Dougie's MASSIVE Monday Mailbag

Fans give their two cents on the weekend performances of Kelly Pavlik, Hozumi Hasegawa and Edwin Valero.

NEW YEAR FOR PAVLIK

Hey Doug,
I realize that Kelly Pavlik is going to have to beat another big-name fighter for people to get off his back, but I was happy with his performance against Miguel Espino. I’m sure he will be criticized by some fans because he didn’t knock Espino out right after the bell rang for Round 1, but in my mind he did exactly what he was supposed to do: stop a guy you should stop, and Pavlik did it with relative ease.

It was a shame to see Pavlik become the latest in a list of “bums” who were “overhyped” after suffering just their first loss. Hatton loses to Mayweather…Hatton’s a bum. Cotto loses to Margarito…Cotto wasn’t that good. Pavlik loses to Hopkins…Pavlik was a hype job. I’m sure that if someone like Chad Dawson or “your son” were to lose a fight, we’ll hear the same thing. I’ll never understand that line of thinking that a lot of boxing fans seem to have.

On another note, not for a second have I believed that Pavlik is ducking Paul Williams. I’m not claiming to be an expert by any means, but I have a feeling that some people don’t fully understand how serious Pavlik’s type of Staph infection is; it’s not simply just a cut on your hand. But, hopefully a Pavlik-Williams fight will happen in 2010 because I still think it’s the best fight to be made at 160. Thanks a lot. -- Jesse, New Jersey

Thank you for an intelligent email and not the usual knee-jerk (with a big emphasis on the word “jerk”) reaction I get from fight fans after a name fighter doesn’t look perfect against a lesser-talented opponent.

You are absolutely right about how serious Staph infections can be. My wife, an epidemiologist (that’s a public health scientist who studies the track of disease not a skin specialist, folks), was paid a hefty six-figure salary by the L.A. County to study a Staph infection epidemic in its massive jail system a few years ago. Unchecked, those infections will eat you alive.

I don’t think Pavlik is ducking Williams, either. However, I can’t blame Williams and his team for not wanting to schedule a fight with Pavlik in 2010. I think Pavlik-Williams would be one of the best fights to be made at 160 pounds (a Williams-Martinez rematch is the other) and I hope it gets done, but I’m not going to hold my breath. If it happens it will probably take place later in the year when Team Williams finds out there aren’t many options at 154 or 160 pounds and there isn’t as much money as they’d hoped for a Martinez rematch or fight with Sergei Dzindziruk.

I also get sick of fans taking big greasy dumps on fighters after they lose for the first time. If Valero loses any time soon, forget about those message board nitwits calling him a “bum” or “overhyped,” I think they’ll claim that he never really existed.

I thought Pavlik could have boxed a little more and used his considerable height and reach advantages but Espino came to fight (God bless him), the middleweight champ obliged and I’m glad he did. That was a fun fight for four rounds!

It woke me up from the coma that sittin’ through Cermeno-Valdez put me in.

PAVLIK VS. WILLIAMS

Hey Dougie,
I just want to hear your thoughts on Pavlik fighting Williams (if it takes place) next year. I believe Williams is faster than Pavlik and the guy punches with sheer volume. Do you think Pavlik can take those? How would you rate Pavlik's performance in his win over Espino? Thanks. -- Choy from 'Republic of the Philippines'

I’ll give Pavlik a C+/B- for his TKO of Espino. He did what he should have done but not with the kind of skill or savvy a champion should dispatch a second-tier challenger. Having said that, Pavlik reminded us that he can take a good shot (to the head and body) and that he’s a big, strong, tough S.O.B. That counts for something in boxing.

I view Pavlik-Williams as an even fight. I believe the speed of Williams’ punches and the angles he can give Pavlik in close will trouble the champ, however, I don’t think P-Will’s vaunted pressure and volume punching will be the key to beating the Ohioan. I think the former welterweight title holder’s aggression will play into Pavlik’s strengths (which is his strength, duh, and punching power). If Williams thought those right hooks from Martinez were hard wait until Pavlik nails him with a flush right hand. I think Pavlik can take P-Will’s best shot, I’m not sure about the other way around. But Tall Paul can bust up Pavlik’s face. Even in fairly one-sided brawls (see the Jose Luis Zertuche and Espino fights), Pavlik’s face was marked up.

It’s a fascinating matchup. Let’s hope it can still happen.

HOZUMI HASEGAWA

Hi Doug,
Has Hozumi Hasegawa ever fought a real contender? I'm very disappointed to see him vacate the bantamweight division without mixing it up with Joseph Agbeko or Yohnny Perez. He's 7 for 10 in KOs on title defenses and 5 for 20 before he became champion, and now he's leaving?

