Hello, my dearest RSR readers. I am happy to say that I am back and ready to answer your wonderful questions. First I want to say that my trip to Puerto Rico was wonderful and refreshing. The USANA presentation was very good and everything went well. To make matters even better while I was in Puerto Rico, I was able to get in touch with two of my nieces that I have not seen in twelve years. The reunion went great and I am bringing them down to spend the week with their dad (my brother) and us this week. It is just another reason to thank God for all of his blessings that we tend to take for granted. Thanks for letting me share and now I will answer your questions.
MAN OF FAITH
Hey, Champ!
Am a fan of yours before–even more so now that I know you are a man of faith! Few fighters have the courage to testify of their faith in public, and I salute those brave enough to stand for their belief in the Lord in the midst of political correctness. Kudos, and may your lot increase.
Any definite dates on your next fight, and whose gonna be the unfortunate guy who will be at the receiving end of your crisp combos? What’s the war-plan in the next two years?
Here’s praying for more success and blessings to you and yours…
Vicv
Vicv,
I appreciate your support and I want to tell you that I am not ashamed to let people know that without God in my life I am nothing. As far as my next fight goes I have no date, opponent or venue to share with you right now, but I will tell you that I have my eyes set on unifying the titles and I would love to fight Cory Spinks. Oscar De La Hoya was my first preference because I have always wanted to add the WBC title to my collection, but I guess Oscar is looking to get paid and does not want to take any chances of ruining the possible Mayweather fight he may have in May of next year.
TO RETIRE OR NOT TO RETIRE
Champ,
I would like to ask when is it clear to a fighter that it’s time to hang up his gloves? Ex: Gatti losing by KO to Baldomir. After that bout, everyone and including Gatti thought maybe it’s time to retire.
Travis
Travis,
This is a good question and unfortunately there is no set answer. It all depends on the fighter really. There is no age limit, amount of fights fighters have fought, or how many times a fighter has gotten knocked out that determine when a fighter should retire. Boxing really has to look deeply into this to figure out a way to stop fighters like Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe from seriously getting hurt. This is a hard thing for fighters to decide, but I think Gatti should retire.
BRING BACK THE 15 ROUNDS FIGHTS
Jose,
This is the first time I wrote in this column but I’ve been reading your column since I discover the pacquiao site. Do you think the styles of boxing before differs from the current styles today? just like the styles of basketball before looked very different from the way they play today. Which is more exciting the 15 rds fight or the 12 rds fight of today?
poist_filipino
Poist,
I am not sure if the styles from today differ from the styles of before, unless I know how far back before we are talking about. I do think the 15 round fights are more exciting than the 12 round fights. I know that they changed the rounds to make it safer for the fighters, but to me that is what determines who belongs in the elite level. Conditioning plays a big role in boxing and 15 rounds separates the boys from the men, point blank.
NO APOLOGY NEEDED
Hi Jose,
its me again. this is my second time to write you. your site really awesome! i just want to apologize to what i’ve said last time against morales. i cant just control my temper. i know you didn’t like my 1st letter. sorry for that..
here is my question,do you know randy suico? what can you say about his performace when he fought Juan Diaz? i really think he needs serious training about his movement, especially his head. he’s like a standing target for Diaz. he couldn’t even land his punches.
whats your thoughts about it?
good day and godbless.
mark ceasar lavalle
Mark,
Thank you for thinking RSR is awesome. We aim to please. You do not need to apologize for your question in the last bag. I never said I didn’t like it. I just said that you should not take what fighters say so seriously, even if they talk junk about your favorite fighter. It is a part of the sport of boxing and if I got upset every time someone said something negative about me, I would be one depressed fighter. As far as Suico goes, I do not need to say anything because you hit it right on the nose.
UNDERRATED
Jose,
First let me say that I was very impressed with your victory and that you (and Collazo) are severely underrated. I would put you in the top five underrated along with Margarito and Barrios. I hope you and your team are able to negotiate the ‘corporate media waters’ and land the deals that reflect the best challenges and the best opportunities for you.
Now for the questions…
Set up these fights for me…
*Pacquiao v. Barrios –why do you think Pacquiao would win? Barrios took it to Freitas and had the momentum before his eardrum burst at the end of 11rds.
*Mayweather v. Margarito –why do you think Floyd would win? I see it as a repeat of Mayweather Sr. v. Chavez.
*Calzaghe v. Hopkins…? I now he’s retired, but let’s wish…
*ONeil Bell v. Chris Byrd… Can you call it?
*Hasim Rahman v. Wlad Klitschko
What did you think of Urango v. Ben Rabah? Who won?
Final question… why does Arce keep holding onto an “Interim” title? Isn’t he supposed to fight the true ‘champ’ at some time?
Keep up the good work and let me know if I can do any writing or color commentating. I am a true student of the game with a 90 year boxing archive (yes 90!)
