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 recent comments made by Tedddy Atlas regarding Manny Pacquiao, Chad Dawson’s victory over Bernard Hopkins, the possibility of Shane Mosley pulling off the upset against Canelo, and much more.
Norris I. (Dallas, TX): Teddy Atlas blasted Pacquiao saying that he should leave Top Rank and I found his words to be very potent. What’s your position on his thoughts and the current direction of Manny Pacquiao’s career?
Vivek W.: I would never say that my word is the “Gospel” or the end-all-be-all, but I will say that virtually everything Atlas has said for the past few years on the evolution of Manny Pacquiao, I have said either prior to or agreed with in the aftermath. I truly see eye to eye with Atlas on this subject, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that, like Atlas, I pride myself on making the truth my ultimate position. Not to say other scribes lie or falsify, but I’m a firm believer that many say what they have to say out of fear of lost credential opportunities and so forth. In my book, the truth speaks volumes, and it’s the only ‘sound’ I ever want to come from my mouth!
When we look at the evolution of Pacquiao, his story could have been one of the very best the sport has ever seen when you consider how he went from selling cigarettes on a corner, to fleeing his city to pursue boxing, and overcoming the death of his best friend among other adversaties. It was truly a remarkable story, but when you look at the perception surrounding him now, there’s no way to be happy about the way he has been made to look like a complete fool. Literally, from one day to the next, he goes from talking about boxing being too sinful to participate in, to being the frontman for a cognac ad in a televised liquor promotion. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and all of the facade surrounding him falls back on the promotional path of Top Rank, who is making a pretty penny from him, yet barely allowing him to see a dime! I had questions about his potential use of enhancement drugs, but I always felt there may have been more to the story. When we look at the smoke and mirrors from day one, it was clear that there were elements outside of his control that prevented him from taking part in the Mayweather clash. It’s not fear. It’s not drug testing. It’s not any of that. It became about that when all else failed.
I don’t want to sit here and accuse Arum of criminal acts because I truly appreciate what he has given to the sport over the years, but that being said, there’s a lot of questions surrounding the handling of Pacquiao, and if he went in another direction, like Mayweather, Oscar, and Cotto, there’s no question he would be at another point in his career; one with far fewer questions. Many felt Mayweather was afraid of Cotto, yet in his (Cotto) first bout away from the promoter, they make it happen. That tells me something, and it should tell you something too. Right now, Pacquiao is the latest in a long list of fighters in that particular stable to be made to look like a fool….and you know how the old saying goes: “When they run out of clowns, the circus is over!” Translation: When Pacquiao and others wise up to some of this stuff, game over for those responsible for doing it. I can’t point a finger with fact, but there’s a reason the shoes are no longer on the rack! Bottomline….if they fit, you must wear them!
Marvin R. (Atlanta, GA): I wasn’t too impressed with Chad Dawson’s victory over Bernard Hopkins. How do you rate his overall talent and how do you think things turn out if he does get a shot at Andre Ward?
Vivek W.: I would like to start by giving Dawson his props for getting the job done. It was a spirited performance, but the overall sentiment I get from talking to several fight fans is that his act was a bit less than entertaining. I don’t know if I would personally categorize his effort that way, but at the same time, I can’t argue with those who would. In today’s game, there seems to be a heavy penchant for KO’s and flashy performances. What most don’t really understand is that although that kind of stuff is great for the highlight reels and YouTube, it doesn’t always mean a victory when presented against an opponent of true skills. In the case of Dawson, he actually has a very sound set of skills, and a very good set of attributes to combine with them, such as youth, reach, etc., but in the entertainment value section, that “wow” factor most like to see, which was previously mentioned, he lacks terribly, however. That’s the only reason he doesn’t carry the same value as others, because he may not entertain the same, but he does win. Even when he attempts to speak himself up, he just isn’t a guy who can bring the level of excitement most want to see. He doesn’t put the cheeks in seats! But do I count that against him? No. Yet I can understand why some do overall, and ultimately it impacts the perception which surrounds him.
