Dougie's Friday Mailbag

BUTE-ANDRADE II

Hey Doug,
As always, thanks for the mailbag. I don't always agree but I keep reading and so you must be doing something right.

Down to business... I wanted to get your take on the controversial finish at Lucien Bute-Librado Andrade I. I was there in person and it was one of the most fantastic live sporting events that I have ever been to. There were 16,000 fans going crazy in the 12th round trying to will Bute back up off the canvas. At the time, I thought that Andrade got royally screwed. The ref (Marlon Wright) was clearly against him. He continually warned Andrade about clinching when it was clear that Bute was initiating the holding. He scored a knockdown for Bute in one of the middle rounds when it was obvious that it was just a slip/trip. And we all know how he bought a few more seconds for Bute at the very end. So I am not defending the ref and, like I said, at the time I thought that Bute had stolen one.

However, when I watched the replay I think that the ref's performance hid the real issue at the end of the fight. Bute went down with a couple of seconds left in the 12th. He did make it to his feet before 10 seconds elapsed. The fact that the ref took a long count should not hide the fact that time had elapsed and the Bute was up before 10 seconds. He clearly would not have been able to continue and he wasn't even really standing under his own power (he was leaning pretty heavily on the ropes). I don't understand the rules for a situation like this. Since time has expired, is all that matters is that Bute beat the 10 count and was standing? Or does he have to be able to step forward and be able to "continue" (even though the fight is over...). I keep hearing all these different interpretations of the rules and I would like to know what is actually correct.

As for the fight this weekend, I think that Bute will get a clear points victory without all the late round drama. Andrade will make it tough of course but I think that Bute is just too slick. Plus he has been training a lot with Glen Johnson which should have him well prepped to fight a strong pressure fighter like Andrade. Later. -- Patrick

I also favor Bute in the rematch. I think he’ll box an even more careful fight this time and I believe he’s prepared to stick and move for 12 rounds. However, like you state, it’s never easy with Andrade. The GIEKO caveman of boxing is a relentless S.O.B. He’s going to stalk Bute for all 36 minutes of action.

I think the only controversial thing about the first fight was the ref‘s in the final round. If he had not appeared to be so against Andrade (or so protective of Bute) in the 12th round I don’t think there would have been as much outrage from fans on the verdict.

There still would have been some outcry, however, because even though Bute was up before the final bell the argument could be made that he was in no condition to continue and since a fighter cannot be saved by the bell in any round -- including the last round -- according the unified rules of boxing a different referee might have waved the bout off regardless of the amount of time remaining. So I think some fans (folks who were rooting or betting on Andrade) would have still been pissed if the referee had not given a warning to Andrade while he stood near the neutral corner. Some fans would have been mad that the referee simply didn’t wave the fight off when Bute went down or immediately after he got up.

TWO SIMPLE THOUGHTS

I watched the Ward-Kessler fight replay this week and thought two simple things...

1) Thank god no one listened to all anyone who complained about the lack of Allan Green/Lucian Bute/Librado Andrade/(you get the idea) at the expense of the two Andre's - fact is, this tournament is the first time I've seen either of them fight and I'm impressed by both (Dirrell just needs to mature a bit, he's a huge talent)
2) (I'm not sure why I thought of this) Librado Andrade versus Carl Froch? Prediction? You know it would be pure entertainment to see them slug it out.

And greetings from Londontown! --Kartik

I think Showtime’s boxing czar Ken Hershman was very wise to sign-up the two ultra-talented Dres for his Super Six tournament. American fans are looking an American 168-pound standout and two young (mid-20s) 2004 U.S. Olympians? American Olympians no longer get the Olympic or post-Olympic TV exposure they did in the 1980s and early 1990s. So in a way, this tournament is catching the rest of the world up with Ward and Dirrell, and I think both guys have proven to be worthy world-class competitors in their first Super Six fights. Who knows how far each with develop by the end of the tournament?

2)I don’t know who wins Froch-Andrade but I know it would be the fight of the year and a scrap worth paying for.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Hey Dougie,
I heard from someone third hand that Sports Illustrated is considering making Derek Jeter their sportsman of the year for this year. Listen, that award HAS to go to Manny Pacquiao. In the past year he has defeated the best Mexican fighter around, the best English fighter around and the best Puerto Rican fighter around, all while moving up in weight to do so, and all while being a massive humanitarian. I am not a rabid Pacquiao fan, but I am a rabid fight fan and such an award would be great for the sport (cover story of SI).

What do you think of this and shouldn't we all beat the drum for a fighter to win this award?

Thanks for all the great work and keep it up!!!! All the best. -- Chris, Toms River, NJ

Manny’s got my vote for sportsman of the year. Unfortunately my vote counts about as much as yours to the good folks at SI. However, I believe for the first time in a long time, a boxer (Pacquiao) was at least considered for SI’s highest annual honor. And for the first time in more than a few decades, a non-American fighter, was considered. Pacquiao won’t get it this year but if he beats Floyd Mayweather next year I think there’s a good chance he could win it.

THE SUGAR MAN

What's up Doug?
All this talk about the big fight between Mayweather and PacMan while the 3rd guy on your ring pound for pound list beats both of them. Sugar Shane for some reason doesn't carry the notoriety of either Manny or Floyd but to me he's a more complete fighter than both. He's lightning fast, has pop in both fists, comes to fight every time out and ducks or runs from no one. Neither of the so-called stars could hurt him and neither man has any obvious advantages. While both Manny and Floyd have fought mediocre to okay (excluding Cotto who was a champ) opponents, Shane faced and destroyed Margarito who wore Cotto down and is now slated to fight Andre Berto who is younger and stronger than both Floyd and Pac. I know people like to sit on the Cotto/Shane fight but I honestly think that fight changes if Brother Nazim is in his corner. The fighter I saw wreck Margarito whips all welterweights that ain't named Paul Williams if he can make weight. That guy is a true freak of nature and I understand why 147's want nothing to do with him. Funny thing is you and I both know that Shane would put his name on the paper without blinking. That's why he's my guy. -- Big 313

He’s my guy, too. I don’t think Williams can make 147 pounds, so I believe that Mosley is the world’s best welterweight, followed by Pacquiao and Mayweather. However, the world wants to see Pac vs. Money because they are the top two pound-for-pound fighters, and I can understand a desire to see who’s truly the best elite boxer in the sport.

After Manny and Floyd settle their business (and it will be very good business) the winner will need a worthy foe -- provided that their fight isn’t a very close one that mandates a rematch -- and who better than Mosley (should the 38-year-old vet beat Berto for another 147-pound title)?