BOXINGTALK'S TUEDAY MAILBAG
By G. Leon

What's going on, Greg? Loving the website, keep up the good work. I noticed there has been a lot of back and forth regarding MMA in the last few mailbags. People need to realize these are two different animals entirely. Where is it written that one has to prosper at the expense of the other? Yet, if you listen to the talking heads - the
majority of the folks at ESPN - boxing is dead and has been eclipsed by the UFC. I once heard Jim Rome say in the buildup to UFC 100, that in the entire history of boxing, you could not find even 50 like events. What bunk. I would venture to say boxing has offered hundreds of bouts that would eclipse anything White's venture could roll out. Could you imagine any MMA match capturing the public interest, even global excitement, of a Louis -Schmeling, Johnson-Jeffries, Ali-Frazier? And those are just the obvious ones. Let's throw in Holmes-Cooney, Robinson against nearly everyone during Middleweight championship bouts, even Mayweather v Mosley. If what's being put out there is accurate, it is not even certain that UFC 100 ( the organizations biggest yet) eclipsed the Money - Sugar buy rate. I do not begrudge anyone success, but let's put this into perspective. Let Dana do his thing and all of us concentrate on making sure boxing does what is in it's best interests - for us the fans. This whole Manny/Floyd debacle definitely sucks. But it will pass and the sport will survive. Let's concentrate on some of young guns - Dawson, Ward, Alexander - and what fights just might happen this year. On that note, I am reading that there are some rumblings of a fall bout between Cotto and Berto. Have you heard anything? Not a bad pairing at all. Thanks, Mike from Tampa

Leon's Response: From here on out the MMA will be an ignored foreign language for the BOXINGtalk mailbag. Maybe one day Floyd can crossover and implement his strict USADA testing regiment over there and let's see how much "juice" cements the foundation of its popularity.

1. Mayweather has done a textbook definition "duck". I was a Mayweather fan, but I can't support this action. I refuse to pay for Mayweather's next fight(s) unless they are meaningful. I won't even support the bullshit fight between Pacquiao vs Margarito. Clearly Mayweather doesn't care about the sport, the fans or legacy. Fuck Mayweather until he grows a pair. 2. Has Roy Jones, Jr. officially retired? I certainly hope so.
3. I was watching Sam Peter vs Klitchko 1. If Peter can get in shape, he's a beast. I thought he was too green in that fight and he nearly took it. Wladimirs "throw, hug and maul" crap was frustrating. I think Peter still has the goods to run the division.

Leon's Response: As you can see from my most recent piece, there's a 50-50 chance Mayweather allows his vacation to extend to 2011. Pac-Margarito is a disgrace. How dare you say Mayweather doesn't care when he was clearly seeking to introduce a higher standard of drug-testing for our sport, not himself? (That's sarcasm). Regarding Sam Peter, if the Queen had balls she'd be the king. Immediately following their first fight it appeared that Peter was rapidly improving, since then not so much. Interesting fight without question. I'm dying to know how Teddy Atlas is validating losing a $2M title shot against Klitchko to Povetkin? This is what happens when faded/outdated trainers turned commentators become relevant with a world class heavyweight. I love and respect Teddy, but in all fairness when was the last time he was involved in a six figure fight, let alone a $2M purse for HIS fighter?


MargaCheato does not deserve this upcoming attention and a multi million dollar pay day. A boxer having loaded gloves is the worst thing they can do. This isn't basketball or baseball where the point is to score as many points, this is boxing where the point is to HURT the other person. Loaded gloves should be a life time ban, it's not something to be fucked around with. It's a shame Bob Arum's greed is more important than what is morally right! I really hope boxing fans do what's right and not watch this disgrace. I might not agree with all your opinions, but I definitely agree with you on this subject. I'm glad you had the balls to say that, you're the only editor and the only website that said it, I hope others will follow.

Leon's Response: Margarito deserves this fight as much as Victor Ortiz deserved to get right back on HBO against Antonio Diaz after he quit against Marcos Maidana. Lifetime ban is harsh, but he should have been FORCED to work his way back to prominence, not have the opportunity gift wrapped following such an infraction.


