Brian’s Boxing Mailbag (Shane Mosley/Floyd Mayweather Is On, Should Antonio Margarito Be Banned For Life? More Manny Pacquiao)
Hosted by Brian Wilbur
Hello readers, I welcome you to another fun and exciting volume of my boxing mailbag. The big news this week was that the rumored match up between Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley is now confirmed and set for May 1st in Las Vegas. This is great news for a couple reasons. First, Mayweather is taking on a legitimate top ranked welterweight (gasp!), and it is always good to see the best fight the best. Second, the bout is not taking place on March 13th so it won’t counter program the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey fight as previously thought.
An interesting wrinkle in the announcement is that Mosley agreed to the Olympics style drug testing that Pacquiao refused, leading to the collapse of negotiations. I had discussed in last week’s mailbag though that Mosley and Mayweather really had to fight with the enhanced drug testing or else Floyd would come away looking like a fraud.
Pacquiao and Mayweather are engaging in two separate but quality fights this spring to look forward to. However I know that everyone is still hoping and praying that they both win and will meet later on in 2010 in the fight that entire world is waiting for. Nothing compares to Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather.
There were a few minor fights this weekend, but the one that caught my eye was Jesse Brinkley vs. Curtis Stevens. I have to give a shout out to Brinkley, a former contestant on The Contender reality show. He had a brilliant performance against Stevens, scoring two knockdowns and winning a wide decision. Brinkley was thought to be finished due to a series of losses starting with his exit from the television show. However since 2007 he has won his last 9 fights and taken down a handful of name opponents during that span, including Dallas Vargas, Joey Gilbert, “The Next Great Champ” Otis Griffin, and now Curtis Stevens. Brinkley has surprised and impressed me by resurrecting his career at the age of 33. I see a title shot in his future.
Before we move onto the mailbag, I wanted to remind my readers once again to check out Yusef Mack vs. Glen Johnson this upcoming Friday. This is the best fight we’ve had on regular cable in a long time.
I have a mixed bag of topics this week. We touch on Antonio Margarito, the Super Six tournament, and Manny Pacquiao among other topics. I open this week’s emails with a take on the Mosley vs. Mayweather bout. Enjoy, and as always, I would love to hear your feedback.
Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather Set
I know this disagrees with a lot of growing excitement about Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs. “Sugar” Shane Mosley, but I honestly think Mosley will look oh so bad that Money’s ego will only be stroked and will skyrocket into the next galaxy. Shane did demolish Margarito, but think about it:
– Shane looked bad against Ricardo Mayorga
– Miguel Cotto out-boxed him
– He just looked decent against a badly faded Fernando Vargas
– Shane couldn’t dent Winky Wright
– Margarito probably weakened his previous opponents with his loaded gloves, so he was able to take their punches better as the rounds went; such was not the case against Mosley. And of course huge credits to Naazim Richardson for the tactics Shane employed (loading up on his punches as Margarito came near, knowing Margarito wouldn’t move his head anyway; then coming close & clinching to avoid Margarito’s power hooks to the body when Margarito got into position).
Shane would be very dangerous against Manny Pacquiao, maybe that’s why Freddie Roach thinks that is the most difficult fight for Pacman among the top welterweights. But against Floyd, Shane, would be embarrassed by the end of the fight.
Of course he has brother Naazim is in his corner, but what stylistic change can Shane do to be more competitive? Oscar De La Hoya did good in the early rounds against Floyd, but it seemed De La Hoya’s punches were not connecting solid or hurting Floyd. Shane would have much more power but I don’t see him doing a forcing job with hard jabs to get close and then body strike solidly. How would you advise Mosley and brother Naazim?
-Rob P.
Rob,
I completely agree with you. Shane Mosley is top ranked welterweight and a quality opponent, but I still see this fight as a mismatch in favor of Mayweather. Most of Floyd’s recent fights have been mismatches because he fought a poor quality of opposition or he held a size advantage like he did against Juan Manuel Marquez. In this fight against Mosley, we can’t criticize his choice of opponent because Mosley was the best available since the Pacquiao fight fell through. However due to styles and Shane being a tad overrated right now this is also a mismatch.
When Winky Wright fought Mosley, he did not just win, he toyed with Mosley and had such an easy time that he got bored halfway through the match. Shane has no answer for an elite defensive boxer with a good jab. Mayweather is going to dominate Mosley and win a near shut out unanimous decision. And like you said, since Shane is highly ranked and the best quality opponent that Mayweather has fought in a long time, the public will react positively and Mayweather’s ego will soar to new heights.
Again I am not knocking Mosley as an opponent or a fighter. He deservedly is ranked as the next best welterweight behind Pacquiao and Mayweather so I commend Floyd for taking on a real opponent this time. Mosley would have a much more favorable styles match up against Manny Pacquiao (though I would still favor Pacquiao, just by not as big of a margin). Mosley is at his best when his opponent engages him and Mayweather will do nothing of the sort.
