, it goes the other way as well. Patrick Smith, who was very successful at the UFC, did not prosper at boxing. His boxing record was, 5-6-2, 4 KO’s, and was knocked out by the unheralded David Bostice. Although his UFC record was a mere 9-11, he still was competitive with the best that the sport had to offer. He is not even in the same universe as the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Melton Bowen, a heavyweight boxer, learned that the UFC was a different world as he lost his only attempt. If you put Tito Ortiz in there against Wladimir Klitschko, Wlad wins, unless they are in the octagon.
So, I have to say that Master Lee would not have been a great boxer, but he really changed the world. The movie “Dragon,” that concerned his life was fantastic…I’ll have to do a movie review about that. Why didn’t he become a boxer? Well, I tend to believe that he had too many other things going for him. He didn’t need boxing.
THE RAILROAD
Master Geno “Boxing Sensei” Bambino,
How’s it goin? tnx for your replies and keep it up! I was looking for u during the PACMAN vs LARIOS bout at the araneta coliseum but u were no where to be found.. i was supposed to treat you for a balut, redhorse and isaw, remember?
oh well maybe next time hope to see you here when PBF and the PACMAN will be fighting here in manila for the REAL “THRILLA in MANILA II” (hope this happens… who knows? right?)hehehe
anyway back to boxing, what do you think about Tye Fields? and do you think his power can match the top heavyweights? i heard that his latest opponent maurice harris did not come out for round 5… tsk tsk tsk.. his record is 37 wins 34 ko’s and 1 loss… and why is he not fighting the top guys???hmmmm wat do ya think?
also, im curious why jorge barios is not fighting barrera or morales and/or the other mexican legends? do you happen to have a clue? barios is fighting joan guzman and i’ll go with barios on this one… but a fight between barrera or morales or the pacman would be a more exciting/explosive fight and i’ll go with the pacman and morales via late round stoppage and barrera via UD wins over barios.. what do you think?
thanks and more power!
Bototoy
Bototoy,
I apologize for not making it to the Philippines, but unfortunately I have another job that sort of has me stuck here in Massachusetts, U.S.A, and money is tight. One day, I will be in a position to travel and I would love to attend a fight in the Philippines and have some balut and isaw. I would not make it out of the question that PBF would face Pacman in the Philippines. Boxing is a money game and if they can make more money fighting there, it may just happen.
Okay, Tye Fields…I think that he is a prospect for sure. He is a giant, standing nearly seven feet tall, but you have to question the opposition. Are they trying to make him a better fighter or are they trying to build a myth by having him destroy names from the past that really don’t have anything left? Look at Harris. He had one fight in three and a half years! Bruce Seldon, the former WBA Heavyweight Champion, that has been really wrongfully disrespected over the years for his one bad night against Mike Tyson, was easy prey for the giant at this point. The thing that you might want to look at when assessing Fields are the two opponents: Sedreck Fields and Sherman Williams. He went the distance with both men and although these are two guys that are used to hearing that final bell, it could be argued that a heavyweight with that huge pop would have disposed of these guys.
I want to see Tye Fields step it up and face a better grade of fighter. He is a big guy and he can punch, but he is a mystery. There is a system that most managers follow where they move up their prospect gradually, stepping up the opposition a smidge every time. You have to wonder what a manager knows about their fighter when they put him in soft every time. I think that it is time for Fields to face a guy like Brian Minto. Minto is a durable guy that would test him because he has aspirations of his own. I think that a guy like Jameel McCline would be a good test too. McCline has championship experience, but has not done well lately.
Jorge Barrios would be a test for anyone, but I rank him just one notch below the big names. They are grooming him to challenge, but I can’t see him beating Pacman. He might stand a good chance against Morales or Barrera at this point. I don’t think that MAB has anything left and EM is yet to be seen.
IN BETWEEN ROUNDS
Geno,
Is there an official term for the break between rounds?
Roy
Roy,
What a freaking question. I have never heard it referred to as anything like: happy fun time, or boom boom time. I wish that they called it “boom boom time.” Nothing would make me happier. Well, Alyssa Milano showing up at my door with a wedding proposal would be better, but the chances are slim. My wife might jump in and try to prevent that marriage, claiming that she owned me and she had the papers to prove it, but as we learned from my smart cousin: “it’s only a piece of paper” just like a college degree and speeding ticket. I would have to either (a) leave my wife for Milano, or (b) move to Utah, where they allow you to marry more than one person. I remember when my wife said that I could stray with celebrities, but that has changed since I’ve become somewhat known. She said that the deal is off.