What is more of a disgrace, Pac Man fighting Margarito, even though he cheated will still be close to and even money fight odds, or Money May fighting no one? At least Pac man, in his short time in the welterweight division is CLEANING OUT the division(Cotto, Clottey, Margarito) save for the one guy that won't fight him --- PBF. You guys give PBF a pass when he fights less than credible opponents because you understand that he is spoiled, will beat everyone anyway, fights for money only yada yada yada. But when Arum and Pac do the same thing, even when it produces what will be a competitive fight it is a disgrace. Now that the PAC vs. PBF fight will not happen, what is an acceptable fight for PBF and do you honestly think it will happen?  To my mind now he can only fight Sergio Martinez or Paul Williams and you know that will never happen. Wait he might fight Vic Darchinyan and make him come up to 154.

Leon's Response: I wouldn't mind seeing Mayweather face Paul Williams, Andre Berto or Sergio Martinez. Pacman is certainly cleaning out the Top Rank Inc portion of the welterweight division. You sent this email prior to my last piece, so I'm going to give you a pass.

Hi Greg. Just some random questions here. NUMBER ONE: How do you beat Mayweather? What should be the strategy and plan of attack in your opinion? NUMBER 2: What would be your advice to Pacquiao when the fight finally happens against Mayweather? Knowing how Pacquiao is, the skills and the unusual style he has; what game plan will you have him follow when he fights Mayweather? That's all. Hope to get a reply from you. More power to your site. Thanks! --Potski

Leon's Response: Jesus Chavez did a decent job of laying out the blueprint before Ronnie Shields unjustly stopped the bout. Jose Luis Castillo took that game plan a ste further, and since then Mayweather's boxing IQ and skills have been far too much for everyone else. I'm not Freddie Roach, so my opinion as it relates to what I think Pacquiao would have to do IN THE RING, is as credible as yours. I think Pacquiao would have to be himself and change nothing. If Pacquiao hurts Mayweather early like Mosley did, chances are he hurts him worse than that at some point over the next ten rounds regardless of how much Mayweather's skills dictate the pace.


Hey G man. I hope you are doing well. Dude how differently would you handle Celestino Caballero career at this point (if you had the chance). I just hate seeing my boy from Panama City Panama get older and older and still not get his big payday. I live in Panama and over here the general census is, if he was with a big promotional company ala golden boy or top rank he would have been getting big fights. With all your experience is this a fair assessment? Thanks bro. -Edwin

Leon's Response: Very differently. I'd rather not comment any further to avoid insulting the attorney of my favorite promoter.

Greg…or do I call you Genco Abbandando? Excellent job on the breakdown of the mechanics behind this feud. This is what sets your business a part from everyone else’s. Nice work consigliere…I’d say let’s see the next move but I don’t think the next move is coming until next year and probably won’t be revealed until after the Pac/Criminal fight takes place. -Tom

Leon's Response: LMAO. It is what it is. Consigliere to who?

This cant happen. I mean Floyd has to be pulling our leg. He on vacation? After a almost 2 year layoff? Greg you gotta do something. You gotta start a rumor or a potential. Floyd vs Berto fight. Lets get the people talking!!!! Since Margo and Pac are fighting which is a dangerous fight for Pac. The only fight for Floyd is Berto or Paul Williams. Bradley is decent but people will say ohhh Floyd beat a Jr Welter. Floyd should fight Berto or Paul. Then Pac then finish his career fighting Martinez for MiddleWeight Title. Also since Floyd cant secure a fight with Pac. Do you think he would of ever secured a fight with Cotto or Margo if Bob is this stubborn? I am a Floyd fan and I am on his side about the random testing and he should get the most money. But if he takes the rest of the year off. Im gonna say Floyd just do 50-50 and 14 days of the fight. JUST FIGHT PAC. GEEZ. You are not getting any younger. -Mr. Weeks

 
Leon's Response: Floyd is good right now. He's not going to be dictated to by anyone and he's in no rush to fight. Floyd is going to do Floyd. When he made the vacation remark, I believe he was truly taken off guard. No matter how often Floyd appeared on Boxingtalk, he only understood how many people read until he was randomly approached on a regular basis. In other words, Floyd doesn't read the internet. The cookie cutter response to any question is, I just fought a little while ago, there's no rush. I HOPE the fight happens, because not closing on THIS KIND OF MONEY while giving everybody what they want should be a crime.

Send questions and comments to: boxingtalkg@yahoo.com