For your question regarding what strategy I would advise for team Mosley, I would advise Shane Mosley to emulate Mike Tyson against Mayweather. Cus D’Amato’s fighting techniques that Tyson perfected was the best style I have seen at countering defensive boxers and boxer-punchers. That means use a quick jab to set up combinations, fight from a crouch, bob and weave, head movement to avoid the jab, and once you slip the jab lunge in with hard swift power combinations. The key is getting past the reach and the jab, trapping your opponent on the ropes and unloading your power punches.
The problem is that in order to effectively implement that style one needs to have elite power, speed, and reflexes. Mosley has good power, but he has never been a one-punch knockout kind of guy. Shane used to have elite speed and reflexes but I believe that those have diminished as he has aged. I don’t think that Mosley has the physical tools to get it done against Mayweather.
Naazim Richardson is a better fight strategist than I am though, so we’ll see what kind of game plan he sets up for Mosley. Another point on Richardson, is that against Margarito you could clearly see flaws to exploit since Antonio is/was a raw fighter. Naazim came up with a plan to capitalize on huge holes in Margarito’s game. Mayweather is so technically sound, coming up with a slam dunk game plan like that is not possible. If there are flaws in Floyd’s game, they are very minor.
Last Pacquiao Steroid Email, I Promise!!!
Hi Brian,
I beg to disagree with you saying that Pacquiao agreeing to be blood tested after the fight is irrelevant. I don’t think it is “completely irrelevant. If the whole purpose of the blood testing is to catch a cheat, then taking the blood right after the fight would be the best thing to do and should put all of this nonsense to rest.
Anyway, I just hope Pacquiao will win against Joshua Clottey as I believe the fight with Floyd Mayweather will still happen later. Clottey is a tough guy and has a big chance of upsetting the Pacman.
As for Mayweather, I have to admit, I am not a big fan of his fighting style. But I rather like his dancing and in fact voted for him a couple of times during his Dancing With the Stars gig. One question though, what is the difference between his 40-0 wins vs. Chavez Jr. 38-0 record?
-Lance Adame
Lance,
The blood test that tests for HGH can only catch dopers within 2-3 days of use. This means that Pacquiao could take massive amounts of HGH all throughout training. As long as he stopped taking the drug a few days before fight night, he would test completely clean on the blood test after the fight.
This is why taking a blood test after the fight is irrelevant.
Even if he was taking HGH he would test negative! The only way to catch an HGH user is to do random blood testing throughout training camp (and even then you have to get lucky and catch the user making a mistake).
Concerning your other question, the difference between Floyd Mayweather’s 40-0 vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s 38-0 is the quality of opposition. People like to criticize Mayweather’s quality of opposition, and rightfully so compared to other elite fighters like Pacquiao, but his record is leaps and bounds better than Chavez’s. Mayweather has defeated a handful of A level opponents and a slew of B level opponents. Chavez’s record consists almost primarily of D and F level opponents, and sometimes he struggles!
And by the way, I don’t think you should be so proud in saying that you watch Dancing With the Stars. Some readers might consider that a bit feminine. Just saying.
Punishment For Margarito
Mr. B,Antonio Margarito was caught with loaded hand wraps last year, no ifs, ands or buts. I think Margarito should be banned forever from boxing worldwide! Your thoughts, Mr. B?-Tito
Tito,
Yeah, based on the evidence against him and the proof that he was knowingly playing with the lives on his opponents, Antonio Margarito probably should be banned for life. There is no room for cheaters in boxing when the stakes are so high. Look at what happened to Brian Viloria and Z Gorres recently to remind you of what we are dealing with. Ike Ibeabuchi. He beat up and raped a girl and deservedly is going to spend many years in jail. However I would have been happy if he had been released early, again for selfish reasons and not because I thought he deserved to be set free. I would have loved to see a potentially great heavyweight like Ibeabuchi challenge Lennox Lewis and the Klitschko brothers.
But real talk, I would be a little disappointed if he did get a lifetime ban, for selfish reasons. I want to see him fight again even though I acknowledge that he deserves a permanent ban. I had similar thoughts about
I am curious just how much the hand wraps had to do with Antonio’s success. There will be increased scrutiny on him now so I highly doubt that he will be able to get away with cheating anymore. I’d like to see him come back against someone like Zab Judah, or perhaps a rematch with Sebastian Lujan, to see exactly what he’s got when he is fighting without an illegal aid. Based on what I have been reading, Margarito will probably be allowed to get his license back sometime in 2010. We’ll see how it plays out with the commission.
Pacquiao Undersized At Welterweight
Pacquiao weighed 149 pounds on fight night against Miguel Cotto, so what does that tell you? Your guess is as good as mine. He was really just a small welterweight fighting a big welterweight. Heck, Pacquiao could even fight at 140 without a problem. It just shows you how good Pacquiao is.