Regarding the Andre Ward comments, I thought it was a bold move, but keeping it in perspective, you have the same guy which everyone considers “boring” calling out another one of the more recognized fundamentally skilled guys in the sport. A call out of any type is good for the sport, particularly one involving youthful talent on this level. I know some will say a fight between two fundamental, technical fighters can’t be great, but all I’ll say to that is that when you have two young, talented fundamentalist at the peak of their prime, it’s hard not to get solid action. Dawson has great length and would present a level of athleticism that we haven’t seen Ward face. Flipside to that is that Ward has nearly every tool in the book, and on top of that, he brings a level of aggression that also allows him to get dirty and really take the fight to his opponent; an element Dawson has lacked. There were times the other night when late down the stretch, Hopkins was able to get to Dawson rather easily. A young stud like Ward with much greater speed and great technical skill, who also possesses aggression, could quickly make this dream ride a nightmare. I hope the fight can get done. I think it would be great for the sport. Dawson was motivated for Hopkins. Will he carry the same ‘torch’ (that burning passion to win) now that he’s defeated the “old man”? Or will he get burned when he tries to step into the fire? His motivation level has been an element of question for me. I’d like to see if he can sustain it. For the record, I’d put my money on the boy from the bay. Stay tuned!
Shawn B. (Ontario, CA): You have talked quite a bit about Shane Mosley potentially shocking Saul Alvarez. How strong do you think the odds are of this happening and what next for each man if this shocker does in fact happen?
Vivek W.: I think Mosley is a very live dog in this race! Anyone who doesn’t think so needs to strongly think again. It’s very easy to see Mosley get baffled at the likes of Pacquiao and Mayweather and get down on him, but my response to that, who hasn’t? These two men are recognized to be the best of the best at the highest level. Mosley once was, but at this stage, he simply isn’t what he used to be, and I’m not totally sure he would have fared better when he was. These men are that good! That being said, Saul Alvarez is a good talent, but he simply isn’t what Mayweather and Pacquiao are. Mosley does an incredible job against men who are there to be hit. For those who didn’t get the memo, ‘Canelo’ is there to be hit!
Not only that, but Alvarez, as spirited as he is, I still have great questions about his beard. I’ve seen Cintron and a few others hurt him. If Cintron was able to get in position to land a damaging blow or two on him, there’s no way in hell I don’t think Shane can. I think Shane has enough chin to outlast him, and enough power to make him respect him. Beyond that, I think Mosley realizes that, just like the Margarito showdown, his back is against the wall, people are counting him out, and he has an opponent across from him who most find to be elite, yet being an intelligent veteran, he knows this guy isn’t. I think this fight has Mosley written all over it. In many ways, I think this is more Mosley’s kind of bout than it is Canelo’s. Alvarez has no one on his resume to prepare him for what he’s about to be tested with. And for those who insist that Mosley isn’t what he used to be, I’d tell them quickly that none of us are, but we still find a way to be effective at what we do.
This isn’t a 47-year-old Bernard Hopkins. This is a Shane Mosley who even at 40 is very dangerous and very much able to inflict pain and take some from a guy not known to be a tremendous puncher as well. Regarding what happens in the aftermath if Mosley does win? I think he re-enters the big payday sweepstakes. You have a Cotto rematch at ’54. You have Kirkland, you have Williams. Beyond that, you have one that I’d love to see most: Sergio Martinez. And if both men win out, I don’t think you can effectively rule out another Mayweather clash either. Without doubt, closed doors will re-open for Shane if he finds a way to win. If Canelo loses, he’s a young fighter, and a well-promoted one by GBP. He’d be fed a few confidence-building fights and we’d see him right back in another mega-fight by Cinco de Mayo next year. No question. I’m very much tuned in for this one. No way Mosley wins a decision, but the fact that he knows this tells me he may not need one by the end of the night. Stay tuned!