It just doesn't seem fair. -- GH

It doesn’t seem fair to us fight fans but it’s probably the fair thing for Hasegawa’s body. He’s been making 118 pounds since he turned pro at age 19. I’m not a fighter and I’m not a doctor but my guess is that making the bantamweight limit has begun to be real strain for Hasegawa now that he’s 29.

I’d love to see him take on Agbeko or Perez, but those guys just burst onto the 118-pound scene this year. Hasegawa won his 118-pound title in early 2005. As long as he fights the top dogs at 122 or 126 pounds, I’m OK with his move. I think featherweight king Chris John vs. Hasegawa is a tremendous fight in Asia.

As for the level of Hasegawa’s competition, dude, do your homework before you judge a fighter. ‘Double H’ is the truth. He won his title from Thai legend Veeraphol Sahaprom, who THE RING ranked No. 2 at bantamweight (behind Rafael Marquez) at the time. He defended his belt vs. Sahaprom in a rematch (TKO 9), Genaro Garcia (THE RING’s No. 6-rated bantie at the time), Simone Maladroit (No. 9), and Vusi Malinga (No. 8).

Alejandro Valdez, who gave Fernando Montiel hell and went 11 competitive rounds with Neo Cermeno on Saturday, was blasted in two rounds by Hasegawa. Alvaro Perez, Nestor Rocha, and Simpiwe Vetyeka are all strong talented, young fighters. Double H hasn't been fighting bums.

EDWIN VALERO

Hey Doug,
Got a chance to see "your son" Edwin Valero's fight against Hector Velazquez this weekend. I just don't see the greatness in Valero. He walks straight in with a pawing jab and is easily countered. Thank goodness Velazquez isn't a puncher or he would have been in real trouble. Also, he's very predictable in the ring. Pawing jab, pawing jab, left hand, left hand. His technique has really regressed. The kid can punch, but what is he going to do when he fights an "elite" fighter who can punch back and exploit his technical flaws?

Also, his punches have gotten a lot slower. To me he's comparable to Acelino Freitas when he had all those knockouts against "has beens" and "never was." Also, at his age of 27 (or 28) I don't see his technique getting any better. He is what he is. A one dimensional banger. The Timothy Bradley's, Juan Manuel Marquez's, Lamont Peterson's beat him. -- Tyler

I agree that Valero looked sloppy in getting rid of Velazquez. He was overly aggressive, didn’t get his jab working (or didn’t bother), lunged in with his punches, and I think the cuts from the headbutts in the first round frustrated him to a degree.

Having said that, I didn’t see a “one dimensional banger,” I saw a rough, relentless punching machine take a tough, experienced veteran’s heart. Even without a world-class trainer working with him (I saw his old Venezuelan amateur coach who basically takes orders from Valero in the gym along with Joe Hernandez’s mitt man Mario “Yuca” Morlaes in his corner) he’s basically a 135-pound version of Marcos Maidana. In other words, even in his raw form, he's a handful for any lightweight.

I think he beats Marquez and both Peterson brothers (and I don’t think have to tell that I have the utmost respect for those three fighters), and I believe he and Bradley make for an even-money fight.

Maybe that’s a “father’s pride” talking, but if he’s really a “one dimensional banger” as you assert, then a well-schooled battle-tested young contender like Antonio DeMarco should not only beat him, but outbox him easily, right? So let’s see what happens in that fight. Are you going to predict a DeMarco victory?

It will be interesting to see what Valero’s critics say before and after that fight. VERY interesting.

Here’s a few responses to some of your comments:

“Thank goodness Velazquez isn't a puncher or he would have been in real trouble.”

Antonio Pitalua is a real puncher (with a solid chin) and Valero wasn’t in any trouble.

“The kid can punch, but what is he going to do when he fights an "elite" fighter who can punch back and exploit his technical flaws?”

I don’t know. He’s got to beat a respected contender (which I think he has in DeMarco) before he can advance to the elite of the sport. If and when he does, we’ll see what happens.

“To me he's comparable to Acelino Freitas when he had all those knockouts against "has beens" and "never was."“

Say what you want about ‘Popo’ when he stopped knocking guys out (I thought he evolved into a rather ugly fighter), he was still world-class and very hard to beat. That’s how I view “my son.”

ROACH ON VALERO

Hey Doug,
Freddie Roach is an honest guy and he always gave props to Valero unlike other boxing pundits. While others continue to brand Edwin as only a hype job, Roach actually has him in his top 10 P4P fighters. Freddie said his undefeated record all by KO is by no means an accident and that Valero is a very live opponent to any elite fighters on or near his weight class. But when asked how Edwin Valero would fare against PAC, Roach is very quick to answer; "Two rounds", that Manny will annihilate Valero as fast as Ricky Hatton.