Marquez was already struggling at 135. Sure he won his fights due to skill, but you could tell he was undersized against Juan Diaz. I am not sure if he could cope up with 140. Even Juan Diaz isn’t good at 140.
You really nailed that 5 pounds makes a big difference, but not on Pacman though. My guess, if Marquez gets a loss at 140, he’ll go back to 135 or retire. Marquez is really a 130 fighter. That’s my guess, I don’t know about you.
-Benjie M. Tiu
Benjie,
I remember all of the debates we used to have in previous mailbags about Pacquiao and whether or not he should go up in weight. You thought that going up in weight would be no big deal for Pacquiao and I was hesitant. If you look at 99% of fighters, they lose something when they move up in weight and have to make adjustments or sacrifices.
Pacquiao proved that he is a freak by getting better as he put on weight, defying logic. Pacquiao weighed in at 149 on fight night when Cotto typically weighs in at around 160 when he fights at welterweight. Manny was a welterweight fighting a middleweight essentially, and he still won in dominant fashion. This is why some have been making the comparison to Henry Armstrong.
His archrival Juan Manuel Marquez is obviously human because he falls under the laws of physics when it comes to moving up in weight!
Thank you for humoring me and saying that I was right even though I’m not sure that I was. I always like to hear that I am right because it makes me feel good and strokes my ego. But let’s say that we were both right. I was right that fighting in a higher weight class makes a huge impact. But you were right in saying that Pacquiao could handle it and succeed.
Super Six Still Super?
Brian,
In the Super Six tournament we have Arthur Abraham vs. Andre Dirrell on March 6th, then Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward vs. Allan Green coming up on April 17th. Do you feel like this tournament has kind of lost its luster at all? Abraham is a huge favorite over Dirrell. Kessler was pretty much exposed against Ward and his stock plummeted. Allan Green is a substitute with Jermain Taylor stepping down. How do you see these fights?
-Eric
Eric,
I am still very curious and interested in the outcome of the next round of the Super Six tournament. All of those fights are quality. Dirrell showed promise against Carl Froch, so even though I agree with he is a big underdog against Abraham, his potential is dangerous and could shine through at any time, especially since his back is against the wall.
I am very much anticipating Kessler vs. Froch. There are so many questions. Was the beating that Ward put on Kessler more that Mikkel was overrated or that Ward is that good? Is Carl Froch really good enough to make it to the second round despite being a dark horse at the start? If Kessler loses here, Joe Calzaghe’s win over him looks substantially less impressive since Mikkel continually proves that he can’t hang with top notch opposition.
I am glad that Jermain Taylor was replaced since I was growing concerned seeing him brutally knocked out with such frequency. Allan Green is a fine replacement since he was the best available contender (since Lucian Bute was unavailable). Allan Green vs. Andre Ward is a much better fight than Jermain Taylor vs. Andre Ward. Ward will be tested but I see him winning by decision.
Sunset Thomas
I just shriveled up to one inch when I saw what I just saw. Those (censored) over at doghouse stole your writer/hooker/2nd hottest writer for ringside report (next to you mister). Who do they think they are? Take it to the streets Wilbur.
Plus, that site has more pop up ads than my favorite gay porn website. When I go there it takes like 11 hours just to read a damn story because I am blocking all their heterosexual porn ads. Give me something I can work with if you are going to interrupt my reading. That is why I like your bag Wilbur, because it is short, sweet, and straight to the point.
So what is the deal with Sunset? Can’t you get the Sgt. to offer her up a better pay rate than your opposition? Let’s say four million per article?
-Ralph Maccio
Ralph,
You have a favorite gay porn website? Dude, you crack me up.
Contract and compensation negotiations aren’t really my duty here at Ringside Report so I won’t comment on that. However, I wish Sunset the best of luck at her new home. I enjoyed working with her as she was always pleasant and cordial. Without Sunset writing at RSR I never would have known that the word courtesan is a modern term for prostitute, so I thank her for educating me in that respect. You learn something new everyday.
Sexy White Boy Meets Mike Tyson
Hey Brian,Mike Tyson will ever come back?
You one sexy white boy and I love your big hands. Listen, do you think that
Sugar wants to do things to Brian.
-Sugar Johnson
Sugar,
Please hold back your urges to “do things to me”. I beg of you.
But for your boxing related question, which I feel obliged to answer despite your creepiness, no, Mike Tyson will never come back as a professional boxer. He is back doing fake wrestling though, and he might do some other things like that for money.
Well readers, looks like this week I got less Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather questions. Those, apparently, have been replaced by weird perverted emails that I am ashamed to say that I am mildly enjoying as a change of pace.
Remember to send me your emails so I can feature your email in next week’s bag. Thanks and take care until next time.