Did I ever mention that my father looks like Mr. Furley from Three’s Company? Yeah, he does, but he’s not nice like he was. Okay, where was I? Oh yeah…the actual name for the break in between rounds. Why don’t you, the RSR readers, come up with a name for the time in between rounds. Send me your suggestions and we’ll figure it out.
THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST
Geno “Ronnie James Geno” McGahee,
First of all, you must agree that OZZY RULES! 1980 was an unbelievable year for rock albums. Blizzard, AC/DC’s Back in Black, Sabbath’s Heaven & Hell, Judas Priest’s British Steel, Motorhead’s Ace of Spades, and Iron Maiden’s self-titled album are all classics in my opinion. Do I make a good list? Geno, remember Ronnie James Dio? How did that booming voice come from a guy so small? Okay, now to boxing…
I was watching my recording of the HBO telelcast of Wright/Taylor the other day and it seemed to me that Emmanual Steward was able to tell Taylor (with uncanny accuracy to Ledderman’s scorecard) how well he was doing in the fight as far as winning rounds.
Ledderman shouts his comments from just outside the ring. The HBO commentators talk so loudly during the fight that boxers often look over at Lampley and Merchant and make comments to them or wink at them (Mayweather, Toney, RJJ, Winky) during the fight to let the commentating trio know they can be heard inside the ring.
What are your thoughts about all this? I see problems with it, but unless you put those guys behind a sound proof wall, what other options do you have? Because of where the commentators sit, one boxer’s corner is five feet away while the other boxer is 30 feet away.
Hey. Why not simply post the judges’ scorecards for the audience after each round. Evens the playing field.
Take care, Geno. You guys at RSR do a great job.
-Axl
Axl,
What is going on my friend? I could talk about heavy metal infinitely and you are right about those albums. Ozzy rules…one of the best. I love the Ultimate Sin and Bark at the Moon releases. Dio…yep, if you flip over their name, it spells “devil.” Do you remember that? I remember when some Catholic Church representative said Dio was the devil and that was the proof and then they played some of “last in line,” and I went out and bought the cassette because I loved the sound. Dio’s “all the fools sailed away” was great. I love Dio, and don’t get me started on Judas Priest and Iron Maiden…2 of my favorites of all time. I love how Ozzy jumped on this “demon” label that so many gave him in his “Shot in the Dark” video, where he possessed a girl. I still listen to Ozzy, Maiden, Priest, Mercyful Fate, and Dio. Do we have to talk about boxing? Okay, fine, but is there a better CD than Maiden’s “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son?” My favorite of all time. I’m also in the minority that thought Black Sabbath’s: Headless Cross CD was awesome.
The thing about Emanuel Steward is that he is very receptive and scores fights fairly and is usually dead on when he tells his fighters the scores and I don’t think that it’s based on over-hearing the HBO crew. Not much can be done about the HBO team and their volume. I did love when PBF was answering questions while fighting…hilarious. What a badass that Mayweather, JR., is. You have to love him.
Posting the judge’s scorecards takes the fun away. They tried a few years ago and it sucked. Where’s the drama? Save it for your mamma you say? People like to complain and we want it all at once. When Ruiz got the decision over Golota, I wanted to rip off the judges grapes. I would not have been happy if I was mad throughout. I want all that anger to be released at one moment when the decision is read.
Thanks for props man and we appreciate it, really.
FYI
Geno,
You will also be welcome by boxing and Pacman fanatics in Canada. Pinoys from this part of the world are also reading your pieces all the time.
Mike
Mike,
That’s great to know. I just learned that I am also popular in Saudi Arabia, and now Canada. I am going to find a way to leave my dead end, go nowhere, useless job that I now have and go on a world tour. Once my movies hit and I have a little change in my pocket, I am going to the Philippines and then Canada because I would love to meet everyone face to face and say thank you for making my articles and segments as popular as they are. I’m not just saying that either…you people are the bomb.
Okay people, I will end this mailbag on that note. You people are great and remember that I have opened the Geno Bambino Vault of Prizes and the prize this month is: An autographed copy of “The Great White Hopes” by Graeme Kent. It is the bomb and you will read it a dozen times, I’m sure. So, get those questions in. Also, check out www.xposse.com and pick up your copy of “Evil Awakening,” my first movie. You won’t regret it. It’s only 10 bucks and I know that you will enjoy it. Bye bye until next time my friends.