Given that you have always considered Edwin as your most favorite fighter, what are your thoughts in Freddie Roach's very honest assessment on a Pacquiao-Valero fight? Thanks. -- Rommel

Roach gave you a very honest opinion, not an assessment, of what he thinks would happen if his “son” fought my “son.” I like and respect Freddie and I respect that opinion. Ken Adams says Valero would stop Pacquiao in two or three rounds. I like and respect Adams and I respect his opinion.

Now listen to my opinion on that fight: Regardless of who wins it, if it goes two rounds or three, it will be the best two or three rounds you’ve ever seen.

VALERO IS AMATEURISH

Hi Doug,
Just saw the fight with Velasquez, who hit him with flush punches and did not go down. I'd have to say Pacquiao hits harder as when Pacquiao fought this guy he knocked him out and dropped him with a single right hook.

I say Valero needs to step up to B-level fighters, he is too amateurish, I
think.

What do you find so special about Valero? IMO he has fought bums, don't even get me started on 39 year old "dangerous?" Antonio Pitalua. The only time he fought someone decent he got dropped and had to gut out a ten round win. I can't imagine what others would do to him, hell I think Juan Diaz beats him. -- Tikboy

I like and respect Juan Diaz but I think Valero stops him before the fifth round, maybe earlier because of the Baby Bull’s aggressive style.

What do I find special about Valero? That’s a stupid question. The fact that you don’t know tells me you’re not a very educated fight fan.

If you were, you’d know “that guy” who lasted the longest with Valero, Vicente Mosquera, was a f__king stud. You’d know that the mere fact that Valero, who had never seen the third round of a pro fight (and only fought into the second round once) prior to the Mosquera bout, was able to go toe to toe with a card-carrying badass like that Panamanian maniac for nine and half rounds is nothing short of amazing.

You think Valero needs to “step up” to B-level fighters, eh?

I considered Mosquera (who hasn’t fought since the Valero bout because he’s in jail for murder) an A-level fighter. THE RING ranked him No. 4 at 130 pounds (behind only Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and your boy Manny) at the time Valero fought him.

I consider Antonio Pitalua to be a B-level fighter (and so do Jose Armando Santa Cruz and Jose Reyes who were recently KTFO by the “old man”).

What level do you consider Antonio DeMarco? I think he’s at least B-level. We’ll see what happens on Feb. 6.

Yeah, it’s true Pacquiao took out Velazquez during the sixth round in their 2005 fight, but the Mexican vet fought a lot more aggressively versus the Pac-Monster than he did with 'the V-nom' (against whom he ran, held and butted more than he punched). I was ringside for Pacquiao-Velazquez, and if memory serves me right Velazquez won two out of the first three rounds if not the first three before Pac finally shifted gears.

I’ve seen both Pacquiao and Valero hit the heavybag and the mitts (and heard the impact of their punches) and I’ve seen how they’ve done against the same sparring partners; I still maintain that Valero hits harder.

CAN "YOUR SON" COME BACK IN 2010?

Hi Dougie,
Just shooting you a quick e-mail to say I really liked your recent article about Edwin Valero. I wish more people were talking about him. I still remember watching you break down his sparring a few years ago, back then I figured he would be a star by now. My question for you is, do you think he will get his stuff together so he can make a run in 2010?

Also just wondering what your thoughts were on Hozumi Hasegawa this weekend? Do you think he will fight in the U.S. soon? Also does he deserve P4P consideration? Thanks and Happy Holidays. -- David Green, Warner Robins, Georgia

I think Hasegawa deserves P4P consideration. In fact, in the most recent Y! Sports boxing poll for their P4P top 10, I ranked ‘Double H’ No. 10 (and this was BEFORE Saturday’s fight, ask Kevin Iole if you don’t believe me).

I heard that he wanted to fight in the U.S. a few years ago, but this was before he started KOing everyone and he felt unappreciated in Japan at the time. I don’t think he feels that way anymore.

Thanks for the props on the Valero article.

More people are talking about him, they’re just talking s__t! LOL.

I agree that without his medical suspension he’d be a star right now.

Like Kelly Pavlik, he’s suffered through a lost year for the most part in 2009 (only instead of a Staph infection, cancelled fights and rumors of alcoholism he’s had to deal with visa problems, murder attempts and rumors of smacking up his mom and sister), but if he beats DeMarco in February and looks good doing it I think his career will be back on track in 2010.


Doug Fischer can be reached at dougiefischer@yahoo.com