Arawak Warria
Arawak,
Wow, 90 years of boxing archive! That’s impressive. Thank you for your support. I have been saying this all along, that I am one of the most underrated fighters out there. I never claimed to be the best in the world, but to be ignored most of my 15 year professional career is incredible to me. To finally get some respect in this game is refreshing and I only had to win three world titles in two different divisions. I want to thank all of my fans for their endless support through out all of those years. Now to answer your question, Pacquiao vs. Barrios will be a good and exciting fight, but the reason I think Pacquiao will win is because he has explosive speed, explosive power, and relentless pressure.
I do not think Barrios would be able to stand up to that. Remember Barrios’ eardrum did not burst by itself; it had a lot to do with Freitas’ power. Mayweather vs. Margarito, are you playing devils advocate with me? Do you really think that this fight will end up like PBF uncle’s fight: Roger Mayweather vs. Julio Cesar Chavez? No way. First of all Roger Mayweather was good, strong and could box some, but PBF is in another level. By far PBF is the best of all of the Mayweathers. Yes Roger Mayweather was the name of the Mayweathers, but that was until PBF came along. To make matters even worse, there is no comparisons whatsoever between Chavez, SR. and Margarito. I know, I know you were not comparing them, but I see the fight between PBF and Margarito ending with Mayweather making Margarito look like the one dimensional fighter he is.
Calzaghe vs. Hopkins…well wouldn’t that be a treat, but like you said Hopkins is retired and which Hopkins would it have been anyways? The Hopkins now or the Hopkins that defended his middleweight title like 100 times. I say Calzaghe beats the Hopkins now that is retired and the Hopkins who was the king of the middleweights would have won a close and ugly decision at 168, which is the weight that Calzaghe fights at.
O’Neil Bell vs. Chris Byrd oh yeah I can call it. I like Byrd by unanimous decision. Bell will not be able to hit what he cannot find and if Byrd fights at cruiserweight, he would be faster and slicker then all of his opponents. I know Byrd made good money fighting at heavyweight and he also became a world champion, but if he would’ve at least stayed in the cruiserweight division he could’ve been a sure candidate for the boxing hall of fame. It is mind boggling when fighters opt for the money when they have an opportunity to leave a legacy behind. That is what it is all about for me, but that is easy for me to say…I have neither. Ok on to the next question.
Hasim Rahman vs. Wlad Klitschko well I would like to say that Rahman has a punchers chance, but that is about how far I will predict. I want to see how much Rahman has left in his tank after he fights Oleg Maskaev this coming Saturday. I didn’t see the Rabah vs. Urango fight so I am sorry I cannot answer that question. I do know that what I have been hearing is that the opinions are all the same Urango won, but it should have been closer than Judge John Wright had it. I think he had it 117-111. For your final question I do not know which Arce you are talking about, but the Arce that I know about Jorge Armando Arce is the WBC flyweight champion. This man is beyond interim title holder.
BOXING GURU
Jose
Great pick on the Gatti and Baldomir fight.
Sean Gibbons Sycuan matchmaker
Sean,
Thank you, I just called it like I saw it and Baldomir proved that he was too big and strong for Gatti.
JOSE “SEXY MUFFIN” RIVERA
Jose,
First time writing and hoping I am the only lady in your bag this week you sexy muffin. My name is Toni and I read your bag every week or when you have it on here and not off goofing around probably with some other lady boxing fans. J/K
My question is how can the commission allow Tommy Morrison to come back in any state or fight overseas with being HIV positive?
Toni
PS: We know your favorite color now but how about this one sexy muffin, boxers or briefs?
Toni,
Yes, you seemed to be the only lady in my bag today and that means that Geno is going to brag for beating me. Come on! You are going to have to talk to your friends and tell them my reputation is at stake here. Geno is the king of the mailbag and Geno is the man, but I at least had something over him and he is taking that too. I think I am going to have to kick him in the grapes next time I see him. Yes, you are right. I was with some other ladies last week…two as a matter of fact. They were my 17 and 14 year old nieces that I have not seen in twelve years, but thank God they found me. I am a family man. What can I say?
Ok, your question. There is no way that any commission in any state or country will allow Tommy Morrison to fight with his HIV sickness. If by some miraculous reason someone looks the other way because someone has given them a lot of money and they let him fight, who is going to take the chance to fight him? I do not see anyone insane enough to do it, but remember money talks. For your last question I am going to say both. Sometimes I have the need for boxers.
The Pac Sac (Courtesy of Ask Geno)
Jose,
I’ve heard somewhere that there may be a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Any thoughts on that? Thanks! PS. Great Column by the way. When’s your next fight? Who do you want to fight next if ever?
Caloy
Caloy,
Yes, this is a rumor that has been going on for a little while, but it has no truth to it at this point in time. Mayweather is scheduled to fight in November and you know that Pacquiao is fighting Morales next so we are going to have to wait and see who Pacquiao wants next, but I do not think it is going to be Mayweather. Thanks for enjoying the Ask the Champ mailbag and I do not know who I am going to fight next, but hopefully you will find out soon here on RSR.
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.
