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 HBO’s 24/7 Road to Dawson/Ward, Arthur Abraham’s future plans after his recent victory, the upcoming barnburner between Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado, and much more.
Hector L. (Northridge, CA): I heard you mention the Alvarado/Rios fight on FightHype Radio last week and I wanted you to expand on your thoughts. Who do you give the edge and how do you see it playing out?
Vivek W.: I think it’s a helluva fight/ I think this particular card is going to be incredible/ Regarding the fight itself, I really don’t know who will win, but I think we can certainly look for two men who will die trying. I haven’t been the biggest Rios fan, because in the past, I think we’ve gotten more bark than bite out of him. That being said, this is the type of fight you want to see him in because it allows him to showcase what he does best, and he has a man across from him that’s just as good at doing the same things.
Alvarado is a gamer, and as he’s stated a few times now, this is a “coming out party” for him to not only showcase his talents, but set himself up for bigger nights. Alvarado doesn’t do as much talking as Rios, so he remains a little hidden behind the scenes, but in the ring, he’s all business and is equally as dangerous. I really think he’ll give Rios all he can handle. Neither man will make it easy on the other and neither will stop short of going out on their shield. For both men, there’s the realization that big money opportunities await, particularly being stablemates with the great Manny Pacquiao.
So when the bell finally rings, I think it’s safe to say things will get hot and heavy as quick as they get fast and furious. As far as who wins? It’s a tough one to call, but I’ll say this much: the man that goes down first won’t be the one to leave the ring last (after interviews). Both of these men can close, and whichever one touches the deck first will undoubtedly be the one to lose the fight. We’ve seen some miraculous fight recoveries in the past, but in this one, I just really see whoever goes down being closed out in the process. Just one of those kinda fights! Stay tuned.
Ryan N. (Chicago, IL): What were your thoughts about the Dawson/Ward HBO 24/7 show?
Vivek W.: I thought it was very refreshing. Typically we have a villain and a good guy, but this is a rare case where you have two men you can actually root for in and out of the ring. Both are dedicated Fathers, great talents, and just very balanced overall in life. You have to respect that! Seems like the standard plot of HBO’s 24/7 from day one has been predicated on fighters coming from poverished or drug infested childhoods….raised in the ghetto or on street corners without a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. This time around, it was a guy tossin’ the baseball with his kids and another surprising his. Good stuff.
Regarding the men as individuals, starting with Dawson, I think he did a great job selling himself. He seems to be at a very good point, professionally and mentally, in his life. He appears ready for the big stage and not as overwhelmed as he once did. I remember going into the Pascal fight, I saw him and he just looked totally overwhelmed….sort of like someone who just wasn’t ready for what was being thrown at him. He didn’t look bad during the fight, but to date, I still find it to be his weakest performance. At this stage, he appears ready to broadcast only the best of his arsenal, and I just see him being very far removed from that night.
In the case of Ward, he’s definitely a West coaster. The kid is as cool as a cumcumber. Kinda reminds me of the story once told about Joe Montana being absolutely relaxed and almost questionably controlled in the huddle of a game going down the stretch where his 49ers needed an 80+ yard drive to win with seconds remaining (and they did). To me, Ward just has this whole “Matrix” scenario going on, where he appears to know all the answers before the test arrives.
I wouldn’t dare say he’ll definitely win, because it’s not a lock, but I will say that his intelligence and the way he approaches the fight game is absolutely monumental to me. Seeing his vision and his mindset at work was a refreshing angle when you actually sit and listen to he and Virgil Hunter talk about their approach to training. Dawson has all the physical tools and attributes, but Ward, in my estimation, is much more of a thinker in the ring. Dawson recently said, “Ward has never faced anyone like me before.” I think the opposite bodes just as true….but even more so.
Pascal was ahead on all cards at the time of the headbutt and he’s nowhere near the fighter Ward is….mentally or fundamentally. Granted, Canadian judges haven’t given us much reason to support their cause at times, but if he was even in a close contest with Dawson, Ward could be a totally different animal……not to mention two inches taller (with an inch less in reach, however). I think we have a great fight on our hands, and barring anything crazy, I see fireworks until the final bell!
Jaspel H. (Brooklyn, NYC): Arthur Abraham looked very good in his victory Saturday. Do you think he can reach the top again?
Vivek W.: Abraham certainly appears to have regained his confidence, compared to how he looked at times in the Super Six Tournament. That being said, we have to look at the big picture and see things for what they truly are. Stieglitz is a pretty good talent, but against the best in the world, Abraham didn’t quite stack up. How does he fare against a Lucian Bute or some of the others he hasn’t faced yet? I think Abraham’s durability and power makes him dangerous for most, but the athleticism and the talent level found at the top remain too diverse for him to ever truly conquer, in my humble opinion.
He’s very hittable and relies almost too much on his power and durability. That has been his downfall and remains his downfall in some respects. It isn’t to say he can’t improve, because in some ways he has, but I still don’t quite feel ready to place him above the cream of the crop who now stands at the top. Perhaps that could change one day, but hey….I’ll be waiting….and enjoying the action as he tries. That was a great victory for him this past weekend. Let’s see if he can build on it.
